Xmas Parade/Fireworks Question

[dawnrose]

Can anyone offer some advice on where to be for the best view of the parade and fireworks? We are planning on seeing them on Wed, Dec. 3rd, as it's likely the least crowded night of the four we will be there. Where should we stand and how early before the shows should we arrive? Appreciate any advice.

 

[Krissy Marissy]

I dont have a whole lot of advice as we never took the time to watch the parade in the evening....and only watched it christmas morning. I also only watched the fireworks from IASW and it was amazing. That thing all lit up and then the fireworks behind it and the snow afterwards was so magical.

 

[Disneylvrforever]

I love watching the fireworks from MS. Many fireworks are framed around the castle, so it makes a pretty picture when watching it from there.
As for the parade, I'd watch it from anywhere, but I somehow always end up back on MS.

 

[Disney Dreams]

The fireworks are extra special from Main Street because there are projections on the Castle as well as special lighting and such that you don't get if you view them from elsewhere.

I also like the parade from Main Street, but it is also great coming through Fantasyland.

- Dreams

 

[dawnrose]

Should we just stay put after the parade, as the fireworks are only an hour later? I guess just park ourselves on Main St. for the evening...maybe have corn dogs and popcorn or something...do some pin trading with the kids, some of us keep holding a spot...

 

[Jennifer in WA]

We have one of those special passes for "reserved priority seating" for the parade. It says that we go to the train station for it. Is that a good place to sit, or should we just get our own seat? We've usually watched it near IASW. Don't know what quite to do with these passes.

 

[disney-inspired]

Can anyone offer some advice on where to be for the best view of the parade and fireworks? We are planning on seeing them on Wed, Dec. 3rd, as it's likely the least crowded night of the four we will be there. Where should we stand and how early before the shows should we arrive? Appreciate any advice.

My sister and I will be there the same day. I can't wait!

 

[TheAXIOM]

I would definitely consider taking some time to finding some seats on Main Street. Whenever I watch them I'm by the Rivers of America, but that's because my group and I always decide to watch the last showing of Fantasmic and immediately thereafter the fireworks start, with little time to run over to MS.

We DID, however, last year, get the chance to see the Holiday fireworks from MS, and boy was it magical! Especially at the end, when it starts SNOWING on Main Street! . When I looked around, there were kids running around trying to grab the "snowflakes", and couples of all ages were snuggling together and there was all this magic and love in the air I almost cried

DEFINITELY try and get some MS seats, especially for this time of the year!

 

[Disney Dreams]

Should we just stay put after the parade, as the fireworks are only an hour later? I guess just park ourselves on Main St. for the evening...maybe have corn dogs and popcorn or something...do some pin trading with the kids, some of us keep holding a spot...

We watch the parade from about half way up Main Street. Then, after the parade, we hang back for a bit while everyone goes their various ways. Then, we move up Main Street to a little bit before the Hub. We can see the castle, the fireworks, and have the Walt and Mickey statue in view all the while.

- Dreams

 

[Disneyluvr2]

Whatever you do, don't just limit your fireworks to one night, especially don't save it for the last night of your trip! There is ALWAYS that possibility that they could be canceled due to high winds, then you would be so sad that you missed the show. I always try watching the fireworks from the the very first night so you always have a 2nd or 3rd chance to see them if they're canceled on the first night.

 

[pjhorton21]

I would suggest the right side of Main St. (facing the castle). The larger firework shells are launched to the left of the castle, so you can see those a little better. Also, most of the time the wind in the evening is from the west, and you have a little better chance of getting "snowed" on. There is also a rumor that new lighting effects on the new tree and garlands over Main St. are involved in the fireworks show, so being on Main St. would allow you to see that (I guess we won't really know about that one until Nov. 20).

Be warned that Santa Ana winds are common in Nov & Dec and can cancel the fireworks, so I wouldn't necessarily pick one night to watch them. The first chance you get might be your last to see them, so be careful. When our family goes I always check the flag on top of the Main St. buildings. Although the fireworks can be canceled even if those flags are still (due to winds at upper levels), if the flags are blowing towards the entrance, there's a good chance the fireworks will be canceled.

Have a great time!

 

[blue donkey]

We have one of those special passes for "reserved priority seating" for the parade. It says that we go to the train station for it. Is that a good place to sit, or should we just get our own seat? We've usually watched it near IASW. Don't know what quite to do with these passes.

The train station seats are just fine if you don't mind watching from a distance. However if you've never seen the parade or want to watch up close & personal, then I'd recommend staking out your own seats.

Or better yet, watch it once from main street & then if you want to watch it again on another night, watch it from the train station. The good thing about the train station is that you can play while others are staking out their seats the hour or so beforehand & still be able to sit while viewing the parade.

 

[bumbershoot]

Is the massive xmas tree going to impact the view from the train station?????


We really loved watching the fireworks from IASW last year, though you don't get to see everything. We've also seen them from near the entrance to Adventureland, and that was good but the trees blocked us (even scrawny winter no leaves trees) a bit. This time we're going to work a little bit harder to find someplace better.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

I think the tree will impact your view of the castle, but it may not affect the fireworks view much. However, the impact of the fireworks framed over the castle may be lost.

And the advice about not saving the fireworks for the last night is right on the money because they can and do get canceled. You don't want to miss them.

 

[Vala]

And the advice about not saving the fireworks for the last night is right on the money because they can and do get canceled. You don't want to miss them.

That's exactly what happened to us. We kept putting off staying for the fireworks because we had preferred seating for Fantasmic the last day of our trip and kept telling ourselves we would see them then. And you guess it: they got cancelled. We saw most of it from DTD one night, but I would have loved trying the Main Street view at least once.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

One thing that I think needs to be understood about watching either of the current fireworks shows at Disneyland(RDCT and Believe in Holiday Magic): If you watch the show from outside of the park and cannot hear the audio, then you're almost not really seeing these shows period. You're watching just another generic fireworks show.

I've seen some of the largest 4th of July fireworks in the U.S. from the stadium where the show was and they do not compare or come close to seeing Disneyland's two fireworks shows from inside the park.