FANTASMIC and FIREWORKS question??

[mt mommy]

We will be at DLR in 1 week. WOOT WOOT!! I have been many times, but (gasp) I have never seen F!........So, we will be there Wed-Fri. So, FRIDAY is the ONLY time we have to see F!

My question is, I need to get a seat/place to see F! for the 9pm show, then do we hurry over near the castle to see the fireworks right after, or do we have an ok place to watch the fireworks where we will be sitting for the F! show??????

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[kirstie101]

Last year we watched the fireworks from where we were sitting and waiting for F! to start. It was a pretty decent view. We could even see Tinkerbell flying. Though I'm sure the view on main street is better, we were very happy with our view considering we were just sitting there waiting for F! to start.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

You can find lots of helpful info and tips about seeing F! here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2671983
Have a great trip!

 

[jsebsirois]

Of course, the experience is totally different on Main Street in front of the castle but you get to see very well the Fireworks from your Fantasmic! spot.

Anyway, finding a good spot in front of the Castle will be hard right after Fantasmic!

I would say that since you never saw Fantasmic!, focus on getting a good spot for that show and enjoy the Fireworks from where you will be!

 

[GrandBob]

If you really need/want to go to the 9:00 Fantasmic, then you've gotten good advice. But have you considered going to the late show? You could get a decent spot to watch the fireworks in front of the castle, and then you could hustle over to F! for the 10:30 show. Seating's always easier for the late show of F! If you hurry there right after the fireworks, you'll probably still find people vacating their seats from the early show, because they stayed to watch fireworks from where they were at. Then you can take those good spots.

Just a suggestion,
Bob

 

[mt mommy]

We will be at DLR in 1 week. WOOT WOOT!! I have been many times, but (gasp) I have never seen F!........So, we will be there Wed-Fri. So, FRIDAY is the ONLY time we have to see F!

My question is, I need to get a seat/place to see F! for the 9pm show, then do we hurry over near the castle to see the fireworks right after, or do we have an ok place to watch the fireworks where we will be sitting for the F! show??????

Thanks in advance!!!

Last year we watched the fireworks from where we were sitting and waiting for F! to start. It was a pretty decent view. We could even see Tinkerbell flying. Though I'm sure the view on main street is better, we were very happy with our view considering we were just sitting there waiting for F! to start.

Great to know! THanks!

You can find lots of helpful info and tips about seeing F! here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2671983
Have a great trip!

I'll check out that thread, thanks so much!

Of course, the experience is totally different on Main Street in front of the castle but you get to see very well the Fireworks from your Fantasmic! spot.

Anyway, finding a good spot in front of the Castle will be hard right after Fantasmic!

I would say that since you never saw Fantasmic!, focus on getting a good spot for that show and enjoy the Fireworks from where you will be!

THat was what I was thinking too! Thanks!

If you really need/want to go to the 9:00 Fantasmic, then you've gotten good advice. But have you considered going to the late show? You could get a decent spot to watch the fireworks in front of the castle, and then you could hustle over to F! for the 10:30 show. Seating's always easier for the late show of F! If you hurry there right after the fireworks, you'll probably still find people vacating their seats from the early show, because they stayed to watch fireworks from where they were at. Then you can take those good spots.

Just a suggestion,
Bob

Bob, that's a good point, I never thought of that, I could maybe even have DH leave just before the fireworks end to find a great spot!! Thanks for the input!!

 

[BayGirl22]

If you really need/want to go to the 9:00 Fantasmic, then you've gotten good advice. But have you considered going to the late show? You could get a decent spot to watch the fireworks in front of the castle, and then you could hustle over to F! for the 10:30 show. Seating's always easier for the late show of F! If you hurry there right after the fireworks, you'll probably still find people vacating their seats from the early show, because they stayed to watch fireworks from where they were at. Then you can take those good spots.

Just a suggestion,
Bob

You know, I read that advice here and tried to follow it last Friday and it totally didn't work for us. We watched from the Adventureland side of the Hub then went over to F! for the 2nd show. They were holding back entering traffic until everyone came out from the first show. By the time we got in there were no sitting spots left. We got roped into a standing spot at 10:05 for the 10:30 show. I left, it was not a good spot, and I searched. Earlier that week we had doen F! dessert seating and stayed in our seats for the fireworks so I didn't NEED to see it again, just thought it would be easy from what I read here.

I'd suggest just seeing the first F! show then staying in place to see the fireworks.

