Nighttime Entertainment Plans -- help?

[CharleneTheDM]

Hi all,

I have a dilemma! I would love to be able to experience all the nighttime entertainment both parks offer, but I only have two nights available to do so (Friday 9/27 and Sunday 9/29).
Shows I'd love to see:

1. MSEP
2. Halloween Screams Fireworks
3. WOC
4. Fantasmic!

I currently have a WOC Dessert Package booked for Friday @ 9:15 and WOC is @10. I don't think I can make any of the other showings? Unless I run to DL and see if I can catch the second MSEP?

Sunday seems like the only day left I could get the rest in.
I booked a River Belle Terrace Fantasmic! meal for 7PM on Sunday and am wanting to request the 2nd showing.
That way after dinner, I want to aim for the 8:40 MSEP, then be able to chill out, catch Fireworks and then 2nd Fantasmic.

Is this doable? Is this what you would do? Ahhh would love everyone's expert scheduling input!

Thanks!

 

[figment_jii]

How big is your group and do you have any strollers?

In theory, you could make it to DL in time for the second showing of MSEP, but it'll be tight and you won't get a front row viewing spot. WoC is at 10:00 pm and has a run time of about 25 minutes. That would, in theory, give you 20 minutes to get out of the viewing area and into DL. MSEP usually starts on MS for the second performance. I've headed straight over to DL after WoC, but it's usually taken a bit to navigate through the crowds. So, in short, it's possible, but I wouldn't count on being able to see the entire parade. If you're solo, the chances are much higher. If you have strollers or slow walkers in your group, I doubt you'll make it in time to see the entire parade.

In terms of Sunday, in theory, that should work. I'd watch MSEP from wherever you want to watch fireworks. As soon as the parade passes by, move out into the viewing area. After fireworks, head for the F! viewing area. It'll probably be slow going, so assume you'll be in the middle-to-back of the dining package viewing area.

The toughest thing is that you only have one chance to watch WoC (Fri), but fireworks are always iffy at DL. There is a not insignificant chance that they'll be cancelled (I suppose they'll probably present the non-fireworks version in that case). Usually the advice is to try and watch fireworks as early in the trip as possible, but that won't work for you because of WoC.

 

[CharleneTheDM]

How big is your group and do you have any strollers?

In theory, you could make it to DL in time for the second showing of MSEP, but it'll be tight and you won't get a front row viewing spot. WoC is at 10:00 pm and has a run time of about 25 minutes. That would, in theory, give you 20 minutes to get out of the viewing area and into DL. MSEP usually starts on MS for the second performance. I've headed straight over to DL after WoC, but it's usually taken a bit to navigate through the crowds. So, in short, it's possible, but I wouldn't count on being able to see the entire parade. If you're solo, the chances are much higher. If you have strollers or slow walkers in your group, I doubt you'll make it in time to see the entire parade.

In terms of Sunday, in theory, that should work. I'd watch MSEP from wherever you want to watch fireworks. As soon as the parade passes by, move out into the viewing area. After fireworks, head for the F! viewing area. It'll probably be slow going, so assume you'll be in the middle-to-back of the dining package viewing area.

The toughest thing is that you only have one chance to watch WoC (Fri), but fireworks are always iffy at DL. There is a not insignificant chance that they'll be cancelled (I suppose they'll probably present the non-fireworks version in that case). Usually the advice is to try and watch fireworks as early in the trip as possible, but that won't work for you because of WoC.

Wow, thanks for the elaborate response, @figment_jii !

It will just be my boyfriend and I, so we can definitely hustle if need be!
We missed WOC last year because it was broken, which is why i wanted to make sure we booked a Dessert Party. We'll try and hustle over to DL to catch a glimpse on Friday. Then aim to watch the whole show on Sunday again.

I was hoping for Disneyland Forever fireworks, but am also curious about the Halloween Screams one, so will try and work that in. If weather isn't great, there probably still be a projections show to check out.

Thanks---this was extremely insightful and gives me some more confidence in maneuvering through the parks. It's the first time we're Park Hopping, which is why I wanna nail the logistics