Choose 2 please

[rentayenta]

We will be at the Disneyland Resort from Sunday Nov 27 thru Tuesday Nov 29. We'll have 3 full park days but I'm guessing only time for 2 of the 3: fireworks, WoC, and Fantasmic! Which 2 would you choose and why?

 

[Minnie Loves Mickey]

WOC & F! They are both Great shows and my two favorites....But I do love the Fireworks too.

 

[DangerMouse]

You've never seen WOC, right? Neither have I. So that is a must do for us.

Why can't you do fireworks and F! on the same night? I would definitely try for both on Sunday, seeing that is the only day they will most likely be showing F!

 

[rentayenta]

WOC & F! They are both Great shows and my two favorites....But I do love the Fireworks too.

I love them both but haven't seen F! for probably 4 years.

You've never seen WOC, right? Neither have I. So that is a must do for us.

Why can't you do fireworks and F! on the same night? I would definitely try for both on Sunday, seeing that is the only day they will most likely be showing F!

We've seen WoC twice, once with the WC dining and the other with the picnic. It's an amazing show. A must-see for sure. I heard they may be doing a holiday version.

Both on the same night? My kids would kill me if I made them wait. I suppose I could do the fireworks and they could meet me for the 2nd F! if there are two showings.



I'm flipping out over only 3 days but Michael will not budge even though he doesn't have to be back to work until Dec 2. He thinks 8-9 days, depending on if we drive or fly, is plenty of solid family time.

 

[uneekstylez]

For some reason I clicked Fireworks & F! I meant to put WoC and F! Because you can watch fireworks and Fantasmic! on the same day. Probably on the Sunday that you're there. You can watch the fireworks first and then after that, catch the last showing of Fantasmic! Then you're free to watch WoC on the other nights you're there.

 

[DangerMouse]

Well, then I would do F! on Sunday, WOC on Monday and Fireworks on Tuesday (to end with the sappy sentimental "Believe" with snowfall). EASY PEASY!

 

[rentayenta]

For some reason I clicked Fireworks & F! I meant to put WoC and F! Because you can watch fireworks and Fantasmic! on the same day. Probably on the Sunday that you're there. You can watch the fireworks first and then after that, catch the last showing of Fantasmic! Then you're free to watch WoC on the other nights you're there.

Do you just hustle over to the F! area right after fireworks? Are the times for the first F! show and fireworks staggered? I remember trying to get out of the F! area and how bottlenecked it was. I can't imagine going against traffic.

I'm guessing though at least we'd have less of a wait of we did the 2nd F! showing.

 

[rentayenta]

Well, then I would do F! on Sunday, WOC on Monday and Fireworks on Tuesday (to end with the sappy sentimental "Believe" with snowfall). EASY PEASY!

I like your plan but here's my dilema: if the fireworks get canceled due to wind or weather and I didn't see them the first night, I'll kick myself. Hard. I've been there when they were canceled 2 nights in a row. The Santa Ana winds kick up and it's all ovah! Though not super common, it does happen in December. So is your trip for sure?

 

[uneekstylez]

Well, I heard 2nd showings of F! on Sundays usually have fewer people and it's perfect since fireworks usually end right before the first F! starts. So you can ride some rides after fireworks. Pirates and Haunted Mansion, perhaps? Usually walk-on at that time. And then when it's done, just grab a spot for the 2nd show.

This is what we did last time we were there. But we ended up not even staying for the 2nd F! cauze my son was too overtired and just getting really too much to handle.

 

[DangerMouse]

Do you just hustle over to the F! area right after fireworks? Are the times for the first F! show and fireworks staggered? I remember trying to get out of the F! area and how bottlenecked it was. I can't imagine going against traffic.

I'm guessing though at least we'd have less of a wait of we did the 2nd F! showing.

Jenny, our family has done this several times, and a couple different ways. The first way is to position yourself for the fireworks near the entrance to Carnation Gardens area and then as soon as the snow starts to fall you have to book it through the Rancho de Zocalo tunnel and head toward the ROA. They will have a rope with a CM holding you back until the first show has cleared. Once they've cleared out the people, they will let you in to find a seat for the 10:30 F! It's super crowded and people will be "mooing" like cattle, but it's pretty easy to get a great spot for that 2nd show.

The other way we have done it is to watch the fireworks near the train station and then as soon as it snows, catch the next train to NOS. This way you avoid the whole against the crowd herd thing and it's pretty easy to pop in and grab a great spot right off the train as the first show is clearing out.

 

[DangerMouse]

I like your plan but here's my dilema: if the fireworks get canceled due to wind or weather and I didn't see them the first night, I'll kick myself. Hard. I've been there when they were canceled 2 nights in a row. The Santa Ana winds kick up and it's all ovah! Though not super common, it does happen in December. So is your trip for sure?