 

[2Brave]

You know, I read that advice here and tried to follow it last Friday and it totally didn't work for us. We watched from the Adventureland side of the Hub then went over to F! for the 2nd show. They were holding back entering traffic until everyone came out from the first show. By the time we got in there were no sitting spots left. We got roped into a standing spot at 10:05 for the 10:30 show. I left, it was not a good spot, and I searched. Earlier that week we had doen F! dessert seating and stayed in our seats for the fireworks so I didn't NEED to see it again, just thought it would be easy from what I read here.

I'd suggest just seeing the first F! show then staying in place to see the fireworks.

Now not sure what to do. this was my exact plan in 2 weeks on a Sat. Was planning on watching fireworks then doing the 2nd F! show.

Anyone else have recent experience with this plan? This is my family only chance at seeing the fireworks and F! and have never seen either of them

 

[jason41483]

My wife and I just got back from celebrating our 1st anniversary in DL this weekend, it was great!!

Great viewpoint Fantasyland if you go from Fantasmic along the water behind Big Thunder Ranch to connect to the backside of Sleeping Beauty's castle. There aren't many people back there because most are in the Partners plaza area facing the front of the castle. You can see both back to back without getting caught up in the crowds and then be on your way to rides before others get out of the main firework viewing area.

 

[jason41483]

Paradise Pier next to Ariel's Grotto or DL Railroad Main Street queue line are other great vantage points if you aren't in the thick of it.

 

[Brisal73]

I will also recommend seeing the fireworks first near the castle then head over to the 1030 Fantasmic show.

Things to know:
If you want to see the fireworks in front of the castle you will need to be near the front of the castle by 745p for the 930pm Fireworks. That could be a long time to wait for some.

A nice alternative and my personal favorite is the section between the end of Main Street and the Hub. You will see blue umbrellas and all you will need to do is situate yourself so you will have the perfect view of the Matterhorn and the Castle. You can get to that area at 9pm and still find a good location. FYI if you see people sitting on the ground, don't worry. They will eventually be asked to stand up and that is when you move into your viewing spot.

For the 9pm Fantasmic you will need to be near your spot by 730pm and sometimes earlier if it is a busier day. I personally avoid the first show of Fantasmic like it is the plague.

True that after the 930pm Fantasmic, finding a good spot can be tough, but there are certain areas to look out for.

If you want the middle and the seating area is full, look for the center lighting rig. It will be in a lower state. Most guests don't realize that the center lighting rig will raise up right before the show, so if you hug that rail you will get a nice center standing spot for the show.

Other than that you can also find seating to the left of the center area. Most guests don't go that far to find a spot so you may be in luck.

If you get lucky for a prime center seating viewing spot look for the pot hole on the ground. It is the direct center of the show and a perfect area to see over the railing.

 

[HydroGuy]

You know, I read that advice here and tried to follow it last Friday and it totally didn't work for us. We watched from the Adventureland side of the Hub then went over to F! for the 2nd show. They were holding back entering traffic until everyone came out from the first show. By the time we got in there were no sitting spots left. We got roped into a standing spot at 10:05 for the 10:30 show. I left, it was not a good spot, and I searched. Earlier that week we had doen F! dessert seating and stayed in our seats for the fireworks so I didn't NEED to see it again, just thought it would be easy from what I read here.

I'd suggest just seeing the first F! show then staying in place to see the fireworks.

Not sure what happened on your night but this is the first report I have ever read of a problem with this strategy. I do not think it is typical. I have done it myself several times.

 

[lkperich]

We will be at DLR in 1 week. WOOT WOOT!! I have been many times, but (gasp) I have never seen F!........So, we will be there Wed-Fri. So, FRIDAY is the ONLY time we have to see F!

My question is, I need to get a seat/place to see F! for the 9pm show, then do we hurry over near the castle to see the fireworks right after, or do we have an ok place to watch the fireworks where we will be sitting for the F! show??????

Thanks in advance!!!

We just did this very thing Sunday night! We watched the fireworks from an awesome spot, pretty much dead center in front of the castle (just sitting on the ground, curb area kinda I guess) and as soon as fireworks were over we booted it over to Fantasmic for the late (10:30 I think it was) show. I would do fireworks first than Fantasmic?

 

[lkperich]

Now not sure what to do. this was my exact plan in 2 weeks on a Sat. Was planning on watching fireworks then doing the 2nd F! show.

