How can we see all the evening shows WITHOUT a dinner package?

[Belle5]

I am thinking we will be in the parks Dec.15-18. This is just before the crushing holiday crowds, I believe. Having never been to Disneyland before we don't want to miss World of Color (hoping it's up and running), Paint the Night, etc. How can we see these shows/parade without booking a dinner package? Are there fastpasses for them?

 

[beachdreamr1229]

World of Color and Fantasmic have fastpasses. You actually are pretty much required to have one, so you just grab those early in the morning before they all sell out. If Paint the Night is still running, it's just a parade. Get there an hour early to get a seat. The holiday fireworks are a big draw at DL, but if you're okay with not being in front of the castle, head over toward It's a Small World. It's still a decent experience and easier to find a seat. Again, just show up about an hour before. If you're only there for a few days though, you might not get to see all the nighttime entertainment. I would recommend picking one per night, except if you do Fantasmic, just get the early show and you can watch the fireworks from the Fantasmic viewing area.

 

[Malcon10t]

Paint the Night has a large area to be able to see it from. Usually no problem finding an area to sit. Fantasmic! has FPs, WOC would have FP, and fireworks is first come first serve.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

For WOC without a dining package, read the first post in this thread (World of Color Superthread) carefully and maybe the last few pages for more recent information. WOC viewing is problematic -- there is great and bad viewing in every section, including the dining package sections. The more research you do beforehand, the better off you'll be. You can get great viewing in the free FP areas for WOC -- you just have to know where to go and how early to get there.

 

[Belle5]

For WOC without a dining package, read the first post in this thread (World of Color Superthread) carefully and maybe the last few pages for more recent information. WOC viewing is problematic -- there is great and bad viewing in every section, including the dining package sections. The more research you do beforehand, the better off you'll be. You can get great viewing in the free FP areas for WOC -- you just have to know where to go and how early to get there.

Thank you for the information!

 

[Disney_Alli]

For WOC without a dining package, read the first post in this thread (World of Color Superthread) carefully and maybe the last few pages for more recent information. WOC viewing is problematic -- there is great and bad viewing in every section, including the dining package sections. The more research you do beforehand, the better off you'll be. You can get great viewing in the free FP areas for WOC -- you just have to know where to go and how early to get there.

Thank you for the information!

I could not agree more about getting to know the good areas. On our first couple trips I didn't pay much attention to the specifics but on our last trip we had a great spot the first time we watched it and fell so in love with the show we changed our plans for the next night and dedicated time to get the absolute perfect view and loved it even more.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Do your research for the F! viewing areas, too. The free FP areas don't seem to be as large as the dining package areas, so space up front is limited. Unless everyone in your group is tall, it will be difficult for everyone to see well. Get your FPs early because F! FPs run out pretty early in the day (by early afternoon, at the latest), then know where to go to line up and when.

 

[Belle5]

Do your research for the F! viewing areas, too. The free FP areas don't seem to be as large as the dining package areas, so space up front is limited. Unless everyone in your group is tall, it will be difficult for everyone to see well. Get your FPs early because F! FPs run out pretty early in the day (by early afternoon, at the latest), then know where to go to line up and when.

Is Fantasmic also a standing (not seated) show in Disneyland?

 

[Becca1007]

Also, if there is a second showing of WOC then it will be much easier to find a spot. So if you can make it to the late nights, that is what I would recommend.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

Is Fantasmic also a standing (not seated) show in Disneyland?

Yes, unless you have a dining package (which allows you to sit on the floor), or sometimes a very small number of FP people are also allowed to sit on the floor. You need to get there eaaaaarly and get a bit lucky to have that happen.

 

[lizardlife]

So since you're doing multiple nights, I would divide and conquer: Disneyland night shows one night, DCA night shows on another. If you're willing to stay late, you're going to have better viewing each time.

Basically, this is how I would do it:

Disneyland Night: Watch Fireworks from as close to the castle as possible nearer to the Frontierland entrance. As soon as Fireworks are over (the Christmas ones are much shorter than the regular shows) I would immediately head in to watch the SECOND Fantasmic. And yes, I would get a fastpass for it. The advantage is that the 10:30pm showing is always less crowded than the first showing and a lot of people are done for the day at that point and are all exiting the park, which means you'll be headed in the opposite direction of the crowds. Also there are more space options since you have to wait for one crowd to leave before another one can take it's place.

I recommend this strategy because frankly I don't think fireworks looks as great without the actual castle in view and if you watch the first Fantasmic you're pretty much going to see them from Rivers of America because 1) the start fireworks immediately after the show and 2) it's crowded from the show.

DCA Night: Same strategy. Try to catch the earlier Paint the Night (assuming they still have it, it's a big assumption) and then watch the show from close to the WOC viewing area. I would probably recommend somewhere near Pacific Wharf entrance all the way down to Ariel's Undersea adventure. WOC is ridiculously popular, especially during the Christmas season, and since both showings are a lot earlier, it will be more crowded, even the second showing, so be prepared to arrive at least 30-45 minutes before the show.

I don't think you need to book a dinner package for anything and definitely do your research to find out where exactly has the best views since there are a lot of articles on this already.

