Hi Charlotte! Welcome back to planDisney. Your visit is coming up so soon, and it sounds like you’ve planned a truly spectacular evening with not one, but two iconic nighttime experiences on the same day. I’m happy to help you sort through the timing so you can enjoy both with as little stress as possible.
You’re correct that the
“A Story of Celebration” guided tour includes reserved viewing for
Paint the Night on the evening of your tour. The designated viewing area is in Town Square Plaza, conveniently located across from the
Disneyland Railroad Main Street Station. It’s a wonderful spot to watch the procession glow its way down
Main Street, U.S.A., surrounded by that classic Disneyland atmosphere.
When it comes to which performance of Paint the Night is included, the exact showtime isn’t guaranteed in advance, as parade schedules can shift depending on park operations. However, based on recent Guest experiences, tour groups are typically directed to the first performance of the evening. Since your
Fantasmic! dining package is for the second Fantasmic! showing (which overlaps with the second Paint the Night performance), that usual timing works nicely in your favor. I’d still recommend confirming the plan with your Tour Guide at the start of the day, just to be sure everything lines up for your specific date.
It’s also helpful to know that while the Paint the Night viewing area is reserved, seating isn’t provided. Guests usually sit or stand along the curb, which still offers an excellent view as the floats pass by. Here’s a little Q-Tip: even with reserved viewing, arriving a bit early is a smart move. Tour groups from different start times often converge for the same parade performance, and showing up ahead of time can give you more choice when it comes to where you settle in.
One additional thing to keep in mind is overall nighttime crowd flow. On evenings when multiple nighttime spectaculars are scheduled, Main Street can become especially busy between shows. When
Wondrous Journeys is also scheduled between Paint the Night and Fantasmic!, there may be congestion as guests linger for fireworks or begin heading toward Rivers of America. To make your evening smoother, consider heading toward your Fantasmic! viewing area shortly after Paint the Night passes your location.
Charlotte, I hope this helps you feel more confident about juggling both nighttime experiences in one evening. It truly sounds like a magical lineup, and with a little planning, you should be able to enjoy every glowing moment. If any other questions come up as you prepare, we’re always happy to welcome you back to planDisney.
Wishing you an evening filled with dazzling lights and astounding musical sounds,
David