Planning my evenings for my 1st trip

[bookgirl2632]

I’m currently planning my first ever trip to Disneyland! Yay! I’m an expert when it comes to WDW, but I’m still learning when it comes to DLR. so any tips are much appreciated. The trip includes myself, as well as my mom and sister, all adults. We’ll be staying offsite, but very close by. I intend to have 3 full days in the parks and our arrival evening as well. The trip will be towards the end of April next year.

I’m thinking of doing one of the Fantasmic Dining Packages, probably Cafe Orleans or Rancho del Zocalo. I also would like to catch Wondrous Journeys on Main Street on a different night. I know that fireworks don’t happen every night, but my visit will be there on the weekend, so barring wind, I hope to see them with fireworks. Finally, I’m thinking of doing a World of Color dessert party, but I’m not set on that yet.

Anyway, I’m just asking Disneyland vets for the best plan of action for getting great viewing spots. Thanks for any advice you can provide!

 

[DizMe]

Welcome! I will begin by saying I'm a long-time DL fan but not an expert on much of anything but there are many on this board who can steer you in the right directions.

I will say that I did the Fantasmic dining package for the first time in Dec. and loved it! Funny that I'd never done it in all these years, but it's always cool to have something to try for the first time. We did the Cafe Orleans patio dining and it was awesome. The only bad part about it was how obsessed and nervous I was with trying to score a reservation, ha ha! I highly recommend it.

Editing to say that I got the wrong restaurant. We had the sit-down patio dining at Riverbelle Terrace.

 

[Tinkaboo]

I love doing the WOC Dessert Party...to me, it's worth it to have a seat with great view where I don't get wet! The treats are secondary as I usually can't eat half the stuff they put in it...same with Fantasmic...I always do RDZ because it's the least expensive yet has a great view.

 

[Stitch_Fan_79]

We're WDW regulars and just finished a trip with a focus on the evening shows because we were there without our families and they don't like the shows much, so it was our goal to really enjoy them.

As such, we did three paid events - Fantasmic lunch at River Belle, World of Color dessert party, and then the Plaza Inn Paint the Night parade package. All three were not what I would say "good value" in terms of food, but we ultimately were paying for preferred seating.

Fantasmic was good - River Belle is actually quite pretty inside and not sure how they make their potatoes but they are delicious. We did not leave hungry and we had plenty of tasty things to eat, along with good service. Seating was amazing, we could sit right next to the railing and the show was right there. Comparing WDW Fantasmic to DL Fantasmic is another topic, but DL Fantasmic having two real boats was the highlight.

NOTE: DL fireworks have "shows" in multiple spots, unlike WDW - we watched DL's fireworks from Star Wars to themed music there, and you could watch them from Fantasmic's seating, and then main street. Projections are not on the castle, just on the main st. buildings, so if you're looking for the best place for the main show, in the middle of main st is the goal. Temper your WDW expectations... fireworks are really good, but not A tier like WDW (sorry DL fans) but there were some really great fireworks and we enjoyed all the viewings.

World of Color Dessert party is my favorite, you get seated, it's a great view, its the kind of show you want to be seeing straight on, and the party comes with drinks and a nice little snack box. Although expensive, it's also the nicest experience all around. Between the snack box, two drinks, and the view I thought it was best overall. It was my second time doing this dessert party, we did it in 2019 as well, and both times I've felt it was worth it (unlike WDW fireworks dessert parties, cough cough).

Paint the Night Plaza Inn was complicated. The parade is ridiculously popular with locals right now so seating is hard to get less than 2 hrs before the parade starts, even for the late showing we saw everyone camping out. So it was very nice to have an excellent, up close view and we only got there ~45 minutes before the start and had plenty of elbow room. That said, the meal part was very disappointing.

I would do both of the packages (Fantasmic and WOC), if evening shows are a priority. They're quite different but both will ensure you can maximize ride time and also enjoy the shows!

 

[Pluto468]

I’m currently planning my first ever trip to Disneyland! Yay! I’m an expert when it comes to WDW, but I’m still learning when it comes to DLR. so any tips are much appreciated. The trip includes myself, as well as my mom and sister, all adults. We’ll be staying offsite, but very close by. I intend to have 3 full days in the parks and our arrival evening as well. The trip will be towards the end of April next year.

