Avoiding Parades and Fireworks

[mcnerthney]

We got caught on Christmas Eve trying to get from Splash to Small World in the middle of fireworks (park closed at 8pm and fireworks started at 7:45pm). The Railroad cars were so full we couldn't make it on. So we had to run with 5 kids across the park and sat down in a boat just as the closing announcement sounded.

So my question is, where should we be to avoid the fireworks and parades? I want to avoid the Fantasmic crowds on one side of the park and Fireworks gathering on the other.

Kristi
3 more weeks to go!

 

[Funball]

ohh shoot that is a tought question, i just try not to be in the general area where the fireworks are going to be, and that goes the same for fantasmic, parades, well you'll know when they start main st will be lined with people! i just go through the shops, the walkways will be too crowded to walk and the shops connect onto each other and then eventually you can find your way past the parade route either side that you go! that is if your going toward the castle of course it's same if your trying to get out of the park!

now with fantasmic, i usually am in TT or at DCA(if they are open late) to avoid fantasmic crowd, now with the fireworks, umm kinda the same thing,opposite area of where the event is happening works for me! also what helps for me is, at 9pm if i leave the park before the fireworks even start that way i can get on the tram, and get into the parking lot before the FW crowd even gets there!! the trams get soo busy after fireworks! but that is what works for me!

 

[barefootmomma]

We've had some success doing Tomorrowland during those times. Also, although some rides are closed for the fireworks presentation, Fantasyland isn't a bad area to be in either, and can be a great alternative area (with generally much lower crowd levels than Main Street) for viewing the fireworks too! You won't see the action happening on/in front of the castle there, but you can get a great view of Tink/Dumbo flying, as well as a great view of the fireworks themselves overall. Of course whatever you choose, allow yourself a decent amount of time following the finale of either presentation before attempting to enter the area again. Exiting crowds are chaotic and staggering.

Edited to add: Parades are a whole other situation IMO. I just generally try to make sure we're busy in any land while they're going on on Main Street so to avoid crowds, ropes, etc.

 

[TechGuy]

There is a walkway through the left side of the castle facing the castle from the bridge) that will get you around the parade going down main street.

I think you enter in the Zocalo in Frontierland and exit near the back side of the castle proper by the gift shops. It is like a secret walkway. It takes you from Frontierland to Fantasyland directly.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Think of Disneyland as your home town. You know when traffic builds. You know which roads to avoid and when. You also know the back-routes should you need them.

Disneyland is the exact same thing. Be aware of when parades, fireworks, and Fantasmic! are happening - even if you have no interest in them - because they affect you. Understand the areas the affect, the back routes around these areas, and the timing of when they build up traffic.

Once you understand these elements, and plan around them, you won't get yourself stuck in a DL traffic jam because you will plan to make your way cross-park before rush hour hits.

- Dreams