After running around all day, you’d think we’d be ready to call it a night—but nope. Disneyland at night is a whole different experience, and there was no way we were missing the parades, shows, and fireworks. The kids were still hyped up, Henry and I were running on pure Disney adrenaline, and honestly, we weren’t ready for the day to end just yet.
Parade Time – Front Row Seats (Sort Of)
We grabbed a spot along Main Street, and that’s when the real strategy kicked in. Bill, being the smallest, got prime viewing on Henry’s shoulders, while Ella took turns between standing on the curb and getting a boost. Jake and Annie were trying to capture the best videos and I was here trying to take some pics. (The struggle is real when you are not a pro)
Then, the music started, and boom—Disney magic in full force. Floats covered in lights, Mickey and Minnie waving like they knew us personally, and characters dancing down the street. Ella squealed when she saw her favorite princesses, and Bill nearly lost his mind when Buzz Lightyear gave our section a big salute. I won’t lie—seeing their faces light up was just as fun as the parade itself.
Henry, as expected, made his usual dad observations. “Do you think these dancers get dizzy spinning that much?” or “How do you think they store these floats? Must be a giant warehouse.” I love him, but sometimes I think he sees Disneyland as a logistics puzzle instead of just enjoying it.
Catching the Castle Show
After the parade, we made our way toward the castle for the nighttime show. The kids were half-excited, half-distracted by glowing toys for sale (which I had to shut down fast). Once the lights dimmed and the music started, though, everyone was hooked.
The castle transformed into scenes from different Disney movies, with animations and colors shifting in time with the soundtrack. Annie finally put her phone down just to take it all in, and Jake nudged me when his favorite part from The Lion King played. Even Henry—who had been making comments all day—just stood there quietly, watching. That’s how you know it’s good.
Fireworks – The Grand Finale
Just when we thought it couldn’t get better, the fireworks started. I don’t care how many times you see them, watching fireworks over Sleeping Beauty’s Castle never gets old. The sky lit up with colors, perfectly timed to the music, and I could literally feel Ella gasping next to me.
Bill was pointing out different shapes in the fireworks like they were constellations, while Jake and Annie were locked in a debate about which Disney fireworks show had the best finale. (Apparently, this is now a ranking system in our house.) Henry just looked over at me and said, “Alright, I’ll admit it. This is pretty awesome.”
Finally, Time to Recharge
As the last spark faded in the sky, reality hit—the kids were exhausted. Ella had fully crashed in Henry’s arms, Bill was half-asleep walking, and even Jake and Annie were yawning. We made our way back toward the hotel, feet sore but hearts full (cheesy, but true).
Tomorrow is our last day, and none of us can believe how fast it’s gone. But we’re not done yet—one more day of adventure before we have to say goodbye!