Plan for evening shows

[subtchr]

Hi, all,

You all are such a helpful group, I thought I'd see what you think of our plans for our short upcoming visit. I am very familiar with WDW, but haven't been to DLR for almost 6 years.

It is my DH and I, our DD20, and for most of the time, my SIL, who will be using an ECV because of a bad knee (she can walk, just not long distances without pain).

We arrive on Wednesday, June 20, landing at LAX about 11, where we will rent a car. We are staying at GCH, thanks to a military discount, and using the $99 military 3-day hoppers.

We LOVE nighttime shows at WDW - I adore Illuminations, usually catching it at least twice on our WDW trips - so I want to try to see what we can at DLR.

I plan to reserve a F! dessert package for the first show on the first night. Coming from Eastern time, there is no way we will be up for the second show of anything! My question is if we watch the 9:00 F!, and hang out for the 9:30 fireworks (realizing that we will NOT have the best view of those, since we would not be able to make it to the hub before they start), is it possible then to make our way to get a decent spot to see the Magic, Memories, and You on IASW at 10:15? I really want to see Fantasmic!, as I hear it is so much better than WDW's version. And although I have seen the projection show on the castle at WDW and think it is amazing, my family has not, so I'd like them to see it.

On Thursday, June 21, the plan is to spend an hour or two in DL with MM, then my DH will go pick up his sister in Torrance and return with her late morning. We will get an ECV from one of the local medical supply places so that she can have it until we leave the next afternoon.

We have a lunch reservation at Carthay Circle for the WOC package for the first show on Thursday night. I've read the superthread, so I know we will arrive early even with the preferred passes, and stake out a spot in the handicapped section. Has anyone used the handicapped sections for WOC? Any particular advice?

I am hoping that DCA will have a MM on that Friday, but whether that happens or not, we will be there at opening to experience Cars Land - so excited! Even though it will be crowded, it will be exciting to be there so soon after it opens.

One question, is there a site like Steve Soares' for WDW, that has show times for both parks, updated each week?

We will be leaving late that afternoon to head to Santa Barbara for a couple days.

Thanks in advance for any advice you have for us!

 

[subtchr]

Shamelessly bumping.

Any advice about our evening show plan for DL?

 

[S. S. Columbia]

... is there a site like Steve Soares' for WDW, that has show times for both parks, updated each week? ...

The DLR web-site is the best source that I know of. Here is a link for June 20:

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/cal...inment,parkatmosphereentertainment/2012/06/20

(On the left side, you can select "Parades," "Fireworks," "Shows," "Special Events," "Live Outdoor Entertainment," and "Park Atmosphere Entertainment." By default, "Park Atmosphere Entertainment" usually seems to be unselected, so be sure to select it. )

I can't help you with your other two questions, but hopefully others can.

1. If we watch the 9:00 F!, and stay in the Fantasmic viewing area for the 9:30 fireworks, is it possible then to make our way to get a decent spot to see the Magic, Memories, and You on IASW at 10:15?

2. Has anyone used the handicapped sections for WOC? Any particular advice?

 

[ktlm]

Your plan is very similar to what we have done the last 2 years. It has worked out well for us. We love the Fantasmic Dessert package. We are WDW vets and you are right that Fantasmic at DL is so much better than the WDW version! WOC is a hassle, but it is well worth it. I don't know anything about the handicapped section. The only issue I think you will have is getting from Fantasmic to IASW for the MM&Y show by 10:15. I'm not sure you will be able to do that. You will be able to stay in your seats in the Fantasmic Dessert section for the fireworks. We love that. However, once those fireworks are over (I want to say around 9:50) that section of the parks becomes a jammed up bottlenecked mess with everyone leaving. It is pretty slow getting out of that area. I'm not sure if you can get out of that mess and work your way around to IASW in time for the MM&Y show, much less in time to get a decent spot. Other than that, I think your plan sounds great.

 

[subtchr]

Thanks! I knew to look at the official site for fireworks and parades, but I did not realize they had all the other shows, too. That helps! (At least, if they would get around to posting my week...)

 

[HydroGuy]

Hi, all,

You all are such a helpful group, I thought I'd see what you think of our plans for our short upcoming visit. I am very familiar with WDW, but haven't been to DLR for almost 6 years.

It is my DH and I, our DD20, and for most of the time, my SIL, who will be using an ECV because of a bad knee (she can walk, just not long distances without pain).

