Parade, Fireworks, Fantasmic - how to plan?

[IzumiC]

Hi, we are first time visiting California Disneyland. We love shows and parades and fireworks but we only have ONE day so we have to make a smart plan.
My plan is to get a FP for the early Fantasmic at 9 pm. Skip the fireworks (sadly) and walk to Main Street right after the show so we can still see the Electrical Parade at 10:45 pm.
Questions: do we have enough time to get a decent spot to see the parade? (Family of 4, two tween girls).
Where is the best place to watch the electrical parade, given the short time frame we have to reserve our spot?
Thank you!

 

[feeohhnuhh]

I haven't been to Disneyland since MSEP started but in my experiences with PTN once the first parade has gone past everyone starts to leave the sidewalk and file into the streets for a view of the fireworks. My best advice would be to find a spot on the sidewalk/curb along Main Street while everyone is watching the fireworks and as the fireworks end and people start to clear out you'll be able to sit down and relax until MSEP starts.

However, I would be prepared with the crowds coming from Fantasmic/Adventureland to Main Street, it gets VERY crowded so I wouldn't count on being able to move too quickly to Main Street.

 

[Cal-Pie]

After the 1st showing of F! most people remain in that area to watch the fireworks because they start immediately after the show. After the fireworks, make your way to big thunder trail and into fantasy land, look for a parade spot near IASW or by Alice.

 

[figment_jii]

As others have said, I would not count on being able to exit the F! viewing area very quickly after the show ends. At this point, no one really know what kind of traffic control they will put in place (e.g., they used to make guests exit the F! viewing area via Adventureland and enter via Frontierland, although, you might be able to access the Big Thunder Trail if you're over on that half of the viewing area), so keep an eye on first reports about how easy it is to exit the viewing area. I do think you'll probably have enough time to find a parade viewing spot, it might just take you a bit to get there. The second parade should start on MS and head towards IaSW, so I would also think that you'll have an easier time finding a spot towards the later half of the viewing area.

 

[Rabb it]

You have a good chance of still getting a solid spot for the SECOND parade. Not as many people stick around to watch that one and you can get there closer to the start time a still get a solid standing spot. Your best bet for the best spot would be closer to Small World, since it's towards the end of the night that the second parade hits people tend to head towards the from on the park to watch from around Main St leaving lots of good viewing from around Small World. You probably wont be sitting on the curb, but standing with a good view, yes.