Fantasmic after fireworks?

[earthboundfaerie]

We are going to be at Disneyland next week but will only have one night to catch both Fantasmic and the fireworks now that these are only scheduled on the weekends.

I’m having a hard time deciding between our two options:

Option 1 (our preferred option):
We’ve booked a Hungry Bear dining package for the second Fantasmic show. We plan to grab our to-go dinner, stake out a spot for the fireworks by the castle and then head to HB’s seating section right after for Fantasmic.

Is this doable? Would we still be able to get a good spot within the dining package seating section if we head over there after the fireworks are over? There’s seven of us in our group so I’m worried about finding a spot big enough for us all if we get there too late.

Option 2:
We’ve thought about doing the earlier Fantasmic show, also through the Hungry Bear dining package, and just watch the fireworks from there afterwards. I’m not too keen on this though because I really do love seeing the fireworks in front of the castle. I have never seen it from anywhere else and I’m worried that it just won’t be as magical.

I’d love to hear what others’ experiences have been with watching the second show post-fireworks or if you’ve seen Remember... Dreams Come True from your Fantasmic spot!

 

[Mousequake]

I did Option 1, but with a FP for the second Fantasmic show. Our group of six didn't have any problem at all finding a good spot.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Since you have a FP for the HB reserved section for the 2nd F! show, you shouldn't have a problem getting a good viewing spot. So find a good spot for fireworks and have your route planned out for how you want to get to the HB check in spot. We did this same thing last month -- saw fireworks, then went to the BB section for the 2nd F!. Worked out fine. Make sure that everyone in your group knows where to go and what to do if you get split up.

 

[Ellie Mint]

Related because this is what I want to do in October: is there a best spot for seeing fireworks before fantasmic and is there an plan of attack to get over to the viewing area, essentially going against the crowd? And how early should we stake out a spot? Just me and my partner, no littles to keep an eye on or strollers to manouver.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

The CMs try very hard to keep traffic going one way into NOS through Frontierland and exiting NOS through Adventureland. So if you view fireworks from the Hub/castle/Main Street, follow the flow of traffic over to Frontierland, then break off and follow the flow toward the ROA. Since the traffic should be mostly one way (barring those guests who must swim against the tide), you'll be into NOS in a shorter amount of time than you'd think.

 

[Ellie Mint]

@theluckyrabbit that's great to hear, thanks. How long are the fireworks usually? I guess they'll finish before 10 giving us plenty of time regardless?

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Do you have a F! dining package or will you be doing free FPs or stand by viewing? We had BB reserved viewing, so it didn't matter as much how early we got to our viewing area. If you have reserved viewing, you'll have plenty of time. If the park isn't too crowded when you're there, you should be fine -- just know ahead of time where you want to go to view F! and head directly there after fireworks end.

 

[Ellie Mint]

Do you have a F! dining package or will you be doing free FPs or stand by viewing? We had BB reserved viewing, so it didn't matter as much how early we got to our viewing area. If you have reserved viewing, you'll have plenty of time. If the park isn't too crowded when you're there, you should be fine -- just know ahead of time where you want to go to view F! and head directly there after fireworks end.

Yep, booked our HB package today so we would have a dedicated area. Takes away any anxiety for finding a viewing space and we have to eat anyways. Not too worried about being off centre/ not in the front or anythin. Just need to figure out how long we need to stake out a place for fireworks. I'll probably volunteer to hold a place if my partner wants to wander the shops for a bit. He can bring me back food! =P

 

[theluckyrabbit]

If you have to be in front of the castle, be prepared to give up a few hours. For the Hub, you'll camp out for less time, but still expect to hold spots for about 2 hours. For Main Street, you can get a good viewing spot with about an hour's wait. Usually, we check out where we want to be during the day so we know where to head in the evening. Then we shop or get snacks while cruising the general area. When our area starts to fill up, we stake our spots.

 

[ExcitedMama]

FWIW I loved the projections over the water. If you decide you don’t want to wait around to get a spot for the castle the first HB package would be a great option.

 

[Disney_Alli]

Since you have a FP for the HB reserved section for the 2nd F! show, you shouldn't have a problem getting a good viewing spot. So find a good spot for fireworks and have your route planned out for how you want to get to the HB check in spot. We did this same thing last month -- saw fireworks, then went to the BB section for the 2nd F!. Worked out fine. Make sure that everyone in your group knows where to go and what to do if you get split up.

The CMs try very hard to keep traffic going one way into NOS through Frontierland and exiting NOS through Adventureland. So if you view fireworks from the Hub/castle/Main Street, follow the flow of traffic over to Frontierland, then break off and follow the flow toward the ROA. Since the traffic should be mostly one way (barring those guests who must swim against the tide), you'll be into NOS in a shorter amount of time than you'd think.

This is SOOOOO helpful as we have exactly one night to see both the fireworks and Fantasmic! (Saturday, September 22nd) I probably booked our BB reservation a bit late (7:30) but we'll check in early and cross our fingers. I might swing by there earlier and see if we can move it up a bit too.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

This is SOOOOO helpful as we have exactly one night to see both the fireworks and Fantasmic! (Saturday, September 22nd) I probably booked our BB reservation a bit late (7:30) but we'll check in early and cross our fingers. I might swing by there earlier and see if we can move it up a bit too.

Keep checking for cancellations, too. If an earlier time slot opens up, you'll be able to modify your reservation. And if you don't have to have a waterside table, that will speed up your seating.

 

[Disney_Alli]

Keep checking for cancellations, too. If an earlier time slot opens up, you'll be able to modify your reservation. And if you don't have to have a waterside table, that will speed up your seating.

Definitely, I check frequently! And although I'll have first timers with me I don't want to risk fireworks views over a possible long wait.

 

[Hannahinwonderland]

We were very successful in getting a good fireworks spot (we were tired so staked it out maybe like 90 min ahead of time) and then also going to the late F! using FP. It was a perfect evening

 

[earthboundfaerie]

Thanks, everyone! We will stick with our original plan then!