May 2, 2024 • 32 mins
Unlock the magic of Disneyland's Nighttime Spectaculars with your ParkMagic Podcast host, Robyn, and Leo from Always Thriving to guide you through the enchanting world of fireworks and projection shows. Prepare to be dazzled as we reveal the prime viewing spots that offer not only the best sights but also strategic advantages for beating the crowds. Our discussion illuminates the ideal times to snag these spots, the intricacies of seasonal schedules, and how to pivot your plans should there be weather cancellations. We delve into the heart-tugging beauty of favorites like Wondrous Journey and share the insider scoop on how to ensure your Disneyland adventure sparkles with the full brilliance of these unforgettable nighttime experiences.
Then, as the sky darkens and the stars come out, we share our own anecdotes of witnessing the awe-inspiring Fantasmic, complete with its legendary dragon, Murphy, from unique vantage points across the park. We explore the luxurious side of Disneyland's evening offerings, including dessert parties and tiered seating, so you can indulge in comfort while soaking in the magic. We provide tips on claiming the perfect parade spot and how to expertly navigate virtual queues for shows like World of Color.
Whether you're a seasoned park-goer or planning your very first visit, this episode is your all-access pass to mastering the art of Disneyland's fireworks, nighttime entertainment, and parades.
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Right now, our tools are just for Disneyland, but we hope to expand to other parks soon. Disney changes policies, prices, and shows often. Be sure to visit our website at Parkmagic.com or Disneyland's Website for more information.
Park Magic is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by Walt Disney World, Disneyland, or Disney Enterprises, Inc. Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and Mickey Mouse are all registered trademarks of Disney Enterprises, Inc. Any use of third-party names or trademarks is for identification purposes only and does not imply, nor is it intended to imply, any affiliation with, endorsement from, or business relationship with any third party, including with Walt Disney World, Disneyland, or Disney Enterprises, Inc.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
Welcome to the Park Magic Podcast, your place for
insider tips for your nextDisneyland adventure.
Whether you're a first-timer orfirst-time-in-a-while visitor,
we're here to unwrap the secretsto creating and simplifying
your dream Disneyland vacation.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
Welcome to the podcast.
Today we're talking aboutsomething that is just
spectacular, because it'sliterally some of the nighttime
spectaculars.
Disney is known for fireworksand they have these amazing
shows that are world class.
Like you might be spoiled like4th of July might not be the
same if you watch Disneyfireworks or Disney nighttime
shows too often but there's alot of information and there's a
(00:54):
lot of things that Disney kindof expects people to know.
That isn't always common senseor common knowledge, and so
today I have Leo from AlwaysThriving.
He's going to be on to sharewith us today and we're going to
be talking specifically aboutthe nighttime spectaculars where
to sit.
You know how early do you needto get there a little bit about
each of the shows and what parkthey're in, so that you can feel
(01:16):
like you know what's going onbefore you get to the park and
you don't miss a thing.
So, leo, thanks so much forcoming back on the show.
Speaker 3 (01:23):
Thank you so much for having me.
I'm so excited.
I'm already in queue, I'm inline waiting for the fireworks
and I'm ready.
Oh man, I love it.
Speaker 2 (01:31):
You know Disney fireworks because people think,
oh, that's fireworks and they'llbe like, oh, can I see them
outside of the park?
And yeah, you can times it tothe music and like, develops the
story around.
It is just something that's notmatched anywhere else.
I've never seen any matchedanywhere else?
Speaker 3 (01:50):
No, exactly.
There's music.
How grand they are, how long itis, and you think it's done and
it keeps going and you'recrying and you're excited.
So it's amazing.
Disney is over the top of theirfireworks and that's why we
love it.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
And it's amazing.
Disney is over the top withtheir fireworks and that's why
we love it.
And it's not just fireworks.
There are also theseprojections that happen in
multiple places.
We're going to talk about thedifferent places where those
projections are.
But first off, I think weshould talk about when do you
need to get there for fireworks?
So fireworks happen 9 and 30,pretty much all the time, but
they're not available everynight.
So you want to look at theDisney Entertainment
(02:27):
entertainment schedule for thedays that you're going.
But in general, if your kidsare out of school and it's a
busy time of year Christmas,halloween time, thanksgiving
they're going to be every night.
Other than that, it's going tobe Friday through Sunday and if
there's a three day weekend, itwill be on the Monday as well.
So just know that fireworks arenot available all of the time
and the flavor of the showchanges, I don't know, do you?
(02:48):
I have my friend, selena lovesthe Christmas one.
I really love the WondrousJourney that's happened recently
.
What's your favorite version ofthe fireworks?
Speaker 3 (03:00):
Wondrous Journey is amazing.
I love that one.
I love the song, I love all theprojections and everything.
I think that's probably one ofmy favorite ones that I see
because I haven't been there toomuch during the holiday time.
But I love that one so much andI cry every time.
Speaker 2 (03:20):
It's so.
It's just there's so muchemotion and they weave all these
different characters anddifferent stories and different
songs.
So you know, for your kids,they're seeing the fireworks,
they're seeing the projectionsof characters they love, but
you're also hearing some ofthese songs that you grew up
(03:40):
with listening to as a child andit kind of brings all of this
nostalgia together, and so Ithink that's one of the things
that I love about fireworks.
But have you ever been in thecrowd where the announcement
goes off and the whole crowdgoes?
Speaker 3 (03:52):
Yes, sometimes.
So, depending on the trip, wefor sure are going to watch
fireworks or we're going towatch one of these shows.
And then just recently we wentand we heard that announcement
that they weren't going tohappen and we were ready to go.
And you, just recently we wentand we heard that announcement
that they weren't going tohappen and we were ready to go.
And you just hear everyone,just you just feel the sadness
and you just hear the sadness,but they still put on a good
(04:13):
show regardless.
Speaker 2 (04:14):
Yeah, because they'll still do the projections then,
but there just won't be anyfireworks.
I had somebody who was like Idon't understand why they cancel
them so often and I had toremind them that there's houses
like less than a mile away themso often.
And I had to remind them thatthere's houses like less than a
mile away and Santa Ana windsare a thing, because you know
that's where they are and soanytime there's any wind, even
if you don't feel it on theground, if there's wind where
(04:35):
the fireworks are, they launch alittle balloon and if that
balloon goes too far, yourfireworks are done, and if it's
raining, those fireworks aregoing to be canceled.
They will usually wait till thelast possible minute to cancel
because they'll try to see ifthe weather will improve.
But I mean, I kind of tellpeople that if you fireworks are
(04:55):
really important with for you,then to try to schedule at least
two days when fireworks aregoing to be showing, and even
then you're not guaranteed,because sometimes they do get
canceled two nights in a row.
But at least you have a kind ofa better chance.
Speaker 3 (05:08):
No, yeah, exactly, cause it is a safety thing,
Cause, like you said, there ishouses super close and Disney
does want to put on thefireworks.
But they have to be safe, theyhave to think of everyone and
even if you think that it'sperfect weather for the
fireworks, something can changelast minute and it cancels.
So if you have multiple daysready set up to go, then you
(05:29):
should be able to at least seeit once, whichever one you're
wanting to see which is kind ofI, kind of.
Speaker 2 (05:34):
I know we talked about when to arrive, but I
thought it might be good for usto talk about that they get
canceled because you know thereare people that are hardcore.
I mean like they're out thereridiculously, the sun has not
even set and they are holdingtheir spots for fireworks.
I'm like, haven't you had yourmorning coffee?
Like it's like crazy.
It can be like like I thinkI've seen them like as soon as
(05:56):
the second parade's over, likeat six o'clock yeah, they're
there with their blankets.
Speaker 3 (05:59):
They're right there by the castle where they can sit
and they're ready to go andthey're professional, so they
have their snacks and they'rejust ready to sit it out for
that firework show.
Speaker 2 (06:09):
And I mean like I've never gone up and asked, but my
assumption is those are annualpass holders or those are Disney
creators that need that frontrow seat.
