Navigating during Fantasmic? Which show to see?

[Eeee-va]

Several scattered questions here; sorry...I like to plan and have been thrown for a bit of a loop!

I'll be in Disneyland the nights of 6/20 - 6/22. Is it going to be remotely possible to see the fireworks with Dumbo (assuming the latter flies, of course) and Fantasmic both on 6/20? Looking at the crowd levels and hearing about the "full" announcements, it sounds like that might not be possible.

If it's possible, is the strategy to position oneself near Adventureland (there's a shortcut somewhere, right?) and shove on through after the show? Movement is frozen on Main Street/the hub during the entire show, right?

If it's not possible to do both on 6/20, is there a good way we can see the show on 6/22 without waiting for 2+ hours to get a seat? We can go to the 10:30 show, but I know I would be much more comfortable if there were fewer crowds and it sounds like the second show is even worse than the first. (Looking at the photos, I think the party viewing will probably be 2 agile people, but it's possible that my mom, who's less speedy, might be up to coming with us. At any rate, I'm not particularly good at being assertive and forcing a spot for myself out of a nearly-filled crowd.)

If we do get to the Rivers of America and Fantasmic is full, do you have any suggestions for alternate things to do? My only idea would be to ride PotC repeatedly, but I'm afraid that might even be difficult with the crowds. My current Ridemax plan for 6/22 actually has me on the Haunted Mansion shortly before the show, then going to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad a few minutes after. Is that even remotely possible with the crowd control issues?

If necessary, I could rearrange my schedule to be in DL on the night of 6/21 instead of one of the other two nights, but I had wanted my first and last nights to be at DL. Though I suppose DL's huge crowds might change my mind as to which park I prefer.

Thanks to anyone who wades through this and offers any ideas.

 

[Disney Dreams]

I think the really simple answer to your question is that you can't really worry about "How bad will the crowds be?" because no one knows.

Expect it to be crowded. Figure out if you want to give it a shot (seeing fireworks and Fantasmic!) and give it your best effort Or... decide you aren't going to deal with it - and not look back wondering if the crowds weren't as bad as you thought they would be when you decided not to try to see both shows. Does that make sense?

Now, that said...

Your best shot of seeing both of them in one night is based in "how to."

You are correct on where to watch the fireworks from:
Right where Adventureland / Frontierland joins Main Street. Now, if you are all the way over to the left, on Main Street, you will have trees blocking the left/above the castle area - which is not good. So, you want to be more center, but on the side of Adv/Front entrance (just slightly).

The SECOND the fireworks show ends, you turn and "walk with purpose." What we do is hold on to each other hand in hand and walk sort-of single file with the crowd.

Now, here's the key: As you (and many others) are moving toward the River, all those who watch the 1st Fantasmic show are heading out to Main Street. For this reason it's important that you listen to where the cast members are telling you to walk and go there. You will think, "But everyone is going that way. It's a mass of people. We're done." BUT - if you have done the above, you are in front of most of the mass of people. Keep walking. When you get to New Orleans Square, go to the river front. Most people will stay up by pirates. This is where you can break a bit from the crowd. Others will be there already. That's ok. Others will have spots. That's ok. Remember, there are LOTS of people behind you - you are in front of them. Yay you! Find a spot. Claim it. Enjoy.

And if the area is full - you saw a great fireworks show, and off to Pirates, Splash Mountain, BTMRR, shopping, whatever, all of which is possible. But at least you will know you tried... and maybe you will get to enjoy both.

- Dreams

 

[Eeee-va]

Thanks so much for your thoughtful reply, Dreams. I like every bit of that plan and will plan to have fun no matter what.

If I were to see Fantasmic on Monday instead, does anyone have any suggestions as to where would be the best place to hang out before the second show, so we could snag a seat before the fireworks crowds arrive? I would not be adverse to either sitting down (or even standing) somewhere and eating something sweet, or riding rides. (We MIGHT have another adult and a child with us--both first-time visitors--at that point as well, so walking with purpose might not be quite as easy.)

 

[jason417]

Thanks so much for your thoughtful reply, Dreams. I like every bit of that plan and will plan to have fun no matter what.

If I were to see Fantasmic on Monday instead, does anyone have any suggestions as to where would be the best place to hang out before the second show, so we could snag a seat before the fireworks crowds arrive? I would not be adverse to either sitting down (or even standing) somewhere and eating something sweet, or riding rides. (We MIGHT have another adult and a child with us--both first-time visitors--at that point as well, so walking with purpose might not be quite as easy.)

First off, if you can do the fireworks and Fantasmic on two different nights that would be best. The best way I know of to get a good spot for Fantasmic without waiting hours is to plan to see the second show. Get yourself over to the Haunted Mansion during the fireworks. When the fireworks end at about 9:40 all the people from the first Fantasmic show (who stayed in their spot to watch the fireworks) will get up and exit the area. Most of them will be heading toward Main Street, Tomorrowland, or Fantasyland, meaning they will be walking away from you. This makes it easy to slip in and grab a spot for the second show.

