Saving spots for parades and Fantasmic

[karylrocks]

My "kids" (13, 22, 25) are not keen on waiting around for parades and shows (it's all about the rides). I was hoping that we would be able to catch the second Fantasmic, but now that the hours are posted for the last week of August I see that DL closes at 10:00 so if we want to see it, it will have to be at 9:00. How possible would it be for DH and I to try to "save" room for all 5 of us to watch the show if we get there a couple hours ahead of time? Do people get mad if you tell them they can't sit or stand there because you are saving spots for your family? What about seeing the show from Riverbelle Terrace? Is it a good view, and do they mind if you camp out there after you finish your meal, waiting for the show to start? How far ahead of time could we get there? I have the same question for the parade, do people mind if you are saving spots on the curb?

 

[Disneyland_emily]

I am a big waiter for things Ive found that if you go and stake obvious space (ie with a jacket etc) then you are usually okay but Id recommend keeping everyone in place for the final 60-45 min wait

I waited for the 2nd parade and fireworks starting at 5 pm and then 6 pm and both were great spots


What I did on Fri was I staked my spot at 6 near Tomorrowland for the 2nd parade and Fireworks then I dashed over to F! and got a pretty decent spot for the 2nd show


-em

 

[tinkerbell13]

people save spots all the time, my suggestion is to have a blanket to save your spots or your space will get infringed on. I don't know how Disney feels aobut this practice, but lots of people do it.

 

[Stinasmom]

people save spots all the time, my suggestion is to have a blanket to save your spots or your space will get infringed on. I don't know how Disney feels aobut this practice, but lots of people do it.

Do you mean they plop down a blanket then resume their tour of the park? Or does someone stay on or with the blanket to save the spot?
I have had experience getting to a Parade route (Grand Floral in Portland, OR) in the middle of the night to get a good spot for the family. I always hate it and think it quite unfair of those who put down lawn chairs the day before and expect to get that spot when they show up leisurely the next morning!
But, one thing I have learned from these people who save a huge area with just their stuff, or even a huge area when only one person is saving it, they likely will have staked out more space than they will use, and if you spot this and hang nearby, it is a great way to get a space toward the last minute. Not sure if this will work at DL, though!

 

[SeansMom]

Do you mean they plop down a blanket then resume their tour of the park? Or does someone stay on or with the blanket to save the spot?

Your best bet is to have somebody stay with the blanket. You'd be mighty sad if you returned and a) your blanket was gone or b) your blanket has been taken over by another family who claims it is theirs. Besides, in most cases there will be someone great to chat with near you and you can use that time to relax.

 

[disneychrista]

Just so I know what you are asking, you are wondering how it is looked upon for one member of a group to save spots for 4 additional members right? I have no problem with saving an extra spot or two but not 4 additional spots. I don't think it would be so bad if you and your husband stayed behind and saved the spot for the 3 "kids" but they should deffiently be there no later then 30 minutes before a parade and at least 60 minutes before fantasmic.

Depending on when you are going your best bet is to find a place in town square for the parade (second showing). Get there 30 - 45 minutes in advance and you should be okay and still get a good seat with minimal waiting. For Fantasmic! see the second showing and find your seat right after the end of the first showing. Get there at 9:25 and as soon as the fireworks are over you should be able to find a great seat and only have to wait an hour. IMO this is the best way to few the parades and Fantasmic!

 

[karylrocks]

Thanks for the idea of bringing a blanket. I was planning to have 2 of us save spots for all 5, and have everyone else show up 20-30 minutes before the show. Unfortunately, there will not be a second Fantasmic during the week we are there so we will need to wait for the first one if we want to see it. I am thinking of seeing the second parade in front of the castle and then wait for the fireworks, and see Fantasmic on another night.

 

[scanmom]

definitley sit at the RBT if you can get a seat. We have done this 2 times, and the view was PERFECT, plus we got to sit, and could still see over all the people standing on the walkway near the ROA. We got there about 1.5 hrs before showtime and had a leisurly dessert and relaxed an talked about all the fun we had that day. My kids were ready for a break, and the time flew by. It was one of the best parts of our trip. We laughed and ate and talked, and just enjoyed each others company and the atmosphere! If you are not sure of when to get there, just ask a CM at the RBT, they are really nice and helpful. The 1st time we st here for the show, we were about 3 tables back, and had peoples heads blocking our view somewhat. The next year, we wised up and asked a CM when was a good tome to line up for an outside table. She told us when to come and exactly where to be, so when she opened the terrace, we were the 1st ones there. She even helped us pick the "perfect" table for the show viewing. And she was right!!! We couldn't have had a better view. I can't imagine the balcony seating being any better. And we spent about $25.00 on desserts and drinks for the 6 of us. ALOT less $$'s than balcony seating would have been! Enjoy!

 

[disneychrista]

I was planning to have 2 of us save spots for all 5, and have everyone else show up 20-30 minutes before the show.

For parades it may be possible for the kids to show up 20 - 30 minutes prior but for Fantasmic this just isn't possible. The seating on the ground is between 5 - 8 people deep PLUS another 3 - 5 deep in "standing" section and there is NO WAY your kids will be able to casually walk up to your "saved" spot at this close to show time. Not to mention that there is now way those around you will allow you to save this much space. It is bad enough with those trying to crowd you while you are sitting there. I can only imagine how quickly your saved space will be taken up with no one there. For Fantasmic your kids will have to make the choice to either sit with your (or at least one hour prior) or miss it.