I’m thinking of doing one of the Fantasmic Dining Packages, probably Cafe Orleans or Rancho del Zocalo. I also would like to catch Wondrous Journeys on Main Street on a different night. I know that fireworks don’t happen every night, but my visit will be there on the weekend, so barring wind, I hope to see them with fireworks. Finally, I’m thinking of doing a World of Color dessert party, but I’m not set on that yet.

Anyway, I’m just asking Disneyland vets for the best plan of action for getting great viewing spots. Thanks for any advice you can provide!

I love the WOC dessert party. It's definitely a great way to watch that show. Having a seat is wonderful!

I've only done the premium Fantasmic dinner at River Belle Terrace, as Dizme mentioned. I liked that but this year I'm trying the Rancho Del Zocalo package instead because it's closer to the show.

You can see the fireworks from the Fantasmic area, and they show the projections on the water screens.

 

[LKing]

Projections ARE on the castle. WDW's castle is larger and higher than their Main Street so it is easier to see the castle projections from farther down the street. At Disneyland, you need to be closer in order to get a good view of the castle projections.



People start claiming seats in front of the castle a couple of hours in advance. Everyone needs to stand for fireworks so, when those that are seated are asked to stand, it opens up a lot more space and everyone kind of merges together and moves forward. The last time I watched castle projections from the hub, we didn't have a nighttime parade. With PTN going through that area, it makes it even more crowded. PTN viewers can start claiming seats at 6:45 pm which is closer to three hours before fireworks.

Below is a map of the hub (where the Partner's Statue is located).

• The purple line is the route of the first parade. The second parade goes in the opposite direction.
• The red areas are usually reserved for VIP guests.
• The teal area is the best place to watch the projections on the castle.
• The large pink arrow on the right is something to pay attention to. Guests who watch PTN at Small World are not allowed to follow the end of the parade to Main Street. Just before the Matterhorn, they are redirected towards Fantasyland or Tomorrowland. The Small World crowd needs to wait at the Astro Orbiter until the parade is finished. After it is over, there is a large group of people rushing in to get a good spot for fireworks.

 

[Stitch_Fan_79]

Projections ARE on the castle. WDW's castle is larger and higher than their Main Street so it is easier to see the castle projections from farther down the street. At Disneyland, you need to be closer in order to get a good view of the castle projections.

Wow, good to know. OK, changing my note for OP, you can't even tell there are projectionss from the far end of main street.

(We should have moved up MUCH closer then, I am guessing we would have had a more impressive experience there as well)

 

[longboard55]

There are 2 parades and one firework show. Do not waste time sitting on the curb for hours for the first parade. When the first parade is going hang out in the shops on main street -end of the street by the coke place is perfect, and the minute the parade ends bolt to the center street to get a good fireworks show plus see the screenings on the buildings. on the second parade a really good spot is behind the matterhorn on the street they close off, across from the bathrooms. .

 

[LKing]

@bookgirl2632 will you have four nights for entertainment or three? Will you have park hoppers or are you thinking of two days in Disneyland and one in DCA? This calendar might be helpful in planning.

I don't know if you have been following the 70th thread. Entertainment timing will likely change between now and next April but this is what it looks like in Disneyland right now.

12:00 pm Pixar Pals Playtime Party (Fantasyland Theater)
12:15 pm Disneyland Band March Down Main Street
1:30 pm Celebrate Happy Cavalcade - Small World -> Town Square
1:30 pm Pixar Pals Playtime Party (Fantasyland Theater)
3:00 pm Pixar Pals Playtime Party (Fantasyland Theater)
2:45 pm Celebrate Happy Cavalcade - Town Square -> Small World
4:30 pm Pixar Pals Playtime Party (Fantasyland Theater)
5:30 pm Stitch's Interplanetary Beach Party Blast (Tomorrowland)
8:45 pm Paint The Night - Small World -> Town Square
8:45 pm Shadows of Memory (SWGE) (this showing ends on May 31)
9:05 pm Fantasmic!
9:30 pm Stitch's Interplanetary Beach Party Blast (Tomorrowland)
9:35 pm Wondrous Journeys Fireworks
9:35 pm Fire of the Rising Moon (SWGE)
10:00 pm Tapestry of Happiness (Small World)
10:15 pm Shadows of Memory (SWGE)
10:15 pm Tapestry of Happiness (Small World)
10:30 pm Fantasmic!
10:30 pm Tapestry of Happiness (Small World)
10:45 pm Paint the Night - Town Square -> Small World


