[ann0d]

I am going in March and have a couple of questions about parades and Fantasmic. We plan to visit on a Wed, Thur, and Friday in March.
My first question is how or can we see the evening parade, Fantasmic and the fireworks?
Second any great resturants outside of Disney? My husband love omelets any suggestions? We are planning to eat at Goofy's Kitchen for breakfast, and I think I read they have omelets.
I am sure I will have more questions later.

By the way I was trying to order my tickets online they have a three day pass for 109 for adults and children, which would have came to 327.00 . Well they wouldn't take my Visa reward card on line so I call Disneyland and I got buy two adults get a child free deal from the operator, so the total cost me 298.00. It pay to check out all your options!

[woohoo]

go to www.disneyworld.com and on the right side of the screen is a thing called calendar. That will take you to the fireworks calendar. Fantasmic runs most nights but the fireworks at MK do not so you want to check for times and days that they will be running. As far as the days you are going- there is a good possibility that they will not run those days- you really have to look. We are doing MK our first day there because it is the only time we can see spectromagic. It just stinks that way.
As far as offsite food I dont know- there is a waffle house that is awesome
That is great about the new plan working for you- we stuck with the old silver plan to max out our benefits- like spa and cirque etc... Have fun and have even more fun planning! this site is great for tips!!!

[disneylandrocks]

Sorry Woo Hoo... But your info won't ann0d a bit. ann0d is going to "DL" for the first time, not "WDW". LOL

[woohoo]

ok- just dawned on me you said disney land not world! DUH ok so look at the disneyland site- there all better - dont feel so dumb now

[disneylandrocks]

Good Job woo Hoo So I guess your info did work, since both the DL site and the WDW site have that calender feature. ( so convenient!)

[dznygrl]

Hi Ann...congrats on the upcoming visit to DLR!

As far as the parade, fireworks & Fantasmic, you should be able to see them all. Your best bet is to view both Fantasmic and the fireworks in the same night...if you arrive early (2 hours early or more!) and stake a good seat in front of the Rivers of America for the first showing of Fantasmic, you can watch Fantasmic and then remain in the exact same spot for the fireworks only moments afterwords! The Rivers of America is an excellent viewing point, and the plus is that you can actually sit down if you have staked out a front row seat...whereas if you watch the fireworks in front of the castle, sitting down is almost impossible.

I don't know how often they perform the Electrical Light Parade in March...but you should be able to check disneyland.com for the schedule. I have 2 recommendations as far as seats for the ELP: cast members drag out benches to the left of the main hub inside DCA--right in front of the entrance to the Hollywood backlot. The benches are supposed to be a way to help direct traffic, but guests are allowed to sit on them too. If you can get there early and snag one of the benches, it's an excellent spot right at the beginning of the parade and you don't have to sit on the ground!
My other suggestion is further down the parade route, near the entrance to Paradise Pier. (In the "Pacific Wharf" area...once you get there, it will be easier to picture.) All of the area near the Wharf usually remains open right up until parade time, and you can get seats (*sometimes* even benches) on the sidewalk that are literally inches from the parade as it comes by!
(I used to work in crowd control for the ELP, so that's where I get this info from. ) The seats by Hollywood backlot are preferable because you can make a fast exit from the park before the rest of the crowds start swarming, but the Wharf is the second-best area. Avoid being down on the Pier (the end of the parade) because it could take you HOURS to get back out of the park!

As far as restaurants outside of DL, right across the street on Harbor Blvd. are a Denny's, IHOP and Tony Roma's. I was very impressed by the egg choices at both IHOP and Denny's. DON'T eat at Captain Kidd's. I've gone into detail about my distaste for this restaurant many times, but basically all you need to know is you will be wasting your money.

I guess that's all the tips I have for now. Let us know if you need anything else!!

[ann0d]

Thanks everyone for your help - especially dznygrl! I cannot wait - this being my first trip to California and Disneyland. I have been in WDW four times and I am familar with everything down in Florida, but this is going to be a whole new experience.
Is anyone familar with the coastline. We would like to take a scenic road close to Anaheim (you know cliffs, crashing waves, that sort of thing). From what I read San Diego sounds nice. I think my five year old would like stopping at Children's Beach. Anyone been there?
Well I gotta go shovel snow - 12 inches - can't wait for CA sunshine!!!!!!!
Thanks again everyone!

[Disneywife]

Well...........

Anahiem isn't near the coast, and San Diego certainly isn't the nearest coast. Anaheim is quite a ways inland. Probably the nearest beach would be Huntington Beach, and from there you can turn south on PCH and head down towards Laguna Beach (very scenic), or go north on PCH - not so scenic - PCH goes through downtown Long Beach through a very unsafe area (I can, however, give you directions through Long Beach to stay on the coastline - you'd take Ocean Blvd). I'd go south from Huntington Beach. I'm not sure where Children's Beach is but there are lots of beautiful beaches from Huntington Beach and on south. San Diego is about 2 hours from Anaheim if you take the freeway, and longer if you take the coastline (about 4, to account for traffic) through the cities.

