Would anyone recommend this?

[NorCalPrincess]

What do you think about doing ELP, Fireworks and Fantasmic all in one night? There will be 5 of us, 2 adults and 3 teens. We will be staying several days but I would rather spend more time at the parks during the week if we can. We like the slower pace of mid week.My DH and DS's have never seen Fantasmic. One DS and I saw part of Fireworks last year before it was cancelled due to high winds. We will either be staying Sat-Wed or Sun-Thurs.
Any thoughts?

 

[spaceace510]

I have actually done this (well the fireworks were not intentional... they just happened to be there lol) the only problem that I found was that the time between the parade and the fireworks was very little to none depending on where you were standing. If you want to be in the DL or even in the plaza between the parks, be at the starting point of the parade, and once the last float has passed high tail it out of there. We stood in front of Golden Dreams, and on our way out, they started going off, we stood and watched a few times at Grizzle River Run and again at Sorin'. Then we saw the rest in the plaza. Then we went into MK and saw Fantasmic. And when we got to Fantasmic, the area was already ready crowded, but luckily we did find a good spot. It can be done, but it is a rush. I would do it again

 

[Sleepless Knight]

It's really easy to do the fireworks and Fantasmic in the same night. Throwing the ELP in there makes it really tricky. I know many here have pulled it off, but when I tried, I saw glimpses of the fireworks while standing in line trying to get into Disneyland(and the fireworks were cancelled the next night due to weather). I recommend splitting them up. Do the ELP one night and the fireworks/Fantasmic another night. RDCT is not just a bunch of fireworks being shot off into the sky, but rather an attempt to depict some of Disney's most beloved attractions in fireworks. You need to be on Main Street or in the hub to properly experience them.

 

[bumbershoot]

Sleepless Knight, assuming a late showing of Fantasmic (there are two showings in busier times, yes?) what about ELP and then that later show?

Leaving the fireworks to be seen alone on another night?

Of course you could *see* the fireworks as you're working your way to Fantasmic seating, and that might help make up for it if the fireworks are canceled when you set out time to see them (or you could set out to see the fireworks first).


Getting from the Electrical Parade to the fireworks is fairly simple, and there was a recent post by MaryJo that even gave a helpful map on where to watch from in DCA and then how to get out to the esplanade as fast as possible. BUT you're probably not going to be in a good spot for the fireworks. Definitely do NOT stand behind a tree, grr at myself for situating us sooooo poorly.

 

[DangerMouse]

Here's a link to my Ultimate Entertainment Trifecta post from a whie ago:

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=22784289&postcount=8

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

We easily did the ELP and then hopped over for fireworks and got a great place to watch them, close up on Main St. Now we could have from there went over to see the second showing of Fantasmic. But because we had been up super early to catch our flight there, we were too tired! But yes, it can be done! A little hectic, but we also felt it was nice getting them both done early in the trip.

 

[NorCalPrincess]

Thanks for all the info everyone!

Thanks for the link Dangermouse. That was exactly what I was looking for!

Now I have another question. Can this be accomplished in early May? Will there be a second showing of Fantasmic then? Does the DEP run all year every weekend? I am leaning toward two weekend nights, the problem is that my DH is not a big crowd person (the kind that happens on weekend nights) he does Disneyland because he loves me and I LOVE Disneyland. I could get him into the park one weekend night but probably not the next (he would probably stay back at the hotel with remote in had). Last time I went with him we took my mother and she and I hit DL at night together.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

Sleepless Knight, assuming a late showing of Fantasmic (there are two showings in busier times, yes?) what about ELP and then that later show?

Assuming the 10:30 Fantasmic is happening, you can easily do ELP and the late Fantasmic. The trick is doing ELP and then the fireworks. In my opinion, if you've never seen Remember Dreams Come True, you need to experience it in the hub. They do a lot of effects from the hub that add immensely to the show.

Just this past weekend, I did both RDCT and the 10:30 Fantasmic quite easily complete with 30 minutes of waiting for Fantasmic to start on a crowded Saturday. Granted I was in the hub for RDCT.

The time I attempted to ELP and fireworks, I thought to watch from near the entrance to DCA. I wound up on Main Street just as the Christmas snow started to fall because of everyone trying to get over to Disneyland.

I think the crowds should be "light" enough in May to accomplish this. I'd try Friday because the crowds should be a little bit lighter than Saturday.