Paint the Night Parade and Disneyland Forever Fireworks Strategy

[debdreamsofdis]

I have a favor to ask. I am much better as a visual learner. Would someone be able to post a picture/map of the best spots to see the parade and fireworks. It could be as simple as using a pen to circle the spot on a park map or you can get fancy and upload a google earth ariel image. I think I understand where some people are saying the best viewing is, but I want to be sure I'm understanding it correctly. I'm a little confused about the projections, I know they are shown on the buildings in Main Street, but I also understand you want to be able to see the Matterhorn too. We only have one evening at Disneyland in October and seeing both the new fireworks and PTN will be a priority. I think we're going to have to skip Fantastic, but I don't think there's been anything new added to that show since we saw it last.

 

[sharksfinatic17]

I have a favor to ask. I am much better as a visual learner. Would someone be able to post a picture/map of the best spots to see the parade and fireworks. It could be as simple as using a pen to circle the spot on a park map or you can get fancy and upload a google earth ariel image. I think I understand where some people are saying the best viewing is, but I want to be sure I'm understanding it correctly. I'm a little confused about the projections, I know they are shown on the buildings in Main Street, but I also understand you want to be able to see the Matterhorn too. We only have one evening at Disneyland in October and seeing both the new fireworks and PTN will be a priority. I think we're going to have to skip Fantastic, but I don't think there's been anything new added to that show since we saw it last.

There was a better site/map posted, but this isn't awful. We stood in the green section on the right hand side. http://www.disneytouristblog.com/disneyland-fireworks-best-views/

Scroll down to the bottom of this link. We were right at the 2.
http://dlrprepschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Soundational-parade.png

 

[debdreamsofdis]

Thanks sharksfinatic17! That helps me visualize a little better.

 

[bswift]

I haven't read this whole thread but I have read the last few pages with people's experiences at Carnation Cafe. I currently have a booking for 8:10pm on October the 15th, with fireworks at 9:30pm and Paint the Night at 10:45pm. I'm flying in from Australia that day and I have a feeling I won't actually want to eat that much that late at night since I'll be so jet-lagged. Should I change my reservation to 8:40pm? And then just order a dessert and hot chocolate or would that still not take up enough time?

 

[sharksfinatic17]

I haven't read this whole thread but I have read the last few pages with people's experiences at Carnation Cafe. I currently have a booking for 8:10pm on October the 15th, with fireworks at 9:30pm and Paint the Night at 10:45pm. I'm flying in from Australia that day and I have a feeling I won't actually want to eat that much that late at night since I'll be so jet-lagged. Should I change my reservation to 8:40pm? And then just order a dessert and hot chocolate or would that still not take up enough time?

Depending on where you want to watch the parade, I would say you want to be paid by 9:15. You can linger after if you would like, but that is about the time we jetted out of there in order to get to the hub (where we wanted to be). They didn't rush us at all, and if for some reason there is some delay, I would just stick with 8:10 or switch to 8:20. 8:40 seems a bit late to me.

 

[lorijohnhill]

Depending on where you want to watch the parade, I would say you want to be paid by 9:15. You can linger after if you would like, but that is about the time we jetted out of there in order to get to the hub (where we wanted to be). They didn't rush us at all, and if for some reason there is some delay, I would just stick with 8:10 or switch to 8:20. 8:40 seems a bit late to me.

How hard was it to get to the hub? Would this be possible on a scooter if we weren't planning to see PTN first?

 

[sharksfinatic17]

How hard was it to get to the hub? Would this be possible on a scooter if we weren't planning to see PTN first?

It wasn't hard, but we weren't on scooters. We were able to wiggle through small spaces. I think with a scooter you would be better just getting to the big rocks across from the rockets by 9:15 and as soon as PTN goes ends, scoot over to the hub as best as possible.

 

[Xenorye]

This won't be terribly helpful for those who are wanting to do both back to back, but I will say that we had great success with this strategy:

During the early PTN, head into the shops near the middle of main street. Hang out near the entrance, and as soon as the end of the parade goes by, jump into main street for a great view of the Fireworks.

As for PTN, we found great seats by IASW where the parade starts (or ends if it's the late parade) about 15 minutes before show time.

 

[lorijohnhill]

Does anyone know what time the ropes go up in front of the castle?

 

[Meemoo]

Hey there - We're planning to catch PTN & Disneyland Forever on the 10/20 for our first time. I am thinking we'd like a spot on Main Street. I gather that after the parade a spot right to the side against the ropes would be best for the kids so no one can block their view of the side projections?? What time do people start to sit and wait for a 7pm parade? I'm going to get the kids some made with magic paint brushes to keep them entertained, it looks like those shows would be really worth the wait for a good spot!!

 

[Canadian Harmony]

So for you experts - we're going to be catching F! on the Sunday night with a RBT dinner. How soon after F! is PTN? Should we just stay in our assigned F! area for the parade or move? And what about fireworks? It's not imperative we catch them on Sunday night as we're going to try again on Tuesday and/or Thursday before we leave on Friday.

My kids are 8 & 10 and we might be pretty tired by Sunday after F! as we're getting up at 2am for our flight at 6am (we live an hour away from the airport!), so I can't see us lasting til 10something at night. It might be easier to just catch both throughout the week, right?

 

[ashley0139]

So for you experts - we're going to be catching F! on the Sunday night with a RBT dinner. How soon after F! is PTN? Should we just stay in our assigned F! area for the parade or move? And what about fireworks? It's not imperative we catch them on Sunday night as we're going to try again on Tuesday and/or Thursday before we leave on Friday.

My kids are 8 & 10 and we might be pretty tired by Sunday after F! as we're getting up at 2am for our flight at 6am (we live an hour away from the airport!), so I can't see us lasting til 10something at night. It might be easier to just catch both throughout the week, right?

You won't be able to see Paint the Night from your Fantasmic location as the parade doesn't go that way. You should watch Fantasmic and they stay put for the fireworks, which you can see from your Fantasmic viewing location. Then after the fireworks are over move to find a spot for the second parade. I recommend by Small World which is much less crowded.

 

[Canadian Harmony]

thanks!!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

For those who can stay for the later parade, we got a prime spot behind a bench, in front of the popcorn cart, directly across from City Hall, last night (Gay Days weekend -- CROWDED!) with a 5 minute wait. Seriously. We were leaving the park, heard the parade announcement, saw that there were quite a few spots open behind the row of benches, and seized the day! We had a great, uncrowded view. So for those who don't want to stake out a spot for hours, the later parade really is a great option.

 

[mom2rtk]

So how have crowds been lately for DF and PTN on non-party nights?

 

[JadeDarkstar]

I am planing on Late nights for our dec visit for all the late night shows. I will be ready no matter how cold it gets this time.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

So how have crowds been lately for DF and PTN on non-party nights?

From what we have seen, the first parade and fireworks still have large crowds. This has been on weekends. Not sure about weekdays.

 

[jenhelgren]

How early should we plan on securing our spot for Disneyland Forever and PTN on a Wednesday in a few weeks if we want to be on the outskirts of the hub towards Matterhorn?

 

[jani3]

So how have crowds been lately for DF and PTN on non-party nights?

We were there last Thursday night (non-party night) and it was unbelievably packed. Even at the supposedly less crowded area (near IASM) was full during the PTN parade.

 

[tzeitel]

Anyone has any info on when to look for a good spot during the Halloween party? Has it been as difficult (and time consuming) as regular days or an hour before the fireworks is enough time to get a good spot?