Trying to understand evening shows

[snowwhite84]

We have three day park hoppers, and hope to see as many of the nighttime shows/parades as possible. Going in October and hope to go to Oogie Boogie, so one night will be taken up with that. As such, we’ll have two nights for World of Color, MSEP, Fantasmic and fireworks, and I have a few questions.

Am I correct that Fantasmic, fireworks, and MSEP are at DL, while World of Color is at DCA?

And can anyone suggest some typical times these shows usually go on? I know it’s all speculation right now, just trying to have a working knowledge of what I might reasonably be able to do in one night.

I’m a WDW vet and DL newbie trying to make sense of it all!

 

[starlite_]

Can't help with exact hrs but I know I've done nighttime parade, Fireworks and Fantasmic all in a day. Normally there are 2 Fantasmic shows, one before the fireworks and one after with the last one ending almost at park close (maybe 11pm?). Parades are usually between 5pm and 8pm,sun needs to be set fully. Fireworks around 9-10 I think.

Disclaimer: I've only ever gone on days the park closes at 12am

 

[snowwhite84]

Can't help with exact hrs but I know I've done nighttime parade, Fireworks and Fantasmic all in a day. Normally there are 2 Fantasmic shows, one before the fireworks and one after with the last one ending almost at park close (maybe 11pm?). Parades are usually between 5pm and 8pm,sun needs to be set fully. Fireworks around 9-10 I think.

Disclaimer: I've only ever gone on days the park closes at 12am

Thanks for the info!

 

[Steven G]

There's been a few times where we watch Fantasmic, and if you stay seated/standing in the area, you can see the fireworks right afterwards (10-15 minutes). True, you don't get the best possible view, but they still pipe in the music in that area, so it's definitely a good way to go (assuming they still schedule things that way, when everything is reopened.

Also, again depending on schedule, it's possible to see the fireworks after WOC in the esplanade. This is not the best, but at least you can see them. It all depends on when each show starts of course.

 

[Cal-Pie]

It's important to note that fireworks and F! typically only run on weekends in Oct. Fri, Sat, and Sun nights.

 

[ajsamett]

I'm also a wdw vet planning for DL! Along with logistics of seeing all 3 DL ones in one day, I keep seeing things about Virtual Queues and dining packages.

Do these shows reach capacity? How is that determined? Is it feasible to do all 3 in 2 days?

What about dining packages? I never cared for the dessert parties/dining packages because it never seemed worth it for wdw (you can get an ok view at 30mins before fireworks). I'm planning on doing plaza inn just because my friend loves that kind of food, so we might as well do the package. But for fantasmic, does that hit capacity too?

Additionally, I'm planning on July Sunday-Monday. Are any of these shows not done on Mondays?

 

[CodeGoddess]

One other thing is MSEP left at the end of September last year. Not sure if that will happen again or not.

 

[chezcurrie]

Ditto what others have said - in the past you can watch Fantasmic and stay seated/standing and see the fireworks from there. Remember there are other viewing areas for fireworks like by Small World and in Galaxy’s Edge as well. Unlike WDW you do not *need* to be in the hub to see them.

MSEP likely will not be around in October as it is a “limited time” so I personally would prioritize Fantasmic and WOC for October. Hopefully the OBB specific WOC will be back this year as well!

@ajsamett - personally, no I do not think it is feasible to see all three in one day. Crowds alone make it difficult to move from one location to another. You can do Fantasmic and fireworks as mentioned. Highly recommend the dining package for Fantasmic, and we will have to see how WOC goes in terms of the virtual queue and availability.

 

[pharmama]

I'm also a wdw vet planning for DL! Along with logistics of seeing all 3 DL ones in one day, I keep seeing things about Virtual Queues and dining packages.

Do these shows reach capacity? How is that determined? Is it feasible to do all 3 in 2 days?

What about dining packages? I never cared for the dessert parties/dining packages because it never seemed worth it for wdw (you can get an ok view at 30mins before fireworks). I'm planning on doing plaza inn just because my friend loves that kind of food, so we might as well do the package. But for fantasmic, does that hit capacity too?

