new projection shows -- which is/are most worthwhile, possible to do all plus the main nighttime events in 3 nights ?

[ellindea]

Okay, so I heard last week about the new projection show, Tapestry of Happiness, at it's a small world. Then I learned there are actually two more projection shows! Shadows of Memory: A Skywalker Saga and in California Adventure, something that happens in Carthay Circle that I can't find now. Have any of you seen all three? I'm looking for opinions on which is/are the best and worth trying to squeeze in to see. Also, I heard that Shadows of Memory is 10 minutes long. Does anyone know the length of the other two?

We'll be there at the end of next month and plan to for sure see World of Color, Paint the Night, Wondrous Journeys, and Fantasmic. We'll be there 4 days but plan to leave by 8ish the last day since we have to get up early and drive the next day. I'd love to see at least one of these new shows if they're good, but how in the world do we squeeze all this in ?? lol. Besides the typical challenges, things are a bit complicated traveling through crowds and finding seating unfortunately because we have three wheelchair users in our party -- two decent-sized power wheelchairs and a scooter. We're our own little parade Would love any tips and advice on trying to see as much as possible! By the way, do we know which of these are only happening for the 70th anniversary and which are permanent? That may factor into which ones we try to see. TIA!

 

[LKing]

I have seen all three.

The projections on Carthay Circle are nothing to go out of your way to see. A small projection of Tinkerbell flies around, sprinkling pixie dust on Carthay Circle. The building changes colors a few times. It lasts maybe two minutes as Celebrate Happy plays. I was told it starts at 8:30 pm and is every 30 min after that. When I was there, we were the only people waiting to watch it. There were more people in line to take a picture with Mickey. When it started, maybe a half dozen people stopped to watch. The rest just kept walking.

Tapestry of Happiness is on Small World. It is a 5 min projection show. It is a celebration of Disneyland's 70th with a nod to Disneyland's past. If you don't know much about Disneyland, it will feel like a nice show, but won't be as meaningful as you see others referencing. My suggestion would be to watch Paint the Night from the Small World area on one of your nights. After the parade, you can move closer to Small World to view the fireworks and projections. After fireworks, stay where you are for Tapestry of Happiness.

Shadows of Memory is in SWGE. It is a 10 min show that I think is very well done. I have barely watched one episode of Star Wars and I enjoyed it. If anyone is a Star Wars fan, I think this is a must see. I'm not sure where the wheelchair/ECV viewing is. You might inquire about that in advance.

For Fantasmic, I would purchase a Rancho del Zocalo dining package. That allows you to watch Fantasmic and fireworks from the far side of the viewing area. Exiting via Bayou Country won't be as crowded as exiting in the other direction. Fireworks end around 9:50 pm and you should be able to get to Shadows of Memory in SWGE by 10:15.

Regarding how to do multiple shows in one night, it is a discussed in this thread. All of these shows are at night which makes it difficult to get around for those unfamiliar with the layout of the parks.

 

[ellindea]

Thanks so much for the detailed information! It sounds like the Star Wars show could be worth trying to fit in. I would like to see the Tapestry one, too, though! Ugh. So much to orchestrate and decide on ha. Part of my dilemma on how to plan things is that I really like to be able to see the castle and the characters flying around it for the fireworks show. We also are not keen on paying extra for the Fantasmic dining package...What we're considering doing now is going ahead and staying an extra hour or so and seeing the 9:00 Fantasmic on our last day. We'll probably do the Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge area the evening of our third day and could catch the projection show then. Alternatively, is there good non-pay viewing area on the left side that we could view from wheelchairs? We could then go over to Galaxy's Edge for the projection show afterwards on the same night maybe.

Finally, what is the viewing area for the Star Wars projection show? Any recommendations for wheelchair users?

 

[LKing]

Have you been to Disneyland (or WDW) and seen SWGE before? The viewing area is in the plaza the around the Millennium Falcon.



The projections are on the spires above the MF. The fireworks are above the spires. I'm not sure if ECVs have a special viewing area. It might not be necessary. Definitely inquire in advance.

Part of my dilemma on how to plan things is that I really like to be able to see the castle and the characters flying around it for the fireworks show.

This is difficult. There are two characters - the Blue Fairy and Baymax. Neither flies for very long. If you get a good viewing area on Main Street (not obstructed by people or by trees), you might be able to see the characters. If you want to watch projections on the front of the castle, you'll need to arrive 2-3 hours in advance. In addition to the castle, you can view projections on Small World, Rivers of America, or Main Street.