Paint the Night and Fireworks

[disneycrazy2004]

Hello felow DISers

We are planning our first Disneyland trip for the last week of August this summer. We have been to WDW numerous times but never Disneyland. Can't even begin to explain how excited we are

I need your help. We have 3 day Park Hopper tickets and staying at Disney Paradise Pier. I need a strategy for the parade and fireworks. I am not planning on doing any dining packages, so I need your advice as to the best spot for the parade and fireworks. We are not big on waiting for couple of hours for the parade, but was wondering what are our chances for a good spot if we are to stand behind the people that are sitting down. Our are kids are grown up, so we don't really need to be sitting down. How far ahead should we be lining up for that? I assume watch the second parade if there is one, is a good idea....

Any advice on any of the night shows would be much appreciate it. Since this would probably be our one trip for a very long time, I would really like it to very special. We will also be celebration our DD 16th birthday.

Thank you very much

 

[CarltonChip]

We were able to get a spot about 30-45 minutes before the parade near Small World. It turned out to be a great place to view the parade then the fireworks. They project some pretty cool stuff onto the Small World building. Of course the hub will be extremely crowded so this might be a good alternative.

 

[Watchtower]

It depends on how crowded it is to determine how early to line up. We were there during the first week in December, so it was pretty packed with people enjoying the holiday decorations mixed with the 60th anniversary offerings. We lined up on Main Street about 45 minutes before the parade and did pretty well. As far as which parade to see if there are two offered, the first one is usually followed by the fireworks about 15 minutes later, so if your family is OK standing through the parade, waiting 15 minutes, then standing through the fireworks, than that's the most convenient option. After the parade ends, you can just shift into the middle of Main St. for a perfect view of the fireworks.

 

[calilou]

Finding a spot near It's A Small World seems to be the option requiring the shortest wait. If you would prefer a Main Street spot (best for fireworks IMO) and combine it with a dinner reservation (but not a dining package), we've done reservations at Carnation Café on Main Street several times. We dine outside on the patio. You get a good view of the parade (you're not curbside, but I felt it was more than adequate and quite enjoyable), and then can easily exit out the patio gate to filter onto Main Street with the rest of the crowd, move up towards the castle and then enjoy a great fireworks experience. Carnation Café has a good menu, great for sharing or just apps plus yummy milkshakes. You can easily make it affordable or just evening snacks.

 

[disneycrazy2004]

We were able to get a spot about 30-45 minutes before the parade near Small World. It turned out to be a great place to view the parade then the fireworks. They project some pretty cool stuff onto the Small World building. Of course the hub will be extremely crowded so this might be a good alternative.

That sounds like a good alternative and on a different night we could watch the fireworks from main street thank you

It depends on how crowded it is to determine how early to line up. We were there during the first week in December, so it was pretty packed with people enjoying the holiday decorations mixed with the 60th anniversary offerings. We lined up on Main Street about 45 minutes before the parade and did pretty well. As far as which parade to see if there are two offered, the first one is usually followed by the fireworks about 15 minutes later, so if your family is OK standing through the parade, waiting 15 minutes, then standing through the fireworks, than that's the most convenient option. After the parade ends, you can just shift into the middle of Main St. for a perfect view of the fireworks.

What would be best spot for the parade and fireworks - around the hub or down Main Street? thank you

Finding a spot near It's A Small World seems to be the option requiring the shortest wait. If you would prefer a Main Street spot (best for fireworks IMO) and combine it with a dinner reservation (but not a dining package), we've done reservations at Carnation Café on Main Street several times. We dine outside on the patio. You get a good view of the parade (you're not curbside, but I felt it was more than adequate and quite enjoyable), and then can easily exit out the patio gate to filter onto Main Street with the rest of the crowd, move up towards the castle and then enjoy a great fireworks experience. Carnation Café has a good menu, great for sharing or just apps plus yummy milkshakes. You can easily make it affordable or just evening snacks.