Also a note: if you are fastpassing super early in the day, MAKE SURE ALL YOUR TICKETS HAVE BEEN SCANNED FOR THE PARKS BEFORE YOU TRY TO GET A SHOW FASTPASS. I can't tell you how many times I've had a dad rushing up to me at 8am trying to get WOC fastpasses for his family who were still at the hotel only to find out he would have to come back AFTER all their tickets have been scanned. Fastpass cannot work unless your ticket number has been activated for that day, so just a big FYI out there.

And Dec 15-18 might not be peak busy season, but the parks will still be packed. So be prepared for that.

 

[Belle5]

So since you're doing multiple nights, I would divide and conquer: Disneyland night shows one night, DCA night shows on another. If you're willing to stay late, you're going to have better viewing each time.

Basically, this is how I would do it:

Disneyland Night: Watch Fireworks from as close to the castle as possible nearer to the Frontierland entrance. As soon as Fireworks are over (the Christmas ones are much shorter than the regular shows) I would immediately head in to watch the SECOND Fantasmic. And yes, I would get a fastpass for it. The advantage is that the 10:30pm showing is always less crowded than the first showing and a lot of people are done for the day at that point and are all exiting the park, which means you'll be headed in the opposite direction of the crowds. Also there are more space options since you have to wait for one crowd to leave before another one can take it's place.

I recommend this strategy because frankly I don't think fireworks looks as great without the actual castle in view and if you watch the first Fantasmic you're pretty much going to see them from Rivers of America because 1) the start fireworks immediately after the show and 2) it's crowded from the show.

DCA Night: Same strategy. Try to catch the earlier Paint the Night (assuming they still have it, it's a big assumption) and then watch the show from close to the WOC viewing area. I would probably recommend somewhere near Pacific Wharf entrance all the way down to Ariel's Undersea adventure. WOC is ridiculously popular, especially during the Christmas season, and since both showings are a lot earlier, it will be more crowded, even the second showing, so be prepared to arrive at least 30-45 minutes before the show.

I don't think you need to book a dinner package for anything and definitely do your research to find out where exactly has the best views since there are a lot of articles on this already.

Also a note: if you are fastpassing super early in the day, MAKE SURE ALL YOUR TICKETS HAVE BEEN SCANNED FOR THE PARKS BEFORE YOU TRY TO GET A SHOW FASTPASS. I can't tell you how many times I've had a dad rushing up to me at 8am trying to get WOC fastpasses for his family who were still at the hotel only to find out he would have to come back AFTER all their tickets have been scanned. Fastpass cannot work unless your ticket number has been activated for that day, so just a big FYI out there.

And Dec 15-18 might not be peak busy season, but the parks will still be packed. So be prepared for that.

Really helpful information! Thank you so much, lizardlife!!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Note that fireworks at DL can be cancelled (not an uncommon occurrence -- usually because of unsafe wind conditions), so try to see them early in your trip. That way you'll have more chances to try again in case the show does get cancelled your first night. And have a back up plan ready to go for when you hear the dreaded announcement, "Ladies and gentlemen, due to winds at higher elevations..." While everyone else is standing there stunned and groaning, you'll be off to whatever ride, shop, or restaurant you decided to hit instead.

 

[Belle5]

Note that fireworks at DL can be cancelled (not an uncommon occurrence -- usually because of unsafe wind conditions), so try to see them early in your trip. That way you'll have more chances to try again in case the show does get cancelled your first night. And have a back up plan ready to go for when you hear the dreaded announcement, "Ladies and gentlemen, due to winds at higher elevations..." While everyone else is standing there stunned and groaning, you'll be off to whatever ride, shop, or restaurant you decided to hit instead.

Thank you for informing me of this! I had no idea! I have seen WDW MK fireworks dozens of times and never known it to be canceled (Illuminations, yes). This possibility would not have even crossed my mind! If we decide not to purchase hoppers, I will make sure to plan DL first and will have a backup activity planned.

 

[Disney_Alli]

Thank you for informing me of this! I had no idea! I have seen WDW MK fireworks dozens of times and never known it to be canceled (Illuminations, yes). This possibility would not have even crossed my mind! If we decide not to purchase hoppers, I will make sure to plan DL first and will have a backup activity planned.

Because Disney directly controls the area around MK it's easier for them to watch for fire issues anywhere from fireworks fallout - at DL they're surrounded by the city of Anaheim and the fire marshal has the final call on whether the fireworks can go off safely or if there are too many fire risks due to winds and fallout HTH

 

[theluckyrabbit]

By the way, if you haven't already seen this thread, it contains lots of helpful information for your trip planning: A DLR Guide for WDW Vets.

 

[az4boys]

For us, the only dining package we felt like we needed to do to make it work for our family was Fantasmic, and we did the cheapest one at Hungry Bear. I just didn't want to chance standing room only with a horrible view. If I had a lot of nights to see what worked and what didn't, that would be different, but we didn't. Plus, if fireworks are after your Fantasmic show then you get 2 for 1 on good seats. I really like fireworks from the ROA area. Paint the Night is not hard to get good seats. World of Color takes some planning but is do-able.

 

[asunutgirl]

Another comment regarding the fireworks being canceled - we are local and the fireworks get canceled often in December. Just an FYI so you know going in that it is a possibility.