Possible to do Paint the Night and Fantasmic in one night?

[PinkiexLi]

I'm taking my friend to DLR in December with a one day one park ticket. He hasn't been in about 15 years so I want him to see Paint the Night, which we need to put in the time to get a good seat and also Fantasmic, which I haven't seen since they implemented the fast passes. Any strategies to get good seats for both shows in one night?

 

[figment_jii]

Yes, it's possible to see both shows in the same night...the two most common methods are watching the first PtN and then see the second F! or watching the first F! and then see the second PtN. This depends a little on when you are going (which date specifically).

The "easiest" option is to purchase a dining package for F! so that you know you'll have a great view with minimal wait. Otherwise you'll have to get a FP F! and even with the F! FP viewing areas there are some areas that are better than others. The dining packages (RBT and BB) are in a ground seating-only section, so everyone should have a great view. There may be some (very limited) ground seating in the FP viewing areas, but I wouldn't count on being able to get one of those spots.

Prime PtN viewing spots for the first presention have been filling up about 2 hours before the parade steps off, so you'll have to commit a fair amount of time to waiting if you want a front row spot. With the expected increase in crowds during the holidays, I wouldn't be surprised to hear that guests are waiting for both the Christmas Parade and PtN. Usually the second presentation of PtN is less busy, but prime viewing spots will fill up almost as soon as firework ends, but there is only about an hour between the end of fireworks and the start of PtN (the second show usually starts on MS).

So it really depends on where you want to watch/see Disneyland Forever fireworks from...assuming you aren't really interested in fireworks...I would probably aim for the first F! and then as soon as it ends starting heading to the location where you want to watch PtN. If you wait until fireworks are over, you'll probably have a harder time finding a curb/front row spot for PtN.

 

[PinkiexLi]

Yes, it's possible to see both shows in the same night...the two most common methods are watching the first PtN and then see the second F! or watching the first F! and then see the second PtN. This depends a little on when you are going (which date specifically).

The "easiest" option is to purchase a dining package for F! so that you know you'll have a great view with minimal wait. Otherwise you'll have to get a FP F! and even with the F! FP viewing areas there are some areas that are better than others. The dining packages (RBT and BB) are in a ground seating-only section, so everyone should have a great view. There may be some (very limited) ground seating in the FP viewing areas, but I wouldn't count on being able to get one of those spots.

Prime PtN viewing spots for the first presention have been filling up about 2 hours before the parade steps off, so you'll have to commit a fair amount of time to waiting if you want a front row spot. With the expected increase in crowds during the holidays, I wouldn't be surprised to hear that guests are waiting for both the Christmas Parade and PtN. Usually the second presentation of PtN is less busy, but prime viewing spots will fill up almost as soon as firework ends, but there is only about an hour between the end of fireworks and the start of PtN (the second show usually starts on MS).

So it really depends on where you want to watch/see Disneyland Forever fireworks from...assuming you aren't really interested in fireworks...I would probably aim for the first F! and then as soon as it ends starting heading to the location where you want to watch PtN. If you wait until fireworks are over, you'll probably have a harder time finding a curb/front row spot for PtN.

Thanks for the info. Question: If I buy the dining package for F!, can I choose which showing I want to attend? I'm thinking of doing PtN first, watch the fireworks, then heading over for F!

 

[figment_jii]

The F! dining packages base your show time on the time of your reservation (officially). There have been reports of guests being able to request a different show, but it depends on whether they have extra availability for the alternative show. I've read that for dining packages before 7:00 pm, you get a FP for the first show and for dining packages at 7:00 pm you get a FP for the second show. If this is correct, that would make it very hard to see the first PtN.

 

[ArchOwl]

When in Dec are you going? On some days they are showing PTN at 5:45pm, which would make it easier.

 

[PinkiexLi]

When in Dec are you going? On some days they are showing PTN at 5:45pm, which would make it easier.

We're planning on going on Dec 5th and 12th. I see that on the 12th PtN has a 5:45 showing. That's gonna make things flow much better. Thanks for the info!

 

[jrsharp21]

When we went to DL this past July, we staked out front row table at the Stage Door Cafe sitting area. We watched Fantasmic and the fireworks from that area. Then we went over to the Small World area and got a front row seat for PTN. There was hardly anybody in that area until a few minutes before the parade started. Even then there was still plenty of room to walk up and grab a seat with a good view.

 

[figment_jii]

I would just note that I think you'll see some guests that watched the 3:15 pm Christmas Parade remaining in place until the 5:45 pm PtN. In other words, I would start checking the parade route as soon as the afternoon parade ends to get a sense of how busy the route is and how fast it starts to fill up.

Crowds are likely to be high on the 12th because it's Raver Day in the park, along with being one of the Dance the Magic performance dates.

 

[PinkiexLi]

I would just note that I think you'll see some guests that watched the 3:15 pm Christmas Parade remaining in place until the 5:45 pm PtN. In other words, I would start checking the parade route as soon as the afternoon parade ends to get a sense of how busy the route is and how fast it starts to fill up.

Crowds are likely to be high on the 12th because it's Raver Day in the park, along with being one of the Dance the Magic performance dates.

Oh, shoot. You're prolly right about the Xmas parade peeps staying put. I wish there were a way to ensure to get the later showing of F!

 

[figment_jii]

Another option is to look into the Aladdin Oasis On-The-Go meals. When I last asked, meals before 4:00 pm were given FPs for the first show and meals after 4:00 pm got FPs for the second show. So one option would be to reserve a pick-up time somewhere around 4:30 pm and then eat your meal while waiting for PtN. You'll get a regular FP (just like you would if you pulled one from the machine), but at least you'll know you have a FP for the second show.

 

[PinkiexLi]

How's the view for F! from River Belle Terrace? Will they let you watch from the restaurant?

 

[figment_jii]

A handful of tables have a pretty good view, some have an okay view...it largely depends on how close to the rail you are seated and whether your closer to PotC or Frontierland. They restrict access to the seating area while they're still serving dinner at RBT. After they finish serving dinner, then the seating area is open to anyone.