For those who have already experienced the 60th celebration

[Sherry E]

Do you think the park hours will be extended this year due to the 60th celebration?

If Mickey's Halloween Party doesn't take place in Disneyland and, for some reason, moves over to California Adventure (which was rumored late last year), it's entirely possible the hours will be a bit longer because Disneyland wouldn't have to close for the party. But it's hard to say.

This year is a big question mark in a lot of areas where we would normally be able to predict what was going to happen, as there is such a large focus on the Diamond Celebration events -- and then, within the range of new nighttime shows, there is even more of a focus in Disneyland park than in California Adventure. Various scenarios could take place, such as: the new Disneyland Forever fireworks happening on more nights than the usual fireworks take place during the off-peak season; the Halloween party moving to DCA, or getting extended to more nights; or the party beginning earlier in September than usual. Any of these potential scenarios could impact this year's schedule at Disneyland.

Disneyland waits soooooooooo long to release info, so we may not have a complete picture of what the schedule will be for a few more months. With any luck, hopefully we will know what is happening with the Halloween party (specific dates, location, etc.) by early July, at the latest. If it is held in Disneyland once again, then the hours will be shortened on the party nights (last year there were 14 parties -- this year I can picture at least 15 nights!).

 

[MickeyMinnieMelanie]

Is it wise of me to wait and book our hotel reservations until more info is given? We are staying at DLH. We are also adding other things along with DL so this is really holding me up with making any reservations since everything is going to revolve around DL?

 

[SMD]

Is it wise of me to wait and book our hotel reservations until more info is given? We are staying at DLH. We are also adding other things along with DL so this is really holding me up with making any reservations since everything is going to revolve around DL?

As long as you book a room that can be canceled, you might as well reserve it now and then rebook if the rate goes down.

 

[oklamomof4boys]

We watched the fireworks 2 nights ago from our Fantasmic seat on Rivers of America- they were great. But then last night we decided we wanted to see them from Main Street. We sat at Jolly Holiday during paint the night (we didnt get there early- in fact we got there mid parade. We couldn't really see the parade well because we were toward the back. We saw the parade a couple of nights before). As soon as the parade was over we walked through the Penny Arcade, walked through a couple of shops and directly onto Main Street. We stood there about 10-15 minutes before the fireworks started. We could see the castle from there and it was magical. I would suggest if you are standing on Main Street to be more towards the right hand side of the street looking at the castle. A lot of fireworks are shown off set to the left and we had a tree blocking our way.

 

[undertheseas]

Maybe we just hit it at a bad time but we just visited the Santa Monica pier and beach this Saturday morning, before the pier had opened and we were shocked at the amount of poverty and how run down it seemed. We saw several homeless people digging through the trash, several more sleeping on benches and on the pier. We saw a couple of tent cities and while the police presence was high, we were a little paranoid to walk down a couple of the streets even at 9:00 in the morning because of some sketchy behavior of people walking around. We much preferred Laguna, Newport and Huntington.

 

[MickeyMinnieMelanie]

Maybe we just hit it at a bad time but we just visited the Santa Monica pier and beach this Saturday morning, before the pier had opened and we were shocked at the amount of poverty and how run down it seemed. We saw several homeless people digging through the trash, several more sleeping on benches and on the pier. We saw a couple of tent cities and while the police presence was high, we were a little paranoid to walk down a couple of the streets even at 9:00 in the morning because of some sketchy behavior of people walking around. We much preferred Laguna, Newport and Huntington.

Wow!!! Hadn't heard anything like that.

 

[MickeyMinnieMelanie]

Does anyone know if the paint the night parade is like the electrical parade at WDW and Fantasmic like the Fantasmic at WDW? Trying to figure out if I need to change plans to be there on a weekend night.

 

[Sherry E]

Does anyone know if the paint the night parade is like the electrical parade at WDW and Fantasmic like the Fantasmic at WDW? Trying to figure out if I need to change plans to be there on a weekend night.

One of our DIS'ers (and an excellent photographer!), Bret/mvf-m11c, shared some photos of Paint the Night in his trip report. You should be able to view them in this post - http://www.disboards.com/threads/se...at-the-dlr-5-26.3236707/page-26#post-53738320. I don't think he is done with his report -- those photos are probably just a sampling of what is to come -- but the pictures will give you a sense of what the parade is like in comparison to the Electrical Parade.

As for Fantasmic -- I've never seen the one at WDW, but I have read some reviews that seem to indicate the one at DLR is better. It's all subjective, of course.

 

[DisneyMan 09]

I saw the parade and fireworks from town square without waiting at all!!!
(May 26)

Coming from Fronteerland, as the parade was arriving from the north, I tried going up m.st. but walkers were re-directed to go right, just before "Refreshment Corner", and into the back alley! , coming out at Town square.
Trying to get a spot I'm allowed to stay, I went up the stairs where the bathrooms are and squeezed into a taped stretch along the railing - giving me a great view of the parade.

