Our information to the very best & worst Disneyland fireworks viewing places gives a ‘where to watch’ Wondrous Journeys map and images so you’ll be able to see the way it seems to be from every spot. We additionally share lesser-known views of the nighttime spectaculars, so you’ll be able to keep away from heavy crowds on Main Street. (Updated February 2, 2023.)
For starters, Disneyland has a brand new fireworks present for 2023! Wondrous Journeys is Disneyland’s new nighttime spectacular for the 100 Years of Wonder celebration. The new Wondrous Journeys fireworks are in honor of Disney’s a centesimal Anniversary, and particularly, the Walt Disney Animation Studios. (Consult our Guide to Disney’s a centesimal Anniversary Celebration at Disneyland & DCA for all the things you have to learn about that.)
Wondrous Journeys options nods to each movie launched by the long-lasting studio over the previous century. This means music, characters, and iconic moments from films together with Encanto, Beauty and the Beast, Mulan, Hercules, The Princess and the Frog, Peter Pan, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Frozen, Treasure Planet, Big Hero 6, Moana, and plenty of extra.
There are a couple of large issues you have to learn about Wondrous Journeys. The first is that it’s going to attract heavy crowds for the foreseeable future. Wondrous Journeys has been met with rave opinions from followers, and Disneyland diehards are going to prove in full drive to see the nighttime spectacular all through 2023. Accordingly, count on Main Street to be jam-packed for Wondrous Journeys.
Second, Wondrous Journeys has two variations: “with projections” and “with fireworks.” Both variations have projections, so actually it’s with or with out pyro. As an excellent rule of thumb, Wondrous Journeys is offered with fireworks Friday by Sunday nights, and on weekday evenings which might be busier (e.g. Presidents’ Day, Spring Break, Easter, and so forth). Check out the Disneyland Entertainment Schedule or the Disneyland app for dates and showtimes.
Finally, Wondrous Journeys is topic to cancellation with out discover as a result of climate or different circumstances. Really, which means the fireworks in Wondrous Journeys are topic to cancellation. Santa Ana winds at greater elevations are infamous for inflicting cancellations, even when issues really feel positive on the bottom. This has been a difficulty for years, with locals cursing the Santa Ana winds. If there’s a light-weight breeze or somebody even coughs within the fallacious path, the dreaded pyro balloon comes out to see whether or not it’s protected to run the present with fireworks.
As a results of this, Disneyland began creating B-modes for the fireworks reveals a number of years in the past. As a end result, the entire fireworks reveals–new and outdated–have had projections present alternate options created for windy and weeknights. This is definitely an excellent transfer, because it offers individuals who camped out for hours one thing to see, even when the fireworks themselves must be cancelled. It additionally offers Disneyland one thing to indicate on weeknights that beforehand didn’t have any nighttime spectacular. Another plus is that Wondrous Journeys with Projections remains to be a very good present, and much much less crowded!
One closing observe is that Disneyland has a number of fireworks reveals which might be offered on a rotating foundation. Aside from Wondrous Journeys, different ‘regular’ nighttime spectaculars embrace Mickey’s Mix Magic, Disneyland Forever, and Remember… Dreams Come True. Our expectation is that Wondrous Journeys might be offered uninterrupted till at the least mid-September 2023.
After that, it’s potential that Halloween Screams runs throughout Halloween Time at Disneyland and Believe… In Holiday Magic is proven throughout Disneyland’s Christmas season. We’ve seen all of those fireworks reveals numerous instances from each conceivable spot within the park. Regardless of which fireworks present is working, the very best viewing spots are the identical.
With that in thoughts, right here’s the map of greatest Disneyland fireworks views:
Crowds and viewing obstructions could make discovering the very best spot to look at the Disneyland fireworks troublesome. As with my Best Magic Kingdom Fireworks Views publish, it’s best to use discretion earlier than blindly following the map, and to not do something silly like standing behind a tree even when it falls right into a “Good” zone on the map.