And the reason they want thatfront row seat is because the
projections on the castle areamazing, but because of the way
that their trees are in thatarea right in front of the
castle, there's only a few areaswhere you can actually see the
(06:33):
bottom part of the castle duringfireworks, but I do not think
that you need to be there thatearly.
I think there's other places tosit where you can get an
amazing view.
I don't know if you disagree.
Speaker 3 (06:46):
No, yeah, being up close in front is obviously
amazing.
There is a couple of good spots, but how Disney does it on the
castle, with the projections onthe side of the buildings and
the fireworks, you have toreally be obstructed to have a
bad view, and you'll be able tostill experience it and enjoy it
.
Speaker 2 (07:02):
And just plan that somebody is going to put their
kids on their shoulders in frontof you.
So kind of keep that in mindand even if you're kind of
further back you can still.
As long as you can see part ofthe castle, you'll still see the
projections and if you're muchfurther back down on Main Street
you'll see they do theprojections on the Main Street
buildings as well.
I try to get to our spotanywhere from like 45 minutes to
(07:27):
30 minutes early.
What is that?
What time do you normally tryto get there?
Speaker 3 (07:32):
That sounds about right.
I'll usually get a snack andthen make sure we grab a snack
or two, whatever we need, andthen, around 30 to 45 minutes
before it's going to start,we're ready, set in our spot,
whether we're on a curb or at abench, we're by somewhere, we're
ready to go, we're not movingbecause we want that good spot.
Speaker 2 (07:54):
We did a recording with my friend George and we did
like the bougiest day atDisneyland, like a VIP tour.
If you have a VIP tour, that'sthe only.
There's only two ways you cansit and watch the fireworks,
really.
And then if you have a VIP touror you're a Club 33 member,
then you can get access to thesebougie folding chairs where you
(08:14):
can sit and watch.
But everybody else is going tohave to stand and that doesn't
sound that bad at eight in themorning.
But at 930, when you've beenstanding all day, standing for
the fireworks can be a littlebit bigger of an ask, but
they'll let you sit until alittle bit closer to I think
it's usually like 15, 20 minutesbefore they make everybody
(08:34):
stand up so we can all squish inand they can fill all available
spaces they like to say.
Speaker 3 (08:41):
Yes, and they do fill that space.
Yes, every square inch space asthey like to say.
Yes, and they do fill thatspace.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
So, yes, every square inch.
So I mean I think that the, thearea in front of the castle and
the area kind of in front likethat and like that, in that area
down main street, that's wherepeople I think that fills up the
earliest.
So if you want to, if you'rereally committed to, then you're
going to probably want to getthere much earlier, maybe like
closer to 90 minutes early.
(09:08):
You know, if you want the primocastle seat, you got to get
there really early, but for mostpeople just visiting once,
that's not realistic.
There are other places whereyou do not need to be there as
early and you can still get anamazing view.
So which one do you want totalk about first?
Speaker 3 (09:24):
Can we talk about my favorite one in Galaxy's Edge?
Speaker 2 (09:27):
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 3 (09:29):
No, so obviously in front of the castle is amazing
and exciting and magical, but ifyou are in Galaxy's Edge, right
where the Falcon is, that wholearea, and then up where there's
outdoor seating right there ontop next to the Antiquity Shop,
right there in Galaxy's Edge,it's so amazing because you have
the backdrop of the mountain,the falcon, and you see all of
(09:50):
those amazing fireworks coming,and then now, with season of the
fourth, they're going to addmusic to it, so it's just going
to be this whole production andI love seeing the fireworks
there.
I stumbled upon that on one ofour last trips when Galaxy's
Edge first opened and it wasamazing, and now I always want
to go there for the fireworks.
Speaker 2 (10:08):
And Galaxy's Edge and Cars Land are two lands that I
think, if you only saw them inthe day, you should come back
and see them at night, becausethey are really beautiful at
night.
Galaxy's Edge is another greatplace and it's not as popular
because they don't have theprojections and it's a little
bit further out.
That's a great place, smallWorld.
They do the projections.
And it's a little bit furtherout.
That's a great place, smallworld.
They do the projections.
Now if you're from Disney World, you're like how is that
(10:29):
possible?
Our small world is much coolerthan yours, no offense.
And so we've got this beautifulwhite canvas that they do the
same projections that they do atthe castle.
They do that at small world andyou, you want, you can.
If you want to see theprojections, you probably do
still need to get there,probably like 45 minutes early,
but as long as you can see thatfacade of Small World, you'll be
(10:51):
able to see the projections.
The only thing is that theprojections will be to your
right and the fireworks will behappening to your left, so you
might have to swivel a littlebit.
So still a great place to see.
Less competitive, to swivel alittle bit, so still a great
place to see less competitive.
It does take longer to exit fromthat area because they won't
let anybody go into Toontown fora while after that and then so
(11:15):
everybody's got to turn around.
So the better the seat you have, the more you're going to have
to wait a little bit for thecrowds to clear out for you to
be able to exit that area.
If somebody's going in thesummer and they are you to be
able to exit that area, ifsomebody's going in the summer
and they are going to be able tosee fireworks every night, I
love trying to catch like justtiming a ride so that I can ride
the ride while fireworks aregoing off.
(11:36):
I don't have you ever done thatbefore.
Speaker 3 (11:39):
Yes, we've done that with Big Thunder.
We try to catch it with BigThunder because that one's so
much fun, because it's so prettyalready with all the mountains,
and then you're going and thenthe fireworks are going off and
you're screaming and you'regoing fast and then there's
fireworks and it's a wildadventure, but it's so beautiful
and it's so much fun.
If you can catch it, at leastfor Big Thunder, there's other
ones too.
Speaker 2 (11:58):
So if you want to do that then you kind of have to
have a lightning lane kind of atthat time period.
Matterhorn Autopia also works,just so you know they close down
Fantasyland during thefireworks so you can't do Dumbo
or you know there are rare timeswhere they cancel and uncancel,
but for the most part you'renot going to be able to be in
any of the Fantasyland areas.
(12:18):
Matterhorn does usually run,but Storybook Canal I didn't
know this until I went to rideit when the fireworks were
happening and they stop the boatand let you sit and watch that
from the boat, which I thoughtwas pretty cool, but it's.
You know there's a little bitof a wild card to that because
you don't, because they don'tstop the boat until the
(12:39):
fireworks.
So you're just going on yourtour and then when the
announcement happens that'swhere they stop the boat.
So you don't know where in thecanal you're going to stop or if
you're going to.
You know be shut like.
You know, like if they're goingto finish before you, before
the fireworks actually start.
So it's a little harder.
To time.
We have a map of where to seefireworks, some of our favorite
(13:03):
places.
We're going to make sure wepost a link to that in on our
website from the show notes andthen fireworks happen.
At Disneyland there's anothershow called Fantasmic, and it is
Fantasmic it really is.
It's so great, and if you'regoing anytime like around the
like the end of May, it will beshowing, but it will be chaotic
(13:26):
because us Disney adults havebeen missing this show, because
there was this really cooldragon and he was kind of
nicknamed Murphy and sheaccidentally died unalived
herself.
She caught herself on fire soand they only had one of her.
So, um, it's been closed forover a year now, right?
(13:49):
yeah, it has but there's usuallytwo showings, are there?
So one before fireworks andafter one after fireworks.
Do you like the first show orthe second show?
Speaker 3 (13:58):
it really depends on our day.
Um, the second one, I feel,isn't as packed-ish, so that's
always a good option to go ifyou want to see Phantasmic,
because then you can go rightfrom the fireworks to Phantasmic
.
But then also everyone's goingfrom fireworks to Phantasmic, so
it can get kind of crazy.
But I like the second oneusually.
Speaker 2 (14:19):
I like the second one too because, like the castle,
people will camp out reallyearly for their seats.
Again, these are probablyannual pass holders and so it
can be difficult to get a goodspot.
So I like the second showbecause you know people are
clearing out from that firstshow and you have a chance to
kind of swoop in.
