How good is the fireworks view from Fantasmic dining package location?

[KEK1]

Hi,
I am in the parks next week and only have 1 night with fireworks for Wonderous, Sat 18th.
Currently I have a cafe orleans dining package for Fantasmic (1st show) with the idea of staying put for fireworks. But- I’m concerned the view will not be as good as on Main St. My priorities are the fireworks over Fantasmic. Was thinking about cancelling cafe orleans dining package and either :
Replace with Rancho del zocalo 2nd show Fantasmic or
Cancel entirely and try walk-up for 2nd show.
It’s also my only night for Fantasmic.
Thoughts, suggestions..?
TIA!!

 

[Pluto468]

Hi,
I am in the parks next week and only have 1 night with fireworks for Wonderous, Sat 18th.
Currently I have a cafe orleans dining package for Fantasmic (1st show) with the idea of staying put for fireworks. But- I’m concerned the view will not be as good as on Main St. My priorities are the fireworks over Fantasmic. Was thinking about cancelling cafe orleans dining package and either :
Replace with Rancho del zocalo 2nd show Fantasmic or
Cancel entirely and try walk-up for 2nd show.
It’s also my only night for Fantasmic.
Thoughts, suggestions..?
TIA!!

I love the fireworks view from the Fantasmic area. You still see the projections and it's way less crowded than dealing with Main street. But of course you won't see the castle from there, so if that's a priority you could go to Main St. instead.

 

[KEK1]

I love the fireworks view from the Fantasmic area. You still see the projections and it's way less crowded than dealing with Main street. But of course you won't see the castle from there, so if that's a priority you could go to Main St. instead.

Thanks for your reply! so, would you stick with my original plan?

 

[Pluto468]

Thanks for your reply! so, would you stick with my original plan?

I definitely would. I love being able to just stay put and not fight the crowds to get over to Main Street. And even though Main St. has the castle and some side projections, you could still end up have a hard time seeing since you're in a crowd.

 

[deedubb]

I always prioritize fireworks over anything else. IMO, the show is significantly worse from the F! location. Projections on the castle are so much better and the overall atmosphere on Main St is just so much better. I would try for the 2nd F! show. We were just there over Spring break and it was easy to find a spot on Main St, pretty close to the castle.

 

[LKing]

My personal order of preference for fireworks with Wondrous Journeys projections is:
1. Castle - Requires a time commitment but otherwise great view
2. Small World - Large facade to view projections and clear direct view of 90% of the fireworks. Stand to the right of the Small World sign for the best view. If you stand in the center (facing the dolphins), the fireworks will be to your left side.
3. Fantasmic - Sometimes the projections are difficult to see on the water screens. I don't feel that I take in as much of the story on the relatively small screens. The fireworks are distant and off to the side.
4. Main Street - Personally, I think the projections are difficult to see on the buildings. I don't like going back and forth, looking to the side for projections, and then straight for fireworks. All that plus it is very crowded.

 

[KEK1]

Thanks so much for the replies! I really appreciate it
Any tips for best spots to aim for for castle view?

 

[LKing]

I haven't camped out in quite a while. Someone correct me if I am wrong. This is my best recollection.

You'll see people sitting on the curb near the Partner's Statue very early. At some point before 6:30, they let the first few rows of people move forward to sit at the edge of the walkway/street in front of the castle - basically creating the front row for castle viewing. The walkway/street stays open for quite a while after that, with some people sitting closer to the castle and others congregating on the curb of the hub. Eventually (not sure of exact timing), they allow people to move forward and sit on the street. It might happen when the ropes go up and PTN seating starts (ie. two hours before the first PTN). That's when they start creating walking corridors in front of the castle and across the hub. People being seated helps to force walkers into the walking corridors. It can look very crowded with everyone seated. However, before PTN is over, they ask everyone to stand, allowing almost twice the number of people into that space. It may even happen when PTN starts.