If you choose a spot that’s yellow or inexperienced on the map and a tree blocks your view of Sleeping Beauty Castle or the sky above it (and to a lesser extent, the Matterhorn), that’s not really a great place. The bushes don’t retract into the bottom when the fireworks begin.
The map plus my numerous pattern images from these places ought to provide you with visible thinkers an awesome thought of what to anticipate from totally different fireworks viewing locations in Disneyland. All of the Disneyland fireworks reveals had been designed to be considered straight-on from Main Street, USA.
Personally, I’m strongly biased in the direction of these. But I’m additionally a photographer who prioritizes capturing images of Wondrous Journeys and the opposite Disneyland fireworks from the “perfect” views. For me, which means anchored by Sleeping Beauty Castle. If I had been simply watching Wondrous Journeys for enjoyable (and didn’t have my digicam with me for no matter motive), I’d be way more inclined to view from one of many “other spots” (see beneath). It’s merely not price enduring the crowds for a few of these spots.
To that time, Disneyland additionally has numerous good different views, which will be nice to keep away from the throngs of locals who present up after work and camp out at the very best spots for hours previous to the fireworks. If you’re a vacationer with restricted trip hours, you must do your personal cost-benefit breakdown to determine whether or not the lengthy watch for the very best views is price it to you–I’d say it most likely shouldn’t be. After I’m going over the precise Main Street, USA views, I’ll contact upon a few of these quiet spots and supply my ideas on them.
Here are views of Wondrous Journeys with Fireworks that you could count on from every numbered location on the map…
1. Front and Center – Unlike Walt Disney World the place the entrance and heart spot is a location to keep away from, at Disneyland, it’s a spot to stake out. The motive is Sleeping Beauty Castle. It’s not tall. This implies that the fireworks bursts that fireplace behind Disneyland in Toontown aren’t almost as blocked out of your view on this location just like the again of the park bursts are within the Magic Kingdom.
This is the very best location for viewing the improbable projections throughout Wondrous Journeys, plus [spoiler alert] having an up shut view of the Blue Fairy and Baymax after they fly over Sleeping Beauty Castle. These characters make appearances even when there’s not pyro throughout Wondrous Journeys, so grabbing this spot is really useful even on projections-only nights. In reality, that will be our recommendation–watching Wondrous Journeys from right here on a projections-only evening, after which once more for the fireworks from someplace else. Otherwise, you’ll must stake out this spot hours upfront.
To that time, observe that this space fills up very, very early–hours earlier than the fireworks begin. If you really need this spot, get right here at the least two hours early. It’s fairly superior to see the fireworks on this spot with actually nobody in entrance of you, however maybe not price tenting out for a number of hours…particularly given the danger that the winds will trigger the fireworks to be cancelled.
2. Partners – Part of the rationale I don’t have as many images from across the numerous spots in Disneyland is as a result of I completely love this location. It’s a preferred spot, however compared to the opposite nice views in Disneyland, it’s slower to replenish as in comparison with different high views. Partners doesn’t block your view of projections on Sleeping Beauty Castle, and doesn’t have bushes straight in entrance of or behind it, making this view a main spot for my part.
With that mentioned, a couple of notes on The Hub usually that most likely aren’t evident as a result of small measurement of The Hub within the map above. First, in contrast to the Magic Kingdom’s Hub, Disneyland’s remains to be stuffed with bushes. This implies that plenty of places inside The Hub and behind it supply poor views. The space the place I setup, straight behind Partners, gives an awesome view with out obstructions.
Directly on the opposite aspect of Partners can be an awesome view as effectively, however this space is usually roped off for VIP viewing, so your mileage might fluctuate. Much just like the entrance and heart space, The Hub is usually higher from the Tomorrowland aspect, as shifting nearer to the Frontierland aspect makes the realm with heavy bursts harder to see. By this we imply barely off-center, not all the best way by the Tomorrowland entrance.