But you do have to like movefast and swoop in to get your
(14:42):
spot.
But I think that it's reallygreat.
How would you describe?
I feel like we should describeFantasmic.
Speaker 3 (14:48):
Should we act out Fantasmic?
Speaker 2 (14:56):
It's a very catchy song.
It's a very catchy song.
Speaker 3 (14:58):
It's Sorcerer Mickey and all the characters and
they're on the Mark Twain andthey're singing and music and
lights and there was a dragon.
Hopefully we'll get somethingagain soon, but it's just this
humongous like it's this hugeproduction on the water and it's
so amazing to see.
Speaker 2 (15:19):
So many characters.
You won't see any other showthat has so many characters.
You know, from princesses toWinnie the Pooh All of the
princesses come by on barges.
So it's a really great show itcan be.
So I didn't take my kids tothat when it was little because
of the dragon there, you know,and Chernabog, which, if you're,
is kind of a big dark figure.
(15:42):
So there are some like scarierelements to it.
But you can see there's amillion versions of Fantasmic
online so if you have thatconcern you can watch it ahead
of time.
It is a loud show, just likeall of the fireworks are.
So if you have a child withsensory issues, highly recommend
, you know, ear protection.
Even if they don't have sensoryissues, you might still want to
(16:04):
bring ear protection,especially if they're little,
because they are pretty loud.
Speaker 3 (16:08):
Yes, Loud and magical , so it's exciting.
Speaker 2 (16:11):
Yes, magically loud.
Speaker 3 (16:13):
Magically loud yes.
Speaker 2 (16:14):
If you can make phantasmic work, I think it is
100% worth like taking the timeout of your day to see.
It is really, really fun.
I mean, it's got a lot of wowfactor and you kind of combine
that with the fireworks, it's areally great way to end the day.
Before we move to World ofColor, which is in California
(16:34):
Adventure.
I just want to give you thispiece of advice especially if
you are going to Uber home, backto a hotel, do not leave right
after the fireworks.
Get a drink ride, another ride,just sit there.
Don't leave that very moment.
Everybody leaves right afterthe fireworks and the trams and
the buses and Uber, especiallythe Uber pickup line, gets
(16:57):
insane.
So you won't.
It's kind of like leaving atrush hour.
Speaker 3 (17:02):
Yeah, if you take nothing else from this episode,
please do not exit right afterthese big shows because everyone
is leaving and it is notchaotic.
I mean, it is chaotic in asense, but there's so many
people moving and it's uber,like you said, is busy.
The trams are busy, everyone'strying to leave and it's better
(17:23):
if you just stay, relax, likeyou said.
Ride another ride, ride anothertwo rides, because then also
two wait times drop down becauseall these people are leaving
the park.
Speaker 2 (17:31):
So take a breather if you have to go and then, once
you see the crowds kind of dimdown, then you can go and it's
stressful to leave with that bigrush of people, especially if
you have little ones whereyou're worried about getting
separated because people aretired and cranky.
A lot of the camaraderie andfriendliness that you might have
experienced at rope drop kindof disappears after that show.
So definitely, you know, wait,uh, even if it's just sitting on
(17:55):
a bench enjoying the park for acouple minutes, that would be a
recommendation.
So should we talk about worldof Color, which I love?
The World of Color one thatthey've been doing.
I just love it.
I think it's great storytelling.
So if you've ever been to likethe Bellagio Fountains, you see
all of these fountains, butimagine all these projections on
(18:16):
top of it.
That tells this really amazingstory and it weaves everything
together and it is, I don't know.
I really love this version ofit.
Speaker 3 (18:26):
I love World of Color so much and I'm already
emotional thinking about it.
It's so beautiful with theproductions and the story and
the characters and this is amust if you're visiting
Disneyland California Adventureto see it, because it is really
beautiful.
You get to see so many of thecharacters you love the music,
the songs and then just how theydo it.
Speaker 2 (18:45):
It's amazing and there's fire, so it's an
exciting time there's a and and,by the way, if you are outside
of the park and you look up andit's about 9 20 and you looks
like a, an alien just scorchedthe sky, don't worry, no aliens,
that's just something thathappens after world of color,
this big smoke ring.
It's really kind of thathappens after world of color,
(19:05):
this big smoke ring.
It's really kind of coollooking because they just have
this big pyrotechnic blast withthe world of color.
You do have a littlepyrotechnics, you have some fire
, you have a very, a couple likejust really small fireworks,
but like nothing, nothing that Iwould qualify as like a
firework show, but you're gonnasee everybody, from like
avengers to Star Wars, toprincesses, to Lion King you
(19:27):
know a lot of Pixar characters.
It's it's really great.
Speaker 3 (19:31):
It's.
It's one of my favorite ones.
Every time me and Brie go,we'll be recording it for for
ourselves and we're recording itand then we just look at each
other and we just see tearsbecause it's so exciting and
it's so moving and it's just somuch fun and it's a good way to
end the day and enjoy thisamazing show and I find so.
Speaker 2 (19:50):
There's two shows.
During busy season sometimesthere's only one show, but if
there's two shows, one thingthat's confusing is the park
will close at 10 and then theshow.
Last show will be at 10 15,that's not a mistake.
They close uh access to all ofthe other rides, they shut down
all the restaurants and thenthey start world at that last
showing of world of color.
So you get some extra time inthe park by staying for that
(20:14):
last show and then the seatingfor world of color or the
standing for world of color uhis a lot less chaotic because
you sign up for your spotearlier in the day.
Did you want to explain how thevirtual queue works?
Speaker 3 (20:30):
Yeah, so in the Disneyland app usually around
noon, I believe, is when you'reable to get in a queue for World
of Color.
So it's usually by colors thatyou get, and so you would sign
in.
You'll be in the Disneyland appand would go to World of Color
and then it tells you to jointhe virtual queue and then it
would give you a spot forviewing designated with that
(20:52):
color, and so when the timecomes, you would go to that
section for World of Color toview it.
Speaker 2 (20:57):
Step one set an alarm for, like I usually set an
alarm for 1150 and then one for1158.
Set an alarm for 1150 and thenone for 1158 because there are
some rides that like likesoaring over California or
soaring over the world,depending when you're visiting.
There's no self-service inthere, so it kind of reminds me
to be ready to book it.
And then, um, you know, for themost it's not.
It doesn't usually sell out inin minutes, but better to try to
(21:20):
get there the very first ones.
There are no bad um colors.
You just you're just going toget your color, um, and it will
assign you to the show based offof.
So you don't get to pick theshow, it just kind of assigns
you to that um and then, um,when you go to get to your spot,
like 30 minutes early, a lot ofpeople try to, you know, focus
(21:40):
on being in the very frontsection, and for me I am
actually more interested inbeing up there's like.
It's like kind of like anamphitheater where there's
tiered seating, so I kind ofactually like being some of the
ones that are a little furtherbehind, but like next to the
rail, so nobody's like has theirkid in front of me, but I don't
know.
Do you like to be in the frontor in the splash zone?
Speaker 3 (22:02):
we're usually recording as much as we can, so
if we can get by a rail, that'susually the best, because
there's no one directly in frontof you and there's usually some
space between you and the nextsection, so you're able to see
everything.
And if you want to takepictures or record anything, you
have a good spot to see it andit's so large and grand that
you'll be able to see everythingclearly.
Speaker 2 (22:23):
I mean, it's huge.
So yeah, so like that.
First that lower tier sidewalkdown at the bottom that area,
you will get wet.
So you know, if it's a coldnight you might want to bring a
poncho or something along thoselines.
If it's a summer night, youmight not care.
The ones that are slightlybehind it.
If you have a choice of being,you know, like three or four
(22:45):
deep on the bottom area or atthe railing on the second or
third tier, I would pick therailing.
There are some people thatyou'll be seeing sitting eating
desserts living their bestDisney life.
You guys did that once, didn'tyou?
Speaker 3 (23:04):
Yes, we've done the dessert party and it is nice.
