Where are some good spots to see the parades at California Adventures and Disneyland?

Question

I want to see the pixar play parade, the electic parade, the parade of dreams and the fireworks at disneyland. ( i am not planning on going to fantasmic) any suggestions taken

Answer 1

by the matterhorn & the teacups!

Answer 2

Everywhere along the parade route is a great spot.  So here are some tips on where to avoid sitting.  Never sit towards the entrance of the park.  It's the most congestive because everyone tends to leave afterwards like the Electrical Parade at DCA where guests will make a mad dash to Disneyland to catch the Fireworks show.  The Electrical Parade always ends at the entrance of the park.  So, I suggest to watch the parade near the Golden Dreams show so when it's over you can run around the Grizzly River towards the exit to catch the Fireworks show and beat the crowds.  Just be careful of the parade breaks.

For the Fireworks show, try to get as close to the castle as possible.  Many don't notice but the castle is the centerpiece of the show (the main character).  The worst place is by its a small world.

Pixar play parade and the parade of dreams... they make a few stops along the way to transform into stages.  DCA will show you the stops but DL doesn't.   At DL, anywhere along Main Street is a great view.  At DCA, grab a table and some chairs by the Bakerfield Bakery (train near the big sun).

Too bad about Fantasmic... that's an awesome show.  If you do see it.  See the 2nd show and wait by the Columbia.  The cast members block off an area for set up by the river and when they're done you can run and claim a spot easily.  Or eat at the riverbelle terrace on the patio.  The corner tables offer an excellent view above the crowds.  It's a prime spot that fans will camp out there all day just for the great view.

Answer 3

For the parades any spot is good, but some areas are going to be less crowded.

For Pixar Play Parade and the Electrical Parade you do want to stay away from the Sunshine Plaza area, this area is the most crowded.  However, any other place along the parade route would be as good.  But Pixar Play Parade does not make any "Show stops", they were planned originally but they removed them before the parade opened.

For the Parade of Dreams at Disneyland if they have two parades the second one is going to be less crowded.  The most crowded area is on Main Street, due to the limited seating and that is where everyone wants to be.  But you can get fairly good spot in Town Square or near It's a Small World.  The Parade of Dreams does have show stops and you will get at least one.  But there are certain areas such as the end of Main Street for the second parade where you could get two just because of the spacing of the stops.

For the fireworks the optimum viewing is where you have a view of the Castle and Matterhorn.  However, on a busy day you must get in the area no later than about 30 minutes before to get a good spot.  If you want right in front of the Castle you need to get there at least 60-90 minutes before.  An alternative is the Small World Mall area.  No, you do not get the Castle portion, but still can see Tinkerbell fly(by turning around) and all of the main fireworks(they are shot from ToonTown).  Overall its about 75% of the show, but you can usually get there right as they are starting and still have a good view.  So while the Castle may be the A+ viewing with a wait, Small World is about a B but no wait.

Answer 4

We had some pretty decent spots when we watched the parades. I don't know if they are the best spots but we had good views. We watched the Pixar Parade just outside of Bug's Land. It was conveniently close to an ice cream cart lol. We were excited when Buzz Lightyear went by and pointed out my son's Buzz hat. We didn't think that he would notice it, but he did! In Disneyland, we watched the Parade of Dreams right in front of Town Hall. It was nice since that was one of the locations that they stopped. One evening, they had a cast member out before the parade to entertain the little kids that were waiting. I thought that it was so nice that he did it.

We actually tried leaving the park during the fireworks and main street was amazingly packed. Avoid it!

Have a wonderful trip!