3. North of Refreshment Corner – This spot isn’t all that spectacular. It’s okay should you can’t get a spot in The Hub, however it is going to nonetheless be actually crowded round right here, and also you received’t have the complete immersion of The Hub nor will you’ve gotten an entire view of the projections. You additionally should flip round to see the projections on Main Street.
To that finish, I suppose it’s considerably immersive (stuff in entrance of and behind you). It’s not a foul spot by any means, and Sleeping Beauty Castle remains to be distinguished sufficient right here that it needs to be thought-about an iconic location for viewing and photographing the fireworks. Plus, you received’t must arrive right here 2 hours earlier than the present to seize a spot. (Don’t plan on having the ability to seize a spot right here on the final minute, both).
Further to the left and proper of this spot, you’ll discover that I’ve marked the outside seating areas of Jolly Holiday Bakery and Plaza Inn as being good or okay spots. Most of those views might be dangerous as a result of obstructions (from table-top umbrellas to bushes), however there are a handful of places inside these areas that ought to be actual gems. Tables with some elevation on the north aspect of the Plaza Inn, particularly. Scope out the sight strains in the course of the day, seize some scrumptious fried hen, and stake out a desk.
4. Main Street – I firmly imagine that the Castle is a giant a part of any Disney fireworks present (effectively, at the least reveals within the Castle parks!), and by this level, it’s troublesome to see what’s occurring with Sleeping Beauty Castle. The farther down Main Street you get in the direction of the Train Station, the harder it’s to see the Castle projections.
The Main Street Train Station is one other doubtlessly great place on Main Street because it supplies views of each the Main Street projections and the Sleeping Beauty Castle projections. Part of the seating is reserved, however there are additionally normally open benches for most of the people.
Everything is extra distant from right here so that you’re actually faraway from the motion, however you’ve gotten an unobstructed view of Sleeping Beauty Castle within the distance and are near the park exit (though it is a con should you plan on swimming upset again into the park to do extra sights after the fireworks).
5. Carthay Circle Restaurant Terrace – If you need to view the fireworks exterior of Disneyland, chances are high you need to do it from a free location, and people might be mentioned within the “Other Spots” part beneath. However, one other in-park straight-on view price mentioning is definitely in Disney California Adventure, on the Carthay Circle Restaurant terrace.
This is like Disneyland Resort’s model of the TTC location at Walt Disney World, besides this spot isn’t free. It’s really extra costly than every other spot, because it requires dinner on the Carthay Circle Restaurant. On the plus aspect, it isn’t crowded, it’s straight-on, and the fireworks seem a lot bigger. On the draw back, there’s no view of Sleeping Beauty Castle and no music. Because of those downsides, I don’t extremely advocate this spot.
In reality, I don’t even advocate requesting a desk out right here. The ambiance inside is way nicer general, and you may all the time exit to the terrace throughout your dessert course to benefit from the fireworks then. However, in case you have the time, it’s best to simply attempt to make it again to Disneyland earlier than the fireworks begin. Unless you don’t have Park Hopper tickets or actually hate crowds.
Other Spots
We all the time attempt to watch the fireworks straight-on at Disneyland. However, Main Street will be chaotic round fireworks time, and snagging a great place will be flat out inconceivable should you don’t camp out. And as famous above, the fireworks are sometimes cancelled as a result of Santa Ana winds at greater elevations, so you possibly can find yourself losing time for no good motive. Because of that, a number of the different views for the Disneyland fireworks bear mentioning right here.
The greatest place to view Disneyland fireworks exterior of Main Street is from the Rivers of America, significantly earlier than or after Fantasmic! This spot has gotten higher and higher over the past a number of years because of the addition of projections on the mist screens. Disneyland has taken that to the following degree with Wondrous Journeys, which had Rivers of America projections designed from the bottom up. In reality, a number of the scenes right here aren’t seen on the Sleeping Beauty Castle or Main Street projections.
