Nighttime entertainment (how far ahead we arrived & Disney always brings the magic)

[summerw]

Just thought I'd share our experience last night with everyone. Yesterday (Wednesday, 10/21) was a pretty uncrowded day at the parks. Soarin' and BTMRR both had 15-20 minute waits for a lot of the day. Although, Haunted Mansion was doing FP distribution and the line was routinely 35-45. Everyone wants to see Jack.

Anyway, Disneyland closed at 8 and Paint the Night was at 7 and fireworks at 7:40. We went because it was one of the few times the fireworks would be before DS's school night bedtime. Maybe a lot of locals showed up at that time because the park itself was definitely more crowded after 6.

DS6 talked me into riding Snow White at 5:30 even though I told him we should head to find a parade spot, so we arrived more like 5:45. Main Street was already very crowded without a curb spot pretty much anywhere. Second rows were becoming more scarce too. Since he is narrow and I could just sit behind him, I did manage to get him a spot rammed up next to some stroller wheels on the curb. At 6:30 it was so crowded, they made everyone stand to make room for more people. By 6:45 from my spot in front of the candy place, it didn't seem like there were spots anywhere unless you were a very small group, maybe.

The parade was so great with all the kids around us more excited than I see in most parades. It was great to watch. After the parade we rushed to the street for a fireworks spot. We'd caught the parade before, but not the fireworks as they were cancelled for wind on our previous attempt. The first part about Walt and the orange trees definitely caused the need for some blinking away of the tears. Since we were so packed in and I wanted DS to be able to see the castle, I was holding him on my hip (he's definitely too big for this ). He was kissing my cheek and his jaw dropped several times. It was a moment I definitely won't forget anytime soon.

My son has been getting to that age where if I ask for a hug, I might get a sweet one or I might get "ick, eww." As much as Disney makes me sentimental, I know it does for him as well. It totally made the 1.5 hours sitting on cement, 20 minutes of holding a giant child, sea of humanity and pressed bodies and disaster of waiting for a tram worth it.

Although I just wanted to share my wonderful moment, I hope the parade info helps people. Feel free to ask any questions. We go a lot so I'm happy to answer anything.

 

[calilou]

Thank you for sharing! I feel the same way about Disney always bringing the magic and connecting family. My girls and I feel it every time we go!

 

[meggles]

Thanks for the report.

You said they made people stand up 30 min before the parade. Do you think that would be a good time to grab an ok spot behind the people that had been sitting? I'm trying to plan ahead in case we want to see PTN more than once.

 

[summerw]

Thanks for the report.

You said they made people stand up 30 min before the parade. Do you think that would be a good time to grab an ok spot behind the people that had been sitting? I'm trying to plan ahead in case we want to see PTN more than once.

Definitely. We actually did that about 45 minutes before the parade when we went the first time. It was CRAZY CRAZY crowded that day as it was last or close to before passholderholders were blocked out for the summer. So sometimes I do think they pick slightly different times to make everyone stand based on how crowded. Probably 25-45 minutes is the range they make people stand depending on the crowds. Unless it's really crazy though, I imagine you have a decent window after they stand to find a spot. If they have two parades the night you go, I'd definitely go to the second. There were curb spots a few minutes before when we went the first time even though it was more crowded because it was so late.

 

[Cal-Pie]

Do they require even those sitting right on the front row of the curb to stand?

 

[Tyggress]

Do they require even those sitting right on the front row of the curb to stand?

No. Only the people behind them.

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

I teared up just reading your post!

 

[Whistlebee]

Hi, thank you so much for sharing your experience. It helps me a lot with our "plan". We are going the first week of November Monday-Thursday. We will have 2 adults and 4 kids (4,5,5,8) and 2 strollers. With our group do you think it is worth it to try and watch the fireworks from Main Street? At first, I wanted to watch PTN and the fireworks from MS, but now I'm wondering with the big crowds there, if it is worth it for us to try and watch from there. We won't be able to hold up all the kids so I'm wondering if they won't have a good view of the fireworks or projections from here. It seems the crowd will kind of box them in??? What do you do with your strollers during this time? It seems there's a bum rush on MS after PTN so do you already have to have your stroller parked somewhere? Although, I really wanted to see the projections on MS, I'm starting to think an easier viewing area might be better with 3 kids under 5. If we don't watch from MS, is there another area you'd suggest? Thank you so much for your help!

 

[summerw]

Hi, thank you so much for sharing your experience. It helps me a lot with our "plan". We are going the first week of November Monday-Thursday. We will have 2 adults and 4 kids (4,5,5,8) and 2 strollers. With our group do you think it is worth it to try and watch the fireworks from Main Street? At first, I wanted to watch PTN and the fireworks from MS, but now I'm wondering with the big crowds there, if it is worth it for us to try and watch from there. We won't be able to hold up all the kids so I'm wondering if they won't have a good view of the fireworks or projections from here. It seems the crowd will kind of box them in??? What do you do with your strollers during this time? It seems there's a bum rush on MS after PTN so do you already have to have your stroller parked somewhere? Although, I really wanted to see the projections on MS, I'm starting to think an easier viewing area might be better with 3 kids under 5. If we don't watch from MS, is there another area you'd suggest? Thank you so much for your help!