Then when the parade passed, I realized I can just walk out to town square and see the Fireworks starting in 5 minutes!!
This was amazing, considering what some people go thru. Tho I've always been able to get an ecceptable view without waiting.

 

[figment_jii]

Does anyone know if the paint the night parade is like the electrical parade at WDW and Fantasmic like the Fantasmic at WDW? Trying to figure out if I need to change plans to be there on a weekend night.

Paint the Night is similar to the MSEP, in that they are both brightly lit parades at night. The MSEP music does make an appearance in PtN, but it's not really obvious (you have to listen to it). PtN is very much the next generation in technology, with a lot more color changing lights and effects, so it's very impressive to see. MSEP seems longer and has more ties to "Classic" Disney whereas PtN has more emphasis on recent Disney (Pixar) movies. MSEP is much more similar to SpectroMagic than it is to PtN, but if you like MSEP, I think PtN is worth seeing. I like MSEP better because it feels more "Disney" to me, whereas PtN feels a lot more like a Pixar-themed parade.

To me, DL's version of F! is much better than DHS' version. They have similar elements (e.g., Kaa the snake, mist screens, princesses, etc.), but DL makes much better use of the river boats. DL's version doesn't have the Pocahontas-sequence, but it has a much more impressive Peter Pan sequence (uses the Columbia). DL's version also has a more impressive dragon and better finale (it uses the Mark Twain, which is similar to the Lilly Belle, and much bigger than the little boat used at DHS). The only thing that guests say is consistently better at DHS is the seating (stadium seating versus mostly standing at DL).

 

[MickeyMinnieMelanie]

So I've decided I want to see Fantasmic, the Paint the Night parade, and fireworks. Disneyland is my main reason for visiting California. Can ya'll help me rearrange my plans so that I can see these?
The plans were :
Sat: Arrive at LAX at 12:45p then Santa Monica Pier
Sunday: Santa Monica, Huntington, or Laguna Beach
Monday: Hollywood
Tues-Fri: Disneyland
Sat: leaving LAX at 11:00 am
We are going 10/10-10/17.
Thanks

 

[maltdizzy]

Maybe we just hit it at a bad time but we just visited the Santa Monica pier and beach this Saturday morning, before the pier had opened and we were shocked at the amount of poverty and how run down it seemed. We saw several homeless people digging through the trash, several more sleeping on benches and on the pier. We saw a couple of tent cities and while the police presence was high, we were a little paranoid to walk down a couple of the streets even at 9:00 in the morning because of some sketchy behavior of people walking around. We much preferred Laguna, Newport and Huntington.

Wow!!! Hadn't heard anything like that.

Santa Monica and Venice have been havens for the homeless for decades. It's just business as usual in L.A., or any major city (growing up in the D.C. area, seeing "Hoovervilles" of homeless vets was typical). Nothing inherently "less safe" about it, you just have to have to to grow comfortable with it.

Santa Monica is great on a weekend morning, where you have Santa Monica's farmers market for food options. Lots of restaurants. 3rd Street Promenade is nice (though most of the stores you'll find in any upscale mall in the U.S.) The pier is over-rated IMHO, but it is a piece of history.

Laguna, Huntington and Newport are definitely more "vacation" beaches.

Now Hollywood, on the other hand, is one of the poorest zipcodes in LA County, and it doesn't take but a couple of hours to do the tourist stuff (most of it is concentrated on two blocks). Though music fans may like to head to Ameoba Records or the original Guitar Center, movie buffs will love to see inside the incredible interiors of the Chinese, Egyptian and El Capitan theaters, as well as maybe catch a movie at the Cineramadome. Etc. What has always blown my mind about Hollywood is there is no "off season" the block outside the Chinese Theater is swamped with tourists every day of the year. For someone who has worked in the film industry, that a great vindication for our work.

I'll be back in L.A., and at DL, that same week. Also trying to decide the days at the park.

 

[figment_jii]

So I've decided I want to see Fantasmic, the Paint the Night parade, and fireworks. Disneyland is my main reason for visiting California. Can ya'll help me rearrange my plans so that I can see these?
The plans were :
Sat: Arrive at LAX at 12:45p then Santa Monica Pier
Sunday: Santa Monica, Huntington, or Laguna Beach
Monday: Hollywood
Tues-Fri: Disneyland
Sat: leaving LAX at 11:00 am
We are going 10/10-10/17.
Thanks

At this point, we do not know if PtN will be presented nightly in the non-peak season, nor do we know when MHP will be held. Working on the assumption that MHP will remain in DL, if there is a party on Friday, you probably won't see Disneyland Forever (fireworks) or Fantasmic! because neither of those are presented during the weekdays and they won't be presented on a MHP night. Personally, I think if you really want to see all of the shows, I would flip your trip so that you start in DL (even with the crowds due to CHOC walk and Columbus Day). I think it's a safer plan to assume that fireworks, F!, and PtN might only be presented on weekend nights in October, so if you start in DL, you have Sat and Sun evening to see all three shows.