You get an actual seat, youhave a small table, you get
desserts, you get your littlecoffee, hot chocolate or soft
drink, whichever you're pickingand you have a great spot to
view the show and have snacks,and there's not a lot of people
in the area.
So it's a good little add-on ifyou want to add that to your
(23:26):
trip.
Speaker 2 (23:29):
World of Color does not get canceled very often.
If there's heavy rain theymight cancel it, or if there's
something where there might be alot of lightning or something
along those lines where youmight see it canceled.
But it's pretty rare for aWorld of Color to be canceled.
It's pretty rare for a world ofcolor to be canceled, so it is
a little.
If you're looking for which oneis the sure bet, then I think
(23:49):
world of color is the sure bet.
If you forget to sign up forthe virtual queue, you can.
There are other places you canstand to see it, around Pixar
Pier.
You know there's a bridge,there's the area in front of
Little Mermaid.
But the best seats are if youcan get that virtual queue.
So you're not out of luck.
Even if you're not sure if yourkids are going to make it to
(24:10):
World of Color, I recommendgetting in the virtual queue,
holding your spot, and you canalways just if there's extra
available space they'll letpeople in.
Speaker 3 (24:18):
I agree.
Speaker 2 (24:21):
Those are the night time, so the three nighttime
spectaculars are the Fire timethose.
So the three night timespectaculars are the fireworks
phantasmic, both in disneylandand world of color, which is in
california adventure.
And then the other big thingthat you know a lot of people
plan their trip around are theparades.
Speaker 3 (24:35):
If you haven't seen a disney parade, you haven't seen
a parade they are so amazingand so exciting and so magical
and fun and you get to see somany characters that maybe you
don't usually see or maybe youdidn't get to see when you were
there, so and they're so able tointeract with you.
Speaker 2 (24:49):
So it's it's an amazing thing to be able to see
one of the parades and atDisneyland there's two parade
showings and the thing to doabout the parades is the first
one usually starts at SmallWorld and heads to Main Street,
and then the second one tends tostart at Main Street and end at
Small World.
The parade is about like 20minutes long, but it takes about
(25:10):
like 30 minutes for it totravel all the way down.
So if you're at one end of theparade route or another, know
that even if it says it'sstarting at 3.30, the parade
might not get to you till 4.50or 4.45 or something along those
lines.
So just to set your littleone's expectations around that,
(25:31):
where are your favorite spots tosee the parade?
Speaker 3 (25:34):
If we can be on a curb somewhere, if we can find a
bench, that's amazing.
If we can slip in right at theend behind some people, you
could still see it because youjust have to look up and you see
the parade.
But probably those would besome of our best spots.
Speaker 2 (25:50):
I think those are.
So with, unlike fireworks, youknow, the viewing doesn't really
change that much down.
You know you can kind of think,okay, if the parade's coming
this way and you can just checkwith a cast member where is the
parade starting from, you knowlike which way will the floats
be coming?
Um, as you know, they, theyhead down the road, says make
sure you get a good view, butpretty much anywhere along that
(26:13):
front row, um, where the curb is, then that's going to be the
best option.
And then if you um, they don'tmake people stand for the parade
.
So if you've got a familysitting on the curb, the next
best spot would be standingright behind those lovely folks.
Um, the the night.
(26:34):
The best part about gettingthere early to get on a curb is
that, especially if you havelittle ones, like we were, I was
just there with my friend andher three-year-old and you know
Pluto came over and like gaveher a big kiss and like give her
, you know, like the wave to you, and so you get this kind of
interaction, especially ifthey're like dressed up as that
(26:54):
character is looking to be agreat place for like a really
magical encounter.
It will be short, it will beseconds, not minutes, but it's
still really really wonderful.
Speaker 3 (27:04):
No, yeah, we had our nieces with us a few trips back
and we weren't able to see Tianain anywhere that day in the
parks, but on the parade she'son the float with Prince Naveen
and she came down and then shewaved to them and it made their
whole trip.
They were so excited and theywere so happy that Princess
Tiana waved to them.
So it's such an exciting thingto see the parade, especially
(27:25):
the reactions of the little ones.
Even the adults love it.
I cry every time, but it's soexciting and I love them so much
and you know.
Speaker 2 (27:33):
so you have kind of these dancers that dance in
between each float, and each ofthe floats are spectacular and
so you know it might be likeprincesses on one and then like
Coco characters on the other.
So you know it will bedifferent, these kind of
different vignettes in thefloats, with dancers in between
and some characters walk, somecharacters are on the float.
(27:54):
One thing to know if you're notplanning to go to the parade is
it makes it very difficult atDisneyland to cross from
Tomorrowland over to the otherside of the park.
So if you're not planning onbeing a part of the parade or
you've already seen it for theday, then keep an eye out for
the parade because you're goingto have to kind of there's only
a couple places where you cancross and it's like jetting
(28:21):
through in between floats that,yeah, with cast members telling
you not, don't jet through thebarricades.
You have to wait until the castmember tells you it's safe to
go, please do not get run overby pluto yeah, no, don't, don't
be parade roadkill.
That's never fun for anyone no,no, it takes a while to clean up
.
And then there's a new paradethat's coming and sometimes they
(28:43):
have the little short paradesthat happen at California
Adventure.
But it used to be that therewere awesome parades at
California Adventure in thebefore times.
Since COVID it's been kind oflike more like what they call
cavalcades, where they're justcharacters walking're just
characters walking, or one ortwo little tiny floats.
But they've got a new paradecoming for Pixar Fest.
Do you want to talk about that,because I feel like you've been
(29:05):
digging into that one a littlebit more.
Speaker 3 (29:07):
Yeah, I'm so excited for the new Pixar parade at
Disney California Adventurebecause they're having
characters that they haven't hadbefore on parades Adventure.
Because they're havingcharacters that they haven't had
before on parades.
So from Turning Red they haveFour Town with Melee.
Luca is on a float.
Obviously, Toy Story and themare a part of it, but it's just
going to be so exciting to seeall these characters that
(29:28):
haven't been on floats or thatwe haven't seen too much in the
parks have their whole momentthis whole summer with Pixar
Fest.
Speaker 2 (29:34):
And by the time you know I would say probably 24
hours after the first paradehappens there will be full video
for you to watch everywhere.
So if you follow any Disneyaccounts, you follow us at Park
Magic Tools.
We'll probably post it to ourstories.
I don't think we're planning onbeing there that day because
it'll be crazy, but there willbe lots of people sharing kind
(29:58):
of the floats.
But you can't go wrong with aDisney parade.
Some of my fondest memories as achild are sitting on the curb,
like eating my Mickey ice creamor my frozen banana and, you
know, just waiting, and likeit's a great time to get
everybody to sit down for acouple minutes.
(30:18):
You can have a snack.
Now that our kids are older,what we'll do is we'll get food
like at, you know, jolly Holiday, or, if the corn dogs at the
Red Wagon are amazing, inCalifornia Adventure Award
Wieners, you can get hamburgersor hot dogs there, hamburgers
and smoke jumpers and you canjust kind of eat those while
you're waiting for the parade tocome your direction.
(30:41):
So, and then there's so manyother shows.
We could do a whole other showabout the other shows, like
Disney Dance Junior.
We'll probably have to do thatin a separate show because we're
already kind of running alittle long, but there's, the
shows at Disneyland are worththe time that it.
We'll probably have to do thatin a separate show because we're
already kind of running alittle long, but the shows at
Disneyland are worth the timethat it takes out of your day
(31:02):
and it is a great way to kind ofsee a lot of characters all at
once.
If characters are important,any other like final thing, tips
you want to give for peopledoing the parades or the
nighttime spectaculars?
Speaker 3 (31:15):
If you are wanting to go to Disneyland, Disney
California Adventure, and you'relooking for that Disney magic,
those moments that you alwayshear about, go see a parade, go
see the fireworks show.
You're going to feel that,you're going to see that and
it's going to be a memory thatyour family is going to live
with forever.
So go as many times as you canand try to see it, and you'll
(31:36):
love each and every one of them.
