Diamond Celebration: 24 Hour Event @ Disneyland Resort May 22-23!

[kangamama]

If you can, I would sit on Main Street for the fireworks and parade. It sounds like there will be a lot of great projections on the buildings. If you can get down further on Main Street, closer to the hub, then you will also have a pretty good view of the projections on the castle and possibly even the Matterhorn. I think you will need to get there very early to get a good spot though because it will invariably be the most sought after place. I'm thinking of getting there 2 hours before the parade.

ok, that's what I was thinking, too. Snag a spot close to the top of main street, and snag it early. I was planning to plant myself someplace at 6 pm.

 

[thmcdonald1]

Ugh... The Disney Parks Blog did a special raffle for early previews of the 60th entertainment and it was open for less than a minute (if it was open at all). I checked the site as soon as it was posted and it was already saying it had reached capacity.

Kind of crazy. There must have been an EXTREMELY limited number of spots.

 

[Angrose]

Ugh... The Disney Parks Blog did a special raffle for early previews of the 60th entertainment and it was open for less than a minute (if it was open at all). I checked the site as soon as it was posted and it was already saying it had reached capacity.

Kind of crazy. There must have been an EXTREMELY limited number of spots.

I know, I just saw that and posted another thread. I am really sad that I missed out!

 

[Kenshin21]

Don't think it's been asked yet but does anybody know if they are giving away anything for the first few in line like last year? I think they gave away lanyards? Thanks

 

[agamble]

I'd love to hear your thoughts (everyone) on where to sit for the fireworks. Since there isn't much info out, and it sounds like the show will be a little different from different areas, I'm having a lot of trouble deciding where to direct my party for the parade/fireworks.

I'm having a hard time with this too. I generally am not too anxious about our trips as I know what to expect, but this is so new and our only opportunity to see the parade/fireworks is on Friday. I think Main Street is going to be crazy and I may have to sit for 3 or more hours to hold a good spot. Small World would be easier, less crowded, more comfortable, but I'm not sure how much will be projected there or how many fireworks will be only in front of the castle, etc. I was hoping to sit near the Matterhorn for the parade and move for the fireworks, but I was informed by a former CM that if I did that I would not be able to get to the area in front of the castle to watch the fireworks as I would be directed around. I don't understand this as I thought people often follow the parades as they end. I figured we could just walk behind the parade after it passed Matterhorn and get to the front of the castle. I know that by our next trip it will all be figured out, but for this one I have decisions to make.

 

[figment_jii]

Don't think it's been asked yet but does anybody know if they are giving away anything for the first few in line like last year? I think they gave away lanyards? Thanks

Last year they gave out lanyards to the first 2,000 guests. I haven't heard anything about any promotions this year.

 

[Angrose]

I'm having a hard time with this too. I generally am not too anxious about our trips as I know what to expect, but this is so new and our only opportunity to see the parade/fireworks is on Friday. I think Main Street is going to be crazy and I may have to sit for 3 or more hours to hold a good spot. Small World would be easier, less crowded, more comfortable, but I'm not sure how much will be projected there or how many fireworks will be only in front of the castle, etc. I was hoping to sit near the Matterhorn for the parade and move for the fireworks, but I was informed by a former CM that if I did that I would not be able to get to the area in front of the castle to watch the fireworks as I would be directed around. I don't understand this as I thought people often follow the parades as they end. I figured we could just walk behind the parade after it passed Matterhorn and get to the front of the castle. I know that by our next trip it will all be figured out, but for this one I have decisions to make.

I know what you mean, on a normal day at DLR I would know how to manage this with no problem, but all this new entertainment is also throwing me for a loop. The difference now will be that this is a night parade and fireworks will follow very shortly after the parade ends. Soundsational was held during the day/early evening and there were still a few hours between parade and fireworks. Not sure how the crowd management will work with the new format!

 

[beachdreamr1229]

I'm trying to remember back to my childhood for the night-time entertainment since back then it was the MSEP followed pretty much directly by fireworks. I *think* crowd control will essentially keep people in the roped off areas until after the fireworks if you're already one Main Street/the hub. I do remember distinctly being stuck behind the Matterhorn for the fireworks one year because we planned poorly. I think if you want to be on Main Street/the hub for the fireworks, it's safest to be there for the parade, too.

