Strategy for doing DL at Night

[palenskec]

Hi Friends!

Just over a week out from our 5 day trip (April 30-May 4). I am anticipating very high crowds and have been trying to keep up with parade times, ride closures, etc. Here is what I am worried about:

What should/could be a good plan for doing rides and enjoying DL in the evenings when parades and fireworks are going on? Yes, we are going to try to catch the parade one night, but it's really not super high on our list (last visit we got caught in a parade crowd/stampede and it almost set me over the edge. LOL). I am afraid because from what I am reading, once the parades start, it is really hard to move to different areas of the park. I am terrified of getting "STUCK". Any advice? Like, if there is a parade at 8:45 and 10:45 - do you try to get into a land before 8:45 and just stay put there?

I hope this makes sense .... this really is the one thing I am a bit stressed about! I'm totally ready to go with the flow and the crowds, just nervous about getting around!

Thanks!

 

[snowybelle]

Listening in... we are arriving on 5/8 (mother's day/half marathon day) mid-day and also need some kind of afternoon/evening strategy for DL. Feeling way overwhelmed!

 

[lindyv321]

I am worried about this too since the back entry to fantasyland is now closed due to construction

 

[disneyxica20]

yeah, i would pick whatever land you want to be in, get there before the parade starts and plan on hanging out there until the crowd thins a bit. that's what we usually do.

 

[elyse43230]

I asked this on the Touringplan.com chat and got a very helpful response. Basically I was told this: Most of Fantasyland will be closed for FW (toontown too) so with the train not running and BTM trail closed, I'd pick a side and stay on it. You will be less crowded on the New Orleans Square / Frontier side than on Tomorrowland side. Best luck with POC, Indy, BTMRR, HM, and Splash. Pooh should be walk on

I asked for a plan to tour at DL when I am NOT watching FW and PTN, so this might not be that helpful if you want to watch those.

 

[BadPinkTink]

basically as PP has said, Last year when I was there Main Street and the hub was basically a no go area during PTN and FW and for about 30 minutes after. I would stay in New Orleans Square / Adventureland area. In previous year during Fantasmic Pirates, Haunted Mansion were walk ons but not sure this year as there is no Fantasmic.

 

[msr709]

These comments have been VERY helpful to me because I plan only to watch PTN and WOC one day each and the other 3 days I wanted to know where we could ride!

 

[palenskec]

I asked this on the Touringplan.com chat and got a very helpful response. Basically I was told this: Most of Fantasyland will be closed for FW (toontown too) so with the train not running and BTM trail closed, I'd pick a side and stay on it. You will be less crowded on the New Orleans Square / Frontier side than on Tomorrowland side. Best luck with POC, Indy, BTMRR, HM, and Splash. Pooh should be walk on

I asked for a plan to tour at DL when I am NOT watching FW and PTN, so this might not be that helpful if you want to watch those.

Thank you! This is exactly the answer I was looking for. This is sort of what I was thinking, so I wanted to make sure I was on the right track.

 

[lindyv321]

Thanks for the great info!! We may try to watch the parade and fireworks on the Sunday night we are there but it depends on if there is a Halloween party going on while we are there. If there is we will be attending and plan on catching that nighttime entertainment instead since the parks should be less crowded.

What time does everyone recommend heading to the side of the park they want to stick to during parade times?

 

[Simba001]

Yes PTN and FW are great productions, but have really caused crossing the HUB to be a challenge. On our upcoming trip at the end of the month, DH says he is ready to head over to DCA in the evenings rather than deal with all of this.

Since you can still cross Mainstreet somewhat easily before parades begin, you really wouldn't need to head to the side of the Park you want to stay in until right before the time the Parade begins. The biggest challenge is after PTN and in preparation for FW to begin, folks move into MainStreet. Then again once the FW are over its pretty crazy as a good number of folks are trying to exit the Park.

 

[basketballmom]

I agree with what the previous posters have said. We always try to stay on that side of the park at night. Plus, cocoa and Mickey beignets are magical at night looking out over the river.

 

[lindyv321]

I am thinking of heading to the side we want to hang out on about 45 minutes to an hour before the parade start time and eating a late dinner then hopping on some rides while the craziness is happening elsewhere!

 

[Angrose]

Grab a FP so you can ride BTMRR while the fireworks are going off...it's pretty cool!

 

[disneychrista]

This is the one thing I will miss about the train not running. So nice to be able to hop the train to get from one side of the park to the other during parade/fireworks or to be able to get to the entrance.

 

[gis]

Once the parades and fireworks start getting underway, you may encounter difficulty navigating the park. Cast members and signage around the major walk ways are your best bet for not getting stuck in a dead end. I've found that it's best to cross mid parade, and avoid "end" of the parade. Additionally, there are lots of areas to step to the side and sit down if you find the crowd overwhelming.

I visit Disneyland quite frequently, and I like to think of myself as pretty familiar with the layout. Last weekend I was trying to move from Tomorrowland to Frontierland during the parade. There were plenty of signs and Cast telling me which way I should go, but I figured I knew better. I got stuck.