Electric Parade/Fireworks Question

[serendipity]

My fiancee and I are spending the first few days of our honeymoon at Disneyland. While we're going to be there (May 06th-10th) the parade and fireworks are only the first night (May 06th, Saturday). We'd really like to see both, although the fireworks definitely take priority. The parade starts at 8:45 and the fireworks start at 9:25. How long is the parade and how far is the walk from the parade to the fireworks? Can we make both? Also what's the best place to view the fireworks? Thanks!!!

 

[pikaboo27]

You likely won't make the fireworks if you see the parade. The problem is that DCA closes when the parade is over so everyone is heading to the esplanade and into DL to see the fireworks. This makes for a huge traffic jam. You may want to just plan on skipping the parade (I couldn't do it, I love it so, but the fireworks are awesome too) and just grabbing a beverage or a snack and camping out in a good fireworks spot. Enjoy your honeymoon!

 

[DangerMouse]

Even though DLR discourages this (hence the timing of the two shows so close together), I am living proof that you can see both! It does take some strategic planning, die hard will, and a little luck (crowd-wise).

The best way to see both is to view the EP at the Paradise Pier (beginning of the parade). We enjoyed the parade sitting across from the Golden Zephyr. When we saw the last float (Tribute to America), we stood up and walked briskly and purposefully toward Golden Dreams, turned left, then took the GRR back trail. This will empty you out across from Soarin. By the time you reach Sunshine Plaza, the parade will have just reached there. You should be able to exit out the gates of DCA while most of Sunshine Plaza is still watching the EP.

Tear (and I mean quick quick!) across the Esplanade, and pray for a good CM that will scan your ticket quickly (they tend to move slow during this time to discourage you from getting to see the fireworks). You should be able to get a spot on Main Street to see the Fireworks. If Main Street looks packed, try viewing the fireworks from the first platform up the stairs to the train. I've seen them from there, and it's not a bad spot.

Good luck!

 

[deletedpenguin]

...with all this said, if you can only see one, I would stick with the fireworks.

 

[Mom2Joce]

I agree FIREWORKS...HANDS DOWN!!

 

[HydroGuy]

DangerMouse says that she (?) has done it, but notice her handle "Danger" is descriptive. I know DangerMouse knows this, but just to be clear DLR has purposely chosen the timing of the DEP and DCA and fireworks at DL to make it extremely difficult to see both on the same night. This was done for crowd control reasons, as DL does not want a bunch of DCA visitors to enter DL onto an already crowded Main Street when the fireworks start.

I agree with others that you should just focus on seeing the fireworks. They are way better than the DEP, IMO.

 

[DangerMouse]

DangerMouse says that she (?) has done it, but notice her handle "Danger" is descriptive.

I know Hydro's comments were tongue in cheek. . . but

As a homeschooling, conservative mom of 3 young kids, I hardly consider myself "dangerous". I am very thorough in my trip planning and we were able to accomplish this with three kids and one gramma in tow. The OP is a honeymooner, so I suspect young and without kids. I think they can do it!

BTW, my dh picked my username because he loved DangerMouse as a kid and all the good Mickey names were taken.

 

[mystic_path]

I havent seen the EP ever either, but I have seen the fireworks. Although both will be playing on the first night of my arrival in June and I would give anything to see the EP, I would still give up the EP for the fireworks any day of the year.

 

[LittleWoodenHead]

I'll join the chorus of those recommending against trying to accomplish both. Although it may be possible (as DangerMouse attests), there would still be a fair amount of luck involved -- both in getting out of DCA and getting in to DL.

I personally wouldn't subject myself to the stress of wondering whether I'd make it or not. And if I only picked one, it would be Fireworks. There really are no words to describe what an awesome show it is.

The ideal location to see them from is the Hub, imo. Get there early, find a spot that allows you to see both the front of the Castle and the Matterhorn [I find the Adventureland/Frontierland side is usually better than the Tomorrowland side for this], and then just relax and enjoy the show!

 

[HydroGuy]

BTW, my dh picked my username because he loved DangerMouse as a kid and all the good Mickey names were taken.

Uhhh, so you aren't really that dangerous after all. That is good to know.

As a homeschooling, conservative mom of 3 young kids, I hardly consider myself "dangerous". I am very thorough in my trip planning and we were able to accomplish this with three kids and one gramma in tow. The OP is a honeymooner, so I suspect young and without kids. I think they can do it!

No intent here to argue as you are living proof - and I am genuinely curious.