 

[MickeyMinnieMelanie]

Santa Monica and Venice have been havens for the homeless for decades. It's just business as usual in L.A., or any major city (growing up in the D.C. area, seeing "Hoovervilles" of homeless vets was typical). Nothing inherently "less safe" about it, you just have to have to to grow comfortable with it.

Santa Monica is great on a weekend morning, where you have Santa Monica's farmers market for food options. Lots of restaurants. 3rd Street Promenade is nice (though most of the stores you'll find in any upscale mall in the U.S.) The pier is over-rated IMHO, but it is a piece of history.

Laguna, Huntington and Newport are definitely more "vacation" beaches.

Now Hollywood, on the other hand, is one of the poorest zipcodes in LA County, and it doesn't take but a couple of hours to do the tourist stuff (most of it is concentrated on two blocks). Though music fans may like to head to Ameoba Records or the original Guitar Center, movie buffs will love to see inside the incredible interiors of the Chinese, Egyptian and El Capitan theaters, as well as maybe catch a movie at the Cineramadome. Etc. What has always blown my mind about Hollywood is there is no "off season" the block outside the Chinese Theater is swamped with tourists every day of the year. For someone who has worked in the film industry, that a great vindication for our work.

I'll be back in L.A., and at DL, that same week. Also trying to decide the days at the park.

So basically 1 day for both of these? We could do Hollywood in the day and finishing up at Santa Monica? I would like to see Santa Monica during the dali ght areas and at night.

 

[MickeyMinnieMelanie]

At this point, we do not know if PtN will be presented nightly in the non-peak season, nor do we know when MHP will be held. Working on the assumption that MHP will remain in DL, if there is a party on Friday, you probably won't see Disneyland Forever (fireworks) or Fantasmic! because neither of those are presented during the weekdays and they won't be presented on a MHP night. Personally, I think if you really want to see all of the shows, I would flip your trip so that you start in DL (even with the crowds due to CHOC walk and Columbus Day). I think it's a safer plan to assume that fireworks, F!, and PtN might only be presented on weekend nights in October, so if you start in DL, you have Sat and Sun evening to see all three shows.

I'm afraid that since we won't be arriving until late on Saturday that all of the fast passes will be gone and it won't be worth our time for that short amount of time. Do you think it would be more crowded on Saturday or Sunday? I think I will book a dinner at Blue Bayou to make sure we get a good view of Fantasmic.

 

[figment_jii]

Only F! uses a FP system and if you opt to go with the Blue Bayou dining package, then it won't really matter when you arrive at DLR (as long as you arrive in time for your dining reservation). In your case, my guess is that Sunday is going to be busier than Saturday because Sunday (October 11th) is CHOC Walk.

 

[VandVsmama]

So I've decided I want to see Fantasmic, the Paint the Night parade, and fireworks. Disneyland is my main reason for visiting California. Can ya'll help me rearrange my plans so that I can see these?
The plans were :
Sat: Arrive at LAX at 12:45p then Santa Monica Pier
Sunday: Santa Monica, Huntington, or Laguna Beach
Monday: Hollywood
Tues-Fri: Disneyland
Sat: leaving LAX at 11:00 am
We are going 10/10-10/17.
Thanks

I agree with the other folks who mentioned that Hollywood is not an all day thing. A couple of hours. It's worthwhile to see it once and then when you see Hollywood, you'll probably think, "Meh, it's not as glamorous as it seems on TV."

I also agree with the comment that Venice has always been a haven for the homeless. There is a certain amount of interesting characters in Venice because that town definitely has a bohemian vibe to it. Very different culturally from Huntington or Laguna Beach.

You could start Sunday morning in Hollywood and then finish the day at 1 of the beaches. Then on Monday, you could go to the California Sciences Center, which is where you can see the space shuttle Endeavor. Then end the day at Downtown Disney to window shop & have dinner, then get to bed early for Tuesday morning at Disneyland!!

 

[my*gracie*girl]

Am lurking on this thread for info for our own trip....we are DL from 7/16-7/23 and planning to take one day (probably 7/18) and do Hollywood and Santa Monica. My dd wants to see the Hollywood walk of fame stars primarily. We were thinking Hollywood first thing in the morning and then heading to Santa Monica Pier. Sounds reasonable from what I am reading here?

 

[maltdizzy]

So basically 1 day for both of these? We could do Hollywood in the day and finishing up at Santa Monica? I would like to see Santa Monica during the dali ght areas and at night.

I agree with the other folks who mentioned that Hollywood is not an all day thing. A couple of hours. It's worthwhile to see it once and then when you see Hollywood, you'll probably think, "Meh, it's not as glamorous as it seems on TV."

Yep, you can do the "tourist" stuff in Hollywood (history buffs can go much longer...but that can be said about any part of So. Ca.), have a nice lunch in Hollywood (Pig N Whistle or Musso and Frank for old Hollywood vibe), Beverly Hills, or Westwood and then keep working your way west to Santa Monica for the afternoon and evening.

 

[MickeyMinnieMelanie]

Would Hollywood be more crowded on a Sunday or a weekday?