Disneyland Parade Routes?

[jenhelgren]

What direction does the afternoon parade run? Does Paint the Night always run from Small World to Main Street the 1st time if there are two parades scheduled? Which direction will the parade be if there is only one parade scheduled for the evening?
Are there any good spots to watch the parade and fireworks over by Pixie Hollow? Our favorite spot for WDW Magic Kingdom parades is in front of Country Bears or the shooting gallery because there is only enough room to be single deep behind the ropes. Are there any similar spots along the Disneyland parade route?
If we find a spot by Pixie Hollow-will we be able to view fireworks and projections from that area?
We will only have one night to view Disneyland Forever and Paint the Night and this is our first trip to DLR so I can use any advice I can get!
We will be visiting in the end of October-how long early will we need to be for both parades to get a front row spot?

 

[Malcon10t]

PTN always starts at Small World first show. ANd you can see some of the fireworks/effects from Pixie Hollow, but not a great view.

 

[dina444444]

The afternoon parade runs from Main Street to It's a Small World. PTN runs Small World to Main Street for the 1st showing and then the other way for the second showing. They only have room to house one parade backstage on Main Street, so that determines the way the parades run.

My recommendation is you want to watch the fireworks in the hub is to watch the parade at the entrance to Tomorrowland on the left hand side if you are facing the Astro Orbiter. After the parade ends they allow you to step into the street and you can make your way closer to the front of the castle since everyone that was sitting over there before the fireworks will have now stood up.

 

[jenhelgren]

Can the fireworks and projections be seen over by Alice in Wonderland ride? I thought I read that the projections are on Matterhorn as well as the castle but I don't know where the actual fireworks launch at. Does anyone fly (Dumbo, Tinkerbell for Disneyland Forever) if so where is the line for them attached at? Thanks!!

 

[figment_jii]

The characters are meant to be viewed from in front of the castle, but the wire that supports them runs from the Matterhorn to somewhere behind Village Haus. The fireworks are launched from a backstage area to the north of the park (slightly to the left of the castle) and from the castle itself. You can probably see some of the fireworks from over by Alice, but you can't watch the castle/Matterhorn and see the fireworks at the same time. Only Tinkerbell and Nemo flies during Disneyland Forever (no Dumbo).

 

[Malcon10t]

Only Tinkerbell flies during Disneyland Forever.

Maybe you missed the "Mount Wannahawkaluggi" scene? I love this part, but I don't know how well you can see it from other areas of the park.

While some projections are shown on the Matterhorn, not all are, and they are somewhat distorted.

I like watching from NOS area, but I am aware I miss a lot.

 

[figment_jii]

Maybe you missed the "Mount Wannahawkaluggi" scene? I love this part, but I don't know how well you can see it from other areas of the park.

You're right...I totally forgot about Nemo. He flies on most nights during the Mount Wannahawkaluggi scene! I'll fix in the previous post.

 

[jenhelgren]

Thank you for all your help!
How close do we need to get to the hub on the parade route to have an unobstructed view for Disneyland Forever if we stay in the same spot for Paint the Night and Disneyland Forever? I wanted to get as far down toward Pixie Hollow as possible because my DH is not a Main St "squish" kind of guy but with only one night to see the fireworks he may have to bend!! lol
Our only night to see Disneyland Forever is on our arrival day and we are first timers so I am not going to have much time to scope out a spot and take trees and obstructions into consideration.

 

[figment_jii]

How close do we need to get to the hub on the parade route to have an unobstructed view for Disneyland Forever if we stay in the same spot for Paint the Night and Disneyland Forever? I wanted to get as far down toward Pixie Hollow as possible because my DH is not a Main St "squish" kind of guy but with only one night to see the fireworks he may have to bend!!

Just to make sure you have realistic expectations...unless you the height of a basketball superstar player, you will run the risk of having your view obstructed by other guests in front of you. Truthfully, if you want the best possible view, I would try to stay within the Hub area or on Main Street itself and forgo Pixie Hollow area because there are trees that get in the way.

If you look at Google Map's satelite image of Disneyland, you can get a sense of where the trees are located and where might be places you could consider watching from:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/D...!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x2ef62f8418225cfa!6m1!1e1

 

[jenhelgren]

First-THANK YOU figament! You have been so helpful with all my questions
Our day for Disneyland Forever and PTN will be Wednesday 10/21. PNT is at 7 and fireworks 7:40.

http://www.disneytouristblog.com/disneyland-fireworks-best-views/

I was thinking about finding a spot on the orange pathway to the right closest to the castle. Will that be fairly good viewing for fireworks and is it a walkway that we have to stay to the sides of for the parade? Is it slightly better viewing than the orange area behind it near Astro Orbiter? With PNT at 7-what time would we want to secure a spot in those areas?

 

[figment_jii]

Unless things have changed, there is a parade crossing area right where Tomorrowland and the Hub meet up (so right in the orange area near the Astro Orbitor). So, I don't know if there is a lot of PtN viewing right in that area because some of it is going to be used for the parade crossing. At this point, I'd be inclined to say that no matter where you are on the parade route, it's going to be packed. When I was there last weekend, all of the PtN viewing areas from the Hub down Main Street were full well before the parade started. I think it's a combination of the popularity of the new parade and the fact that there are fewer nights for guests to see it (it is presented nightly, but on MHP nights only guests with MHP tickets can see it) makes it very crowded. I would still think you need to get there 90 to 2 hours in advance if you want a front row spot. I know we saw folks sitting on the curb from after Soundsational. DL Forever is likewise very popular, so no matter where you go (unless you pick one of the obstructed/limited viewing locations), you're going to be in the middle of the crowds. I don't think it's really possible to see either show without being shoulder to shoulder with other guests.