It's usually just my son and I as we tend to go when DH is working or out of town etc. We've finally hit that point where I don't even bring the stroller for storage etc. However, I think the stroller is great to keep with you (you can have it with you in the parade viewing roped areas). It helps give your kids a spot where people can't crowd them too much during the parade and during the fireworks (and they can crash if needed). I would have DS stand on the seat while I held onto him so he couldn't fall. This would put him much more at my eye level so he could see the same things as me and I didn't have to hold him or put him on my shoulders. Maybe you can squeeze the two 5 year olds onto one stroller, the 8 year old onto another (if needed) and hold the 4-year old? For the fireworks, the projections on the buildings on Main Street are amazing and there are other affects so if you want the full experience, definitely go to Main Street.

I know a lot of people like to watch from the Small World area. I personally haven't as I either brave Main Street or don't bother and just ride the rides, but I know others who have said they liked it. Also, generally the parts along the parade route between Small World and Main Street tend to fill up later than spots on Main Street so you would probably have more luck finding a spot there. There's an area in front of the Alice in Wonderland bathrooms where no people are allowed to sit in front of the Matterhorn so the characters are all looking at the one side of the street.

If it were me and my one chance to see it, I'd bring the strollers and kids and try to get a curb spot on Main Street 1.5-2 hours ahead of time depending on crowds. Park the strollers where you will be sitting and take turns taking the kids to the bathroom and to grab some dinner and/or snacks (there's a bathroom at the end of the alley near Carnation Cafe so that general area is always a good one to pick plus the candy store, ice cream parlor, corn dog cart (THE best corn dogs) and Starbucks are all close). With that much ahead of time, you could even have one parent take them all on the teacups or Snow White if it's not packed or just go check out the windows at the Emporium or the fire station. The atmosphere on Main Street while everyone waits is pretty fun and often kids play with each other to pass the time. It's also a great time to pick up any toy souvenirs you might have been planning as hopefully that's good to entertain them for a bit. The strollers will help save the space for the kids and other parent (EVERYONE does this so it's not rude or anything). The rush into the street after the parade for the fireworks isn't too crazy, especially if you got a curb spot. If you're going to bother with the parade and fireworks, IMHO I think it's worth to brave Main Street. Do it the first night you're there (so you can have a backup plan if anything's cancelled for weather).

And the second parade will always be less crowded if there are 2 that night, but I don't have any experience with trying to get a fireworks spot if you did't see the first parade. The most important thing though is to do what will make you all feel the most comfortable. Anywhere along the parade route will be crazy with Main Street really crazy, so it just depends on how much of a priority it is to you and how the kids handle extreme crowds. Have a great trip!

 

[Whistlebee]

SummerW--just wanted to thank you for all the great advice, especially what to do to kill time while waiting for the parade. You had some ideas I hadn't thought of. We usually watch the parade by the Kings and Queens bathrooms but last year finally watched it from Main Street (Soundsational) and I really loved watching it from MS. There was a really fun vibe going on! I'd love to watch from Main Street so I'll see if I can make it happen. My sister-in-law doesn't love Disneyland nearly as much as I do, hates crowds even more than I do, and has already mentioned she is fine watching the fireworks from our hotel room, so I'll have to wait and see. I'm sure I'll enjoy all of it from the Small World Area if I have to. Last time we went together (2.5 yrs ago) we watched the fireworks from IASW to avoid the crowds AND we had both of our husbands and 2 grandmas, and it wasn't a new fireworks show, lol. We'll make it work though. Thanks again SO MUCH!!!!

 

[summerw]

SummerW--just wanted to thank you for all the great advice, especially what to do to kill time while waiting for the parade. You had some ideas I hadn't thought of. We usually watch the parade by the Kings and Queens bathrooms but last year finally watched it from Main Street (Soundsational) and I really loved watching it from MS. There was a really fun vibe going on! I'd love to watch from Main Street so I'll see if I can make it happen. My sister-in-law doesn't love Disneyland nearly as much as I do, hates crowds even more than I do, and has already mentioned she is fine watching the fireworks from our hotel room, so I'll have to wait and see. I'm sure I'll enjoy all of it from the Small World Area if I have to. Last time we went together (2.5 yrs ago) we watched the fireworks from IASW to avoid the crowds AND we had both of our husbands and 2 grandmas, and it wasn't a new fireworks show, lol. We'll make it work though. Thanks again SO MUCH!!!!

Any time! And I don't want to spoil anything, but there are some things that happen with the buildings during the fireworks that you won't see from anywhere else and they were my son's favorite part. If you can, we even bring a small blanket sometimes. It really helps so people don't crowd up on you as much if that will help your sister-in-law with the crowd issue. Just helps with personal space. Good luck!