After PTN, there is a massive crowd of parade viewers trying to make their way to the front of the castle for fireworks. They are coming from the Matterhorn side. If you don't care about PTN, stand on the Frontierland side and, when they ask people to stand, work your way to the center.

 

[KEK1]

I haven't camped out in quite a while. Someone correct me if I am wrong. This is my best recollection.

You'll see people sitting on the curb near the Partner's Statue very early. At some point before 6:30, they let the first few rows of people move forward to sit at the edge of the walkway/street in front of the castle - basically creating the front row for castle viewing. The walkway/street stays open for quite a while after that, with some people sitting closer to the castle and others congregating on the curb of the hub. Eventually (not sure of exact timing), they allow people to move forward and sit on the street. It might happen when the ropes go up and PTN seating starts (ie. two hours before the first PTN). That's when they start creating walking corridors in front of the castle and across the hub. People being seated helps to force walkers into the walking corridors. It can look very crowded with everyone seated. However, before PTN is over, they ask everyone to stand, allowing almost twice the number of people into that space. It may even happen when PTN starts.

After PTN, there is a massive crowd of parade viewers trying to make their way to the front of the castle for fireworks. They are coming from the Matterhorn side. If you don't care about PTN, stand on the Frontierland side and, when they ask people to stand, work your way to the center.

Thanks very much for this! Will definitely be watching PTN as well, although could catch that on Tuesday if needed..

 

[MonocularVision]

Would love to get any of the details as to when they might be asking folks to stand. It has been years since we have intentionally watched fireworks and would like to give it another go.

 

[disneychrista]

Would love to get any of the details as to when they might be asking folks to stand. It has been years since we have intentionally watched fireworks and would like to give it another go.

I would assume as soon as the show is over, they would want people to stand as to prevent those not staying from trampling those sitting.

 

[MonocularVision]

I would assume as soon as the show is over, they would want people to stand as to prevent those not staying from trampling those sitting.

Sorry, I was talking about in front of the castle.

 

[disneychrista]

Sorry, I was talking about in front of the castle.

Ooops sorry, assumed you meant Fantasmic.

I think it depends on crowds. The earlier it gets crowded the sooner they will want people standing.

 

[KEK1]

Was in the parks yesterday. Wanted to camp out but we hadn’t done Rise as they were soooooo busy so I only ended up getting a spot for PTN at 8pm. Sat in the walkway just to the RHS of the castle and had a great view of PTN then as the parade started where we were , it finished 1st there too so we followed it out and took @LKing ’s recommendation and went towards Frontierland and under the ropes when everyone stood. Walked towards the centre of the castle and had a great view of Wonderous + fireworks. Then headed towards HM and sat on the railings behind the dining packages and perfect view of 2nd show of F! It all worked out really well with almost no investment of time and none of money despite a busy day (small world was at 30mins all day…)
I was a bit underwhelmed by Wonderous maybe as the soundtrack didn’t really speak to me but loved PTN and F!
Thanks for the help

 

[LKing]

I'm happy it worked out for you. Do you remember the approximate timing of when they asked people to stand?

 

[KEK1]

I'm happy it worked out for you. Do you remember the approximate timing of when they asked people to stand?

Thank you for your help!
We were asked to stand pretty early, about 9:10

 

[LKing]

Thank you for your help!
We were asked to stand pretty early, about 9:10

So, it was after PTN had passed that area? That's good to know. You mentioned that you ducked under the ropes. Was the seating area roped in or was it a roped off walking corridor?

 

[KEK1]

So, it was after PTN had passed that area? That's good to know. You mentioned that you ducked under the ropes. Was the seating area roped in or was it a roped off walking corridor?

PTN did not go that way- they came from ISW and went straight down main st on the RHS only (if you are facing the castle). The ropes were for a roped in seating area- the ppl that were camped out facing the castle got roped off (or it might have been part of the walkway as well). The CM told us to go under the rope when I asked them where to go.
Edited- yes we stood after the parade had passed as well (as I moved spots and followed the parade out to do it). Hope that makes sense!