Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt I just read this LA Times review of the new fireworks show at DL and it describes a rather all encompassing show that draws your attention in every direction on Main Street and Hub. <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.latimes.com/travel/themeparks/la-trb-disneyland-forever-fireworks-review-20150522-story.html#page=1">http://www.latimes.com/travel/...l#page=1</a> I also found out that the Fantasmic mist screens are utilized during the show on the Rivers of America. I'm now officially confused about where to stand and watch fireworks. Add the big crowds to this and I'm seeing lots of potential for frustration when I visit in a few weeks. Are there any LPers who have been to DL recently willing to share their experience and strategies for where to view the parade and get the best views of the DL Forever show? Thanks in advance!
Originally Posted By Princessjenn5795 I second that request for tips & tricks...I will be there one week from today and would like to see it from somewhere good.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance Hans, Disneygeek watched from the Fantasmic area recently. Here are his thoughts... " As Fantasmic was ending they took down the ropes as usual and other guest started to crowd in a bit for the fireworks. Not many maybe another row or two but it became tighter. Disneyland Forever from here was good. You had a great view of the fireworks and the Fantasmic water screens run the entire show showing similar footage to what you see on Main Street. Also they fire off some shells from the Fantasmic points which adds to the show. I was really surprised they only had snow machines on the light towers... so that fell a little flat during Let it Go. If you did not know what you were missing on Main Street this was a very solid alternative experience. It was a step up from the average fireworks show. Unfortunately you do not get the immersion effect and miss out on some rather well done effects. I think for repeat viewing and to get a different perspective it works but if you want to really experience the show out of the two locations I have tried so far Main Street is head and shoulders above Fantasmic." I'd probably try to get a spot on Main Street for your first time. The nice thing is anywhere along Main St seems to work fine, you don't have to have a great view of the lower portions of the castle anymore which I am really happy about.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance I have to say, I'm so excited you're both going to DLR soon. I can't WAIT to hear how you liked everything! And see pictures!
Originally Posted By Princessjenn5795 I can't wait to see the new stuff! I will post pictures on Facebook.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt I was thinking that for the first time viewing I'll be watching from Main Street. I'm only there for two nights so the ROA viewing will have to wait until another time because I have to see the new WOC show too!
Originally Posted By Yookeroo Was there last night. I don't have any real good tricks (yet), but... Parade was packed. I was alone and pretty tall, so I usually can show up last minute and get a reasonable view from the back. Not quite that easy. They do a 2nd parade at 11. I suspect that one is far less crowded. After the first parade, they try to guide the fireworks spectators into the street. It's not a particularly smooth transition. But if you're in a small group, it shouldn't be too difficult to find a spot in the rear of one of the roped off sections. It's not like people can save their spots for hours ahead of time. If you have kids or are short, this is probably not ideal. I really don't have much that can help you. :-/ Seems to be the best spot for the fireworks would be about mid Main Street. You do want a reasonable view of the castle, but being among the Main Street buildings makes it very immersive. Quite cool actually. Haven't seem it at the Fantasmic stage, but I can't imagine there's anyway the mist screen projections can compare to being surrounded my the animation. Now, it's possible last night was more crowded than a typical summer crowd. It was the last day the cheapie passes could go before being blocked for the summer. And, apparently, the previous 2 nights the fireworks were cancelled due to wind. Wish I could be more helpful.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt Oh this helps!just hearing that being inside Main Street for the is good information. Were you able to see the fire on the Matterhorn from where you were standing?
Originally Posted By FerretAfros >>After the first parade, they try to guide the fireworks spectators into the street. It's not a particularly smooth transition.<< I'm hoping that this is the sort of thing that gets smoothed out as the summer goes on. To date, they've only had about 15 chances to test out the crowd control measures with real guests, so I assume there will be some adjustments made as they learn what works best
Originally Posted By Yookeroo True. But I suspect there's only so much they can do. It wasn't awful, there's just a lot of people to move from the sidewalks to the street. Another option I thought of this morning. You might want to check out the viewing are at the train station. I almost watched from there. Wasn't crazy crowded about 45 minutes before the parade, and you will get a nice long view it. Might be decent viewing of the fireworks too. Looking all the way down the street to the castle. Ideally, you probably want to be ab it closer to the castle and it won't be as immersive as being done on Main Street, but it's something to consider.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt Hmm... when we were kids the Main Street Depot's elevated platform and stairs were our most coveted spot to watch the MSEP. The best part about watching from the platform was the view to the Castle and, if you got there in time, you could grab a bemch to sit on. At some point the benches were removed or rearranged. I wonder if the benches have been moved back.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros A few years ago they had some benches at the train station that they used for reserved fireworks seating for guided tour groups. I'm not sure what the current setup is, especially now that they also have the parade to consider
Originally Posted By Yookeroo It looked like the central viewing area had a reserved seating for some group. It's possible that I'm misremembering the time (I did have a Diamond Manhattan or two ;-). Maybe I was there earlier than I remember and it got real crowded after I left the area. Or maybe it's been so long that people have forgotten what a great view of the parade you get. "Were you able to see the fire on the Matterhorn from where you were standing?" Missed this originally. No, couldn't see the Matterhorn from where I was.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub R U planning to be there for the Bday party? I'm expecting to hear reports of largest attendance records EVER! Hope you are staying on property. Resort guests entered security with no problem. Harbor Hotel guests were in long lines waiting to enter security / turnstiles. We didn't have any strategy actually gave up bench in front of castle early morn. Just did not want to camp out all day But it became obvious the campers took over all curbside along Main Street very early. We decided to grab a bench around 4 to watch the flag ceremony. The benches are strategically lined up against the curb in front of train station. No feet allowed on curb due to size and dimensions of these floats. Learn the direction of parade . We thought we would follow the end of parade down Main Street to be in front of castle but the parade ended by Lincoln Theatre. ... We made it to traditional Xmas tree location and felt the crush. Of people pushing. Only time I have ever been worried in a Disney crowd but everybody settled as soon as the Disneyland Forever began. In retrospect I would recommend standing on Main Street between Jolly Holiday and Carnation Cafe. The train station was too far away and too crowded to see Castle and Matterhorn projections. Don't forget to get WoC fast passes. You will probably be able to see the later showing. You will want to see everything twice at least,,, Good luck Have fun Stay safe.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub And food lines sucked even popcorn cause everybody wanted to buy new popcorn souvenir buckets. No line for the fresh fruit cart on Main Street . Ha ha Don't let the long line for Starbucks fool you. They are pretty good at moving their product. And it is a long line . But you will need a caffeine fix early morn and mid afternoon! It was so much fun And another Disney Day of Dazzle and spectacle never to be forgotten and forever to remember .
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub And buy the Paint the Night paintbrushes cause they are a lot of fun to " Paint the Night"
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "R U planning to be there for the Bday party?" I'll be as far away as possible from DLR on July 17. Sounds like the best spot to see the parade, catch the fireworks, see MS projections and other effects is to be at the end of MS but not all the way to the Hub.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt I just found out that there's also a video mapping show at Small World during DL Forever! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ve_aHlUuZ2E I'm going to have to extend my trip!
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ve_aHlUuZ2E">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...aHlUuZ2E</a>