The different upside is the comfort of watching Wondrous Journeys out of your Fantasmic seat, which means you don’t must ‘work’ for a viewing spot twice. You received’t have sufficient time to run again to Main Street, and also you’ll simply get pissed off and find yourself packed like a sardine in no-man’s land as you attempt. We know from expertise! See our Viewing Guide for Fantasmic at Disneyland for information on that nighttime spectacular.
The subsequent greatest non-Main Street location is the “it’s a small world” mall in Fantasyland. Much like Sleeping Beauty Castle, the “it’s a small world” facade is enhanced in the course of the fireworks with projections. The pluses to this location are that, decrease crowds, and shut proximity to the Toontown launch web site.
The largest draw back is that you simply solely have an excellent view for some bursts, and never for the bursts close to Sleeping Beauty Castle. This might be the very best spot to go if you wish to benefit from the present factor of the fireworks (not simply the bursts), however actually don’t need to cope with the crowds.
The greatest attraction expertise for the fireworks is the Storybook Land Canal Boats in Fantasyland. The draw back is that this may be troublesome to time. The boats right here proceed to load till the fireworks begin, however as soon as they begin, they cease loading. If you time it proper, you’ll be able to benefit from the fireworks from this immersive location (bursts in entrance of and behind you) and have your personal “Disneyland Fireworks Cruise,” but when your timing is poor, you’ll be caught in a line that provides poor visibility in the course of the present. Monitor wait instances and be sure you line up on the good time to make sure the cruise.
As for a spot exterior the park that’s “free,” there’s probably not an entire lot in the best way of fine views. The Esplanade between Disneyland and Disney California Adventure will get very fashionable at fireworks time, and it’s about the very best–and closest–view you’ll discover.
Otherwise, you’ll be able to see the Disneyland fireworks from nearly wherever in Anaheim (together with the I-5 freeway!). Nearby resorts have rooftop bars that supply attention-grabbing views, and one other distinctive location is the highest of the Mickey & Friends parking construction, however to stand up there you have to go park there.
You can see the fireworks from floor degree all down Harbor Boulevard, however these views are nothing particular (except you discover a lodge room on a excessive ground). If you’re searching for a “free” fireworks view from Disneyland in your arrival evening, the Esplanade between the 2 parks is a superb possibility. You received’t be the one one with that concept–this space will get busy round fireworks time!
So there you’ve gotten my “review” of Wondrous Journeys fireworks viewing spots round Disneyland, together with some pattern images. If that is all an excessive amount of to recollect, simply bear in mind The Hub is nice as long as bushes don’t block your views of Sleeping Beauty Castle or the sky above it.
Generally talking, the farther again from Sleeping Beauty Castle, the more serious the expertise–however Main Street projections do assist offset that. Finally, each the Rivers of America and ‘it’s a small world’ are good spots to keep away from the crowds, however you received’t get the complete expertise. In quick, there are plenty of nice choices–all of it rely upon how vital a selected view is, diploma to which you’re prepared to tolerate crowds, and whether or not you need postcard-perfect images of Sleeping Beauty Castle with the fireworks behind it.
Planning a Southern California trip? For park admission offers, learn Tips for Saving Money on Disneyland Tickets. Learn about on-site and off-site resorts in our Anaheim Hotel Reviews & Rankings. For the place to eat, try our Disneyland Restaurant Reviews. For distinctive concepts of issues that’ll enhance your journey, try What to Pack for Disney. For complete recommendation, seek the advice of our Disneyland Vacation Planning Guide. Finally, for guides past Disney, try our Southern California Itineraries for day journeys to Los Angeles, Laguna Beach, and plenty of different SoCal cities!
Your Thoughts
Where is your favourite spot to look at every of the Disneyland fireworks reveals? Do you prefer to go for a standard Main Street location, or do you decide to keep away from the crowds and watch from elsewhere? Any sights that you simply suppose are enhanced in the course of the fireworks? Share your ideas within the feedback!