Stressing out now about when to do our nighttime entertainment!!

[jacobsmommy]

We are going to be in the parks from Sunday, July 20 to Wednesday July 23 (but not there Wednesday night). I was planning on doing Fantasmic on the 20th (my bday), WOC on the 21st, and the fireworks on the 22nd. I'm worried about doing WOC on the 21st because it shows there's only one time it's showing at 9:45. We have our one and only shot for MM the next morning. I'm worried that my 10 and 6 yo will have a hard time getting up for MM. But I'm also worried that if we put WOC on Tuesday night the kids may end up tired enough to skip it. That's what happened two years ago when we were there. When would you suggest we do our nighttime stuff?

 

[lalasmama]

I'd combine F! and the fireworks into one night, personally.

Chances are, no matter what nights you do it, the kids are going to be tired the next day, in my experience.

 

[conniehar90]

We are there the same week and I show WOC at 9:45 every night. I don't see an additional show on the Disney website. Is there sometimes two shows? Is there a better place to look for show times than the Disney site?

 

[Blue32]

We are there the same week and I show WOC at 9:45 every night. I don't see an additional show on the Disney website. Is there sometimes two shows? Is there a better place to look for show times than the Disney site?

There used to be 2 shows during high season but it seems that Disney has cut buck to one show nightly. I would not really expect this to change, but you never know. Adding another show would probably require them to change the time of the 1st show since that one already gets over after park hours.

And you are in the right place for schedules...the Disney website.

 

[peterpanandwendy]

I would do:

Day 1: WOC

Day 2: Sleep in a bit in the morning, and go to bed early.

Day 3: MM, back at the hotel for a mid day rest, Fantasmic and fireworks in the eventing.

 

[Califlove]

I saw an extra show on Saturday night (19th) but that doesn't help you if you're arriving on the 20th. Are you there the following sat? I'm considering going the 19th to the later show. It's a block out day so hoping less people will be there for the later show. Probably wishful thinking!

 

[figment_jii]

Personally, I would also try to combine Fantasmic and fireworks, but it can be stressful trying to get from one show to the other.

I would flip the Fantasmic and fireworks nights. While less common in the summer, fireworks at DL do get cancelled due to winds in the upper elevations. I would not plan to wait until the last night see them because, if they do get cancelled, you have no fallback night.

 

[Viva Las Disney]

I'd combine F! and the fireworks into one night, personally.

Chances are, no matter what nights you do it, the kids are going to be tired the next day, in my experience.

It makes for a late night but this is what I always do. The best spots for the first F! start filling in 3 hours before the show but you can get a good spot for the 2nd F! without much effort or waiting, just go over right after the fireworks and you can get a good spot and only have to wait 30 minutes.

Afternoon naps are the best way to deal with the early mornings and late nights, it makes a huge difference to rest your feet a bit so you may as well do it when the parks are their busiest with the longest lines and also when the sun and heat are the highest.

 

[jacobsmommy]

how hard is it to do fantasmic and fireworks on the same night? We plan to do the seated area (hopefully up front by the rails). There will be 7 of us.

What if we try Fantasmic/Fireworks on the first night, skip nighttime entertainment on the night before MM and then do WOC on our MM night. We plan on doing afternoon breaks every day.

 

[peterpanandwendy]

We have always done them both in the same night. Right after fantasmic we make our way over to the front of the castle, or Main Street and find a spot. It might be a bit harder with 7 people to find a great spot, but it is doable for sure.

Your plan sounds great!

 

[Escape2Disney]

how hard is it to do fantasmic and fireworks on the same night? We plan to do the seated area (hopefully up front by the rails). There will be 7 of us.

What if we try Fantasmic/Fireworks on the first night, skip nighttime entertainment on the night before MM and then do WOC on our MM night. We plan on doing afternoon breaks every day.

If you're doing the Fantasmic Dessert seating for the first show, they will let you stay in your seat and watch the fireworks from there. You'd miss the castle effects, but they do pipe the music into the area.

 

[jacobsmommy]

Can we keep our plan of sitting by the railing in the sitting section or should we find somewhere that we can leave quicker to see the fireworks?

 

[aliceindisneyland]

how hard is it to do fantasmic and fireworks on the same night? We plan to do the seated area (hopefully up front by the rails). There will be 7 of us.

What if we try Fantasmic/Fireworks on the first night, skip nighttime entertainment on the night before MM and then do WOC on our MM night. We plan on doing afternoon breaks every day.

I think it's easier to do Fireworks then the 2nd Fantasmic show than to do the 1st Fantasmic and Fireworks, just because of the way the crowd works. Don't worry though, any plan will work out great! Note that even short kids can see Fantasmic well from most any spot, and can definitely see fireworks, despite the feeling you might get reading tips here that you need a perfect viewing spot for both shows, or that adults are mean and won't let kids stand in front of them. Neither is true in my experience.

We have never waited more than 5 minutes before either show, and we have always had a great view.

With the plan to do the 1st Fantasmic show, then fireworks (so you get to go back to the hotel earlier!), we have had better luck swimming through the crowds by heading toward the exit, and stopping just before leaving Main St. to watch the fireworks from there. Most people will rush from Fantasmic trying to shove in as close to the castle as possible.
With 10- and 6-year-olds, you probably don't have a stroller, so that will really help you get across to the other show, no matter which show you do first.

 

[Viva Las Disney]

If you choose to see the first fantasmic just remember that it's roughly 25 minutes long and most nights F! starts at 9 and the fireworks start at 9:25. You either have to watch from the F! seating area which means you'll miss some affects (lower fireworks, castle lighting, and tink or dumbo flyover) or if you choose to walk over you'll most likely miss the beginning of the fireworks. Neither is a deal breaker but you do miss out a little bit on the overall experience.

I've done the fireworks / 2nd F! show twice and both times I walked directly over from the fireworks (with the massive crowd) and been able to sit in the roped off area near the middle. Both times I ended up in the back of the seated section but since everyone is seated the view is still great.

 

[Disney Dreams]

If you really want to see fireworks, do NOT leave them to your last night. Fireworks can (and do) get canceled at Disneyland due to wind. Even if you don't think it's windy, it could be too windy at the air level that matters to the fire dept for fireworks to happen. I would give ourself at least two chances if this is something that is important to you.

- Dreams

 

[conniehar90]

Thanks for the great suggestions here. I wasn't sure if we could do both in one night but it sounds like it won't be an issue!

 

[jacobsmommy]

I think we have come up with the following plan: WOC on our first night because we will be the most fresh and will have gotten a great night of sleep the night before our first park day. Fantasmic with some of the fireworks on our second night. The kids really want to see the Tinkerbell/Dumbo part, so if we miss the beginning by traveling to a spot, no big deal. Third night-will probably be tired after MM, so no plans. How does this sound?