Hi Jennifer!
I'm so happy to help, thanks for your question! I'm just a little bit emotional when it comes to fireworks at Disneyland Park, my husband proposed during the fireworks on one of our visits! I'd love to help you figure out a good strategy for enjoying them with your family.
Fireworks at Disneyland Park can be seen from many areas, but most people choose to view them from four main locations:
- The area in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle offers my favorite view, but it's also the most crowded. It's not the place I would recommend with small kids because of the crowds and how long you would need to wait.
- Main Street, U.S.A., still gives you a view of Sleeping Beauty Castle, it's probably the second most popular spot. It's especially hard to do things in the park after the fireworks are over if you're watching from here because many people will be exiting the park and you'll be going against traffic.
- The Rivers of America in Frontierland is a good option for a less crowded space, but it makes more sense when you're watching Fantasmic! before the fireworks. Since Fantasmic! isn't playing currently, I wouldn't recommend this area.
- The area in front of "it's a small world" is, in my opinion, the best spot for families with young kids to enjoy the fireworks. The projections on "it's a small world" look amazing (I think they're easier to see than the ones on Sleeping Beauty Castle) and it definitely feels like there's more breathing space here.
An added bonus of watching the show near "it's a small world" is the charming
"it's a small world" Encanto Projection show! If your kids love to talk (and sing) about Bruno as much as mine do then this short show is sure to be a hit. And it makes the wait for fireworks fly by! Checking out the
entertainment schedule for your arrival date, I see that the show is currently planned for 9:00 PM while
Wondrous Journeys with fireworks is at 9:30 PM. I would plan to get a couple of snacks (there are plenty of carts near "it's a small world" with popcorn, churros, and pretzels or we love getting our favorite Mickey-shaped lollipops near the checkout stands of most stores in the parks) and picking a spot to hang out around 8:30 PM. In fact, sometimes we pick a spot first and then send a runner to grab snacks or take bathroom breaks with a kiddo if they need one. There are bathrooms very close to this area, next to the Fantasyland Theater, which is super helpful with little kids!
The minutes after the fireworks end can be some of the most hectic in the park. We like to hang back and let the first wave of guests head for the exit before we go to another attraction or call it a night. If your kids are still going strong then this is a perfect time to enjoy rides like the Astro Orbiter or Big Thunder Mountain Railroad to catch a gorgeous view of the park all lit up! Fantasyland closes several attractions during the fireworks, so if you decide to revisit any favorites in that area you might need to wait for a little bit. I also highly recommend
not shopping on Main Street, U.S.A. at the end of the day if you can avoid it. The last-minute shopping rush is real!
Jennifer, I can't tell you how much I love snuggling with my kids while we enjoy the glow of fireworks after a long day of fun. I hope you have an amazing time with your family!
Let me know if I can help with any other planning questions! Keep moving forward!
Amanda