We arrive on Wednesday, June 20, landing at LAX about 11, where we will rent a car. We are staying at GCH, thanks to a military discount, and using the $99 military 3-day hoppers.

We LOVE nighttime shows at WDW - I adore Illuminations, usually catching it at least twice on our WDW trips - so I want to try to see what we can at DLR.

I plan to reserve a F! dessert package for the first show on the first night. Coming from Eastern time, there is no way we will be up for the second show of anything! My question is if we watch the 9:00 F!, and hang out for the 9:30 fireworks (realizing that we will NOT have the best view of those, since we would not be able to make it to the hub before they start), is it possible then to make our way to get a decent spot to see the Magic, Memories, and You on IASW at 10:15? I really want to see Fantasmic!, as I hear it is so much better than WDW's version. And although I have seen the projection show on the castle at WDW and think it is amazing, my family has not, so I'd like them to see it.

On Thursday, June 21, the plan is to spend an hour or two in DL with MM, then my DH will go pick up his sister in Torrance and return with her late morning. We will get an ECV from one of the local medical supply places so that she can have it until we leave the next afternoon.

We have a lunch reservation at Carthay Circle for the WOC package for the first show on Thursday night. I've read the superthread, so I know we will arrive early even with the preferred passes, and stake out a spot in the handicapped section. Has anyone used the handicapped sections for WOC? Any particular advice?

I am hoping that DCA will have a MM on that Friday, but whether that happens or not, we will be there at opening to experience Cars Land - so excited! Even though it will be crowded, it will be exciting to be there so soon after it opens.

Your plan sounds very well thought out and you know all the angles.

One question, is there a site like Steve Soares' for WDW, that has show times for both parks, updated each week?

As SSC pointed out the DLR website is quite good on this. Further, while DLR does post calendars much later than WDW (4-6 weeks in advance), once they do post calendars and get them finalized around 4 weeks in advance they do something that WDW does not - they post schedules for all the secondary entertainment. So there is no need for a Steve Soares site because the DLR website essentially has the Times Guide on it - and 4 weeks before your trip! That is way better than Steve Soares is able to do when he posts the Guide on Friday night/Saturday morning.

We will be leaving late that afternoon to head to Santa Barbara for a couple days.

My alma mater. Go UCSB Gauchos! Have fun! Santa Barbara is spectacularly beautiful.

 

[subtchr]

The only issue I think you will have is getting from Fantasmic to IASW for the MM&Y show by 10:15. I'm not sure you will be able to do that. You will be able to stay in your seats in the Fantasmic Dessert section for the fireworks. We love that. However, once those fireworks are over (I want to say around 9:50) that section of the parks becomes a jammed up bottlenecked mess with everyone leaving. It is pretty slow getting out of that area. I'm not sure if you can get out of that mess and work your way around to IASW in time for the MM&Y show, much less in time to get a decent spot. Other than that, I think your plan sounds great.

Thanks, MM&Y is not a dealbreaker, our priorities are F! and WOC. So if we don't make it or don't get a great spot that's okay. I appreciate the insight!

My alma mater. Go UCSB Gauchos! Have fun! Santa Barbara is spectacularly beautiful.

Thanks, we don't have any specific plans for our weekend there - what are a couple of your favorite spots? We might take part of a day to go up to Solvang; my DH and SIL remember going there with their parents as kids. We're looking forward to it!

 

[Girimama33]

I wonder if you can just jump on the train in NOS after the fireworks and ride it to the TT stop to go to IASW...

 

[Escape2Disney]

I wonder if you can just jump on the train in NOS after the fireworks and ride it to the TT stop to go to IASW...

I think this would only work if the timing was spot-on. Since I believe they stop the train during the fireworks, there'd only be a small window to watch the fireworks, jump on the train, and make it to IASW in time. If memory serves, the NOS train station gets pretty congested after F! and Fireworks.

 

[fctiger]

Hi, all,

You all are such a helpful group, I thought I'd see what you think of our plans for our short upcoming visit. I am very familiar with WDW, but haven't been to DLR for almost 6 years.

It is my DH and I, our DD20, and for most of the time, my SIL, who will be using an ECV because of a bad knee (she can walk, just not long distances without pain).

We arrive on Wednesday, June 20, landing at LAX about 11, where we will rent a car. We are staying at GCH, thanks to a military discount, and using the $99 military 3-day hoppers.

