Anaheim Travel Forum

Can anyone tell me the LENGTH (in minutes) of the shows/parades? I can find the start times. I know how far ahead I should arrive to get good views but then have to guess when the shows/parades end!

Also does anyone know if the popular rides are still busy after the fireworks?

Thanks
Paul

We were just at DCA for the Electricial Parade and it lasted about 20-30 minutes. The best spot to watch is from the raised outside terrace of the Golden Vine winery. Get there about 30-45 minutes early and grab a table near the railing. You can order wine by the bottle or glass and a fruit/cheese platter. You can also walk directly across the street and pick up burgers, sandwiches, etc.

The rides do thin out after the fireworks and parade as a lot of the people with small kids leave. However, you will want to still take advantage of the Fast Pass. We couldn't get into the Indiana Jones ride without a 1.5 hour wait during the day. But got right on with the Fast Pass, but only for the very last run of the night. That was around 11:30 PM and the normal wait line was down to about 30 minutes by then.

Remember...Dreams Come True Fireworks - This show is 17 Minutes long. It is Castle Centered, that is the best "show" is where you have a view of the Castle. People start to get a place about 2 hours before. However, you don't have to get there that early. Just be sure to get there no more than 30 minutes before, the earlier before that the closer you will be. The one thing about the fireworks is that they do get cancelled if the wind is too high above Disneyland. So if you are there multiple days you should plan to see this the first night just in case.

Fantasmic - Is 23 Minutes long. For the first show people start getting a place about 6pm, and I would really recommend you go for the second show(if there is one). Here you can get a great place if you time it to get there right as the fireworks are ending. But even if you get there at about 10pm you can still get a very good spot and only have a 30 minute wait.

Parade of Dreams - About 20 minutes long once it gets to your point, since it is a parade if you are at the end of the route it could take about 15 minutes from the start time to get to you. As with Fantasmic you might want to wait until the second parade. You can usually get a front row space somewhere along the route up until about 15 minutes before the parade. If you don't care about the front then you can usually find a decent spot right up until the parade start.

Electrical Parade - Also about 20 minutes long. Here you can usually get a good spot along the route right up until the parade start.

There is also one show - The Aladin Musical in the Hyperian Theater in DCA. This is 45 minutes long but well worth it. It is several times a day. You can usually get a decent seat if you show up about 30 minutes before the start of the show.

As for if they clear out after the fireworks, in general yes but not by much. However, as the evening goes on people start to leave and there will be lower crowds as it gets closer to Closing time.

Have Fun

Hi,

Thanks very much for your kind reply. I'll try what you suggest - sounds great!

Paul

Hi,

Thanks very much for your kind and detailed reply.

Now we can easily decide which shows/parades to see and when!

Paul

You don't mention when you will be in DL. But, I believe that Fantasmic is not being offered at the moment, since they are making some changes on Tom Sawyer island. I'm sure the DL website calendar can confirm or deny this for you, to be sure.

The fireworks and Fantasmic are outstanding and are "do not miss" in my opinion. We found the parades to be lame in both parks and used this as a good opportunity for shorter ride lines. But to each their own. The electrical parade in DCA was very enjoyable for us.

The rides will be quiet during the fireworks, but the lineups will pick up again as soon as the show is over.