The second shows for Fantasmic and PTN are often easier to watch than the first. If you are trying to stack multiple shows in the same night, with a little planning, three adults could probably:

Watch Fire of the Rising Moon in SWGE and make it to the second show of Fantasmic. You would miss Shadows of Memory.
Watch fireworks at the castle/Main Street and make it to either the second show of Fantasmic, or the second PTN and Tapestry of Happiness at Small World
Watch the first PTN, fireworks, and Tapestry of Happiness at Small World
Watch the first Fantasmic and fireworks at ROA and the second PTN. Depending on crowds, it might be better to head to Small World for the second PTN.

 

[Tinkaboo]

Hey @LKing...how early did you claim your spot where you took those photos from?
That is my dream view...

 

[bookgirl2632]

@bookgirl2632 will you have four nights for entertainment or three? Will you have park hoppers or are you thinking of two days in Disneyland and one in DCA? This calendar might be helpful in planning.

I don't know if you have been following the 70th thread. Entertainment timing will likely change between now and next April but this is what it looks like in Disneyland right now.

We will have 4 different nights, the night we arrive and then 3 additional nights. And yes, we will have parkhoppers.

Thanks for the calendar and the tips. I know it may change and I’ll be keeping an eye on the calendar in my lead up to my trip. I’m trying to get these evening shows in without cramming too much into an evening. Right now, I’m thinking of doing Paint the Night and Wondrous Journeys on the same night, not set on what order. Fantasmic will be a different night and with a dining package. And I want to do the Workd of Color dessert party on another night. Tapestry of Happiness can happen on one of the evening on Disneyland. If I get the chance, we may try to see the fireworks from Galaxy’s Edge, but it isn’t as much a priority, though I do love Star Wars.

 

[MinnesotaDisneyFan]

Projections ARE on the castle. WDW's castle is larger and higher than their Main Street so it is easier to see the castle projections from farther down the street. At Disneyland, you need to be closer in order to get a good view of the castle projections.

View attachment 969800 View attachment 969799 View attachment 969802

People start claiming seats in front of the castle a couple of hours in advance. Everyone needs to stand for fireworks so, when those that are seated are asked to stand, it opens up a lot more space and everyone kind of merges together and moves forward. The last time I watched castle projections from the hub, we didn't have a nighttime parade. With PTN going through that area, it makes it even more crowded. PTN viewers can start claiming seats at 6:45 pm which is closer to three hours before fireworks.

Below is a map of the hub (where the Partner's Statue is located).

• The purple line is the route of the first parade. The second parade goes in the opposite direction.
• The red areas are usually reserved for VIP guests.
• The teal area is the best place to watch the projections on the castle.
• The large pink arrow on the right is something to pay attention to. Guests who watch PTN at Small World are not allowed to follow the end of the parade to Main Street. Just before the Matterhorn, they are redirected towards Fantasyland or Tomorrowland. The Small World crowd needs to wait at the Astro Orbiter until the parade is finished. After it is over, there is a large group of people rushing in to get a good spot for fireworks.

View attachment 969806

I had to go back and check my photos, but Wondrous Journeys last weekend (Saturday night) had no projections. The castle was just bathed in different colored lights a la older school shows like Fantasy in the Sky. Didn’t realize there was a B mode.

 

[LKing]

I had to go back and check my photos, but Wondrous Journeys last weekend (Saturday night) had no projections. The castle was just bathed in different colored lights a la older school shows like Fantasy in the Sky. Didn’t realize there was a B mode.

Someone posted about that on social media but they posted that it was Friday night (May 23). Was it that way on May 24 as well? I watched fireworks and projections from Small World on May 24 and they went off without a hitch.

 

[LKing]

Hey @LKing...how early did you claim your spot where you took those photos from?
That is my dream view...

I think we were there at least a couple of hours in advance. Not sure if PTN will pull people away from that area or if it will be just as busy.

 

[MinnesotaDisneyFan]

Someone posted about that on social media but they posted that it was Friday night (May 23). Was it that way on May 24 as well? I watched fireworks and projections from Small World on May 24 and they went off without a hitch.

Yes. May 24.