Can someone explain all the night entertainment options?

[Safari23]

We're coming to Disneyland June for 5 days, and it's really our first experience, we came once for a day when my daughter was 20 months, but we didn't stay for any of the night time stuff. And that was 5 years ago. So I think I understand what Fantasmic is, and the options available to view it. But I'm still trying to learn about Paint the Night and World of Color.

So PTN is a night parade? What time does it start at? It's at DCA correct? How far in advance do you have to get a spot? Is there FPs for it? Dining Packages for it, and if so, worth it to do?

WOC is similar to F!? It's also at DCA? What time is it at? FPs available? Dining packages worth it or no?

And then there's also fireworks at DL every night? Can you get a FP for them? I understand it'll be new starting in April, so not much is known yet about the specifics and best spot?

I just wanted to note, I don't love the idea of standing in line for an hour or more or staking out a spot that long in advance either, so I'm leaning towards a dining package for at least F! And would consider it for the others if it gets me a great viewing spot without having to stand too long in advance.

 

[figment_jii]

Paint the Night (PTN) is a parade (think like the Main Street Electric Parade or SpectroMagic) over in DCA. Start times will depend on how many showings there are per night. They usually post the entertainment calendar anywhere starting 45-days in advance. It's unlikely that there will be FPs for it, but there are a couple of dining package options. One package is at Wine Country Trattoria (WCT) and the other is at Carthay Circle. There is also a reception (think dessert party) at Sonoma Terrace. At this point, the show hasn't debuted yet, so no one really knows what the viewing areas will be like for the dining packages. You're probably going to have to wait until it starts in mid-April to get a sense of whether the view is all the much better/worth it. In terms of crowds...that's hard to say because PTN is not new (per se), but it was quite popular. I expect there to be big crowds when it first returns (April 13) and then again when the new float debuts (June 23 - I think). Other than that, the route is pretty long, so it's probably pretty likely that you'd be able to find a spot (maybe not front row) without a super long wait.

WoC is a very different show from F!. It has mist screens, water effects, and a few fireworks. There are no live performers or big set pieces. It's also in DCA. There are FPs for WoC (show time and viewing area specific). There are dining packages for WoC right now (Carthay and WCT), but the show is going on hiatus starting April 13 and no return date has been formally announced. It's not yet known if dining packages will return to those two places or not. There is also a dessert package and that's the only option if you want to be seated to watch the show (the current dining packages viewing areas are standing room only, as is the FP viewing area).

I'm of mixed emotions about WoC Dining Packages. I finally saw WoC from a pretty good location and thought that the show was well worth seeing. Prior to that, I'd seen in from the FP and dining package (WCT) viewing area and felt the show was only 'meh.' The problem is that (I think) you really need to be able to see the water surface to fully see the show. I guess the closest analogy is it's like seeing only the top half a parade; it can be fun, but you're missing out on half of the show. So, if I was going to see WoC again, I would opt to invest the time needed to get a good viewing location. So for that, I would plan on arriving anywhere from 45 to 90 minutes before the show is slated to start (in hopes of being near the front of the FP line) and then made a beeline for a centered railing spot. Alas, the problem of being behind someone taller than you is the same whether you're in the FP or dining package viewing areas.

Yes and no...DLR does not usually offer fireworks nightly during the non-peak season, but by June they are usually presenting fireworks nightly (summer season has started). They have not in the past offered FPs for fireworks. I would guess that the same viewing areas that were popular for Disneyland Forever (and most any fireworks show) will still be the best options for the new show (e.g., Main Street). There is no way to really guarantee a good spot fireworks...unless you're willing to invest hours to wait in the area in front of the castle (the most prime location).

 

[Niltiac]

So PTN is a night parade? What time does it start at? It's at DCA correct? How far in advance do you have to get a spot? Is there FPs for it? Dining Packages for it, and if so, worth it to do?

Yes, Paint the Night will be at DCA, but it actually hasn't started running yet so I'm not sure anyone can really say how difficult it will be to get a spot or how valuable the packages are yet, so keep an eye out for reviews once it starts running. When it was DLR it was a very popular parade and it was difficult to get front row spots, but DCA has a longer parade route so there's more room for people to spread out, and that should help.

WOC is similar to F!? It's also at DCA? What time is it at? FPs available? Dining packages worth it or no?

I would not call WOC similar to F!. There are no live actors in WOC, it's a show that uses light, water, projections, and music. I really like it. It is at DCA. Check the schedule for times, it depends on the day. You can get FP for it and if you're willing to put a bit of time into it you can get a good viewing spot with regular FP. If you're short, getting a good spot is important for this show because of how the viewing area is set up. There's also a dessert party option which gets you an actual table and chairs during the show, and lots of people love it, though I personally didn't enjoy the experience when I tried it.

And then there's also fireworks at DL every night? Can you get a FP for them? I understand it'll be new starting in April, so not much is known yet about the specifics and best spot?

