Best Places To Watch Fireworks At Disneyland

Watching fireworks at Disneyland Park is one of my favorite things to do on a Disneyland vacation! Disneyland fireworks are not your standard fireworks show. Fireworks at Disneyland involve music, lights, projections, special effects, and of course, fireworks! In this post, I’ll talk about the best places to view fireworks at Disneyland. We’ll talk about crowd levels at each of the viewing spots and what time you should arrive at each location in order to get a great spot for viewing the fireworks! I’ve also included a marked map of each location so you can visualize the area.

I’m a huge fan of the fireworks display at Disneyland. There’s something so magical about their fireworks show. Disney knows how to pull at my heartstrings and I almost always get a little choked up before it’s over. Maybe it’s the nostalgia because I remember watching them as a little girl. Or maybe it’s because I love that I’m creating these memories for my kids. I’m not sure, but I just love the fireworks at Disneyland! I like to watch the Disneyland firework show on the last night of my visit. It always seems like a fitting way to end my Disney vacation.

Fireworks at Disneyland aren’t the only nighttime entertainment! Disneyland is famous for its entertainment. Make sure you check out World of Color at Disney California Adventure and Fantasmic! on the Rivers of America. Sometimes, they’ll even be a parade at night at the Disneyland Resort! The Main Street Electrical Parade is my favorite parade at the Disneyland theme park. If you’re interested in Disneyland nighttime entertainment dining packages and dessert parties, you can find more info here.

I’ve got a podcast episode about the best places to watch fireworks at Disneyland! Make sure you check it out!

If you need help planning your Disneyland vacation, I have a complete guide to planning for Disneyland that will walk you through a step-by-step planning process for Disneyland. Also, check out my top tips for visiting the Disneyland resort here. I also have a planning phone call that’s super popular! In this phone call, I can answer all of your Disneyland vacation questions and give you lots of tips and info tailored just to you and your group.

Discount Park Tickets and Hotels

Please be aware, that Disney theme parks all require park tickets and reservations. Make sure you have both! Please don’t pay full price for your Disney tickets or hotel. My partners at Get Away Today have the very best deals on tickets and hotels. Their customer service is top-notch and they even have layaway plans. If you book a package with park tickets and a hotel room you can use my code MIX10 to save an extra $10. That’s more churro money, friends! You can book online here. Or, give them a call at 1-855-GET-AWAY and tell them Mix In Some Magic sent you for the very best deals!

I have a bunch of hotel reviews that might be helpful for you if you’re still trying to decide where you’d like to stay. I prefer to stay at a hotel within walking distance of the Disney parks. This is a great option for our family because I love being able to just walk over to the parks and walk back to the hotel when the day is over.

When Are Fireworks?

Fireworks at Disneyland are held on select nights and usually begin at 9:30 pm. You’ll want to check the Disneyland app to make sure that’s the case on the day of your visit! Occasionally fireworks will be delayed a bit or canceled due to weather.

Where To Watch Fireworks At Disneyland

Here are the best places to watch fireworks at Disneyland and what you can expect from each location.

Castle View

The iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle view is probably my least favorite option for viewing fireworks at Disneyland. Although it’s the perfect viewing spot, the time that you’ll need to devote to securing a spot near the castle and the crowds you’ll be dealing with make it not worth the effort. Of course, that’s just my opinion! If you’re set on seeing the Disneyland fireworks with the iconic castle view, here’s what you’ll need to do.

Where To Stand

Find a spot near the hub. Try to find a place with a good view that’s not blocked by trees or light poles. If you’re not sure where to stand, ask one of the nearby cast members to help you pick out a good spot.

When To Arrive

If you’re wanting to watch the Disneyland fireworks in front of the castle you’re going to need to stake out your viewing area about 2-3 hours early. Yeah, like I said it’s a time suck. But, if it’s worth it to you then I say go for it!

Main Street U. S. A. View

Main Street U.S.A. is many people’s favorite place to watch the fireworks at Disneyland. When you watch from this location, you’ll have a decent view of the castle in the distance and the projections on the buildings of Main Street. Plus, if you’re heading out of the parks afterward, you’ll be right near the park entrance so you can make a quick exit after the show.

Where To Stand

I like to stand near Gibson Girl Ice Cream parlor in the middle of Main Street for a great view of both the castle and the projections. You can also stand farther back toward the flag pole as well if you want to be even closer to the exit. Wherever you choose to stand, the best spot will be in the center of the street.