Speaker 2 (31:37):
We hope that this was helpful in helping you kind of
plan out your day at Disneyland.
Keep listening to our podcast.
You can also follow us onsocial media at park magic
underscore tools and we hope youhave a magical day.
Bye.
Speaker 1 (31:52):
Thanks for listening to this episode of the park
magic podcast.
For more tips and planningtools designed to help simplify
your Disneyland adventure, visitparkmagiccom.
If you enjoyed today's episodeand want to hear more tips, be
sure to subscribe to the ParkMagic Podcast, and don't forget
to leave us a review.
Your feedback helps us spreadthe magic even further.
Leaving a review could alsohelp you.
(32:13):
Each month, we will beselecting one reviewer to win a
one-hour planning session withRobin.
Winners will be announced atthe end of the first episode of
every month.
Thanks for tuning in andremember that we are here to
help you have a less stressfuland more magical trip to
Disneyland.
Welcome to the Park Magic Podcast, your place for
insider tips for your nextDisneyland adventure.
Whether you're a first-timer orfirst-time-in-a-while visitor,
we're here to unwrap the secretsto creating and simplifying
your dream Disneyland vacation.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
Welcome to the podcast.
Today we're talking aboutsomething that is just
spectacular, because it'sliterally some of the nighttime
spectaculars.
Disney is known for fireworksand they have these amazing
shows that are world class.
Like you might be spoiled like4th of July might not be the
same if you watch Disneyfireworks or Disney nighttime
shows too often but there's alot of information and there's a
(00:54):
lot of things that Disney kindof expects people to know.
That isn't always common senseor common knowledge, and so
today I have Leo from AlwaysThriving.
He's going to be on to sharewith us today and we're going to
be talking specifically aboutthe nighttime spectaculars where
to sit.
You know how early do you needto get there a little bit about
each of the shows and what parkthey're in, so that you can feel
(01:16):
like you know what's going onbefore you get to the park and
you don't miss a thing.
So, leo, thanks so much forcoming back on the show.
Speaker 3 (01:23):
Thank you so much for having me.
I'm so excited.
I'm already in queue, I'm inline waiting for the fireworks
and I'm ready.
Oh man, I love it.
Speaker 2 (01:31):
You know Disney fireworks because people think,
oh, that's fireworks and they'llbe like, oh, can I see them
outside of the park?
And yeah, you can times it tothe music and like, develops the
story around.
It is just something that's notmatched anywhere else.
I've never seen any matchedanywhere else?
Speaker 3 (01:50):
No, exactly.
There's music.
How grand they are, how long itis, and you think it's done and
it keeps going and you'recrying and you're excited.
So it's amazing.
Disney is over the top of theirfireworks and that's why we
love it.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
And it's amazing.
Disney is over the top withtheir fireworks and that's why
we love it.
And it's not just fireworks.
There are also theseprojections that happen in
multiple places.
We're going to talk about thedifferent places where those
projections are.
But first off, I think weshould talk about when do you
need to get there for fireworks?
So fireworks happen 9 and 30,pretty much all the time, but
they're not available everynight.
So you want to look at theDisney Entertainment
(02:27):
entertainment schedule for thedays that you're going.
But in general, if your kidsare out of school and it's a
busy time of year Christmas,halloween time, thanksgiving
they're going to be every night.
Other than that, it's going tobe Friday through Sunday and if
there's a three day weekend, itwill be on the Monday as well.
So just know that fireworks arenot available all of the time
and the flavor of the showchanges, I don't know, do you?
(02:48):
I have my friend, selena lovesthe Christmas one.
I really love the WondrousJourney that's happened recently
.
What's your favorite version ofthe fireworks?
Speaker 3 (03:00):
Wondrous Journey is amazing.
I love that one.
I love the song, I love all theprojections and everything.
I think that's probably one ofmy favorite ones that I see
because I haven't been there toomuch during the holiday time.
But I love that one so much andI cry every time.
Speaker 2 (03:20):
It's so.
It's just there's so muchemotion and they weave all these
different characters anddifferent stories and different
songs.
So you know, for your kids,they're seeing the fireworks,
they're seeing the projectionsof characters they love, but
you're also hearing some ofthese songs that you grew up
(03:40):
with listening to as a child andit kind of brings all of this
nostalgia together, and so Ithink that's one of the things
that I love about fireworks.
But have you ever been in thecrowd where the announcement
goes off and the whole crowdgoes?
Speaker 3 (03:52):
Yes, sometimes.
So, depending on the trip, wefor sure are going to watch
fireworks or we're going towatch one of these shows.
And then just recently we wentand we heard that announcement
that they weren't going tohappen and we were ready to go.
And you, just recently we wentand we heard that announcement
that they weren't going tohappen and we were ready to go.
And you just hear everyone,just you just feel the sadness
and you just hear the sadness,but they still put on a good
(04:13):
show regardless.
Speaker 2 (04:14):
Yeah, because they'll still do the projections then,
but there just won't be anyfireworks.
I had somebody who was like Idon't understand why they cancel
them so often and I had toremind them that there's houses
like less than a mile away themso often.
And I had to remind them thatthere's houses like less than a
mile away and Santa Ana windsare a thing, because you know
that's where they are and soanytime there's any wind, even
if you don't feel it on theground, if there's wind where
(04:35):
the fireworks are, they launch alittle balloon and if that
balloon goes too far, yourfireworks are done, and if it's
raining, those fireworks aregoing to be canceled.
They will usually wait till thelast possible minute to cancel
because they'll try to see ifthe weather will improve.
But I mean, I kind of tellpeople that if you fireworks are
(04:55):
really important with for you,then to try to schedule at least
two days when fireworks aregoing to be showing, and even
then you're not guaranteed,because sometimes they do get
canceled two nights in a row.
But at least you have a kind ofa better chance.
Speaker 3 (05:08):
No, yeah, exactly, cause it is a safety thing,
Cause, like you said, there ishouses super close and Disney
does want to put on thefireworks.
But they have to be safe, theyhave to think of everyone and
even if you think that it'sperfect weather for the
fireworks, something can changelast minute and it cancels.
So if you have multiple daysready set up to go, then you
(05:29):
should be able to at least seeit once, whichever one you're
wanting to see which is kind ofI, kind of.
Speaker 2 (05:34):
I know we talked about when to arrive, but I
thought it might be good for usto talk about that they get
canceled because you know thereare people that are hardcore.
I mean like they're out thereridiculously, the sun has not
even set and they are holdingtheir spots for fireworks.
I'm like, haven't you had yourmorning coffee?
Like it's like crazy.
It can be like like I thinkI've seen them like as soon as
(05:56):
the second parade's over, likeat six o'clock yeah, they're
there with their blankets.
Speaker 3 (05:59):
They're right there by the castle where they can sit
and they're ready to go andthey're professional, so they
have their snacks and they'rejust ready to sit it out for
that firework show.
Speaker 2 (06:09):
And I mean like I've never gone up and asked, but my
assumption is those are annualpass holders or those are Disney
creators that need that frontrow seat.
And the reason they want thatfront row seat is because the
projections on the castle areamazing, but because of the way
that their trees are in thatarea right in front of the
castle, there's only a few areaswhere you can actually see the
(06:33):
bottom part of the castle duringfireworks, but I do not think
that you need to be there thatearly.
I think there's other places tosit where you can get an
amazing view.
I don't know if you disagree.
Speaker 3 (06:46):
No, yeah, being up close in front is obviously
amazing.
There is a couple of good spots, but how Disney does it on the
castle, with the projections onthe side of the buildings and
the fireworks, you have toreally be obstructed to have a
bad view, and you'll be able tostill experience it and enjoy it
.
Speaker 2 (07:02):
And just plan that somebody is going to put their
kids on their shoulders in frontof you.
So kind of keep that in mindand even if you're kind of
further back you can still.
As long as you can see part ofthe castle, you'll still see the
projections and if you're muchfurther back down on Main Street
you'll see they do theprojections on the Main Street
buildings as well.
