LOVED the fireworks!!

[NezzieRella]

DH, DD & I just left Disneyland after 3 days there. I don't think I've ever been as physically exhausted as I was the morning after the 3rd day! But it was so much fun, and I am having withdrawls already!

Anyway, I just wanted to post about the fireworks show. It was SO great!! We sat RIGHT in the front and center of the hub in front of the castle. I even caught myself cheering a few times! My sister lives locally and goes with her family all the time(they have APs) and she was so great to be with because they know so many little things!

For example, on Sleeping Beauty's castle there are crowns as part of the decor for the 50th and each crown represents the 5 different decades. The first are Mickey Mouse ears, and I can't remember the order of it exactly, but there's also a rocket on one (I think for the 60's), there's the eye of Mara from Indiana Jones, tinkerbell is the for the latest decade, and the last one is of the blue fairy. It really brought on new meaning for the decorations which I have to admit, I wasn't a fan of right at first, a little too much for my style. But then it grew on me and after all, it's Disneyland...you gotta love it!

Anyway, my sister & her DDs staked out a place for us Friday night and it was really amazing! There are projections on the castle as many of you alrady know or have read, but they are also on the Matterhorn, so make sure you look up there and there are parts of the show where fireworks come up from all around the circle at the end of Main Street. It's honestly the best fireworks show I've ever seen.

I'm planning on posting a trip report when I get back home next week to my own computer. I'm so excited to share my experience and for those of you who are going soon! It really is the Happiest Place on Earth!

P.S. Favorite rides this trip: Winnie the Pooh(we walked on 3 times in a row), Buzz Light Year Astro Blasters, and Tower of Terror! These were also all new for me to ride as well, so that may have something to do with it. The lines were GREAT, we walked onto many rides, and only had to wait a little bit for a few rides. I'll always go during non-peak season if I can help it!

 

[PatriciaH]

Great! We are going the 1st of October. Just added that night to the 2nd and 3rd to see the fireworks.

 

[DisnyMama]

I totally agree with you. They are spectacular!! I really love being in front of the castle like you were and being in the middle of the Pirate battle with the Cannon balls being shot back and forth from the top of the castle and the matterhorn. That was so Cool!!

 

[noryglory]

I like some of the descriptions I'm getting here about the fireworks show. DH isn't chomping at the bit to see them as we've already seen "the best fireworks ever" (Tivoli in Denmark 1997 and Seattle Lake Union 2005). Anyway, we added a Saturday night stay on Nov 5 due to the buy three get one free promo at the resort hotels, and added Saturday specifically because there aren't fireworks on the other nights we will be there and figure we arrive in the p.m. and enjoy some evening time in the park inc. the show.

I know there are other posts regarding this, but two questions: one, can someone describe the show in terms of what happens from start to finish--like what other allusions are there besides the Pirates one listed above? And two, again, I know this has been covered but, where to sit/stand with a 5yo and when would we have to stake out a place on a date like November 5. Apparently somewhere IN FRONT of the castle is the place to be for this particular show? I figure to get a good spot I could camp out and let my son and husband run around. I'd hate to wait by myself for more than an hour tho especially because I'll have that Disney buzz!

 

[daannzzz]

Don't get too hyped up that these are the best fireworks ever. The fireworks are fine but there are many fireworks displays around the country and world that are much more elborate and spectacular. HOWEVER what makes this the best show of all the Disney fireworks shows is the "storyline" grand circle tour of Disneyland and the way the fireworks related to the soundtrack. I imagine that if this is someone's first trip to Disneyland that the fireworks show is not as captivating as it is for those of us who have been going for decades, or even some who have been going for just a few years.

 

[jencav5]

From start to finish would be a lot! I will give you the main highlights, though! First off, there's an introduction by Julie Andrews, then, during the show, it plays the actual ride sounds/music-the train, Haunted Mansion, Indiana Jones, Space Mountain, Star Tours, etc.... What makes it so great, is that there is a lot of "floor show" rather than fireworks. The castle is transformed before your eyes for each piece, you feel like you're in the middle of a battle for Star Tours, etc.... The best place to wait is in front of the castle. If you bring in a towel or small blanket, you can save your real estate easier! You will still probably need to arrive 1 1/2 to 2 hours prior to get right up in front. I usually bring a blanket and camp out with some snacks and enjoy the view of the castle, while the kids and DH get in a couple of last rides. They should still be back 30-45 minutes prior, though, because it gets so crowded around you that it may be hard to get back-you will be amazed at how the crowd grows as you sit there! For a 5 year old you could take him for a whirl around the Carousel and then get him a snack on the walk back, etc, to break up the time. You won't be able to walk thru the castle, so they would have to walk around the side. Nov 5 probably won't be as busy, but it is a Saturday and they're showing the fireworks, so I would still get there early. When we were there, everyone in the front stayed sitting, so it was great because we all could see. You just need to be on the sidewalk, in front of the castle (not street) and stay more to the center-if you're off center a little, I'd go to the right of the castle (if you were facing it). The trees can make the fireworks hard to see if you're too much to the left. I think this is the best fireworks show I've ever seen, but it is due to the choreography and special effects, more than the fireworks themselves, as the previous poster mentioned. They do have some neat fireworks, though, too, like cubes and stars, etc... Oh, also, Tinkerbell is a big part in the show-she doesn't just fly down once, she flies down several times!

 

[noryglory]

Thanks Jen for the detailed scoop--especially on where to sit. I'll pack a small blanket! It sounds great. We've been going to Disneyland our whole lives so the drama will mean something to us I think!

How long does the show last?

 

[jencav5]

I'm not sure of the exact length of the show, but it's probably 15-20 minutes. Maybe someone else will know the exact time. It usually starts at 9:25 and it is over before they do the 2nd Fantasmic at 10pm. I've seen it several times, but I've never timed it! Sorry!