I'm honestly more curious how crowd control will work by Fantasmic since they're supposedly using the mist screens from that for projections for the fireworks. Since the later show of Fantasmic will probably have people lining up, it seems like it's going to be one big mess over there during the fireworks, unless they don't let the late show line up until 10 or something.

 

[figment_jii]

I kind of thought that having the mist screens also show the projections was the way they were hoping to get the crowds seeing the early F! showing to stay in the F! viewing areas. With F! being at 9:00 pm and fireworks at 9:30 pm, there really won't be much of a gap between the two shows. However, as you said, it will probably impact when they let the guests waiting for the second show into the viewing areas. Normally, the FP viewing areas would open around 9:45 pm (one hour before show time), so they may still be able to do that or they may wait until closer to 10:00 pm to give more time to the first showing guests in the viewing area to clear out. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out.

 

[agamble]

Even with projection screens at Fantasmic and Small World, I'm thinking the best views are probably in front of the castle down Main Street. Can you see Matterhorn from Fantasmic? If not you'd miss the Mt. Wanahokaloogi part.

 

[Gisele]

Wanahokaloogi? Omg! What a name. Because it sounds just like that. Wanna hoc a loogie. Disgustin man!

 

[mershell]

I've not stopped by the Main Street lockers in a long while. I assume they are open again?

Also, anyone know what time the garage opens?

 

[figment_jii]

The Main Street lockers have re-opened and they should be available for the 24-hour day. There are also lockers in the Esplanade (two sets) and in DCA.

In terms of the garage, they have not yet announced when it will open for 24-hour guests. Last year, early arrivals were directed to the Simba parking lot (according to the Parks Blog). If you plan to get there for opening (or any time really), I would just follow the signs directing guests to a lot. The police department may close roads, off ramps, etc. to better control traffic, so getting to a specific lot might not be easily done if that's not the one they are directing traffic to at that point.

 

[V2000]

Ugh... The Disney Parks Blog did a special raffle for early previews of the 60th entertainment and it was open for less than a minute (if it was open at all). I checked the site as soon as it was posted and it was already saying it had reached capacity.

Kind of crazy. There must have been an EXTREMELY limited number of spots.

I don't think they should have announced it on twitter. They should have just posted a blog and gave a little more of a chance for people to view it.

 

[figment_jii]

I guess it's consistent with how they've done other meet-ups, but I kind of thought it would have been a drawing. Have the "contest" open for a set period of time (e.g., one-hour) and then they'd draw names until they'd filled all of the spots. Oh well...maybe there will be other preview opportunities...

 

[kangamama]

Even with projection screens at Fantasmic and Small World, I'm thinking the best views are probably in front of the castle down Main Street. Can you see Matterhorn from Fantasmic? If not you'd miss the Mt. Wanahokaloogi part.

yeah, see, that's really the part I just don't want to miss. That's my family's favorite part of our favorite movie -- we quote Bloat's speech ALL THE TIME. I really don't want to miss it!

 

[SomeGuyInOz]

I'm thinking of arriving at around 4pm by car. What parking lot do you think I should head for at that time? Toy Story is probably my preferred lot. Does Toy Story ever close due to capacity?

 

[Halloweenqueen]

I am still crossing my fingers for a 60th tour that includes parade viewing. Looks less likely now.

 

[john398]

Don't think it's been asked yet but does anybody know if they are giving away anything for the first few in line like last year? I think they gave away lanyards? Thanks

Last year they gave out lanyards to the first 2,000 guests. I haven't heard anything about any promotions this year.

So nothing special for the very first person in line??

Did they give wrist bands last year so they know who arrived first?

 

[figment_jii]

So nothing special for the very first person in line??

I don't recall reading about any special thing for the first guest to arrive. My guess is that they didn't really encourage that other than to say that guests could start lining up (pre-security) at midnight and then they would be allowed into the Esplanade around 3:00 am or 4:00 am (I don't remember which).

Did they give wrist bands last year so they know who arrived first?

No, no wristbands were given out. Guests had the choice of getting in line at one of the turnstiles when they got into the Esplanade or hanging out in the middle of the Esplanade where there was a dance party and characters.