I try to get to our spotanywhere from like 45 minutes to
(07:27):
30 minutes early.
What is that?
What time do you normally tryto get there?
Speaker 3 (07:32):
That sounds about right.
I'll usually get a snack andthen make sure we grab a snack
or two, whatever we need, andthen, around 30 to 45 minutes
before it's going to start,we're ready, set in our spot,
whether we're on a curb or at abench, we're by somewhere, we're
ready to go, we're not movingbecause we want that good spot.
Speaker 2 (07:54):
We did a recording with my friend George and we did
like the bougiest day atDisneyland, like a VIP tour.
If you have a VIP tour, that'sthe only.
There's only two ways you cansit and watch the fireworks,
really.
And then if you have a VIP touror you're a Club 33 member,
then you can get access to thesebougie folding chairs where you
(08:14):
can sit and watch.
But everybody else is going tohave to stand and that doesn't
sound that bad at eight in themorning.
But at 930, when you've beenstanding all day, standing for
the fireworks can be a littlebit bigger of an ask, but
they'll let you sit until alittle bit closer to I think
it's usually like 15, 20 minutesbefore they make everybody
(08:34):
stand up so we can all squish inand they can fill all available
spaces they like to say.
Speaker 3 (08:41):
Yes, and they do fill that space.
Yes, every square inch space asthey like to say.
Yes, and they do fill thatspace.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
So, yes, every square inch.
So I mean I think that the, thearea in front of the castle and
the area kind of in front likethat and like that, in that area
down main street, that's wherepeople I think that fills up the
earliest.
So if you want to, if you'rereally committed to, then you're
going to probably want to getthere much earlier, maybe like
closer to 90 minutes early.
(09:08):
You know, if you want the primocastle seat, you got to get
there really early, but for mostpeople just visiting once,
that's not realistic.
There are other places whereyou do not need to be there as
early and you can still get anamazing view.
So which one do you want totalk about first?
Speaker 3 (09:24):
Can we talk about my favorite one in Galaxy's Edge?
Speaker 2 (09:27):
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 3 (09:29):
No, so obviously in front of the castle is amazing
and exciting and magical, but ifyou are in Galaxy's Edge, right
where the Falcon is, that wholearea, and then up where there's
outdoor seating right there ontop next to the Antiquity Shop,
right there in Galaxy's Edge,it's so amazing because you have
the backdrop of the mountain,the falcon, and you see all of
(09:50):
those amazing fireworks coming,and then now, with season of the
fourth, they're going to addmusic to it, so it's just going
to be this whole production andI love seeing the fireworks
there.
I stumbled upon that on one ofour last trips when Galaxy's
Edge first opened and it wasamazing, and now I always want
to go there for the fireworks.
Speaker 2 (10:08):
And Galaxy's Edge and Cars Land are two lands that I
think, if you only saw them inthe day, you should come back
and see them at night, becausethey are really beautiful at
night.
Galaxy's Edge is another greatplace and it's not as popular
because they don't have theprojections and it's a little
bit further out.
That's a great place, smallWorld.
They do the projections.
And it's a little bit furtherout.
That's a great place, smallworld.
They do the projections.
Now if you're from Disney World, you're like how is that
(10:29):
possible?
Our small world is much coolerthan yours, no offense.
And so we've got this beautifulwhite canvas that they do the
same projections that they do atthe castle.
They do that at small world andyou, you want, you can.
If you want to see theprojections, you probably do
still need to get there,probably like 45 minutes early,
but as long as you can see thatfacade of Small World, you'll be
(10:51):
able to see the projections.
The only thing is that theprojections will be to your
right and the fireworks will behappening to your left, so you
might have to swivel a littlebit.
So still a great place to see.
Less competitive, to swivel alittle bit, so still a great
place to see less competitive.
It does take longer to exit fromthat area because they won't
let anybody go into Toontown fora while after that and then so
(11:15):
everybody's got to turn around.
So the better the seat you have, the more you're going to have
to wait a little bit for thecrowds to clear out for you to
be able to exit that area.
If somebody's going in thesummer and they are you to be
able to exit that area, ifsomebody's going in the summer
and they are going to be able tosee fireworks every night, I
love trying to catch like justtiming a ride so that I can ride
the ride while fireworks aregoing off.
(11:36):
I don't have you ever done thatbefore.
Speaker 3 (11:39):
Yes, we've done that with Big Thunder.
We try to catch it with BigThunder because that one's so
much fun, because it's so prettyalready with all the mountains,
and then you're going and thenthe fireworks are going off and
you're screaming and you'regoing fast and then there's
fireworks and it's a wildadventure, but it's so beautiful
and it's so much fun.
If you can catch it, at leastfor Big Thunder, there's other
ones too.
Speaker 2 (11:58):
So if you want to do that then you kind of have to
have a lightning lane kind of atthat time period.
Matterhorn Autopia also works,just so you know they close down
Fantasyland during thefireworks so you can't do Dumbo
or you know there are rare timeswhere they cancel and uncancel,
but for the most part you'renot going to be able to be in
any of the Fantasyland areas.
(12:18):
Matterhorn does usually run,but Storybook Canal I didn't
know this until I went to rideit when the fireworks were
happening and they stop the boatand let you sit and watch that
from the boat, which I thoughtwas pretty cool, but it's.
You know there's a little bitof a wild card to that because
you don't, because they don'tstop the boat until the
(12:39):
fireworks.
So you're just going on yourtour and then when the
announcement happens that'swhere they stop the boat.
So you don't know where in thecanal you're going to stop or if
you're going to.
You know be shut like.
You know, like if they're goingto finish before you, before
the fireworks actually start.
So it's a little harder.
To time.
We have a map of where to seefireworks, some of our favorite
(13:03):
places.
We're going to make sure wepost a link to that in on our
website from the show notes andthen fireworks happen.
At Disneyland there's anothershow called Fantasmic, and it is
Fantasmic it really is.
It's so great, and if you'regoing anytime like around the
like the end of May, it will beshowing, but it will be chaotic
(13:26):
because us Disney adults havebeen missing this show, because
there was this really cooldragon and he was kind of
nicknamed Murphy and sheaccidentally died unalived
herself.
She caught herself on fire soand they only had one of her.
So, um, it's been closed forover a year now, right?
(13:49):
yeah, it has but there's usuallytwo showings, are there?
So one before fireworks andafter one after fireworks.
Do you like the first show orthe second show?
Speaker 3 (13:58):
it really depends on our day.
Um, the second one, I feel,isn't as packed-ish, so that's
always a good option to go ifyou want to see Phantasmic,
because then you can go rightfrom the fireworks to Phantasmic
.
But then also everyone's goingfrom fireworks to Phantasmic, so
it can get kind of crazy.
But I like the second oneusually.
Speaker 2 (14:19):
I like the second one too because, like the castle,
people will camp out reallyearly for their seats.
Again, these are probablyannual pass holders and so it
can be difficult to get a goodspot.
So I like the second showbecause you know people are
clearing out from that firstshow and you have a chance to
kind of swoop in.
But you do have to like movefast and swoop in to get your
(14:42):
spot.
But I think that it's reallygreat.
How would you describe?
I feel like we should describeFantasmic.
Speaker 3 (14:48):
Should we act out Fantasmic?
Speaker 2 (14:56):
It's a very catchy song.
It's a very catchy song.
Speaker 3 (14:58):
It's Sorcerer Mickey and all the characters and
they're on the Mark Twain andthey're singing and music and
lights and there was a dragon.
Hopefully we'll get somethingagain soon, but it's just this
humongous like it's this hugeproduction on the water and it's
so amazing to see.
Speaker 2 (15:19):
So many characters.
You won't see any other showthat has so many characters.
You know, from princesses toWinnie the Pooh All of the
princesses come by on barges.
So it's a really great show itcan be.
So I didn't take my kids tothat when it was little because
of the dragon there, you know,and Chernabog, which, if you're,
is kind of a big dark figure.
