Hey there, Timothy! I’m happy you brought your question to planDisney. I love the parades and nighttime spectaculars (including fireworks!) at the Disneyland Resort, so I’m thrilled to help get you the info you need to have a great experience.
Let’s start with the parades! Who doesn’t love a grand showing down Main Street, U.S.A? One of my favorite memories is eating mint chip ice cream and watching the parade go by. Since you asked about reserved seating, I’m happy to share that the
Plaza Inn restaurant offers options for special dining events throughout the year, including parades. Dining packages include a meal and access to a reserved viewing area. This section generally includes a mix of ground-level seating and standing areas. You can search for and reserve an available dining package by selecting the “Dining Events” filter on the
Dining page of the Disneyland website. You can also make reservations directly in the Disneyland mobile app.
While I didn’t find any available dining package reservations at the Plaza Inn at this time, there’s great news—exciting new events are on the horizon as part of the
Disneyland Resort 70th Celebration! As the dates for these events become available, there’s a good chance we’ll also see dining package availability accompany them. I’m so excited for the return of the
Paint the Night Parade and
Wondrous Journeys nighttime spectacular as part of the anniversary celebration! They’ll be shining, shimmering, splendid sights to see!
And, speaking of spectaculars, did you know there are dining packages for those as well? The
Tomorrowland Skyline Terrace is next up on my own to-do list! This unique dining opportunity elevates you above Tomorrowland for a great view of the fireworks on select nights. Or, if the fantastical action of
Fantasmic! is more your style, you can also reserve a dining package for that at participating dining locations in New Orleans Square. You might even catch a glimpse of Captain Hook himself!
If you’re like me and got your fill of Disneyland snacks throughout the day (Dole Whip, anyone?) and are just looking for a great place to watch the entertainment without an added meal, your best bet is to arrive early. This way, you’ll have the greatest chance of snagging a coveted spot along the parade route. In my experience, I’ve found that the area near the “it's a small world” attraction doesn’t usually fill up as quickly as other popular viewing spots. You can catch a parade or view the breathtaking projections during a nighttime spectacular from this location.
And, last but not least, the
Disneyland Resort VIP Tour also offers reserved seating for parades and nighttime spectaculars. If you love all-things-Disneyland, this is a great way to learn about the resort while experiencing all it has to offer.
Wishing you a front-row seat to the magic, Timothy!
Cody