Nighttime Shows Plan - This Weekend

[BrianL]

I wanted some opinions on the plans for my trip this weekend (park days Sunday and Monday). The new Together Forever will have started and runs both nights, but I am debating on the best way to watch Fantasmic!, Together Forever, and Paint the Night. My current idea is:

Sunday:
9:30 - Together Forever
10:30 - Fantasmic!

Monday:
8:45 - Paint the Night

But would it be possible to do the 9:00 PM Fantasmic! and then watch Together Forever? I know I could just stay put and watch it from the Rivers, but I'd rather go to the Main Street area. Too crazy to do? If I could do that, I could go to the 10:45 Paint the Night and knock all of them out on the first day. I only worry because of the potential for fireworks cancellation. Monday only had one PTN and no F! so that makes it more difficult.

Also, if I am doing my original plan, is a FastPass needed for the later Fantasmic!? If so, about when does the FP distribution change over to the later show?

Thanks everyone!

 

[dina444444]

I wanted some opinions on the plans for my trip this weekend (park days Sunday and Monday). The new Together Forever will have started and runs both nights, but I am debating on the best way to watch Fantasmic!, Together Forever, and Paint the Night. My current idea is:

Sunday:
9:30 - Together Forever
10:30 - Fantasmic!

Monday:
8:45 - Paint the Night

But would it be possible to do the 9:00 PM Fantasmic! and then watch Together Forever? I know I could just stay put and watch it from the Rivers, but I'd rather go to the Main Street area. Too crazy to do? If I could do that, I could go to the 10:45 Paint the Night and knock all of them out on the first day. I only worry because of the potential for fireworks cancellation. Monday only had one PTN and no F! so that makes it more difficult.

Also, if I am doing my original plan, is a FastPass needed for the later Fantasmic!? If so, about when does the FP distribution change over to the later show?

Thanks everyone!

You won’t be able to get to Main Street after the first show of fantasmic so if you want to watch the fireworks from Main Street I would do the 2nd show for fantasmic. I would recommend getting an fp for the second fantasmic show. The machines should switch over to that about a hour or so after park opening.

 

[BrianL]

You won’t be able to get to Main Street after the first show of fantasmic so if you want to watch the fireworks from Main Street I would do the 2nd show for fantasmic. I would recommend getting an fp for the second fantasmic show. The machines should switch over to that about a hour or so after park opening.

That's what I figured. I wasn't sure if I wouldn't be able to get in at the back of the pack on Main Street since it's just me, and it looks like they do projections all along Main Street, which I really liked during Disneyland Forever, so I don't mind being way down toward the back. I think my original plan is probably best then barring any cancellations. Thanks.

 

[figment_jii]

I also don't think you'll have enough time to get from the F! viewing area to Main Street for fireworks. According to the Disneyland website, F! has a run time of 27 minutes, which would give you about 3 to 5 minutes to get from the RoA area over to Main Street. My guess is that being a new show, the viewing areas for fireworks will be pretty busy from fairly early on (especially on the weekend days), so I don't think you'd be able to find much of a good spot that close to show time (not to mention, you might not even make it to MS before the show starts because getting out of the F! viewing area can be a bit slow). So I would opt to do fireworks first and then immediately head over to the F! viewing area afterwards. They don't announce when the FP switch over, but I would go there an periodically check to see which show is being distributed (the CMs might be able to give you a ball park guess on when they'll switch to the second show).

 

[BrianL]

I also don't think you'll have enough time to get from the F! viewing area to Main Street for fireworks. According to the Disneyland website, F! has a run time of 27 minutes, which would give you about 3 to 5 minutes to get from the RoA area over to Main Street. My guess is that being a new show, the viewing areas for fireworks will be pretty busy from fairly early on (especially on the weekend days), so I don't think you'd be able to find much of a good spot that close to show time (not to mention, you might not even make it to MS before the show starts because getting out of the F! viewing area can be a bit slow). So I would opt to do fireworks first and then immediately head over to the F! viewing area afterwards. They don't announce when the FP switch over, but I would go there an periodically check to see which show is being distributed (the CMs might be able to give you a ball park guess on when they'll switch to the second show).

Yeah, sounds right. Like I said, I don't mind being at the back of Main Street, but yeah, I am wondering how would I get there. I haven't done DL that much, but the first time everything was so easy and not crowded, even watching F! and fireworks, but the last time the crowd control was maddening and even the CM response left something to be desired. I guess I'll just have to play it conservatively, ha ha. Now If I can just decide were to eat I'll have these plans all ironed out. Thanks.

 

[Gaugersaurus]

Sunday also isn't a blackout day for AP holders so it will be extra crowded as locals head down to watch all the new shows. Being alone you may not have trouble squeezing into a spot but I imagine it'll be more crowded than a usual Sunday night so you may need to look for a spot earlier than anticipated.

 

[Lesley Wake]

Sunday also isn't a blackout day for AP holders so it will be extra crowded as locals head down to watch all the new shows. Being alone you may not have trouble squeezing into a spot but I imagine it'll be more crowded than a usual Sunday night so you may need to look for a spot earlier than anticipated.

Definitely agreed! Sunday is going to be packed (Friday too)!

I would do Main Street fireworks, then later Fantasmic. A caution though that there will be a lot of people doing that very thing, so be prepared to be stuck in a crowd heading into Frontierland from Main Street! Have you considering getting the Hungry Bear Fantasmic package? It's $30 per adult and will give you a better view than with a fastpass.

 

[BrianL]

Definitely agreed! Sunday is going to be packed (Friday too)!

