Maximize Time During Evening Shows?

[Delilah1310]

Hi all. My DH and DS9 are not into shows, parades or fireworks at all. If they see it while we walk by, it may get a "oh that's cool" but they won't break stride to stop down for any of these fan favorites.
(It's okay, we have seen them all at some point. They are just not repeat customers.)

So my question is ... with Fantastic! back this summer, what is our best bet to ride during that time with lower lines?
I was thinking staying in Frontierland/New Orleans square area for the combo of options - Big Thunder, Splash, Haunted Mansion, Pirates. But will the crowds be too much to move around freely?

Over at DCA, I imagine Carsland is a good option during World of Color? Or maybe doing Grizzly and Soarin?

If you were not watching the shows, parades, or fireworks, how would you handle your night touring at DL and DCA?

thanking in advance!

 

[Aimee_Jane83]

When I don't feel like watching the Fireworks/parades/fantasmic etc I try and stay out of Disneyland entirely. I head over to Disney's California Adventure and hit up the rides there. It's no where near as congested as the original park when everyone crams themselves into it. I have found that once the shows are over in DL half of those people disperse and leave both parks. I give Disneyland a half hour or so to clear out after all the shows end and then jump back over to it to ride Indy, Pirates etc. It makes for a later night, but if you don't mind that it's well worth it.

 

[figment_jii]

Personally, if you're trying to avoid crowds, I would avoid being in the Frontierland/NOS area before, during, and after F! (at least based on how things were when F! was last presented - I'm hoping they've figured out a better way to get traffic to flow, but its still going to be really crowded over there). I haven't really noticed that the lines for the attractions in the area are all that much shorter during the show. In truth, I don't really think that attraction lines get all that much shorter during any of the show times. There are plenty of people that want to watch the shows and there are also lots of guests that don't want to, so it all kinds of evens out.

Moreover than F!, I think the parade makes moving around DL hard. Getting across the park is difficult when the parade is enroute, so I would pick a side of the park that you want to be on and stay there until after the parade finishes.

 

[ashley0139]

Frontierland/NOS is the worst area to be in during Fantasmic. I'd either be in Fantasyland/Tomorrowland or California Adventure.

 

[Nevada Jen]

I would definitely choose the tomorrowland side of the park. It is nuts in frontierland/new Orleans square around fantasmic time even when there were low crowds pre-60th. I can't even imagine how bad it will be over there now. ANd "nuts" isn't the right word. That implies something like a frenzy. Perhaps the better word is "hopeless" Because you are either not moving or going where you are forced to move.

 

[Delilah1310]

thanks for the ideas!
we do like Frontierland/New Orleans square rides at night, so I like a PP's suggestion to wait until all shows are over and cleared out before heading back over there.
We have experienced the trapped-on-one-side issue during the parade and now we always try our best to hunker down on one side or the other ... easier to do now that the kiddo is old enough to understand such logistics.

what Fantasyland ride are closed for fireworks and how long does that usually last?

thanks again for weighing in ... gonna rethink some things.

 

[Aimee_Jane83]

All of Fantasyland other than the Matterhorn bobsleds is closed during the fireworks but reopens right after the fireworks end. Even Toon Town is typically closed too. Tomorrowland is almost your safest best if you want to stay in Disneyland. However anyone who doesnt want to watch the shows are either waiting in crazy long line ups for Indy, Pirates, Splash or Big Thunder or are stuck waiting around in one land which is Tomorrowland.

In other words 3/4 of Disneyland is packed solid or is closed. I cant tell people enough that if you want to avoid all this then go to DCA where there is less congestion and some rides have super low waits to walk ons.

Disneyland becomes super magical after all the night time shows are over. Fantasyland reopens and its a sweet time to see it or any other area of the park at a calmer pace.