Yep, we've been disappointed by those darn Santa Anas too. So that's why I think you should try for both Fireworks and F! that first night, just to be safe.

Yep, we're a definite go! Got our airfare all booked and have ressies at both the HoJo (kids suite) and DLH (pin code). Just have to decide which to cancel.

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

F! And woc for sure. Only because you can watch the fireworks from the F! area.

 

[jory29]

I have a son with very limited patience, and so for us, fireworks, and 'other', a parade, are the must do things... the rest of the choices involved too much waiting, or kids too short to see the shows the right way.

How dismayed was I when my daughter and I watched over half of WOC this past May, saying, "Wow, isn't that great?!?" - Then, upon 'ducking down' to her 'level' to 'see what she could see' it was literally nada. Zilch. She has the patience of a Saint so hadn't said anything, but hadn't let me know she was missing it all. My son and DH had to go do their own thing, as my son knew he didn't have the patience to wait it out. I think Fantasmic is the same, it takes too long to secure a spot, etc. Fireworks always amaze and delight our entire family.

I DO love WOC and Fantasmic, don't get me wrong... but if I could only choose 2 things, Fireworks and parade is it. We like to spend the rest of our time on attractions. Maybe it's different for those folks who live near by, who can't always go on the attractions, I don't know, but when we are so blessed to be there 6 days out of the year despite living so far away, we take advantage of the attractions that we can go ride on, rather than the ones you have to wait hours to secure a good spot to be able to see them.

 

[marcemc]

Fireworks & WoC.

Fireworks because the park will be decorated for Christmas and it is just magical to see them in Main Street with all those beautiful decorations & the tree up.

I think WoC is such an amazing show, I love F! but I would miss it for WoC.

Have fun!

 

[kailuagirl]

One of my top favorite things about going to DLR at Christmas time is the snow falling on main street after the fireworks. Makes me tear up everytime. I just love watching my daughter catch the snow and all the other children, just love it! and all the "snow" on our clothes, on our stroller, in our hair. nothing better at all!!

WOC is great too and F was ok, I wasn't blown away by it, but the fireworks and snow, now that is something to write home about

 

[rentayenta]

Well, I heard 2nd showings of F! on Sundays usually have fewer people and it's perfect since fireworks usually end right before the first F! starts. So you can ride some rides after fireworks. Pirates and Haunted Mansion, perhaps? Usually walk-on at that time. And then when it's done, just grab a spot for the 2nd show.

I didn't even think about Sunday having fewer nighttime crowds due to school the next day. Awesome!

This is what we did last time we were there. But we ended up not even staying for the 2nd F! cauze my son was too overtired and just getting really too much to handle.

Been there. I think I'd just send them away to ride BTMRR with DH if they get squirrely. My middle DD will stay and wait though with me. She's all about the magic.

Jenny, our family has done this several times, and a couple different ways. The first way is to position yourself for the fireworks near the entrance to Carnation Gardens area and then as soon as the snow starts to fall you have to book it through the Rancho de Zocalo tunnel and head toward the ROA. They will have a rope with a CM holding you back until the first show has cleared. Once they've cleared out the people, they will let you in to find a seat for the 10:30 F! It's super crowded and people will be "mooing" like cattle, but it's pretty easy to get a great spot for that 2nd show.

Do you miss any firework effects over by Carnation Gardens? No snow I'm guessing? Not like I don;t see enough real snow it Utah.

The other way we have done it is to watch the fireworks near the train station and then as soon as it snows, catch the next train to NOS. This way you avoid the whole against the crowd herd thing and it's pretty easy to pop in and grab a great spot right off the train as the first show is clearing out.

I'm loving the train idea!!!! You're a smart cookie!

Yep, we've been disappointed by those darn Santa Anas too. So that's why I think you should try for both Fireworks and F! that first night, just to be safe.

Good idea. I'm loving your train idea. I could seeing DH going for this too and he's a hard sell.

Yep, we're a definite go! Got our airfare all booked and have ressies at both the HoJo (kids suite) and DLH (pin code). Just have to decide which to cancel.

Which are you leaning towards?

F! And woc for sure. Only because you can watch the fireworks from the F! area.

You can see the fireworks while waiting for F!?

I have a son with very limited patience, and so for us, fireworks, and 'other', a parade, are the must do things... the rest of the choices involved too much waiting, or kids too short to see the shows the right way.

We'll do the parade for sure. I usually end up watching the fireworls alone, but very happy, while the family rides BTMRR 100x.

