Parade, Fireworks and Fantasmic....

[traceyg]

I have Hungry Bear reservations for the Fantasmic voucher for the later (second) show. At this point I could change it to the first show though.
If we want to see the parade, fireworks and Fantasmic in one night, what are your best strategies?

 

[mdmost]

Watch the first show of Fantasmic, stand where you are for Fantasmic after it is over and watch the fireworks, head to Main Street and watch the later MSEP?

 

[FeistyDisneyMom]

Watch the first show of Fantasmic, stand where you are for Fantasmic after it is over and watch the fireworks, head to Main Street and watch the later MSEP?

That would be my preferred option, and we have done F! and fireworks like that before.

The other option is do watch both first MSEP & fireworks from hub and then the 2nd F! show.

 

[traceyg]

That would be my preferred option, and we have done F! and fireworks like that before.

The other option is do watch both first MSEP & fireworks from hub and then the 2nd F! show.

Is it worth the view to do this step or do you feel that the fireworks are just as good at the Fantasmic spot?

 

[DLgal]

The second parade is MUCH less crowded than the first. However, the Disneyland Forever fireworks really need to be seen from the Hub if possible, so I'd say keep your later F show seating, and watch first parade and fireworks. There will be plenty of time to get to the viewing area for Fantasmic after fireworks.

 

[DLgal]

Is it worth the view to do this step or do you feel that the fireworks are just as good at the Fantasmic spot?

They are not. You really need to see these fireworks from the hub or main street. Preferably, you want to be able to see the castle AND the Matterhorn from the front view. You will miss a major part of the show by watching from Rivers of America.

 

[FeistyDisneyMom]

Is it worth the view to do this step or do you feel that the fireworks are just as good at the Fantasmic spot?

I'd listen to DLgal - I don't have any experience with Disneyland Forever yet, it was Mickey's Mix Magic our last trip. We have 5-day hoppers and I plan on watching fireworks from iasw, Rivers of America, and the hub so I'll have lots of comparisons but my trip isn't until June.

 

[DLgal]

I'd listen to DLgal - I don't have any experience with Disneyland Forever yet, it was Mickey's Mix Magic our last trip. We have 5-day hoppers and I plan on watching fireworks from iasw, Rivers of America, and the hub so I'll have lots of comparisons but my trip isn't until June.

I had not seen Disneyland Forever for a long time and had forgotten about the second "flying character" and was glad we were near the hub, because my friend had never seen it and she was delighted!

You can probably see it from Small World, but you'd have to turn around. You won't see it at all from ROA.

 

[gelatoni fan]

I had not seen Disneyland Forever for a long time and had forgotten about the second "flying character" and was glad we were near the hub, because my friend had never seen it and she was delighted!

You can probably see it from Small World, but you'd have to turn around. You won't see it at all from ROA.

I have never seen anyone turn around at the spots near It's a Small World for that purpose. You'd have to know the show really pretty well and specifically turn around at those points to see it while ignoring the very distracting fireworks going off.

I don't think I've ever seen Disneyland Forever in the Fantasmic spots since I'm always prioritizing the hub and 2nd Fantasmic. Since they brought back the Hungry Bear package, I'm probably going to see it from there for the first time later this month or next month.

 

[winklet]

Hello!

What would you do, strategy-wise, for seeing Fantasmic, Fireworks, and Parade at DL???

Wanted to resurrect this question and ask your advice for our Jan 3 visit to DL. We are only there for ONE DAY so trying to hatch best strategy for the nighttime shows - fantasmic, fireworks, parade. Dining reservations open tomorrow morning and I was going to try for a hungry bear package. If I have the option, should I aim for first or second fantasmic show reservation?

Kiddos are 9 and 12. We're planning to rope drop then hotel naps in afternoon, so hopefully we'll be feeling fresh and ready to stay late come nightfall...

WWYD??

Thanks all!

 

[limace]

Hello!

What would you do, strategy-wise, for seeing Fantasmic, Fireworks, and Parade at DL???

Wanted to resurrect this question and ask your advice for our Jan 3 visit to DL. We are only there for ONE DAY so trying to hatch best strategy for the nighttime shows - fantasmic, fireworks, parade. Dining reservations open tomorrow morning and I was going to try for a hungry bear package. If I have the option, should I aim for first or second fantasmic show reservation?