 

[tinkerbell13]

Do you mean they plop down a blanket then resume their tour of the park? Or does someone stay on or with the blanket to save the spot?

I always have a couple of people staying with the blanket. We would take turns riding rides or getting food or whatever.
I agree that it is very hard to get to the saved spot once the crowd is big! It's hard to get through all the people.

 

[karylrocks]

Thanks for the RBT tips! We will definitely check that out, as that will be a perfect time for us to have dinner and I have been wanting to eat there anyway.

 

[diberry]

definitley sit at the RBT if you can get a seat. We have done this 2 times, and the view was PERFECT, plus we got to sit, and could still see over all the people standing on the walkway near the ROA. We got there about 1.5 hrs before showtime and had a leisurly dessert and relaxed an talked about all the fun we had that day. My kids were ready for a break, and the time flew by. It was one of the best parts of our trip. We laughed and ate and talked, and just enjoyed each others company and the atmosphere! If you are not sure of when to get there, just ask a CM at the RBT, they are really nice and helpful. The 1st time we st here for the show, we were about 3 tables back, and had peoples heads blocking our view somewhat. The next year, we wised up and asked a CM when was a good tome to line up for an outside table. She told us when to come and exactly where to be, so when she opened the terrace, we were the 1st ones there. She even helped us pick the "perfect" table for the show viewing. And she was right!!! We couldn't have had a better view. I can't imagine the balcony seating being any better. And we spent about $25.00 on desserts and drinks for the 6 of us. ALOT less $$'s than balcony seating would have been! Enjoy!

This is a brilliant tip - thank you!!!

 

[dulluth]

When you suggest going to RBT, are you talking about seeing the parade or the fireworks or both. Sorry to be so obtuse, just never been there before. Thanks for any help!

 

[karylrocks]

It would be for viewing Fantasmic.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

The patio is great for watching Fantasmic, but the trees pretty much block your view for the fireworks.

I've saved a table at this patio for several visitors over the years, but I also get there more than 2-3 hours in advance. I do this especially for our visitors who I don't want sitting on the ground.

 

[dulluth]

That being said about Fantasmic, first of all, what are the major differences between this one and the one at WDW? Also, do you have any advice on where to watch the fireworks display or the parades. I know we are there during the summer, and during the 50th, so I have no delusions as to this being easy, but any advice at all would be appreciated! BTW, MaryJo, you are just a wealth of knowledge! Our time is so limited at DL because, being from Minnesota, we want to make the most of our two weeks in CA by seeing as much as we can, including SF and Yosemite, so your advice is really helping in making our DL time as efficient as possible!

 

[Disneyland_emily]

The DL Fantamic is much better than the WDW version (IMO)

The fireworks are best seen on Main Street- The parades anywhere on the parade route is fine- The first parade starts by Small World goes on the Fantasyland side of the Matterhorn and on through Main Street. The second parade reverses the route.

-em

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

-Em gave good advice about the fireworks & parade.

The main differences between the two Fantasmics, in my opinion, are:

Disneyland's Fantasmic was created in '92, and I really don't think that the Imagineers envisioned that it would become as immensely popular as it has. The Disneyland version takes place on Tom Sawyer's Island, and guests gather round the Rivers of America to watch it. This show has become soooo popular that there are people who will stake out a spot hours ahead of time to enjoy the show from a good spot. However, you do not need to go to such extremes - it all depends what is important to you. At WDW, the Imagineers learned their lesson, and created a special outdoor theater with stadium seating to enjoy the show.

I'm with -Em in thinking that the DL version is better than the WDW version. However, there are those guests who have seen the show at WDW first and enjoy that one more than the one at Disneyland.

Other than the stage and seating, other differences include:

Villains are different in both shows, though the water screens pretty much show the same scenes and music.

Where WDW has a Pocahontas scene, DL has a Peter Pan scene that I think is pretty spectacular.

The finale at WDW has a white boat with many characters. At DL, the characters appear on the Mark Twain, which is more impressive.

Both shows are similar, but have enough elements that are unique to make them a different experience.


... oh, and Duluth, if you have any questions about Yosemite, let me know - that is my favorite place in the World.

 

[challada]

For the new fireworks, definitely stake a spot early near the center Walt and Mickey statue for the best possible viewing....we left grammie and a stroller there while we rode more stuff and were thrilled by this spot as it's the center of the whole show....we did have some pushy dad w/a kid on his shoulders try to shove us out of the way at the beginning of the show (he had not waited there at all...showed up at the beginning and started shoving people around so I told him off and he went somewhere else...two different families around us thanked me for getting him to go away).

GOOD LUCK

 

[dulluth]

Is it worth trying to get Fantasmic Dessert tickets? Will I be able to see the show with my 9yo and family without getting there hours before it starts if I don't? Also, Mary Jo, any insight about Yosemite would be appreciated! We will have only 2 days there, so again, we need to maximize the highlights. Let me know if there is a better way to discuss this non-dis thing with you. Just one more thing ... being that you are from So. CA, for our time in the LA area at the start of our trip, would you suggest SM Pier, or Venice Beach? We were kind of thinking Magic Mountain, but have heard really bad things, so we decided to do something less theme-parky. Thanks for any help!