 

[brenda1966]

Are these huge crowds for F! due to the upgrades to the show? Do we think it will die down to normal (insane) crowds in the next few weeks?

I'd be pretty upset if we stayed late for the 10:30 show and then couldn't even get back there to see it!

 

[Disney Dreams]

Thanks so much for your thoughtful reply, Dreams. I like every bit of that plan and will plan to have fun no matter what.

You're welcome.

If I were to see Fantasmic on Monday instead, does anyone have any suggestions as to where would be the best place to hang out before the second show, so we could snag a seat before the fireworks crowds arrive?...

If you do each on a different night, easy-peasy. First, plan on fireworks the FIRST night so if they are canceled due to wind, you have a second chance.

On your Fantasmic night, get into the riverfront area during the first Fantasmic show. This way, you are not caught in the flood of people moving to and from shows. During Fantasmic, hang out in the shops in New Orleans square or get some dessert from one of the restaurants. Enjoy.

When the first show ends, 2 things will happen. Some people will get up and start leaving the area. Others will not move - waiting for the fireworks to start. There is literally 2 minutes between Fantasmic ending and the fireworks starting. You, however, are not there to watch the fireworks. You are there to move in to place for the second Fantasmic show while everyone is staring at the sky. Know that move people will be leaving after the fireworks end, so basically you are moving into position. Once the fireworks end and people leave, you settle in to your specific spot. (Of course others will be doing the same thing, but not nearly as many as will be in the transition flood from Main Street to the riverfront - and you are WAY ahead of them.)

Once you find "your spot," sit, relax, enjoy. You will soon be watching an incredible Diisney show!

Are these huge crowds for F! due to the upgrades to the show? Do we think it will die down to normal (insane) crowds in the next few weeks?

The crowds are 2-fold. 1) It's the beginning of summer - peak season. 2) They have been promoting the new additions to Fantasmic everywhere (LOL as I typed that sentence, literally, a Disney commercial highlighting Fantasmic came on!). Normally, I would say, yes, the crowds will start to settle a bit mid-way through summer. HOWEVER - let's remember the new dragon is NOT out yet That means when it comes out, there will be a whole new reason AGAIN for people to come see Disneyland - and Fantasmic. So, just as the "it's a new show!" craze will start to settle, "the new dragon" excitement is going to kick in, imo. I think this will keep the crowds pretty high, along with all the summer promotions they are doing and special ticket offers.

- Dreams

 

[Eeee-va]

Thanks, everyone! I agree that seeing it Monday would be a better option in many ways, but in a perfect world I would "get it out of the way" the first day and then not have to worry about catching it later--I really wanted to see it ASAP, especially since I only have 3 nights. Though part of my reasoning was to ride rides/etc. during fireworks and Fantasmic the other DL night, but it sounds like the parks are almost gridlocked due to the show, so planning 3 nights of shows might not be awful.

I have a Ridemax plan with a couple rides in the area shortly after the second Fantasmic starts, so if we feel we can shove our way through the crowds on Saturday after fireworks, we can try for Fantasmic and follow the New Orleans Square ride plan if we can't make a place to view, and go for it on Monday.

I'm sure hoping fireworks aren't canceled Saturday, because if they are then I would NEED to do fireworks and Fantasmic both in one night, or else likely miss one of the three nighttime events, and I don't want to have to decide which to miss. But no sense in worrying about it yet.

Though with the way crowds are (and the fact that some APs aren't blocked out at all on Sunday and Monday), it sounds like they MIGHT possibly add an 11:30 show one night. I wouldn't count on it, but it happened already this week, right? And I reckon that would probably be easy enough to make with the "hang out until the previous show ends" strategy, even with the crazy summer crowds.

 

[g0lden]

Hi Eeee-va, sorry, this is an old thread, but it closely relates to my dilemma as well. What did you end up doing for that particular trip? I have a large group with me (8 adults, 6 kids ranging from 5-10 and 1 baby in a stroller). We have a half day in DCA and a full day in DL, so we plan to catch the fireworks from the Main Street Railroad platform then take the train afterwards to Haunted Mansion/Pirates to get a spot to view the 10:30 p.m. show of Fantasmic! Is this a recipe for disaster? Even if we took the train before the end of the fireworks, wouldn't we miss the finale?

Oh, and I can walk with purpose (but the rest of my group probably can't, being so large), and I am also not the assertive type. Is the train even running during the fireworks/Fantasmic!? Thank you in advance!