(15:42):
So there are some like scarierelements to it.
But you can see there's amillion versions of Fantasmic
online so if you have thatconcern you can watch it ahead
of time.
It is a loud show, just likeall of the fireworks are.
So if you have a child withsensory issues, highly recommend
, you know, ear protection.
Even if they don't have sensoryissues, you might still want to
(16:04):
bring ear protection,especially if they're little,
because they are pretty loud.
Speaker 3 (16:08):
Yes, Loud and magical , so it's exciting.
Speaker 2 (16:11):
Yes, magically loud.
Speaker 3 (16:13):
Magically loud yes.
Speaker 2 (16:14):
If you can make phantasmic work, I think it is
100% worth like taking the timeout of your day to see.
It is really, really fun.
I mean, it's got a lot of wowfactor and you kind of combine
that with the fireworks, it's areally great way to end the day.
Before we move to World ofColor, which is in California
(16:34):
Adventure.
I just want to give you thispiece of advice especially if
you are going to Uber home, backto a hotel, do not leave right
after the fireworks.
Get a drink ride, another ride,just sit there.
Don't leave that very moment.
Everybody leaves right afterthe fireworks and the trams and
the buses and Uber, especiallythe Uber pickup line, gets
(16:57):
insane.
So you won't.
It's kind of like leaving atrush hour.
Speaker 3 (17:02):
Yeah, if you take nothing else from this episode,
please do not exit right afterthese big shows because everyone
is leaving and it is notchaotic.
I mean, it is chaotic in asense, but there's so many
people moving and it's uber,like you said, is busy.
The trams are busy, everyone'strying to leave and it's better
(17:23):
if you just stay, relax, likeyou said.
Ride another ride, ride anothertwo rides, because then also
two wait times drop down becauseall these people are leaving
the park.
Speaker 2 (17:31):
So take a breather if you have to go and then, once
you see the crowds kind of dimdown, then you can go and it's
stressful to leave with that bigrush of people, especially if
you have little ones whereyou're worried about getting
separated because people aretired and cranky.
A lot of the camaraderie andfriendliness that you might have
experienced at rope drop kindof disappears after that show.
So definitely, you know, wait,uh, even if it's just sitting on
(17:55):
a bench enjoying the park for acouple minutes, that would be a
recommendation.
So should we talk about worldof Color, which I love?
The World of Color one thatthey've been doing.
I just love it.
I think it's great storytelling.
So if you've ever been to likethe Bellagio Fountains, you see
all of these fountains, butimagine all these projections on
(18:16):
top of it.
That tells this really amazingstory and it weaves everything
together and it is, I don't know.
I really love this version ofit.
Speaker 3 (18:26):
I love World of Color so much and I'm already
emotional thinking about it.
It's so beautiful with theproductions and the story and
the characters and this is amust if you're visiting
Disneyland California Adventureto see it, because it is really
beautiful.
You get to see so many of thecharacters you love the music,
the songs and then just how theydo it.
Speaker 2 (18:45):
It's amazing and there's fire, so it's an
exciting time there's a and and,by the way, if you are outside
of the park and you look up andit's about 9 20 and you looks
like a, an alien just scorchedthe sky, don't worry, no aliens,
that's just something thathappens after world of color,
this big smoke ring.
It's really kind of thathappens after world of color,
(19:05):
this big smoke ring.
It's really kind of coollooking because they just have
this big pyrotechnic blast withthe world of color.
You do have a littlepyrotechnics, you have some fire
, you have a very, a couple likejust really small fireworks,
but like nothing, nothing that Iwould qualify as like a
firework show, but you're gonnasee everybody, from like
avengers to Star Wars, toprincesses, to Lion King you
(19:27):
know a lot of Pixar characters.
It's it's really great.
Speaker 3 (19:31):
It's.
It's one of my favorite ones.
Every time me and Brie go,we'll be recording it for for
ourselves and we're recording itand then we just look at each
other and we just see tearsbecause it's so exciting and
it's so moving and it's just somuch fun and it's a good way to
end the day and enjoy thisamazing show and I find so.
Speaker 2 (19:50):
There's two shows.
During busy season sometimesthere's only one show, but if
there's two shows, one thingthat's confusing is the park
will close at 10 and then theshow.
Last show will be at 10 15,that's not a mistake.
They close uh access to all ofthe other rides, they shut down
all the restaurants and thenthey start world at that last
showing of world of color.
So you get some extra time inthe park by staying for that
(20:14):
last show and then the seatingfor world of color or the
standing for world of color uhis a lot less chaotic because
you sign up for your spotearlier in the day.
Did you want to explain how thevirtual queue works?
Speaker 3 (20:30):
Yeah, so in the Disneyland app usually around
noon, I believe, is when you'reable to get in a queue for World
of Color.
So it's usually by colors thatyou get, and so you would sign
in.
You'll be in the Disneyland appand would go to World of Color
and then it tells you to jointhe virtual queue and then it
would give you a spot forviewing designated with that
(20:52):
color, and so when the timecomes, you would go to that
section for World of Color toview it.
Speaker 2 (20:57):
Step one set an alarm for, like I usually set an
alarm for 1150 and then one for1158.
Set an alarm for 1150 and thenone for 1158 because there are
some rides that like likesoaring over California or
soaring over the world,depending when you're visiting.
There's no self-service inthere, so it kind of reminds me
to be ready to book it.
And then, um, you know, for themost it's not.
It doesn't usually sell out inin minutes, but better to try to
(21:20):
get there the very first ones.
There are no bad um colors.
You just you're just going toget your color, um, and it will
assign you to the show based offof.
So you don't get to pick theshow, it just kind of assigns
you to that um and then, um,when you go to get to your spot,
like 30 minutes early, a lot ofpeople try to, you know, focus
(21:40):
on being in the very frontsection, and for me I am
actually more interested inbeing up there's like.
It's like kind of like anamphitheater where there's
tiered seating, so I kind ofactually like being some of the
ones that are a little furtherbehind, but like next to the
rail, so nobody's like has theirkid in front of me, but I don't
know.
Do you like to be in the frontor in the splash zone?
Speaker 3 (22:02):
we're usually recording as much as we can, so
if we can get by a rail, that'susually the best, because
there's no one directly in frontof you and there's usually some
space between you and the nextsection, so you're able to see
everything.
And if you want to takepictures or record anything, you
have a good spot to see it andit's so large and grand that
you'll be able to see everythingclearly.
Speaker 2 (22:23):
I mean, it's huge.
So yeah, so like that.
First that lower tier sidewalkdown at the bottom that area,
you will get wet.
So you know, if it's a coldnight you might want to bring a
poncho or something along thoselines.
If it's a summer night, youmight not care.
The ones that are slightlybehind it.
If you have a choice of being,you know, like three or four
(22:45):
deep on the bottom area or atthe railing on the second or
third tier, I would pick therailing.
There are some people thatyou'll be seeing sitting eating
desserts living their bestDisney life.
You guys did that once, didn'tyou?
Speaker 3 (23:04):
Yes, we've done the dessert party and it is nice.
You get an actual seat, youhave a small table, you get
desserts, you get your littlecoffee, hot chocolate or soft
drink, whichever you're pickingand you have a great spot to
view the show and have snacks,and there's not a lot of people
in the area.
So it's a good little add-on ifyou want to add that to your
(23:26):
trip.
Speaker 2 (23:29):
World of Color does not get canceled very often.
If there's heavy rain theymight cancel it, or if there's
something where there might be alot of lightning or something
along those lines where youmight see it canceled.
But it's pretty rare for aWorld of Color to be canceled.
It's pretty rare for a world ofcolor to be canceled, so it is
a little.
If you're looking for which oneis the sure bet, then I think
(23:49):
world of color is the sure bet.
If you forget to sign up forthe virtual queue, you can.
There are other places you canstand to see it, around Pixar
Pier.
You know there's a bridge,there's the area in front of
Little Mermaid.
But the best seats are if youcan get that virtual queue.
So you're not out of luck.