We LOVE nighttime shows at WDW - I adore Illuminations, usually catching it at least twice on our WDW trips - so I want to try to see what we can at DLR.

I plan to reserve a F! dessert package for the first show on the first night. Coming from Eastern time, there is no way we will be up for the second show of anything! My question is if we watch the 9:00 F!, and hang out for the 9:30 fireworks (realizing that we will NOT have the best view of those, since we would not be able to make it to the hub before they start), is it possible then to make our way to get a decent spot to see the Magic, Memories, and You on IASW at 10:15? I really want to see Fantasmic!, as I hear it is so much better than WDW's version. And although I have seen the projection show on the castle at WDW and think it is amazing, my family has not, so I'd like them to see it.

On Thursday, June 21, the plan is to spend an hour or two in DL with MM, then my DH will go pick up his sister in Torrance and return with her late morning. We will get an ECV from one of the local medical supply places so that she can have it until we leave the next afternoon.

We have a lunch reservation at Carthay Circle for the WOC package for the first show on Thursday night. I've read the superthread, so I know we will arrive early even with the preferred passes, and stake out a spot in the handicapped section. Has anyone used the handicapped sections for WOC? Any particular advice?

I am hoping that DCA will have a MM on that Friday, but whether that happens or not, we will be there at opening to experience Cars Land - so excited! Even though it will be crowded, it will be exciting to be there so soon after it opens.

One question, is there a site like Steve Soares' for WDW, that has show times for both parks, updated each week?

We will be leaving late that afternoon to head to Santa Barbara for a couple days.

Thanks in advance for any advice you have for us!

Hey there, most people have basically answered all your questions, but I wanted to give you my advice about making it to the MM&Y show after the fireworks you can totally do it!!

IF the fireworks goes off at 9:30 as planned they will end at 9:45 which will give 30 mins. On a normal walk without crowds, its about 10 mins from one end to the other. So WITH all the crowds, yes it will be tight, but if you guys leave as soon as the fireworks is over and go through Frontierland you should be able to do it. DONT go back through the hub. That would be a total nightmare. Besides the fact the castle is closed you will have to go completely around. Now IF they cut you off from Frontierland and force you to go that way anyway then its going to take longer. You could still make it but yeah there is a chance you will be a few mins late. It just depends. But you will have 30 mins so my advice it to try. If you miss it, you still got IASW to ride!

Oh and I can't say much of anything now, but if you like the MM&Y show, then keep checking the DL calendar as it approaches your date. There may be something similar happening in DCA every night! Again, cant say much but there is something similar planned, but dates are still in question! Just keep keep checking Disney websites in the next few weeks! Have a good trip!

 

[HydroGuy]

Thanks, we don't have any specific plans for our weekend there - what are a couple of your favorite spots? We might take part of a day to go up to Solvang; my DH and SIL remember going there with their parents as kids. We're looking forward to it!

Oh boy that was a...cough, cough...long time ago. But I will give it a shot.

- Stearns Wharf - Pier http://www.santabarbara.com/points_of_interest/the_waterfront/stearnswharf/

- East Beach area near the wharf

- Drive up to Lake Cachuma into the mountains a little ways (45 minutes?) very pretty

- Lower State Street shoppinga

 

[ktlm]

Update for you. You absolutely can make it to mm&y at 10:15 from the fireworks in the fantasmic dessert section. We had our dessert package tonight. This morning a photographer stopped us and asked to take a family photo and also a solo photo of dd for MM&Y so of course we had to try and see it. As they funnel you around as you are leaving after the fireworks there will be a spot where you can break left to go back around the rear of big thunder.We actually got to small world almost 15 minutes before the show started. Our family pic was one of the big pics in the middle right around the end of the show!

 

[subtchr]

Thanks so much for the update - we are getting excited!

 

[revwog1974]

We were in the handicapped section for WOC last year with my mom. It worked well. The cast member in charge of the section was very helpful and made sure no one was blocking the view of those in wheelchairs. Our whole group was allowed to stay together; there were only 5 of us and one was a child who was shorter standing than a person in a wheelchair. She was allowed up front near the rail, but the adults in the group had to stand behind the wheelchairs. There were 2 (I think) benches for those without wheelchairs. Only those with GAC were allowed to sit in them once the area got full.