Additionally, I'm planning on July Sunday-Monday. Are any of these shows not done on Mondays?

Yes, F! hits viewing capacity (determined by there simply isn't anywhere else to stand that isn't an active walkway they will shoo you out of). In case you are not aware F! at DL takes place on the Rivers of America and doesn't have a dedicated viewing area like WDW. The viewing area is the walkways around the RoA- so where you parked your stroller in the morning while riding POTC could be where you are watching F! from that night. Pre-COVID, the vast majority of the good F! viewing area was allocated to the various dining packages. They did have some Fastpass viewing sections off to either side of the dining package sections as well as behind them, though viewing from back there can be suboptimal due to trees and layout. Walkup viewing (no Fastpass or dining package) was VERY limited and not in great locations. I assume it will be similar with the return, though now the FP sections will be Virtual Queue like WOC.

For WOC, the VQ viewing sections are much better, though prime middle sections were, in the past, reserved for dining packages. Still- the non dining package viewing areas are totally fine, though if you have small children you will want to get to the area early to reserve spots at the front of the terraced section you're aiming for. Everyone stands for this show so those behind the front are at a disadvantage. This goes for both dining package and VQ sections. The Dessert Party for WOC, though, is a whole other level as it is the ONLY option for viewing WOC from a seat and the viewing is the prime section. I love the WOC Dessert Party and highly recommend it (not necessarily for the dessert plate or the drinks but the experience, viewing etc. is great if you want to splurge).

As alluded to above, you definitely cannot get a very good castle fireworks viewing spot 30min ahead of time at DL-especially if there is also a night parade with lots of people already staked out. There are other places you can watch fireworks mentioned above that are a bit easier but it also depends a bit on the fireworks show how important the castle is for the full experience. Some shows have significant pyro shot from the castle itself where others (like Mickey's Mix Magic) everything is shot from back behind Toontown with just projections on the castle. I do love watching fireworks from Galaxy's Edge over the Millennium Falcon but to be clear- you can see the fireworks in the sky there but the show is not piped in or anything like it is at IASW or on the Rivers of America.

As far as scheduling, WOC is generally every night. Things get dicier for F! and fireworks as it depends on when you are going. If you are going in summer or over the holidays then there will be nightly fireworks and usually nightly F! (and the parade, if that's still happening). But during other times fireworks (and F!) are only on weekends.

 

[ajsamett]

This was VERY through, thanks!

I think we could only justify the msep and f! Packages because they're cheaper. We're going to SDCC after this and need some money left over .

If we got both MSEP first showing Plaza inn, and f! to go, could we watch the fireworks at least in passing? I think that'll be easier than trying to do it the same day at WOC as it's the other park

For viewing in general, no kids just short adults! So I'll probably just have to watch some on my tip toes

 

[FeistyDisneyMom]

Doing first showing MSEP and first showing F! is quite a logistical challenge. MSEP 1st showing starts at 8:45 from iasw, and the viewing section for the package is across from the RR at the entrance. F! first showing is at 9pm.. I don't think you can make that. Now if you do 1st showing MSEP and there is a 2nd showing of F!, you will be in much better shape! Or if you do first showing F!, watch fireworks in place afterwards, and catch 2nd showing MSEP (no need for a package), you will be fine as well.

I hope that makes sense

 

[pharmama]

Hopefully someone who has been recently will chime in but I think you will be fine to watch first MSEP, then fireworks followed by second F! if that's what you're planning. Especially if you have dining package viewing for F! (and second F! is generally a little easier anyway). The only rough part might be seeing how far you might be able to work your way up Main Street (since parade viewing is at the train station end, farthest from the castle) for fireworks after the parade. In the past (I have not been since nighttime entertainment returned a few weeks ago), you could usually get a decent fireworks view not too far ahead of time on the left side of the hub as the castle is partly obscured by trees (though not too bad) and it is off the parade route. Added bonus that you will be near the Frontierland entrance which will be your quick route over to the F! viewing area too. So probably just comes down to how much you can wade through the crowds after MSEP.