I really like this idea!!! Thank you! How far ahead of the parade should I make the reservation for? Also , can I request the patio or they just seat you whenever is available. And when the parade comes around do people stand in-front of the patio? Thank you for your help - great idea

 

[Watchtower]

What would be best spot for the parade and fireworks - around the hub or down Main Street? thank you

There are projections on all the buildings along Main St. for the fireworks, so for the truly immersive experience you'll want to be somewhere there's buildings on both sides of you. If you're closer to the hub and castle beyond Jolly Holiday and Plaza Inn, you loose some of that "surrounded by the magic" sensation. We're going back in a little over 2 weeks, and plan to see them from the Small World area to get a slightly different projection experience.

 

[sharksfinatic17]

http://www.disboards.com/threads/pa...isneyland-forever-fireworks-strategy.3412136/

 

[disneycrazy2004]

http://www.disboards.com/threads/pa...isneyland-forever-fireworks-strategy.3412136/

Thank you

 

[TiggerTrigger]

We were there back in December...peak of peak time between Christmas and New Year's. PTN was running twice that night, so we went for the later one, which was at 10:30 if memory serves correct. We went hunting for a space on Main Street around 7:40pm and the pickings were very slim. In our area, there was only room for one group of people sitting on the curb and another single line of people standing right behind us. It was a great spot for the parade and great for seeing the projections and inflatables on Main Street, but it was not the greatest spot to watch the actual fireworks. I'm sure going out into the middle of Main Street would have afforded a better view, but people were pretty aggressive in trying to nudge people out of staked out curb spots...and we were sitting hip to hip, so it's not like we were spreading out. It might not be as much of an issue if you see PTN before fireworks. My friend suggested the bridge over by the castle if you don't want to stake out a spot forever. She didn't get my nice close up pics, but still a decent view.

 

[disneycrazy2004]

We were there back in December...peak of peak time between Christmas and New Year's. PTN was running twice that night, so we went for the later one, which was at 10:30 if memory serves correct. We went hunting for a space on Main Street around 7:40pm and the pickings were very slim. In our area, there was only room for one group of people sitting on the curb and another single line of people standing right behind us. It was a great spot for the parade and great for seeing the projections and inflatables on Main Street, but it was not the greatest spot to watch the actual fireworks. I'm sure going out into the middle of Main Street would have afforded a better view, but people were pretty aggressive in trying to nudge people out of staked out curb spots...and we were sitting hip to hip, so it's not like we were spreading out. It might not be as much of an issue if you see PTN before fireworks. My friend suggested the bridge over by the castle if you don't want to stake out a spot forever. She didn't get my nice close up pics, but still a decent view.

Wow, that is a long time waiting for the parade! I am confused about the timing - getting there for 7:40,wouldn't that be the first parade?

 

[TiggerTrigger]

Wow, that is a long time waiting for the parade! I am confused about the timing - getting there for 7:40,wouldn't that be the first parade?

Over Christmas peak, first parade was 5:30pm.

 

[calilou]

I really like this idea!!! Thank you! How far ahead of the parade should I make the reservation for? Also , can I request the patio or they just seat you whenever is available. And when the parade comes around do people stand in-front of the patio? Thank you for your help - great idea

You won't be able to request the patio when you make the reservation but you can when you arrive at the restaurant. I've never had a problem being sat out there during parade time (if you're worried, arrive a little early). If the parade starts at 8:30, I would make reservations for around 7:40. This will give you plenty of time to eat especially since the parade ends at Main Street most of the time. I always make sure I have asked for the bill by the time the parade starts and have it paid that way you're ready to dash when it ends. People will be standing on the sidewalk so you won't have an unobstructed view but the parade floats are very tall so I feel you still get a great experience, especially as grown ups.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I'm going to go ahead and close this thread so we can keep the discussions together for the parade and fireworks strategies.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/pa...isneyland-forever-fireworks-strategy.3412136/

Let me know via direct conversation if there is an issue with this.