Dilemma. About This Page:

[Flik]

While we are in DL/DCA, there will only be ONE night when we are there that the fireworks, the electical parade, and Fantasmic are shown. (and of course they all fall on the same night) The parade is at 8:45, the fireworks are at 9:25, and there are 2 showings of Fantasmic (9 and 10:30pm).
So seeing them all does not seem to be a viable option. As a newbie, what is the "must see(s)" from these 3?
Thanks for helping me decide.

[LAS31588]

I would see the fireworks at 9:25 and then Fantasmic at 10:30. From personal experience, you won't be able to make it from the parade over to the fireworks, or to the best fireworks viewing spot from the earlier Fantasmic. Have a great time!

[DawnDenise]

I had the same issue on my upcoiming trip, and I'm still going to try for the trifecta. With DCA being a short walk across the esplanade, I still think I can make it to the fireworks and the second viewing of Fantasmic. I've seen the Remember Dreams Come True Fireworks on my past two trips, so Disney's Electrical Parade and Fantasmic are my must dos. If you aren't going before April 13th, I'll let you know if I accomplished all three!

This came from another thread on the boards and the poster is a regular DL visitor whom I trust completely. HTH!!

If you want to watch the fireworks and the late Fantasmic on the same night with good viewing spots, there are two locations that work for me. You can sit on the benches just past the tip board near the entrance to Frontierland, when the fireworks are over, you'll be first in line to head over to Fantasmic. We also like the view from the train station, as you can really see all of the fireworks that are shot off from Main Street. With the second option, you just hop on the first train to come after the fireworks, and get off at New Orleans Square. You can then head down to the water's edge to get a spot for Fantasmic behind the crowd leaving the park after the first show.

[Dave Marx]

There's no shortage of people who try to hop from DCA after the Electrical Parade to catch the DLP fireworks, and they often succeed despite the long lines at the DL turnstiles. And as already noted, from there it's not impossible to catch the second Fantasmic! as long as the train's running or you managed to make it to the Hub during the fireworks.

While the trifecta is challenging on a busy night, it's maybe not so crazy as trying to visit all four of WDW's major parks in the same day (been there, done that, too.)

I'd be hard-pressed to choose two out of three, though. In my case, it'd probably be the Electrical Parade that'd go by the wayside, because I've seen it in so many times in so many places over the years. While I still love it dearly, there's no comparing it to my first time back in the 80s, when it was the Main St. Electrical Parade. At that time, it was a true marvel of musical and show technology, and back then I was working in the music business, so could fully appreciate just how far they had advanced the state of the art. It took days to get my jaw up off the floor. If it hadn't been for that particular experience (and riding Star Tours), I don't think I would have ever gotten so geeked-out over Disney parks and open to the possibilities of PassPorter all those years later when Jennifer suggested the idea.

Meantime, to a WDW fan, Disneyland's Fantasmic! is a revelation. Must, must do if you love it at WDW. You'll finally understand what all those various watercraft at Studios are trying to emulate (you can't fake the real Mark Twain riverboat or pirates swinging from the rigging of the Columbia sailing ship).

For the fireworks, the trick is to see it from the Hub or Main St., because Tink's flight and the lighting effects on the Matterhorn and the castle are worth the price of admission. Besides that, though, if you've seen Wishes at WDW, most of the fireworks effects will look strangely familiar, even if the show isn't identical.

[Tricia Davids]

We have accomplished it on many nights. Here is our best suggestion. View the electric parade in front of the Golden Dreams building in the San Fransisco section of DCA (on the same side of the street as Grizzly River Run) as the Elec. Parade starts in Paradise Pier. As soon as it is over (the America Float), walk around Grizzly by Grand Cal., past Soarin' and behind the people still watching the parade at the front of the park. Exit DCA, Enter DL, and watch the fireworks from Main Street so you can see Tink and the effects on the castle. After the fireworks you should be able to "swim upstream" to the Fantasmic viewing area in front of the river. Good Luck!

[Flik]

Thanks so much for the responses. I guess we will let the day dictate how "commando" we are in trying for the trifecta!

[TLisi]

Originally Posted by Tricia Davids

We have accomplished it on many nights. Here is our best suggestion. View the electric parade in front of the Golden Dreams building in the San Fransisco section of DCA (on the same side of the street as Grizzly River Run) as the Elec. Parade starts in Paradise Pier. As soon as it is over (the America Float), walk around Grizzly by Grand Cal., past Soarin' and behind the people still watching the parade at the front of the park. Exit DCA, Enter DL, and watch the fireworks from Main Street so you can see Tink and the effects on the castle. After the fireworks you should be able to "swim upstream" to the Fantasmic viewing area in front of the river. Good Luck!

Been there, done that...if you're not going to go during peak season it's a breeze...if you're going during peak season, it can be done, it's just more difficult.

[Mouserjan0222]

Originally Posted by Flik

While we are in DL/DCA, there will only be ONE night when we are there that the fireworks, the electical parade, and Fantasmic are shown. (and of course they all fall on the same night) The parade is at 8:45, the fireworks are at 9:25, and there are 2 showings of Fantasmic (9 and 10:30pm).
So seeing them all does not seem to be a viable option. As a newbie, what is the "must see(s)" from these 3?
Thanks for helping me decide.

See the parade in DCA, and on the way out most people stop and watch the fireworks from right inside the gate then go over to DL. You can't hear the music but you can see them. Now mind you it's gonna be PACKED leaving DCA and getting into DL, so be aware.

[zacksmom_1993]

I'd agree that it is definitely possible to see all three, especially if you see the Electrical Parade as suggested near Paradise Pier. I think you'd be done watching it about 9:05, and you'd definitely be ahead of the crowd if you hustled out past Grizzly River Run and Soarin'. I took a group of people that way last year (between the Grand Californian and Disneyland) and we made it inside the gates of Disneyland in less than 10 minutes, and we'd had cocktails! Although, I have been accused of being a bit of a death marcher.

In terms of what's "miss-able," if you've never seen any of them, I'd say nothing. But, I do think what makes the fireworks particularly unique happens after the first five minute "Wishes" introduction, which is nearly identical to the WDW version. After that, there's an amazing aerial flight by Tinkerbell which has to be seen to be believed and a fireworks tribute to the most famous rides at Disneyland, even some that have been retired. It's incredible! So, I'd watch the Electrical Parade in front of Golden Dreams and hot foot it over to Disneyland. If you're not too tired, try to push forward towards the hub (even if you get there just a bit after the fireworks start.) If you're beat, I'd go up to the train platform and watch from there and then take the train over to New Orleans Square. Have a great time!