I would do Main Street fireworks, then later Fantasmic. A caution though that there will be a lot of people doing that very thing, so be prepared to be stuck in a crowd heading into Frontierland from Main Street! Have you considering getting the Hungry Bear Fantasmic package? It's $30 per adult and will give you a better view than with a fastpass.

I did consider the dining packages, particularly RBT, but I wasn't sure it'd be worth the money. I may give hungry Bear another look as I was considering getting some food from there at some point anyway. It is true you can sub for something on the regular menu, right?

 

[Lesley Wake]

I did consider the dining packages, particularly RBT, but I wasn't sure it'd be worth the money. I may give hungry Bear another look as I was considering getting some food from there at some point anyway. It is true you can sub for something on the regular menu, right?

I personally haven't done it, but I've never heard of anyone being stopped from doing it.

If this will be your first time seeing new Fantasmic, I would definitely definitely recommend the dining package. Nothing beats being able to sit down and not have to compete with everyone standing in the fastpass area! The later show also usually has all 3 dining packages merged into one area, so you can get a great view without the cost.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

I did consider the dining packages, particularly RBT, but I wasn't sure it'd be worth the money. I may give hungry Bear another look as I was considering getting some food from there at some point anyway. It is true you can sub for something on the regular menu, right?

I ordered off the regular menu when I did a Fantasmic package in February. I have read of others doing this as well.

 

[BrianL]

I personally haven't done it, but I've never heard of anyone being stopped from doing it.

If this will be your first time seeing new Fantasmic, I would definitely definitely recommend the dining package. Nothing beats being able to sit down and not have to compete with everyone standing in the fastpass area! The later show also usually has all 3 dining packages merged into one area, so you can get a great view without the cost.

One thing about sitting, aren't you then watching the show through the railing? I am trying to remember how it is setup at DL. Thanks.

 

[BrianL]

I ordered off the regular menu when I did a Fantasmic package in February. I have read of others doing this as well.

How does that work? Do you just ask when you pick it up? Is it a similar amount of food and such? It's just that the entrees on the package don't appeal to me all that much. Thanks.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

How does that work? Do you just ask when you pick it up? Is it a similar amount of food and such? It's just that the entrees on the package don't appeal to me all that much. Thanks.

Yep, you just tell them when you check in to pick up your meal. I felt that it was a similar "amount" of food, although definitely plainer. I had a cheeseburger and fries. But I had done the package once prior and just did not enjoy the package meal, particularly the sides (which all the meals come with the same sides) so I actually enjoyed that regular cheeseburger and fried much more.

 

[BrianL]

Yep, you just tell them when you check in to pick up your meal. I felt that it was a similar "amount" of food, although definitely plainer. I had a cheeseburger and fries. But I had done the package once prior and just did not enjoy the package meal, particularly the sides (which all the meals come with the same sides) so I actually enjoyed that regular cheeseburger and fried much more.

Yeah, the package meals are...somewhat odd. The pork ribs are maybe appealing, but I'm from Memphis and that's a staple. I may just want a burger and fries. The chili burger sounds pretty good. Do they still give you the fancy soda? That I would probably like.

 

[figment_jii]

One thing about sitting, aren't you then watching the show through the railing? I am trying to remember how it is setup at DL. Thanks.

Yes, depending on where you're sitting, the railing may or may not obscure some of your view. I was sitting about two rows back, so the railing was in view, but it wasn't that bad.

 

[Lesley Wake]

One thing about sitting, aren't you then watching the show through the railing? I am trying to remember how it is setup at DL. Thanks.

I've never found the railing to get too much in the way; the openings are big enough and the actual rails are thin enough, you can see through it. And as figment said, you can try to sit a few rows back and because the ground is slightly sloped, you will be more above the railing. I like watching it from right at the railing though because you can really feel the fire and mist and feel immersed by the show!

 

[figment_jii]

Things might change with the start of Pixar Fest, but my guess is that if you watch fireworks first, then head over to F!, you're going to end up towards the back of the viewing area anyway. When I did the dining package, they allowed guests to line up before the viewing area opened. Then they split the line into three (by package) and allowed guests to enter their assigned viewing area. While they did allow guests to move wherever they wanted, they did initially make an effort to let the BB folks have first choice of their area, RBT first choice in their area, then HB in their area. Once the initial lines were emptied, then they let folks sit where they wanted as they arrived.

 

[BrianL]

Things might change with the start of Pixar Fest, but my guess is that if you watch fireworks first, then head over to F!, you're going to end up towards the back of the viewing area anyway. When I did the dining package, they allowed guests to line up before the viewing area opened. Then they split the line into three (by package) and allowed guests to enter their assigned viewing area. While they did allow guests to move wherever they wanted, they did initially make an effort to let the BB folks have first choice of their area, RBT first choice in their area, then HB in their area. Once the initial lines were emptied, then they let folks sit where they wanted as they arrived.

Last question about that, I assume I can pick between the first or second shows, because only the second show works for my purposes. Do I tell them when I pick up the food? Thanks.

 

[figment_jii]

I don’t know about Hungry Bear specifically, but for the BB and RBT packages, the show time is technically based on the reservation time (e.g., reservations before some time are for the first show and after that, for the second show). That being said, most folks have reported being able to request which show they get to see. It all depends on availability, but in general it seems like switching to the second show hasn’t been problematic.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

Yeah, the package meals are...somewhat odd. The pork ribs are maybe appealing, but I'm from Memphis and that's a staple. I may just want a burger and fries. The chili burger sounds pretty good. Do they still give you the fancy soda? That I would probably like.

I ordered the pork ribs and was not a fan. They are bone-in but cut into two-inch pieces for some reason. Very difficult to eat and the meat was tough. The sauce was very, very sweet.