With the DEP at 8:45PM and being 19 minutes long according to my recollection, if you see it near the starting point you will finish at about 9:05PM. Then you need to walk out DCA and into DL. During busier nights there is usually a line at the DL gate to get in. If there is a short line I could see one getting from DCA to DL and thru the gate and onto Main Street in 10 minutes. I have seen lines to get into DL when DCA closes of about 10 minutes so it could take up to 20 minutes. In any case that puts you onto Main Street somewhere at 9:15-9:25. The fireworks start at 9:25. So the viewing spot you could get, especially with a larger group of people, would not be that good - unless it was a low crowd night. I like to see the current fireworks show from the hub and there would be almost no hope of getting a decent spot there on a busy night. Heck, Main Street is crammed full of people and making it to the hub at all would be a real challenge at that time of night. I like to get to the hub at least 40 minutes early to get a decent viewing spot.

 

[DangerMouse]

To satisfy your curiosity: the night we did this was on a Sunday in January. It was the very last day of the Christmas season and the last showing of the EP and Believe fireworks. We originally just intended to watch the EP, but we looked at our watches at the end, and thought let's just see if we can make it. We didn't even watch the last float (it's our least favorite). The crowds weren't bad that night in DCA, and by the time we made it out, it was about 9:10. There were only a few people in front of us to get into DL and the CM was slow (on purpose, you could tell). We didn't expect to get a perfect spot for the Fireworks, but we did manage to get most the way down Main Street on the sidewalk and found a spot on the street close to the Camera Shop. We were there about 5 minutes prior to Believe starting. I don't remember it being stressful. We felt VERY fortunate.

I will agree that you could end up missing Remember if you had really large crowds. I would gauge the crowd volume during the day to see if you even want to attempt this. It looks like most people wouldn't take the risk, and I can understand that, but for us, it was so worth it because we are total DEP freaks. Catching Believe was just an extra bonus.

 

[mousecrazy]

I say go for the double-dip! You're young and it's your honeymoon, so luck will most certainly be on your side. And May crowds usually aren't crazy, especially a Sunday night...hopefully this is the case, because I'll be there the week after you!

If Main Street is jam packed and you aren't able to make any forward movement, try going into the stores. They are all connected - if you go right, you'll eventually come out by the camera shop. The doors that connect the stores are toward the back. This is an especially nice short cut to get to the hub when Main Street opens before the rest of the park. My kids and I did this one morning and they were picked to 'open' the park...it was very exciting!

But if you must pick one, I would DEFINITELY pick the EP. While it's not the DL original, it's very close and CLASSIC Disney.

 

[tinkerbelt]

I will agree that you could end up missing Remember if you had really large crowds. I would gauge the crowd volume during the day to see if you even want to attempt this. It looks like most people wouldn't take the risk, and I can understand that, but for us, it was so worth it because we are total DEP freaks. Catching Believe was just an extra bonus.

That is exactly the key. You just need to gauge the crowds before you attempt it.

We've done it lots of times too, exactly as DM describes. You have to move fast and be good at navigating the crowds, but it is pretty easy to do, even with a stroller (and much, much easier without one!).

Sometimes, when it is especially crowded, we will run into a big traffic jam turning the corner at Engine Ears to get to the exit, and we will miss the first few minutes of the fireworks. But if the crowds are light or moderate, this isn't a problem.

Also remember that it is very easy to get a last minute fireworks spot on Main Street, even when it is very crowded. A lot of people sit down while they wait and then stand up in the last 5 or 10 minutes before the show starts, which frees up a lot of room. In two years of watching the fireworks about once a week or so, I have never, ever had a problem walking up and getting a good spot on MS at the last minute.

Also, you can stand across from Sunshine Plaza to watch the parade and then start heading over to DL about halfway through. It will get you to Main Street for the fireworks with time to spare. You'd have to miss part of the parade, but at least you'd get to see some of it.

Good luck with whatever you choose!

 

[Amy&Dan]

If Dangermouse did it than I guess it can be done. I do want to point out that a Sunday night in January will be far different than a Saturday night in May. Also, how much can you really enjoy that parade if you are watching the watch the whole time, then having to bolt over to DL. And I am a commando planner and I have not been able to do this. We tried, oh we tried and ended up having to see the fireworks in the Espanlande area. Now this was in June with lots of crowds. No biggie, we have seen them many times. But for a one night only kind of thing, the fireworks are the bigger "must do". And you miss so much of the show if you see them in the Espanlande area. And I love the Electrical Parade dearly, heck I even listen to the annoying music in my car and watch the video I made of it all the time! But I would not chance it. If you get stuck in human traffic you are out of luck and that would really be a shame! I think getting a good spot and really enjoying the best fireworks show I have seen at either DL or WDW would be the better bet. And man I hate to say that because I love that parade!

And the best place to view the fireworks hands down is the castle hub area. Main Street is good too, but not as good as the hub. I prefer to be on the Tomorrowland side sort of near the Partners statue.