Nighttime Show Information Needed

[Mrs Potts]

We will be at Disneyland the first weekend in February (arrive on Friday early evening) and I'm trying to coordinate seeing all of the nighttime shows. I know it's the off-season, so I've read crowds should be lighter. But it's the weekend, when crowds are heavier because of locals. To be honest, I'm having a hard time deciphering the impact all of that is going to have on our ability to see the shows. With that said, here are some questions I have:

How early do we need to find a spot for the RDCT fireworks show? What are some recommended viewing locations?

I'm considering the early show of F! for Saturday. Is 1 hour enough time to find a decent viewing spot? Our kids aren't itty bitty (youngest is 10).

We're staying at GCV. I read somewhere that guests of the hotel can get in at 9:00 to get Fastpasses for WOC. Is this still the case? If so we shouldn't have any trouble getting them for seeing WOC, probably Sunday night. Once we have the Fastpasses, we'll still need to arrive early in order to get a decent spot in our designated section, right? So how early do we need to get there?

 

[Nicole220]

Yes, hotel guests get in at 9. And yes, you'll still need to get there early for a spot. Your fastpass will say arrival time at 7:15 (assuming you have the 8:00 show), but they let peope in earlier than that. CMs try their best to clear all the early arrivals away, but sometimes there's only so much that they can do. So once the crowd of people builds up, they'll start letting them in. This usually happens around 6:50. I'd suggest coming back between 6:50-7 if you really want to be one of the first inside. Once let in, everyone runs to the front. My suggestion is to go where no one else is going. The sections in the back are still really good viewing. They key is to find a spot where no one is standing in front of you, like along a railing or something. Blue bridge is also a really good spot to go if you get blue.

For the fireworks, I'd say an hour before the show. That's what I do and I always find a spot. I'd recommend viewing from the hub, down Main Street, or by Small World. You really get the full effect at the first two, and Small World has the projections on it.

I haven't done F! in a long time. But the second show will be less crowded than the first if you want to do that.

 

[Mukta]

See World of Color one night.

On another night, see RDCT and Fantasmic!

Get a spot near the castle 60-90 minutes before RDCT. One person can hold the spot and the other members can pick up dinner and bring it back on a tray. I do this frequently. Eat dinner and relax while you wait for the show. The whole path in front of the castle will become viewing spots.

See the later Fantasmic! show. Tons of people leave the park after fireworks and the second show is very easy to get to. Make sure you can see the brown shack and that it is near the center of your vision.
There is a standing section behind each seated section. This is a great spot for an unobstructed view.
There is a raised spot on stairs in front of the French Market restaurant. This is also a good spot.

 

[Mrs Potts]

Thanks for the tips. We considered the 2nd showing of F! and it is an option. The only concern I have is the time change (we're in Central TIme) and whether or not we'll be worn out earlier. I like the idea of grabbing dinner somewhere and bringing ti back to our spot. Any suggestions on good places? I've not read great reviews on the in-park food options.

 

[Mukta]

None of them are stellar. Just theme park fare.

I like Redd Rocket's Pizza Port. Pizza, pastas and salads - Tomorrowland
Rancho Del Zocalo. Mexican food - Frontierland
Tomorrowland Terrace - Burgers

They are all close to the hub and the food comes out on easy to carry trays.

As for being tired, I understand. Maybe do World of Color your first night so that you can go to bed early that night and get adjusted to the time change.