Random questions- need advice

[nowe Dland]

Sorry for the overload but I have a few questions for our upcoming trip July 23rd.

We are only able to go to Disneyland for one day (so I've been doing a lot of planning), is the only place to buy 1day nonhoppers at the gate?

Can I use my ergobaby carrier for my 6mo old on the rides that don't have an age limit?

We would like to see Mickey and the musical map, how early should we arrive (I'm thinking 30 min) and where should we sit?

Is the best time to visit Star Wars launch pad at opening? Or if we do end up going to escape the heat in the afternoon how fast do the lines move?

We want to see Paint the Night but plan on going to the second showing so we don't have to wait a long time to find a spot front row. We plan on being over in Adventure land so tell me the best plan of getting a spot right after fire works and try at avoid being caught in the crowd (if even possible).

Thank you all so much for the help!

 

[Geekmom24]

Those are some great questions! We'll be there on the 24th so I'm also interested in the parade information you've requested.

 

[SMD]

1 day, 1 park tickets are re rarely discounted, so there's no real reason not to buy them from Disney. You could buy them online in advance and go straight to the turnstile, which would save you a little time and skip the ticket booth. You can use a baby carrier on rides unless it interferes with and safety restraints, and then they may ask you to take the baby out. There aren't any age limits on rides, just height limits. I don't think the Mickey and the Magical Map is that popular anymore, 30 minutes might be overkill, especially if the shows are only an hour apart, the previous show will probably be unloading at the 30 minute mark. Although I've noticed that after the afternoon parade passes IASW people do tend to head straight there, so I'd avoid that particular show. No to Launch Bay at opening. It opens an hour after the park, and that's when it's the most crowded. The lines tend to be 20-45 minutes for the characters, with Kylo Ren being a little bit shorter most of the time and tending to get a little bit shorter again around 4pm when the exclusive Visa greet starts. Nothing else in there has a line. At night the CMs direct one way traffic through Adventureland and Frontierland. You'll have to go with the flow and travel the direction that they tell you if you're looking for a spot on Main St or the hub. I would aim to already be on Main St prior to the end of fireworks. I'd rather be in a store or Jolly Holiday trying to stay put while the crowds disperse then trying to get on to Main St while the crowds disperse.

 

[nowe Dland]

Ok good to know Mickey and the Magical map is not that popular and will avoid the show around the parade time.

Also good to know that SW launch pad is most crowed when it opens because that the time we were planning on going. So it sounds like the lines (other than Kylo Ren) tend to stay 20-45 min through out the day?? If we show up at right before 4 will they let us in the venue if we are not part of the Visa meet and greet?

I know its's crazy town that time of night so maybe we will just make our way towards main street during the first showing of paint the night. How hard would it be to get to Jolly Holiday to get a snack during the first PNT? I guess my biggest fear is being stuck in the crowds or the CM's not letting us through from Adventure land.

 

[SMD]

There are only 2 lines in Launch Bay. Chewbacca greet and Kylo Ren greet. The Visa greet is exclusive, it doesn't use the same area as the regular one.

You can get to Jolly Holiday during PTN and fireworks, but you won't find a table. People hold those four hours.

 

[Angrose]

Last summer we saw the second PtN and found a good spot on the curb about 45min before it started. This is when F! was still playing in NOS so we hung out over there until about 10min after fireworks ended and then made our way towards Main St. It wasn't too bad walking over there at that time. Our spot was just at the end of Main St., closest to Town Sq. I would recommend sitting on that end because the late parade will start from Town Sq. so it will mean you can leave earlier and quickly with no crowds.

I also agree that you do not need to get to the Map show too early. There are always a lot of seats. We tend to sit about halfway up from the stage and have always had a good view.

 

[nowe Dland]

Thanks for the info on launch pad. Yeah I figured the tables at JH would be taken. I'm hoping we can hang out in that area while eating a snack then head to Main street for fireworks. Is there an app that shows wait times for the characters at the SW launch pad area?? I guess from what I understand marvel super heroes hang out there too?

 

[nowe Dland]

Ok good to know that you can find a good spot for PTN after the fire works!! I just get super stressed out thinking about it and since we only have one day, ha!

 

[SMD]

You can probably stand on the Jolly Holiday patio or possibly near Coke Corner, but generally that area is no standing because it's already roped off for the parade and the walkway needs to stay open. Loitering in the area with a snack is going to garner some CM attention and ask you to move. The best bet is to shop if there isn't an obvious place on the patio.

 

[Disney_Alli]

The marvel characters moved to DCA in the spring unfortunately.

 

[nowe Dland]

Well I guess it's good and bad marvel characters moved to DCA. Sad for my kids not to see them (since we are only at DL for 1day) but good for me, one less thing to add to the itinerary It sounds like we'll just hang out in Adventure land and till fireworks are over then start heading to main street right after. I'm sure we will find somewhere on the curb since it's the later parade.

Everyone has been so helpful, thanks so much for the tips!

 

[The Lucky Bug]

We always watch the first showing of Paint the Night and prefer to sit by It's A Small World to get the best view. This is where the parade starts and it is usually not too crowded. If you enter the brick seating/viewing area right behind the Matterhorn gift shop (right hand side if walking towards It's A Small World) and continue walking all the way until the end (when you're directly across from It's A Small World) there is usually seating still available 30 mins before the parade. Since the parade starts right there for the first show you can get a great view of the floats coming out from backstage.

This is also a great spot to view the fireworks (they project all the images from the castle onto It's A Small World as well). You will miss Tink flying but you can see a little of Nemo and the Matterhorn Volcano if you turnaround during the Finding Nemo portion.

The area clears out quickly after the fireworks so you can enjoy the two ending songs while you wait to avoid walking with the crowds. I would also imagine if you can get there it would be a great spot to watch the second parade since it would be ending there you have a little more time to make it over there.

Rivers of America offers a beautiful view of the fireworks as well but they do not pump in the music or have the projections unfortunately. As well as right in front of Autopia in Tomorrowland if you borrow some of the chairs from the restaurant you can sit and watch them there. The music isn't pumped in but watching them over the Matterhorn is a unique view.

I would suggest seeing the first parade then the fireworks rather than the second parade. My reasoning is that the park clears out after the fireworks and you can hit a lot of rides during the second parade when a lot of people are sitting on main street watching. Big Thunder, Pirates, Haunted Mansion, etc have low wait times then.

 

[nowe Dland]

Wow great tip about watching the first parade from IASW area! I'm rethinking plans now. Has anyone else has success with seeing the first show this way???

 

[Malcon10t]

Rivers of America offers a beautiful view of the fireworks as well but they do not pump in the music or have the projections unfortunately.

That is sad news. I enjoyed the projections previously there. It was my second favorite spot to watch from.