Need advice on the night time shows

[xAshx]

My family is headed to Disneyland from August 20th-23rd. This will be our first trip to disney and I had a few questions about the nighttime shows I am trying to plan for.

1.) So we are arriving in the afternoon of the 20th around 2:30. It will be the last day of the Electrical parade and our only chance to see it. I imagine the park is going to be pretty busy that day. How early should we plan on camping out for a spot to watch the parade? I want to get a good spot with nobody in front of us.

2.) How difficult is it to try to get a spot in front of the castle for firework viewing? I thought I read recently people aren't allowed to get there early so what time would we have to be there?

3.) I imagine Fantasmic will be going on by the time of our trip. In the past has there been a dining plan for this? If so where and was it worth it?

4.) I was thinking we would spend our last day at California Adventure park and use are Magic morning pass on this day. Is it worth it to get a dining package for World of Color or will we get just as good of a spot if we grab fast passes for it as soon as we enter the park?

 

[figment_jii]

1.) So we are arriving in the afternoon of the 20th around 2:30. It will be the last day of the Electrical parade and our only chance to see it. I imagine the park is going to be pretty busy that day. How early should we plan on camping out for a spot to watch the parade? I want to get a good spot with nobody in front of us.

I don't think anyone really has any idea what the crowds will be like on that day, other than crowded. Technically, they're not supposed to allow guests to stake out spots for the parades until they put up the ropes, which can happen a few hours before the parade starts, but enforcement seems kind of hit or miss. That being said, I wouldn't be surprised to hear that folks were starting to show up prior to Soundsational and then "hanging" around until they can stake out their parade spot. It might be easier to find a front row spot for the second parade - the general advice is to watch fireworks from as close to wherever you want to watch the parade as possible and then move immediately to that spot once fireworks ends.

3.) I imagine Fantasmic will be going on by the time of our trip. In the past has there been a dining plan for this? If so where and was it worth it?

There were dining plans previously, with the viewing areas being front and center. They haven't said what kind of dining options will be available this time around, but I would guess there will be dining packages and maybe some kind of dessert party. If you're time limited, then I would seriously consider a dining package or anything that might give you an advantage. Being that this will be a new show, I would plan on it being very popular and very busy.

4.) I was thinking we would spend our last day at California Adventure park and use are Magic morning pass on this day. Is it worth it to get a dining package for World of Color or will we get just as good of a spot if we grab fast passes for it as soon as we enter the park?

That's harder to say and I think it really depends on how long you're willing to wait. There are good viewing spots and bad viewing spots in all areas (including the dining package), mostly because if you end up behind someone taller than you, it's a bad viewing spot. I think the dining package gives you a slight advantage because you don't have to get there as early, but you still want to be among the first people in if you want to get a spot without anyone standing in front of you.

 

[losfp]

I can only speak of the experiences I've had. Bear in mind that we fly in from Australia and really only get to visit every 2-3 years or so, and as such we're willing to pay a bit more for experiences. This might differ to more regular visitors who don't mind waiting longer to secure a spot.

We did Fantasmic dining in 2015, dinner at Blue Bayou then access to a seating area with foam cushion things for the ground. the meal was nice (our first time in BB) and the seating area was great. We weren't right in front, but everyone has to sit down so we still got a great view of everything. I'd do it again. Waiting to hear if Fantasmic will be back for our Sept trip, and if so I will certainly book a dining package again.

Same trip, we also did World of Color dining, with lunch at Wine Country Trattoria. We got to the reserved area I think 45-60 min before show time and got spots right on the fence. I'd only seen the show from a ways back before and really enjoyed the front row position - IMO it makes the show a hundred times more immersive and enjoyable.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

In case it throws a wrench in your plans, you can't use a traditional magic morning at California Adventure. The only way to do that is with Extra Magic Hour by staying onsite. Magic Morning is only good at Disneyland.

 

[SMD]

I would book the Aladdin's Oasis dining package for MSEP as soon as the booking window opens and be there when the seating opens.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

The AO dining package for MSEP also allows you to stay in the area to watch fireworks from the IASW mall. There are projections on the IASW building. Try to see fireworks more than once, in case the show gets cancelled (a not uncommon occurrence at DL). Then, if the show gets cancelled, you have another chance to see the it. Have you looked into the WOC Dessert Party? That dining package is the only one that offers an actual chair and requires the least amount of waiting. For free WOC FPs, you shouldn't need to rush to grab one first thing in the morning. The FPs aren't connected to the rides, so they won't stop you from pulling another ride FP right away. The FPs have been lasting into the afternoon on most days.

 

[xAshx]

Thank you for all the replys, they were helpful! Looks like I will be booking some dining plans.

 

[xAshx]

In case it throws a wrench in your plans, you can't use a traditional magic morning at California Adventure. The only way to do that is with Extra Magic Hour by staying onsite. Magic Morning is only good at Disneyland.

Thank you for telling me this I had no idea! That could have been bad

 

[monorailrabbit]

That's harder to say and I think it really depends on how long you're willing to wait. There are good viewing spots and bad viewing spots in all areas (including the dining package), mostly because if you end up behind someone taller than you, it's a bad viewing spot. I think the dining package gives you a slight advantage because you don't have to get there as early, but you still want to be among the first people in if you want to get a spot without anyone standing in front of you.

Along with the dinning package I'd also like to recommend the dessert party. We did that last year for WOC and it was one of our favorite parts of the entire trip! The sitting alone was worth it for us! Still had some heads to look through, but we got one of the high top tables and I thought our view was great!

 

[BriannaRuth]

I second the idea to do the WOC dessert party. It's great and you actually get to SIT, versus the dining packages for WOC where you still have to stand.

 

[bluegrizzlies1]

World of color we just get fastpass and go in the splashzone front row

We would do the reserve seating fantasmic first show and u could stay in your seats for fireworks.

Or get a spot for fireworks then after book it to fantasmic 2nd show.

We like doing fireworks by small world the project images on small world

 

[mom2rtk]

World of color we just get fastpass and go in the splashzone front row

Another vote for the splash zone! We've seen it from a number of spots now, including the dining package area, regular FP and dessert party. My favorite hands down as up front in the splash zone.

 

[bluegrizzlies1]

Last night we went over by small world watched the electric light parade then sat there till fireworks were over

I hate waiting for hours for something to start and plan my day like that. Lol 10 min wait is all I can stand

 

[xAshx]

World of color we just get fastpass and go in the splashzone front row

We would do the reserve seating fantasmic first show and u could stay in your seats for fireworks.

Or get a spot for fireworks then after book it to fantasmic 2nd show.

We like doing fireworks by small world the project images on small world

So do you get the fast passes for World of Color as soon as you get in the park to get into the splash zone area?

 

[SMD]

The FPs are for color zones that go left to right across the viewing area. The splash zones go front to back. So you'd just need to line up early in your color zone for your preferred standing spot regardless of when you actually pulled the FP.

 

[bluegrizzlies1]

I'd get them in the morning or early afternoon is not a must thing but if there's only 1 show they will go quicker.

Both days I got yellow section I went maybe half hour early and walked down into the yellow splashzone area.

Your don't get drench or anything just misted alot