Fireworks at Disneyland

Updated November 13,2023

For many guests, fireworks are an essential part of the Disneyland experience. I’m happy to help you find the best way to enjoy this show.

Follow me for everything you need to know about fireworks at Disneyland.

Currently Showing

“Believe…in Holiday Magic” Fireworks is now showing. With snow!

Check your dates here.

***As always, check the Disneyland website to confirm the fireworks schedule for your visit, as sometimes there are changes.

Where to Watch the Show from Inside Disneyland

You have four ideal locations to watch the fireworks show. They are:

  • Main Street
  • In front of Sleeping Beauty Castle
  • Near “it’s a small world”
  • Along the Rivers of America

I’ve shared my thoughts on each of these locations here:

Rivers of America

The fireworks show will most often run nightly at 9:30pm. There are no dining packages that coordinate with this show, however, I share how to incorporate fireworks into your Fantasmic! dining package plans if it’s running on the same night.

Fantasmic! is shown on the Rivers of America. You may watch fireworks from the same viewing locations that you would watch Fantasmic! Music will play and projections will be shown onto water screens to accompany the fireworks show.

Find all about Fantasmic!, dining packages for Fantasmic!, when to set up for fireworks and more at this link.

“it’s a small world”

If you are not watching the show before or after Fantasmic!, I recommend watching from it’s a small world. This location is less crowded than Main Street and the area in front of the castle. It’s also the most kid-friendly space, as it has room for little ones to run around before or after the show. There are restrooms nearby (to the left of Fantasyland Theatre), snacks to purchase at kiosks along the parade path, and a Fuel Rod machine in the shop that you walk through to exit it’s a small world.

Music will play and projections will be shown onto the it’s a small world facade to accompany the show. Fireworks will shoot off to the left of the left of it’s a small world, behind Toontown. Setting up about an hour prior to the show will be sufficient.

Castle View

If you insist on a castle view, Disney typically allows guests to set up 3 hours prior to showtime. If you are not ready to commit this amount of time to saving your spot, choose another location to watch. You may use a blanket to reserve your space, but you may not leave the blanket unattended. Music will play and projections will be shown on the castle to accompany the show.

If I were visiting with kids, I still wouldn’t go through the fuss of competing for a spot in this location. I really wouldn’t without kids, either. Choose it’s a small world or along the Rivers of America instead. Both of those options will incorporate the same projections that you would see shown onto the castle.

Main Street

Main Street might be the easiest option, as you’ll typically be able to walk up and grab a spot to stand about 20-30 minutes before the show begins. Music will play and projections will be shown along the store fronts, so you’ll see a peripheral view with the fireworks shooting off behind the castle.

Where I Recommend You Watch From with a Family and Why

I haven’t shared much about this, as I don’t want to induce panic in anyone, but the world has gone mad, so now I’m saying it. Before the world went crazy, I watched from this favorite spot and will make every effort to now….especially when my kids are with me.

“it’s a small world” is where I would pick for families again and again. There’s room to spread out and it’s consistently the least crowded option. (Scroll back a bit where I detail what’s around this area, including restrooms, snacks, how to keep kids busy and more.) As a mother, I’m always sensitive to exits and where I would go if something sparked the large crowd of people to move suddenly and forcefully. I have visited the parks hundreds of times with a double stroller and three kids on my own. I’ve considered many situations like this over the years and what capabilities I had if I were in a tough situation.

Please don’t misunderstand me. I do not feel unsafe inside the Disneyland Resort. Not at all. Disney Security is phenomenal and I return to these parks because of that. But, the world is crazy. I know every square inch of Disneyland (slight exaggeration) and even with that knowledge, I wouldn’t feel safe trying to flea a crowd on Main Street or in front of the castle. Not with a double stroller or any stroller, really. “it’s a small world” is on the perimeter of the parks and feels safest to me overall.

How to Coordinate with Magic Happens Parade

You can’t. The latest parade running is at 6:30pm. Fireworks don’t start until 9:30pm.

Here‘s the scoop on parades.

Fireworks Viewing Maps

These graphics share approximate viewing locations. Cast members may alter these locations to accommodate traffic flow for the safety of park guests.

From Inside Disneyland:

From Outside of Disneyland:

Where to Watch the Show From Outside of Disneyland

If you don’t have a park ticket to enter Disneyland or simply don’t want to deal with the crowds, consider these alternate options for watching fireworks:

  • Set up 15 minutes prior to showtime in the esplanade, which is the area between Disneyland and California Adventure. A crowd gathers each night to watch from this area and it’s a fun place to see the show. Music will be played to accompany the show. You won’t be able to see the castle or the projections, but it’s a simple solution to seeing the fireworks.
  • Arrive about an hour before showtime at Paradise Pier Hotel, outside, on the 3rd floor deck. This option is open to everyone, whether you’re staying at this Disneyland Resort Hotel, another, or none at all. Simply enter the lobby and take the elevator to the third floor. Walk down the hall upon exiting the elevator, through the glass doors that take you outside, to the right and then toward the edge of the outside deck. Grab a drink or snack at the Surfside Lounge in the lobby of the hotel to enjoy during the show. Sometimes, the bar just to the left of the fireworks deck is open, too. It closes promptly at showtime, however, on most nights. Visit this link to see what the view looks like from this option. To get to Paradise Pier Hotel, walk away from the parks, through Downtown Disney, past the Rainforest Cafe and the ESPN Zone, outside of the security checkpoint and then take a left. Follow the sidewalk to the circle drive. Cross it, take a left down the sidewalk toward Disneyland Drive and then take a right on Disneyland Drive. The hotel will be on your right. (You may no longer cut through the Grand Californian Hotel to get to Paradise Pier Hotel.) It will take you about 20 minutes to exit Disneyland and walk to Paradise Pier Hotel. If you have little ones, allow at least 30 minutes, as Downtown Disney can be distracting at night with music playing and activity everywhere.