 

[ajsamett]

Doing first showing MSEP and first showing F! is quite a logistical challenge. MSEP 1st showing starts at 8:45 from iasw, and the viewing section for the package is across from the RR at the entrance. F! first showing is at 9pm.. I don't think you can make that. Now if you do 1st showing MSEP and there is a 2nd showing of F!, you will be in much better shape! Or if you do first showing F!, watch fireworks in place afterwards, and catch 2nd showing MSEP (no need for a package), you will be fine as well.

I hope that makes sense

Yes thanks! Is the second showing of msep not crowded? Not doing the msep package works for me! F! First and msep second made more sense from what I understand about the fireworks, but the msep package seemed to only do viewing spots for the first one so I figured it had to be the other way around.

 

[FeistyDisneyMom]

Yes thanks! Is the second showing of msep not crowded? Not doing the msep package works for me! F! First and msep second made more sense from what I understand about the fireworks, but the msep package seemed to only do viewing spots for the first one so I figured it had to be the other way around.

The park usually starts to empty after fireworks, and so far even with the early demand of the parade just returning, the 2nd showing sounds like there is easy walk-up viewing.

Honestly I'd say skip the MSEP package entirely, focus on the F! package for first showing and plan on watching fireworks in place. You miss some of the stuff that is only at the hub, but if the choice is watching from Rivers of America or trying to squeeze it in while walking between things, I'd definitely go with watching in place after F!

 

[Malcon10t]

Typically, parade is 830 and 1030, Fantasmic is 9p and 1045p, Fireworks are 930p all in DL. WOC is in DCA and generally 9 and 1015 I think.

 

[chezcurrie]

Honestly I'd say skip the MSEP package entirely, focus on the F! package for first showing and plan on watching fireworks in place. You miss some of the stuff that is only at the hub, but if the choice is watching from Rivers of America or trying to squeeze it in while walking between things, I'd definitely go with watching in place after F!

Ditto this, and maybe us those savings to justify an upgrade to the Blue Bayou package for F! Also, while you miss the full projection experience on the castle, pre-covid for Mickey’s Mix they did project on the water fans used for F! - so it was a unique experience right there!

As a frequent WDW I actually prefer watching fireworks elsewhere than the castle at DL. FWIW

EDIT: Not to say I don’t love our castle, it just isnt as “wow” for me as the projections on Main Street or Small World.

 

[chezcurrie]

Yes thanks! Is the second showing of msep not crowded? Not doing the msep package works for me! F! First and msep second made more sense from what I understand about the fireworks, but the msep package seemed to only do viewing spots for the first one so I figured it had to be the other way around.

That’s what we are seeing from early reports (second showing of MSEP not as crowded).

I misunderstood your question and thought you were asking about seeing all 3 meaning WOC, MSEP and F! In the same night. Doing F! then fireworks and second showing of MSEP should be totally doable, and at least you are going “with traffic” for those leaving the park to get a spot anywhere along the parade route vs trying to get back to Rivers of America from the train station!

 

[pharmama]

I agree that you will be better off planning for second MSEP and doing first F! with fireworks on the RoA if you aren't committed to the MSEP dining package. Way less stressful. Personally, I'm not the biggest fan of the parade dining packages and the viewing location anyway.

 

[ajsamett]

Honestly what was most appealing of the msep was the menu. My friend absolutely LOVES fried chicken and Mac and cheese and he's not as good at going dawn till dusk as I am, so I thought it would be a nice break.

 

[chezcurrie]

Honestly what was most appealing of the msep was the menu. My friend absolutely LOVES fried chicken and Mac and cheese and he's not as good at going dawn till dusk as I am, so I thought it would be a nice break.

Oh definitely still go to Plaza Inn - awesome fried chicken, but for a fraction of the cost of the dining package! From reviews I’ve been seeing the Mac&cheese from the dining package isn’t anything to write home about. Now the Bacon Mac&CHeese over at Cozy Cone in DCA … well my 12 year old still talks about it (and Flo’s V8 has awesome friend chicken as well). Also heard good things about River Belle’s pimento mac&cheese. Guess I know what I’m making for dinner tonight… Nom nom.