Kiddos are 9 and 12. We're planning to rope drop then hotel naps in afternoon, so hopefully we'll be feeling fresh and ready to stay late come nightfall...

WWYD??

Thanks all!

Tbh, with kids that age and only one day, I’d skip these in favor of rides, unless they are huge nighttime entertainment fans. At that age, my kids enjoyed Fantasmic and were meh about the other two.

 

[winklet]

I wondered about this, esp because boards here seem to suggest that ride waits get better during fantastic (esp second showing).

I guess a middle-ground option could be do just do later (second) fantastic and skip parade and fireworks?

 

[chezcurrie]

I wondered about this, esp because boards here seem to suggest that ride waits get better during fantastic (esp second showing).

I guess a middle-ground option could be do just do later (second) fantastic and skip parade and fireworks?

It’s the Christmas parade when you are there, so it’ll be at 3:30 and 6ish, if memory serves. So it really doesn’t compete with Fantasmic or Fireworks. Personally I would prioritize Fantasmic, but the holiday fireworks do have ”snow” on Main Street. If you live anywhere with winter you can skip this viewing spot (we just relocated to SoCal from Toronto and I will run from anything resembling that horrible white stuff until my dying day. )

It really depends on what your kids like to do - my 9 and 13-year old tolerate fireworks for my sake (are they even my children!?!) They would much rather be riding rides. My 9-year old actually asked to go home *before* the fireworks last month on our 1:1 day because he wanted to read before bed and its an hour drive. I kinda love him for that, but FIREWORKS!!!

 

[winklet]

Haha my kids would prob prefer rides over fireworks now that I think of it. Is there another fireworks display after the second showing of fantasmic?

And we’re in Canada, so ya, snow not much of a novelty but sounds beautiful…

 

[chezcurrie]

Haha my kids would prob prefer rides over fireworks now that I think of it. Is there another fireworks display after the second showing of fantasmic?

And we’re in Canada, so ya, snow not much of a novelty but sounds beautiful…

Just one showing of fireworks a night. At least the snoap isn’t cold.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

I wondered about this, esp because boards here seem to suggest that ride waits get better during fantastic (esp second showing).

I guess a middle-ground option could be do just do later (second) fantastic and skip parade and fireworks?

Honestly, Fantasmic is my favorite show at Disney so I would always vote in favor of that. I do like the fireworks too but Fantasmic is more unique and entertaining (in my opinion!).

If you do the first showing of Fantasmic, you could stay in place and view the fireworks from the same spot by the Rivers of America. They show the projections on water screens. Or you if you don’t care to watch the fireworks you could leave and just go to your next destination.

If you want a chance for lower ride wait times, I’d do first Fantasmic and hit rides during second Fantasmic.

 

[disneyland_is_magic]

Sorry, going to hijack this thread for it's second time, for the Christmas version of the fireworks are there projections at the ROA or Small World? Or is this primarily a hub show as well? Are there any projection on the main street buildings a la Mix Magic?

I may need to wait and ask after the 11th lol after people can experience it again.

 

[winklet]

Got hungry bear fantastic package for first fantasmic show. Good idea to stay at same spot for fireworks, I didn’t know we’d have a good view from that same spot… could work out well!

 

[EagleRockTony]

If you watch holiday fireworks at the hub at 9:30 then hurry through crowd to 2nd 10:30 Fantasmic with Hungary Bear package passes, is there still room left in the reserved viewing area?

 

[gelatoni fan]

If you watch holiday fireworks at the hub at 9:30 then hurry through crowd to 2nd 10:30 Fantasmic with Hungary Bear package passes, is there still room left in the reserved viewing area?

Yes. Everyone with a pass can get into the reserved viewing section but you may be in the back or off to the side of that section if it's a busy day such as during Christmas week. If a section is super full, they'll just put people in the section for a different restaurant so I have seen them put Hungry Bear guests in the back of the Blue Bayou section and vice versa. If you go straight from the hub to Fantasmic, you'll be ahead of the majority of guests who were watching the fireworks from Main Street and people who dilly dally on their way over from World of Color.