When To Arrive

On nights with a nighttime parade, you can view the parade from Main Street and then move to the middle of the street when the last float passes by. If you’re not watching the parade, make sure you’re still following the last float so you can jump in your spot as soon as it passes.

On nights when there is no nighttime parade, you’ll want to head to Main Street about 60 minutes before the fireworks show to scope out the situation. On busy nights, you may even need to get there 90 minutes beforehand. On lower crowd evenings, 30 minutes before will be fine. Just browse the shops on Main Street while you keep an eye on the situation and grab a spot as soon as you see other people starting to get in place.

“it’s a small world” View

Watching the Disneyland fireworks from “it’s a small world” is my very favorite of all the viewing locations! It’s less crowded than the other options and you still get a great view of the fireworks with the music and projections being shown on the facade of “it’s a small world”! The fireworks are shot off from Toontown, so it’s not a straight-on view, the convince makes up for it!

Where To Stand

There are lots of options for viewing around “it’s a small world”. I like to be on one of the elevated platforms if I can get a spot right up next to the railing. If not, I like to find a spot in the middle of the street. You really can’t go wrong with a spot near “it’s a small world”.

When To Arrive

On days with a nighttime parade, you’ll want to grab a spot early for the parade and then stay where you are for the fireworks show in this location. Or, you can try to grab a spot right after the parade passes and the crowds are dispersing a bit. If you go this route, you might want to stay where you are after the fireworks to watch the second showing of the nighttime parade.

On days without a nighttime parade, you’ll want to arrive about 45-30 minutes before the fireworks show begins.

Rivers Of America View

Watching fireworks at Disneyland from the Rivers of America is a great choice if you’ll be seeing the first showing of Fantasmic! From this location, you’ll have a decent view of the fireworks and be able to hear the music. On nights Fantasmic! is showing, there will also be projections on 3 water screens.

This area will be crowded on nights that Fantasmic! is showing, but if you’re seeing the first show, you can just stay where you are and you’ll be able to enjoy the fireworks show. The fireworks show starts about 3 minutes after Fantasmic! ends. On nights that Fantasmic! is not showing, this area has very low crowds and is easy to find a spot. If you’re not seeing Fantasmic!, then find a different spot to view the fireworks.

Where To Stand

You can stand anywhere around the Rivers Of America to view the fireworks on non-Fantasmic! nights. If you’re seeing the first showing of Fantasmic!, just stay where you are for the fireworks show.

When To Arrive

On evenings without Fantasmic! you can arrive 15 or so minutes before the show begins for a great spot. This is the perfect last-minute viewing area! If you’re seeing the first Fantasmic! show of the night, you’ll already be in your spot and ready to go.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

Galaxy’s Edge is a great place to few the fireworks if you don’t mind missing the music and projections. You’ll be able to have a decent few of just the fireworks themselves. This is not an official viewing area, so there’s no designated place to watch them.

Where To Stand

I like to stand near Docking Bay 7 on the raised area that overlooks the Millenium Falcon. This gives you great views of the firework bursts right over the mountains.

When To Arrive

Because this is not an official viewing spot it does not draw large crowds and you can easily arrive just a few minutes before the fireworks show begins.

Esplanade

The Disneyland esplanade is the space between Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. This is the best spot to watch fireworks at Disneyland if you don’t have a park ticket. You won’t be able to hear the music or see projections, but you’ll be able to see the fireworks.

Where To Stand

You can grab a spot anywhere on the esplanade. Many people bring a blanket and sit down for the show.

When To Arrive

This is not an official fireworks viewing area, so you can arrive last minute and still have a great view!

Special Event Firework Shows

Disneyland hosts a few special event fireworks shows. The special fireworks shows are pretty fun! If you’ll be visiting during a special event time, make sure you check them out. You can expect special fireworks show on New Year’s Eve and the Fourth of July. During Halloween time you’ll be able to watch “Halloween Screams” starring Jack Skellington and his dog Zero. During the Holiday season, you’ll watch ” Believe…In Holiday Magic” followed by snowfall in most viewing locations!

I hope this guide helps you find the perfect place to view the fireworks at Disneyland! The best location will really depend on you and what you want! There are lots of great places to view fireworks at the happiest place on earth! Some nearby hotels are close enough for firework viewing too. Make sure to check out my podcast for lots of Disney planning information! You can find it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Just search for “Mix In Some Magic” Follow me on Instagram for more Disney tips and lots of Disney fun!