Also, CA sunshine, we are getting it now, but it won't last. 2 weeks ago we had freezing weather and heavy rain....and in March I'm sure we'll still be getting more of the same. In CA you just never know if it will be summer-like or monsoon-like. (Keeps ya on your toes!) Even if it's not raining it will most likely be too cold for beach swimming. (The water off our coast is VERY cold, which is why we don't get hurricanes like FL does). I'm telling you this not to be a downer but because I don't want you to be disappointed. Don't go by the weather we are having today, this is a heatwave, and will be shortlived. Usually in March it is sweater weather with a few rainstorms. Hopefully when you come we'll be having weather like we are now, but I just don't want you to expect it, per se...

Either way, you're going to have a great time!!

[evstac]

ann0d, please post a trip report when you get back in March. We are thinking of going to DL this summer. Thinking of purchasing the city pass ticket and visiting DL and then going to San Diego. Where will you be staying while at DL?

[anaheimboy]

Originally Posted by ann0d

I am going in March and have a couple of questions about parades and Fantasmic. We plan to visit on a Wed, Thur, and Friday in March.
My first question is how or can we see the evening parade, Fantasmic and the fireworks?
Second any great resturants outside of Disney? My husband love omelets any suggestions? We are planning to eat at Goofy's Kitchen for breakfast, and I think I read they have omelets.
I am sure I will have more questions later.

By the way I was trying to order my tickets online they have a three day pass for 109 for adults and children, which would have came to 327.00 . Well they wouldn't take my Visa reward card on line so I call Disneyland and I got buy two adults get a child free deal from the operator, so the total cost me 298.00. It pay to check out all your options!

I dont know if anyone has already answered this (didnt bother too look) but as of right now there arent any parades or firework shows debuing until the big parades and firework shows coming for the 50th Anniversary (atleast not that I know of anyway). There is this one small character thing going on in place of a parade until the 50th one starts, I myself have never watched it so I dont know what it is exactly like. Fantasmic! however should be up and running when you go. You will love our Fantasmic! It is said to be the best one of the Disney parks. I hope you enjoy your trip when you come and visit!

[dznygrl]

Anaheimboy, I didn't know that. That's probably good info for Ann to know!

[Disneywife]

Originally Posted by anaheimboy15

I dont know if anyone has already answered this (didnt bother too look) but as of right now there arent any parades or firework shows debuing until the big parades and firework shows coming for the 50th Anniversary (atleast not that I know of anyway). There is this one small character thing going on in place of a parade until the 50th one starts, I myself have never watched it so I dont know what it is exactly like. Fantasmic! however should be up and running when you go. You will love our Fantasmic! It is said to be the best one of the Disney parks. I hope you enjoy your trip when you come and visit!

Is that Parade of the Stars? That's usually their "filler" parade in between themed parades and it's actually pretty good. There's also the Electrical Parade in DCA. Also, on the nights that they are open until midnight (Saturdays, always, and sometimes Fridays), they will show two Fantasmic shows, one at 9 ish and one at either 10 or 10:30 or so.... If you're a stay-latter like we are, we go see Fantasmic after the fireworks for the 2nd show, when there's less of a rush and it's not nearly as crowded in New Orleans square. Maybe it's just me, but I like being on Main Street for the fireworks, right in front of the castle. Makes it just a little more magical

[anaheimboy]

Originally Posted by Disneywife

Is that Parade of the Stars? That's usually their "filler" parade in between themed parades and it's actually pretty good. There's also the Electrical Parade in DCA. Also, on the nights that they are open until midnight (Saturdays, always, and sometimes Fridays), they will show two Fantasmic shows, one at 9 ish and one at either 10 or 10:30 or so.... If you're a stay-latter like we are, we go see Fantasmic after the fireworks for the 2nd show, when there's less of a rush and it's not nearly as crowded in New Orleans square. Maybe it's just me, but I like being on Main Street for the fireworks, right in front of the castle. Makes it just a little more magical

The Parade of the Stars is as of right now officially retired, atleast until after the 50th. This little parade thing isnt anything big, its like a things with characters on the MS cars and characters walking and music going. And about Fantasmic!, the latest show is usually the least crowded (families take their youngens home and the older kids/adults have either already seen it or want to ride rides instead). So if its possible try to see the later show, but if you see the first show and you want a great "on the water" view (the one right next to the railing), you have to get there ATLEAST 30-45 mins or so early.

[ann0d]

Thanks everyone for all your help. Of course hearing some of this is a bummer but good to know before we go.
I will give a report when we get back.
I looked today which attractions are scheduled to be down and there were at least 4 - two of them disappointing, the Railroad and I think Splash Mt. But that's what I get for going off season.
Again thank you everyone for being so helpful. I will check back often to see if anyone else has tips!

[anaheimboy]

Originally Posted by ann0d

Thanks everyone for all your help. Of course hearing some of this is a bummer but good to know before we go.
I will give a report when we get back.
I looked today which attractions are scheduled to be down and there were at least 4 - two of them disappointing, the Railroad and I think Splash Mt. But that's what I get for going off season.
Again thank you everyone for being so helpful. I will check back often to see if anyone else has tips!

Your welcome and I hope you have a great trip! Its not your fault for going during the off season but your fault for going during the 50th Anniversary refurb period. lol j/k . I really hope you do have a great time at The Happiest Place on Earth!