Anyone else have recent experience with this plan? This is my family only chance at seeing the fireworks and F! and have never seen either of them

TOTALLY doable......its our first time in 24 years at Disney and as "newcomers" we had no problems at all on doing this. Sat right in front of the castle for fireworks, booted it over for Fantasmic and there was room left in seating area....even wound up having to wait probably a good 20 min for F! to start! Enjoy it! It can be done!

 

[jcarwash]

To add to the watch F! first then see the fireworks from the F! viewing area approach...

When we saw F! on Aug 20, I heard the announcement telling the audience something to the effect -- good viewing for the 9:30pm Magical fireworks, including the music, will be available following the 9pm F! show, so don't go anywhere.

So they'd prefer you don't try to move, and really, there's no way you could because there's only a few minutes in between the end of F! and the beginning of the fireworks.

 

[sas_mk]

We just saw F! this weekend for the first time. We went to the first show and showed up about 45 minutes early to find everything pretty packed.

Suddenly, my Disboard knowledge kicked in and we walked right up to the railing behind the center light tower. There was noone there. we had a great view of F! And then we stuck around the same area to watch the fireworks. We had a great view of the fireworks in the sky and they still dim the lights and pipe the fireworks music into the area. It worked out perfectly for our family!

 

[GrandBob]

You know, I read that advice here and tried to follow it last Friday and it totally didn't work for us. We watched from the Adventureland side of the Hub then went over to F! for the 2nd show. They were holding back entering traffic until everyone came out from the first show. By the time we got in there were no sitting spots left. We got roped into a standing spot at 10:05 for the 10:30 show. I left, it was not a good spot, and I searched. Earlier that week we had doen F! dessert seating and stayed in our seats for the fireworks so I didn't NEED to see it again, just thought it would be easy from what I read here.

I'd suggest just seeing the first F! show then staying in place to see the fireworks.

It sounds like you tried to go in the Adventureland side? Yes, I should have mentioned this. Before and after F!, they try to direct traffic one-way, counter-clockwise. In (toward F!) on the Frontierland side, out on the Adventureland side. To quickly go from the castle to F! right after fireworks, you need to go via Frontierland.

-Bob

 

[2Brave]

It sounds like you tried to go in the Adventureland side? Yes, I should have mentioned this. Before and after F!, they try to direct traffic one-way, counter-clockwise. In (toward F!) on the Frontierland side, out on the Adventureland side. To quickly go from the castle to F! right after fireworks, you need to go via Frontierland.

-Bob

thanks Bob for the info. Maybee I am just paranoid after the post above about not getting spots for the second F! show. Just to clarify on the map we should go through the Frontierland, on the map this shows #2. Is this correct?

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/media/dlr_nextgen/SiteCatalog/PDF/DisneylandParkMap_20120615.pdf

We really want to see both the fireworks and F! but would give slight edge to seeing F!. So if risk not being able to see F! with going to fireworks first then F! I would just see the first F! show and fireworks from there but not ideal. I do have 4 kids with me but just planned to go ahead of them and save spots.

Thanks for all of the help!!

 

[Mary09]

I would just see the first Fantasmic and watch fireworks from there. No seat saving, no rushing. You might not see the non-fireworks effects but not rushing to a second 'top view' spot that late at night is worth something.

I think it's hard to 'miss' the fireworks if you're in the park, or within a half mile of it.

 

[GrandBob]

thanks Bob for the info. Maybee I am just paranoid after the post above about not getting spots for the second F! show. Just to clarify on the map we should go through the Frontierland, on the map this shows #2. Is this correct?

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/media/dlr_nextgen/SiteCatalog/PDF/DisneylandParkMap_20120615.pdf

Yes, that's correct.

I would just see the first Fantasmic and watch fireworks from there. No seat saving, no rushing. You might not see the non-fireworks effects but not rushing to a second 'top view' spot that late at night is worth something.

I think it's hard to 'miss' the fireworks if you're in the park, or within a half mile of it.

Normally, I'd really suggest fireworks and then the 2nd showing of F! In this case, it's a close call, based on her priorities. The reason I'd still do the 2nd F! is that, for the first showing, you need to get there 2 hours early to score a good seat (or pay $$$ for the dessert package). For the late showing, you can get good seats when the 1st showing ends - an hour tops, though likely only 30 to 45 minutes. Personally, I hate to wait anywhere for 2 hours. But that's just me.

Either way that you decide to do it, enjoy!

-Bob