Even if you're not sure if yourkids are going to make it to
(24:10):
World of Color, I recommendgetting in the virtual queue,
holding your spot, and you canalways just if there's extra
available space they'll letpeople in.
Speaker 3 (24:18):
I agree.
Speaker 2 (24:21):
Those are the night time, so the three nighttime
spectaculars are the Fire timethose.
So the three night timespectaculars are the fireworks
phantasmic, both in disneylandand world of color, which is in
california adventure.
And then the other big thingthat you know a lot of people
plan their trip around are theparades.
Speaker 3 (24:35):
If you haven't seen a disney parade, you haven't seen
a parade they are so amazingand so exciting and so magical
and fun and you get to see somany characters that maybe you
don't usually see or maybe youdidn't get to see when you were
there, so and they're so able tointeract with you.
Speaker 2 (24:49):
So it's it's an amazing thing to be able to see
one of the parades and atDisneyland there's two parade
showings and the thing to doabout the parades is the first
one usually starts at SmallWorld and heads to Main Street,
and then the second one tends tostart at Main Street and end at
Small World.
The parade is about like 20minutes long, but it takes about
(25:10):
like 30 minutes for it totravel all the way down.
So if you're at one end of theparade route or another, know
that even if it says it'sstarting at 3.30, the parade
might not get to you till 4.50or 4.45 or something along those
lines.
So just to set your littleone's expectations around that,
(25:31):
where are your favorite spots tosee the parade?
Speaker 3 (25:34):
If we can be on a curb somewhere, if we can find a
bench, that's amazing.
If we can slip in right at theend behind some people, you
could still see it because youjust have to look up and you see
the parade.
But probably those would besome of our best spots.
Speaker 2 (25:50):
I think those are.
So with, unlike fireworks, youknow, the viewing doesn't really
change that much down.
You know you can kind of think,okay, if the parade's coming
this way and you can just checkwith a cast member where is the
parade starting from, you knowlike which way will the floats
be coming?
Um, as you know, they, theyhead down the road, says make
sure you get a good view, butpretty much anywhere along that
(26:13):
front row, um, where the curb is, then that's going to be the
best option.
And then if you um, they don'tmake people stand for the parade
.
So if you've got a familysitting on the curb, the next
best spot would be standingright behind those lovely folks.
Um, the the night.
(26:34):
The best part about gettingthere early to get on a curb is
that, especially if you havelittle ones, like we were, I was
just there with my friend andher three-year-old and you know
Pluto came over and like gaveher a big kiss and like give her
, you know, like the wave to you, and so you get this kind of
interaction, especially ifthey're like dressed up as that
(26:54):
character is looking to be agreat place for like a really
magical encounter.
It will be short, it will beseconds, not minutes, but it's
still really really wonderful.
Speaker 3 (27:04):
No, yeah, we had our nieces with us a few trips back
and we weren't able to see Tianain anywhere that day in the
parks, but on the parade she'son the float with Prince Naveen
and she came down and then shewaved to them and it made their
whole trip.
They were so excited and theywere so happy that Princess
Tiana waved to them.
So it's such an exciting thingto see the parade, especially
(27:25):
the reactions of the little ones.
Even the adults love it.
I cry every time, but it's soexciting and I love them so much
and you know.
Speaker 2 (27:33):
so you have kind of these dancers that dance in
between each float, and each ofthe floats are spectacular and
so you know it might be likeprincesses on one and then like
Coco characters on the other.
So you know it will bedifferent, these kind of
different vignettes in thefloats, with dancers in between
and some characters walk, somecharacters are on the float.
(27:54):
One thing to know if you're notplanning to go to the parade is
it makes it very difficult atDisneyland to cross from
Tomorrowland over to the otherside of the park.
So if you're not planning onbeing a part of the parade or
you've already seen it for theday, then keep an eye out for
the parade because you're goingto have to kind of there's only
a couple places where you cancross and it's like jetting
(28:21):
through in between floats that,yeah, with cast members telling
you not, don't jet through thebarricades.
You have to wait until the castmember tells you it's safe to
go, please do not get run overby pluto yeah, no, don't, don't
be parade roadkill.
That's never fun for anyone no,no, it takes a while to clean up
.
And then there's a new paradethat's coming and sometimes they
(28:43):
have the little short paradesthat happen at California
Adventure.
But it used to be that therewere awesome parades at
California Adventure in thebefore times.
Since COVID it's been kind oflike more like what they call
cavalcades, where they're justcharacters walking're just
characters walking, or one ortwo little tiny floats.
But they've got a new paradecoming for Pixar Fest.
Do you want to talk about that,because I feel like you've been
(29:05):
digging into that one a littlebit more.
Speaker 3 (29:07):
Yeah, I'm so excited for the new Pixar parade at
Disney California Adventurebecause they're having
characters that they haven't hadbefore on parades Adventure.
Because they're havingcharacters that they haven't had
before on parades.
So from Turning Red they haveFour Town with Melee.
Luca is on a float.
Obviously, Toy Story and themare a part of it, but it's just
going to be so exciting to seeall these characters that
(29:28):
haven't been on floats or thatwe haven't seen too much in the
parks have their whole momentthis whole summer with Pixar
Fest.
Speaker 2 (29:34):
And by the time you know I would say probably 24
hours after the first paradehappens there will be full video
for you to watch everywhere.
So if you follow any Disneyaccounts, you follow us at Park
Magic Tools.
We'll probably post it to ourstories.
I don't think we're planning onbeing there that day because
it'll be crazy, but there willbe lots of people sharing kind
(29:58):
of the floats.
But you can't go wrong with aDisney parade.
Some of my fondest memories as achild are sitting on the curb,
like eating my Mickey ice creamor my frozen banana and, you
know, just waiting, and likeit's a great time to get
everybody to sit down for acouple minutes.
(30:18):
You can have a snack.
Now that our kids are older,what we'll do is we'll get food
like at, you know, jolly Holiday, or, if the corn dogs at the
Red Wagon are amazing, inCalifornia Adventure Award
Wieners, you can get hamburgersor hot dogs there, hamburgers
and smoke jumpers and you canjust kind of eat those while
you're waiting for the parade tocome your direction.
(30:41):
So, and then there's so manyother shows.
We could do a whole other showabout the other shows, like
Disney Dance Junior.
We'll probably have to do thatin a separate show because we're
already kind of running alittle long, but there's, the
shows at Disneyland are worththe time that it.
We'll probably have to do thatin a separate show because we're
already kind of running alittle long, but the shows at
Disneyland are worth the timethat it takes out of your day
(31:02):
and it is a great way to kind ofsee a lot of characters all at
once.
If characters are important,any other like final thing, tips
you want to give for peopledoing the parades or the
nighttime spectaculars?
Speaker 3 (31:15):
If you are wanting to go to Disneyland, Disney
California Adventure, and you'relooking for that Disney magic,
those moments that you alwayshear about, go see a parade, go
see the fireworks show.
You're going to feel that,you're going to see that and
it's going to be a memory thatyour family is going to live
with forever.
So go as many times as you canand try to see it, and you'll
(31:36):
love each and every one of them.
Speaker 2 (31:37):
We hope that this was helpful in helping you kind of
plan out your day at Disneyland.
Keep listening to our podcast.
You can also follow us onsocial media at park magic
underscore tools and we hope youhave a magical day.
Bye.
Speaker 1 (31:52):
Thanks for listening to this episode of the park
magic podcast.
For more tips and planningtools designed to help simplify
your Disneyland adventure, visitparkmagiccom.
If you enjoyed today's episodeand want to hear more tips, be
sure to subscribe to the ParkMagic Podcast, and don't forget
to leave us a review.
Your feedback helps us spreadthe magic even further.
Leaving a review could alsohelp you.
(32:13):
Each month, we will beselecting one reviewer to win a
one-hour planning session withRobin.
Winners will be announced atthe end of the first episode of
every month.
Thanks for tuning in andremember that we are here to
help you have a less stressfuland more magical trip to
Disneyland.
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