Fireworks are every night in Summer but are often canceled due to wind. No FP for fireworks. I assume the fireworks will be launching from the same place they did for previous shows, so you can look at advice for previous shows with regard to where you can get a good view.

 

[BrianL]

Specific times change, so check the DL website. They may not post the times until closer to your trip.

PTN = Paint the Night - This is a parade that started at Diensyland for the 60th (though the original version is from Hong Kong), and will be returning at DCA. It is the spiritual successor to the Main Street Electrical Parade and it is fantastic! It's totally worth seeing and it is getting a new float at some point during Pixar Fest. There are dining package options.

WOC = World of Color - This is a water and light show that has been through a few iterations. It's like a "dancing fountains" type of thing on a grand scale, using the rides on the pier as a backdrop. It is beautiful! It will use some water screens as Fantasmic! does, but the show contains no actors or anything other than water and light effects. FP is available and recommended. Like F! the FPs are not connected to your ride FPs so you can get one early. They do it in two sections, giving out all of the passes for one section, then the other.

Together Forever will be your DL fireworks show and it is Pixar themed. It may not be every single night and be warned that they are often cancelled for winds. The show is new and hasn't started yet, but it will incorporate fireworks and projections on the castle/Main Street. They also do projections on the IASW facade and the water screens for Fantasmic! There are no FPs or dining packages for it.

Fantasmic! is the show on the Rivers of America. It sounds like you are somewhat familliar with it, but it does have dining packages and FPs. It was recently revamped with some new show scenes and is now very popular again.

I typed all this and others did too, so I hope it's at least a little helpful.

 

[Pamela M]

It would help if you said when in June. If you go in early June some of the night time entertainment may not be available. For example I'm going the first week of May -Fantasmic & fireworks are only scheduled on the weekends. While Paint the night will be playing the entire 5 days I'm there.

WOC is currently on refurbishment. Not sure when it's supposed to re-open - I think when Pixar Pier opens the end of June. I would describe WOC like Fantasmic but without live characters but- kind mix of Balagio fountains in Las Vegas mixed with Fantasmic.
Both Fantasmic & WOC having either a dinning or dessert option available. I think most people here would recommend one of those. You can get fastpasses but then you still would need to show up early to get a decent spot. It's nearly impossible to watch Fantismic or WOC without either a Dinning/dessert plan or fastpass.

Paint the Night is a parade in DCA. It doesn't start until April 13th so no one can really tell you how hard it will be to get a good viewing area. There is a dining and a reception option but most people on the board are thinking you won't need them to get a good spot for the parade. I haven't heard about fastpasses for Paint the Night. My guess would be NO on that.

Fireworks depends on when you go as stated above when I'm going it's only on the weekend. I've heard for you have to camp out early early if you want infront of the castle viewing and maybe 1/2 for mainstreet. If you watch from it's a a small world or near Rivers of America it's less. I think there is a Tomorrowland Lounge experience for watching fireworks but it hasn't gotten very good reviews.

Just a reminder that you can reserve dining 60 days in advance. I recommend getting any reservations you are thinking of- you can always cancel closer to the date if you decide not to. For example I'm just over 30 days out to my trip and the Paint the night reception is soldout for the 5 nights I'll be there. I grabbed my reservation at 60 days out.

One thing you might consider getting is Maxpass - it's Fastpass that you get on your phone. so there is no running from one fastpass line to the other. It's $10 per person per day.

I'm sure someone else on here will have more info for you.

 

[lalasmama]

We're coming to Disneyland June for 5 days, and it's really our first experience, we came once for a day when my daughter was 20 months, but we didn't stay for any of the night time stuff. And that was 5 years ago. So I think I understand what Fantasmic is, and the options available to view it. But I'm still trying to learn about Paint the Night and World of Color.

So PTN is a night parade? What time does it start at? It's at DCA correct? How far in advance do you have to get a spot? Is there FPs for it? Dining Packages for it, and if so, worth it to do?

Yes, PTN is a night parade. It will be at DCA for the first time. I don't recall what times it has ran in the past; I think it's been gone for 2 years or so, and then it was at DL-proper. The parade route is pretty long, but it's a pretty loved parade, so I'd plan to get there 30-45 minutes ahead of time. There haven't been fast passes in the past, at least that I can remember. I'd expect them to have a dining package for viewing, however, I haven't paid much attention to any announcements. (Hahaha, it was a challenge getting Hubs to okay a Fantasmic dining package for our upcoming visit, no way would he consent to another one in the same trip. Clearly we see who the spender and the saver is in this marriage!)

WOC is similar to F!? It's also at DCA? What time is it at? FPs available? Dining packages worth it or no?

Similar? Yes, and no. Like F!, there are water projections and pyrotechnics. However, there's no characters in WOC like there is for F!... My mother calls shows like WOC a "water ballet"--it's colorful water jets and shows projected onto mist screens, with some flames. They usually do 2 shows a night during the summer; I think it's something like 9pm and 10:15pm, but I could be totally wrong. Fast passes are needed for some viewing areas. They have a Dessert Party that gets great reviews.

