Possible to watch Fantasmic and get to DCA RSR before 10:00pm?

[dryslick]

We're visiting Disneyland resort next week (3 day ticket) and we're trying to plan out evenings. We're trying to fit in the main three evening shows and Radiator Springs Racers at night. Since it gets dark late, I think we have to double up on something. I've read if you get in RSR line a little before closing, you should get to ride before shut down.

If that is true, is it possible to do 9:00pm Fantasmic show and still make it over to DCA in time to get in RSR line before 10:00pm? It looks like 38 minutes between the two but I'm sure it's slow getting out. Our youngest is five so we can't move super fast. We're also trying to avoid a 10:30 Fantasmic show (he'd likely sleep through at that time).

Thanks in advance!

 

[CassieF]

If you don't stay for fireworks, it should be possible. You'd have to be toward the back, as they tell people to stay in place for the fireworks, which occur almost immediately after F! Finishes. You'd make your way through Adventure land onto Main Street during fireworks, but at least you are on the right side for one way traffic and should be able to proceed down the sidewalks to the entrance.

 

[Fantaluminishes]

I once asked on the WDW boards if it was possible to do Illuminations at Epcot at 9pm, and make it to DHS for the 10:00 Fantasmic. Everybody told me I wouldn't make it. I got to my VIP seat just as the "welcome to Fantasmic" announcement was starting. Whew!!

That being said, this is a pretty ambitious plan. Especially with a little one in tow. Disneyland is going to be packed, and getting out of Frontierland, through Adventurland, and navigating the Main Street crowds will be very challenging. Sure you can cut through the shops, but getting to them will be tough.

And then you have to get into DCA, when I'd imagine others are also trying to get in to see WoC. After that, you will have to make it all the way to the back of the park. I don't want to sound negative here, but I highly doubt you will make it in time.

But good luck though.

 

[SMD]

Is a night time ride really that important? The indoor portions will look exactly the same, and how different do you expect the outdoor portion to look at 7:30pm vs. 11pm? Especially when the difference includes pushing through the crowds in 2 parks in a limited amount of time, hoping that the ride is up, and the line isn't capped. And if your son will sleep through 10:30 Fantasmic, won't he also fall asleep when you're in the RSR line that late?

 

[dryslick]

Thanks for all the advice. I guess my plan sounds too risky. I didn't realize they want you to stay in place for fireworks after the Fantasmic show. If we try to combine events one night, I guess we'll try to do fireworks at 9 and Fantasmic at 10:30 to leave RSR for a different evening.

In terms of riding them at night, we haven't been there yet so I don't know how important that is. I have seen several people recommend riding them at night, which is why I'm trying to figure that out how that could work.

For logistics of planning everything about the parks, my head is spinning. Thanks DL Veterans!

 

[figment_jii]

Thanks for all the advice. I guess my plan sounds too risky. I didn't realize they want you to stay in place for fireworks after the Fantasmic show. If we try to combine events one night, I guess we'll try to do fireworks at 9 and Fantasmic at 10:30 to leave RSR for a different evening.

In terms of riding them at night, we haven't been there yet so I don't know how important that is. I have seen several people recommend riding them at night, which is why I'm trying to figure that out how that could work.

For logistics of planning everything about the parks, my head is spinning. Thanks DL Veterans!

As others have said, it's probably doable, but it's going to be tight. According to Disneyland.com, Fantasmic lasts about 22 minutes, so it should finish up by 9:25 pm. That gives you 35 minutes to go to DCA and RSR. Under normal conditions, it should be fine, but as other mentioned, you'll be running into the fireworks crowds on Main Street. Mostly likely you'll be funneled through Adventureland to exit the Fantasmic viewing area; they try to restrict exiting traffic to Adventureland and entering traffic to Frontierland. Adventureland isn't that wide to begin with, so you'll be moving slowly. If you do opt to try this, I would highly recommend being near the back of the Fantasmic viewing area (i.e., already near to Adventureland) so you stand a better chance of getting out. However, that might mean a limited/obscured view of Fantasmic, so it might just be better to do those two things on different nights.

In terms of RSR at night; as SMD said, the internal portions of the ride are the same. The external part is different, in that the lighting is different. The race part goes by too quickly to really take in to much of the lighting, but the start of the ride can be fun to do at night. You get a great view of some of the neon lights in Carsland and you from the highest point, you can see some of the rest of the park. I wouldn't necessarily make a point of trying to ride it at night for this, but it was fun to do once.

 

[Fantaluminishes]

Thanks for all the advice. I guess my plan sounds too risky. I didn't realize they want you to stay in place for fireworks after the Fantasmic show. If we try to combine events one night, I guess we'll try to do fireworks at 9 and Fantasmic at 10:30 to leave RSR for a different evening.

In terms of riding them at night, we haven't been there yet so I don't know how important that is. I have seen several people recommend riding them at night, which is why I'm trying to figure that out how that could work.

For logistics of planning everything about the parks, my head is spinning. Thanks DL Veterans!

Good plan! I've only ridden RSR once (last year), and it was during the day. I'm looking forward to trying it at night when I go back this month. As far as the planning goes, take it easy . No need to stress. DLR is a walk in the park (or two) compared to WDW. You are going to have an amazing time.

 

[Apps]

Thanks for all the advice. I guess my plan sounds too risky. I didn't realize they want you to stay in place for fireworks after the Fantasmic show. If we try to combine events one night, I guess we'll try to do fireworks at 9 and Fantasmic at 10:30 to leave RSR for a different evening.

In terms of riding them at night, we haven't been there yet so I don't know how important that is. I have seen several people recommend riding them at night, which is why I'm trying to figure that out how that could work.

For logistics of planning everything about the parks, my head is spinning. Thanks DL Veterans!

Its a mess getting out because main street is jam packed with people watching fireworks. And half the people just stand there and watch in the walkway until someone yells at them to move.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

are you doing woc too? why not do woc and rsr the same night? and fireworks and F the same night?

 

[Rubygoose]

are you doing woc too? why not do woc and rsr the same night? and fireworks and F the same night?

This is a good idea. Last July, the kids and I did RSR at night while DH held our spot for a 9:15pm WOC (or 9:00, I can't remember). We had pulled FPs for 8:20-9:20pm, and used the passes right at 8:20pm and it was already dark.

 

[SMD]

This is a good idea. Last July, the kids and I did RSR at night while DH held our spot for a 9:15pm WOC (or 9:00, I can't remember). We had pulled FPs for 8:20-9:20pm, and used the passes right at 8:20pm and it was already dark.

WoC is now shown once at 9:45. Sort of like they used to do with the a Electrical Parade, where it would run just past park closing and then they'd guide everyone back to the park entrance to shop or leave.

 

[dryslick]

are you doing woc too? why not do woc and rsr the same night? and fireworks and F the same night?

That is a possibility but I figured I'd have be in the park to figure out if it could work for us. I saw some people say they work their way up to fp and then get out of line to the side??? until it hits the time they are looking for. I'm not sure I know what that means yet. Maybe it could work but I wouldn't know that right now. Maybe on day three after I know the flow of the rides we could make it work but I'm not there yet.

Thank you for bringing up the idea. What my wife and I are realizing now (too late) in trip planning is the logic in a four day ticket. We'll do what we can in the time we have and I know it will work out fine with the kids having fun. Like most parents, I'm on the site just trying to make the most of our time there. Thank you again.