 

[HydroGuy]

Hi Eeee-va, sorry, this is an old thread, but it closely relates to my dilemma as well. What did you end up doing for that particular trip? I have a large group with me (8 adults, 6 kids ranging from 5-10 and 1 baby in a stroller). We have a half day in DCA and a full day in DL, so we plan to catch the fireworks from the Main Street Railroad platform then take the train afterwards to Haunted Mansion/Pirates to get a spot to view the 10:30 p.m. show of Fantasmic! Is this a recipe for disaster? Even if we took the train before the end of the fireworks, wouldn't we miss the finale?

Oh, and I can walk with purpose (but the rest of my group probably can't, being so large), and I am also not the assertive type. Is the train even running during the fireworks/Fantasmic!? Thank you in advance!

The train does close for a awhile during the fireworks/Fantasmic time. I tried to take it at 9:50PM last month to get to F! and they said it was closed til 10:30 I think. I had just missed it. My kids got on the last one at 9:45. Not sure if this is every night but it appeared to be.

IMO a better approach for the fireworks/F! duo is to see fireworks from the hub then move quickly to F! thru Frontierland. You need to be on the left side of the hub to make this work well.

 

[g0lden]

The train does close for a awhile during the fireworks/Fantasmic time. I tried to take it at 9:50PM last month to get to F! and they said it was closed til 10:30 I think. I had just missed it. My kids got on the last one at 9:45. Not sure if this is every night but it appeared to be.

IMO a better approach for the fireworks/F! duo is to see fireworks from the hub then move quickly to F! thru Frontierland. You need to be on the left side of the hub to make this work well.

Thanks for the tip, HydroGuy! Train closing is good to know. A few questions. Isn't the Hub the most crowded area to watch the fireworks? If I walk the Frontierland way, will I be fighting the mass exodus that is leaving the first Fantasmic! showing? Will using this route afford me the opportunity to catch the entire fireworks show in its entirety, or should I still start making my way before the fireworks end? I have a copy of the Unofficial Guide (2011) and it says that Frontierland gets pretty gridlocked during Fantasmic! but I trust what I read on DIS more than the book (which is already outdated). Thanks for all your help!

 

[HydroGuy]

Thanks for the tip, HydroGuy! Train closing is good to know. A few questions. Isn't the Hub the most crowded area to watch the fireworks? If I walk the Frontierland way, will I be fighting the mass exodus that is leaving the first Fantasmic! showing? Will using this route afford me the opportunity to catch the entire fireworks show in its entirety, or should I still start making my way before the fireworks end? I have a copy of the Unofficial Guide (2011) and it says that Frontierland gets pretty gridlocked during Fantasmic! but I trust what I read on DIS more than the book (which is already outdated). Thanks for all your help!

If the hub were a clock and the castle at 12 o'clock, I like to stand at the 9 o'clock spot in the hub on the street with no trees obstructing the skies.

It is not any more crowded there than anywhere else.

After F! ends the CMs set up a traffic pattern in Frontierland where those exiting F! walk towards the hub on the left (as you walk into Frontierland and face the Rivers of America) and those moving towards F! showing #2 on the right. So just stay to the right. It is congested at certain spots but it all flows well enough every night there is a second show. It is not grid locked. It is congested because there are thousands of people here.

For the really savvy you can walk thru Plaza Gardens and thru the tunnel into Rancho del Zocalo and avoid most of the congestion.

Plus, as a bonus, you get a much better view of the fireworks near the hub than towards the train station. IMHO.

 

[g0lden]

Thanks, HydroGuy. That helps a lot. Looking at the Disneyland Park map, I see a small path behind Plaza Gardens Stage leading to Rancho del Zocalo. I'll check out the tunnel when the rest of the group is on a ride or taking a break. Can't wait to report back after the trip (though I can't promise detailed drawings, blueprints or photos). This board is going to make me look like a hero!

 

[Eeee-va]

Late to the party, but our trip went a little different than planned.

We actually went into the park Friday, 6/19/09 (a VERY busy day, by the way, due to blockouts, I believe). We got to the fireworks pretty easy and then waited for the fireworks at a nice spot like HydroGuy described. We met a nice couple from San Diego and had fun talking with them.

After some announcements that the fireworks show might not happen, the fireworks show started late...Dumbo didn't fly (not surprising, with the wind). About halfway through the show, it stopped due to wind! We tried to explain the situation to our baffled San Diego acquaintances, but they seemed confused so we left them and high-tailed it to the Rivers of America through Frontierland as described. Frankly, the crowds were...not good. Some people were rough, but again, it was a particularly busy time (and some of the people were probably upset over the cancellation).

But we made it through at last and got a spot right on the water for Fantasmic! I don't know how much of that was due to the fact that fireworks "let out early," you could say.

This was in 2009, so without WoC to distract us, we tried halfheartedly to see the fireworks on Saturday (still no Dumbo, saw full show otherwise) and then Sunday (finally saw it all). Each time we were progressively farther down Main Street, though, so the show got less and less impressive! If I had it to do again I wouldn't bother to go to so much trouble trying to see Dumbo.