And then there's also fireworks at DL every night? Can you get a FP for them? I understand it'll be new starting in April, so not much is known yet about the specifics and best spot?

I just wanted to note, I don't love the idea of standing in line for an hour or more or staking out a spot that long in advance either, so I'm leaning towards a dining package for at least F! And would consider it for the others if it gets me a great viewing spot without having to stand too long in advance.

Yes, fireworks every night at DL. No fast passes for them. Best spot is expected to be around the hub, in front of the castle, like normal, as there will be projections on the castle and something "flying." This being said, since you don't like waiting in lines to stake out a spot, you can decide how important it is for you to see what's flying above the castle. Watching F!, you can then stay in your spot there for the fireworks--they do projections on a mist screen on the river. I've done this several times, and never been disappointed, but I also don't place a high emphasis on seeing Tink, or Dumbo, or whatever else, flying above the castle.

 

[Safari23]

Thanks so much for all your replies. They're very helpful. Sorry, yes dates would be helpful. We'll be in the parks June 19-23 (23rd will be DCA and maybe only half day). We also don't have park hopper. So we'll have to be strategic on which days to choose where based on the night stuff I guess.

So if they don't post the days all these things will be on till 45 days out. But you can reserve the dining packages 60 days out. How do you know which days to pick for the dining packages? Or will it be ok to wait till the 45 day mark to make reservations and still get the days and times I want?

 

[figment_jii]

So if they don't post the days all these things will be on till 45 days out. But you can reserve the dining packages 60 days out. How do you know which days to pick for the dining packages? Or will it be ok to wait till the 45 day mark to make reservations and still get the days and times I want?

That's one of the great quirks of DLR; they allow dining reservations at the 60-day mark, but they don't release the schedule until 45-days. You can usually get a sense of the nighttime offerings from the dining packages. If you know you want to do the PTN or WoC packages, I would go ahead and make them whenever you want/can and then adjust as needed when the schedule comes out. While not absolute, usually lunch reservations are for the first showing and dinner reservations are for the second showing (when applicable). The dessert packages (and probably the Sonoma Terrace PTN reception) are for a specific show time (usually only the first showing).

 

[Safari23]

Thanks figment! I didn't realize that about dinner being for the second show. Any idea how late that would be in June? I assumed we'd go to the first show.

And does BB do lunch or just dinner?

 

[momof2n2]

We have similar vacation dates as you do 6/12-6/20.

I somehow missed that WOC was going on hiatus. I'm suddenly shocked by the thought it might not be open for our trip! WOC is what I completely associated DCA with.

On one hand, taking one more "must do" off our list would make our list more manageable, but I wouldn't have put that one on the chopping block.

That's one of the great quirks of DLR; they allow dining reservations at the 60-day mark, but they don't release the schedule until 45-days. You can usually get a sense of the nighttime offerings from the dining packages. If you know you want to do the PTN or WoC packages, I would go ahead and make them whenever you want/can and then adjust as needed when the schedule comes out. While not absolute, usually lunch reservations are for the first showing and dinner reservations are for the second showing (when applicable). The dessert packages (and probably the Sonoma Terrace PTN reception) are for a specific show time (usually only the first showing).

Well now - that is another detail I missed.
Planning DLR is nowhere near as complicated at WDW, but it's not as easy as some lead you to believe, either.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

We have similar vacation dates as you do 6/12-6/20.

I somehow missed that WOC was going on hiatus. I'm suddenly shocked by the thought it might not be open for our trip! WOC is what I completely associated DCA with...

Don't worry, WOC is on hiatus from April 13th (it is not on break now as stated above) and will be back by Memorial Day Weekend. Maybe that isn't such good news as it does throw one more night show to juggle into your schedule?!

 

[figment_jii]

And does BB do lunch or just dinner?

BB serves both lunch and dinner, but I think it might only offer F! dining packages starting at 4:00 pm (dinner). I don't recall for sure, but for that one, the dining packages are based on reservation time (from 4:00 pm to some point is first show, then from that point to the last package is second show). I've read that if there is availability, they'll allow guests to select which show you want, but it's hard to know in advance if that'll be the case on your day.

 

[goooof1]

Thanks so much for all your replies. They're very helpful. Sorry, yes dates would be helpful. We'll be in the parks June 19-23 (23rd will be DCA and maybe only half day). We also don't have park hopper. So we'll have to be strategic on which days to choose where based on the night stuff I guess.

So if they don't post the days all these things will be on till 45 days out. But you can reserve the dining packages 60 days out. How do you know which days to pick for the dining packages? Or will it be ok to wait till the 45 day mark to make reservations and still get the days and times I want?

This is one advantage of getting park hoppers....you don't have to pick!! ..... flexibility, flexibility, flexibility !!!!