How dismayed was I when my daughter and I watched over half of WOC this past May, saying, "Wow, isn't that great?!?" - Then, upon 'ducking down' to her 'level' to 'see what she could see' it was literally nada. Zilch. She has the patience of a Saint so hadn't said anything, but hadn't let me know she was missing it all. My son and DH had to go do their own thing, as my son knew he didn't have the patience to wait it out. I think Fantasmic is the same, it takes too long to secure a spot, etc. Fireworks always amaze and delight our entire family.

She missed it? Poor thing. The waiting with the possibility with a let-down is the huge downside. I hate the way they have the WoC systme set up. You can wait for 2 hours and still get nudged out.

I DO love WOC and Fantasmic, don't get me wrong... but if I could only choose 2 things, Fireworks and parade is it. We like to spend the rest of our time on attractions. Maybe it's different for those folks who live near by, who can't always go on the attractions, I don't know, but when we are so blessed to be there 6 days out of the year despite living so far away, we take advantage of the attractions that we can go ride on, rather than the ones you have to wait hours to secure a good spot to be able to see them.

Fireworks are the non-negitiable for me and my family We are in Utah but try to make it once a year. The holiday fireworks are just so magical to me.

Fireworks & WoC.

Fireworks because the park will be decorated for Christmas and it is just magical to see them in Main Street with all those beautiful decorations & the tree up.

I think WoC is such an amazing show, I love F! but I would miss it for WoC.

Have fun!

One of my top favorite things about going to DLR at Christmas time is the snow falling on main street after the fireworks. Makes me tear up everytime. I just love watching my daughter catch the snow and all the other children, just love it! and all the "snow" on our clothes, on our stroller, in our hair. nothing better at all!!

WOC is great too and F was ok, I wasn't blown away by it, but the fireworks and snow, now that is something to write home about

Absolutely! The fireworks are my favorite.

 

[skiingfast]

Fireworks and WoC.

Add in F! to the others, not the otherway around.

I didn't read all the posts and skimmed a bunch and saw some good ideas.

Have you and all your's seen WoC and the Christmas Fireworks(Believe in Holiday Magic?

What I would suggest is if it works see the early WoC get out of DCA quick by viewing from the back. Get into Disneyland and cut through Adventureland strait to the light tower to see F!. This strategy can work very simply and easily when you have 30-45 minutes to get from Paradise Park to the Rivers of America. This will let you double up two shows in one night.

While it's often suggested to see F! and stay there to watch the Fireworks I would not reccomend this. From ROA I'd give the fireworks a 6/10 because of the limited view. See them from the Hub or Mainstreet because a large part of the show is not high in the sky. It's on the Castle and between there and the Matterhorn, areas you can't see from ROA.

 

[Princess Row]

I chose Fireworks and WOC.
We saw F! about two years ago and hated every bit of it. We thought it was just an absolute waste. We go about 3-4 times a year and just dont care for it.
Fireworks are ALWAYS a must do for us at least one night....the otehr nights during fireworks we go on the big rides (less of a wait).
during F! We always catch pirates because there is usually NO wait!!!

WOC: Now something to see every trip....if you have never seen it...I would highly reccomend it.
We saw it once in the pooring rain in the VIP section and it was TERRRIBLE!!!!! We hated the whole experience.
Then we saw it playing from our hotel room and had another look so my mom and I got up to get passes in a regualr section (non vip) and LOVED it!!
Again...not something thats a must see every trip.

Have a magical trip! Best of luck on your decision!

 

[kikiq]

I would do WOC and fireworks because of the holiday theming. F! is the same old, same old...good but as of now, it doesn't have any holiday changes. WOC will most certainly have some holiday changes and the fireworks...well, I'm with the PP, the snow around the hub and Main Street...playing White Christmas.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Well, then I would do F! on Sunday, WOC on Monday and Fireworks on Tuesday (to end with the sappy sentimental "Believe" with snowfall). EASY PEASY!

I would not leave fireworks to your last night, especially in December. You are flirting with fate to not be able to see them.

Do you just hustle over to the F! area right after fireworks? Are the times for the first F! show and fireworks staggered?

Yes and yes. You actually don't go against traffic because they have the entire area flowing in one direction. So you can only enter the riverfront from one path and leave (aka enter Main Street) from the other. It is mofd an issue of being "cattle," with everyone else doing the exact same thing. With patience and a plan, you can get there though - and see the second Fantasmic! showing.

...Do you miss any firework effects over by Carnation Gardens?...

If you are ALL the way over, yes. But if you are further forward and a little to the right, no.

You can see the fireworks while waiting for F!?

Ummm.... well, yes, you can see them. Is it the same as from the Hub? No. Does it, to reference a comment above, "lose some of the magic" from the river? Imho, yes. Watch them from Main Street if you only get one viewing.

- Dreams