(This image, above, was taken from the Rivers of America viewing location.)

Fireworks from Galaxy’s Edge

Visit this post for what you can expect on the planet of Batuu.

The One Dining Package that KIND OF Coordinates with Fireworks

***This has not returned since Covid.

Unlike Walt Disney World, Disneyland does not offer a traditional dining package that coordinates with fireworks. Disneyland is truly immersed in the city of Anaheim with houses just beyond the perimeter of the parks.

Winds can often make fireworks (and the ashes that result from them) too dangerous for the Anaheim area, causing them to be cancelled with very little notice. For that reason, Disneyland does not offer the dining packages like WDW has.

They do have one option that offers a slight view of the show, however, if the fireworks are cancelled, you won’t receive your money back. This is the Tomorrowland Skyline Lounge. Think of this option as a lounge to hang out in with yummy food and sometimes a character visit that MAY INCLUDE fireworks viewing.

I share details from my experience at the Tomorrowland Skyline Lounge here.

Tips on Fireworks Viewing

  • Plan to see fireworks (this or any other show) at the beginning of your Disneyland visit. Unfortunately, these shows get cancelled more often than you might think due to high winds. Disneyland is immersed in the city of Anaheim, with residential neighborhoods surrounding the park. Disney takes every precaution to keep people safe – inside and outside of the parks. Because of this, the show can be cancelled at any time. Often, the winds you’re feeling at ground level won’t feel like enough to shut it down. But, it happens. With that in mind, plan to see it on the first night you’re there. If it’s cancelled, you’ll have subsequent nights to try again.
  • Pack glow sticks, bubbles, sticker books or anything else that might keep your little ones busy if you choose a viewing spot that requires you to wait a while.
  • If you have more than one adult in your party, trade off taking little ones to a nearby attraction or even just to walk around while waiting. Arrive back within 15 minutes of showtime so everyone can get settled for the show.
  • If you’re walking through Downtown Disney, you may see glimpses of fireworks, but I don’t recommend this area for viewing. The buildings impede most of your view.
  • While dining packages are not provided for fireworks at Disneyland, the Tomorrowland Skyline Lounge offers a peek at the show from far above the crowds. Read all about this option at this link.
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27 thoughts on “Fireworks at Disneyland

  1. On our last trip to Disneyland, we missed the fireworks and were disappointed. We visited on weekdays though, during September, and there weren’t any fireworks those nights. We are hoping to see them on our next trip we are planning for February. Do they only run on weekends, or does it change depending on the time of year?

    1. Hi, Emily.

      It varies throughout the year and from year to year. February is one of the lowest crowd months of the year, so it sometimes includes a break in entertainment. When that happens, fireworks are often the first thing to be taken off the list.

      March and April typically include fireoworks, but also heavier crowds due to Spring Break. So, there’s a trade off.

      Hope this helps.

      1. I read on the DL website that they do fireworks Fri-Sunday on non-peak months. I don’t believe February or any month for that matter is excluded. I have been there on the weekend before where the wind was blowing at 9 MPH (Which to me is nothing) but they called it off an hour beforehand.

        1. Hi, Vanessa.

          High winds (which aren’t noticeable to us on the ground) can cause fireworks to become extremely dangerous for neighboring houses that are just beyond the parks. Disneyland – from what I understand – doesn’t even make the call. The Fire Marshall decides if it’s safe or not.

          It’s always unpredictable, which is why I recommend trying night 1 and then 2, etc….to see the show…in case of cancellations.

  2. Hello! Would you recommend watching the first or second light parade if we want to see fireworks as well in between? Thank you!!

    1. I would set up near “it’s a small world” to see the parade and then stay right there to watch fireworks, too. It’s less hectic than in front of the castle and the projections are shown onto the attraction facade. I’ve watched both shows sooooooo many times from this area and love it!

  3. What’s the best time to begin holding a spot at the River location? Sorry if I missed it. Love love love your site!

    1. Typically you’ll see Fantasmic! prior to fireworks from the Rivers area. Once it finishes, set up immediately. That’s just about 10 minutes prior to fireworks starting.

  4. Do you know anything more about Mickey’s Mix Magic show? I will be there in 2 weeks and want to know the best place for viewing!

    1. Hi, Terry.

      Not necessarily. Soon, Mickey’s Mix Magic light and laser show will begin and it includes fireworks on select nights only. Once Disney adds a link to this show to their website, I’ll update this post so you know exactly what to expect during your visit. Coming soon, hopefully!

  5. Hi Casey, my family and I will be travelling to DL September 2018 and I am worried we won’t get to see any fireworks. We are going Monday – Friday and it looks like the fireworks might only run Saturday and Sunday, do you know if this is true? And if the fireworks do run on Friday, then I guess we would have to purchase a Mickey’s Halloween party ticket to be able to watch them? Thanks

  6. Hi, I’ll be going to Pixarfest in June- I have a question about whether I’d be able to watch the fireworks in the reserved viewing spot from my Paint the Night Dining package after the parade? Or do we need to move? I’m worried cuz by then it’d be pretty close to the start time of the fireworks, & there wouldn’t be any good spots left. Any advice? Thnx

  7. Hi, if there are no dining packages available for the fireworks, do you know how people get reserved seating for the fireworks?

  8. This is ‘Fantas-mic’ advice, thank you. I had no idea projections are also shown on Small World and Rivers of America – I’m for sure going to head for those spots next fireworks show, less crowded and a fun new perspective!

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