See All Disneyland’s Summer Nighttime Shows!

The best way to see ALL Disneyland’s summer nighttime shows during your Disneyland vacation. See what’s happening each night during Spring and Summer 2023.

Here’s a recap of the 2023 nighttime spectaculars and how to plan you can see them all during your visit. 

In 2023 we’ll experience new-again magic and the Disney100 celebration!

Disneyland’s Summer Nighttime Shows

The complete nighttime line-up at Disneyland Resort for summer 2023 includes

1. Wondrous Journeys” at Disneyland park ignites the wonder in everyone and feature nods to all 60 Walt Disney Animation Studios films to date, taking viewers on a journey filled with artistry, music, storytelling and heart. Projections with fireworks on select nights.
2. “World of Color – ONE” at Disney California Adventure will celebrate the storytelling legacy started by Walt Disney a century ago. It’s a World of Color like you’ve never seen it before, with an all-new inspiring story told through some favorite characters. Nightly water shows over Paradise Bay at California Adventure Park.
3. Special entertainment moments will also pop up across the resort, including the long-awaited return of the “Magic Happens.” Daily parade, running twice one in daylight and one at night.
4. Fantasmic! runs for nightly shows over Rivers of America at Disneyland Park. Currently unavailable for summer 2023, I’ll keep this updated if an alternate version is announced.

Spring and summer of 2023 is set to be another showstopper! You’ll definitely want a multi-day park hopper ticket to enjoy these iconic nighttime shows.

In this article I share an overview of each night time event and how you should schedule your days to make the most of every night time magical moment. 

Disneyland Wondrous Journey Fireworks

I cover every fireworks show at Disneyland in this all-inclusive article. During spring and into early summer, Disneyland Wondrous Journey includes nightly projections with  fireworks on select nights. Typically fireworks are added on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights (weather permitting). During the summer months, Wondrous Journey with fireworks will run nightly at Disneyland Park.

Here are some quick details on Disneyland Wondrous Journey Fireworks:

• Located at Disneyland Park, see best viewing spots here.
• Starts at 9 or 9:30 PM on select nights, weather permitting check the official calendar here.
• This fireworks show is about 15 minutes long.
• I recommend viewing near it’s a small world. See my full nighttime itinerary at the end of this article.

Encanto Projections Show

We all know Encanto is Walt Disney Animation Studios’ latest hit. It tells the tale of an extraordinary family, the Madrigals, who live hidden in the mountains of Colombia.

Ever since the nation couldn’t stop talking about Bruno, Disney looked for ways to incorporate Encanto into the theme park experience. 

First, we could meet Mirabel Madrigal at California Adventure. It was a stunning set up and I loved meeting her there even before Encanto debuted in theaters. 

Currently, you can meet Mirabel in Frontierland, just outside Rancho del Zocalo, in “Zocalo Park.”

In addition to that meeting spot, you’ll want to schedule time to see the latest addition toDisneyland’s Nighttime Shows: Encanto Projection Show.

Here are some quick details on the Encanto Projection Show:

• Located at Disneyland Park in front of “it’s a small world.”
• Runs at 8:15 PM, 9:15 PM and 10:oo PM on most nights, check the official calendar here.
• This projection and musical show is 2 minutes long.
• I recommend viewing before Wondrous Journey, near it’s a small world. See my full nighttime itinerary at the end of this article.

Fantasmic! Nighttime Show

I cover Fantasmic in detail in this article. Fantasmic is a Disneyland staple that runs most nights of the year. In summer 2023, Fantasmic won’t be running. 

Here are some quick details on Fantasmic:

• Located at Disneyland Park.
• Runs at 9:00 PM 10:30 PM on most nights, check the official calendar here.
• This nighttime show is 27 minutes long.

Magic Happens Parade

I cover every parade at Disneyland in this all-inclusive article. As we celebrate the Disney100, Magic Happens will run twice daily. 

Here are some quick details on Main Street Electrical Parades:

• Located at Disneyland Park, see best viewing spots here.
• Start at 3:30 PM and 6:30 PM, check the official calendar here.
• This parade is about 40 minutes long.
• I recommend the second run of Magic Happens Parade, near it’s a small world. See my full nighttime itinerary at the end of this article.

Wondrous Journeys Projections

I cover every fireworks show at Disneyland in this all-inclusive article. During spring and into early summer, Wondrous Journeys projections will run on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights and will not feature fireworks. During the summer and weekend nights fireworks will be added, weather permitting. 

Here are some quick details on Wondrous Journeys:

• Located at Disneyland Park, see best viewing spots here.
• Starts at 9:30 PM on select nights, check the official calendar here.
• This projection show is 13 minutes long.
• I recommend viewing near it’s a small world. See my full nighttime itinerary at the end of this article.

World of Color Nighttime Show

I cover World of Color in detail in this article.  During the year, World of Color runs nightly at Disney California Adventure Park.

Here are some quick details on World of Color:

• Located at California Adventure Park, see best viewing spots here.
• Starts at 9:00 PM and 10:15 PM nightly, check the official calendar here.
• This nighttime show is 22 minutes long.
• I recommend viewing with the Dessert Party package if it fits your budget. Otherwise, either show time is an option where you join via virtual queue. See my full nighttime itinerary at the end of this article.

Your Plan: Disneyland’s Nighttime Shows  

Disneyland Plans are the name of my step-by-step itineraries. I’ve been sharing my strategies for the best Disneyland Vacation since 2013. Over the years, I have perfected and modified these Disneyland Plans on a regular basis. 

You can see all of my Disneyland Plan selections to print at home here. 

While many of them include times for nighttime entertainment, the outline below offers suggestions based on both family and night-owl modes. Add this step-by-step to your printable Disneyland Plan for the most magic yet!

Family Friendly Disneyland Plan Nighttime Shows 

Families with young children will likely not make it from rope drop to night shows without taking a midday break or starting late on one of your Disneyland days. 

Even with a late start and a nap midday, this strategy will likely work best for families in the park.

Disneyland Day

1. 6:15 PM Magic Happens Parade near “it’s a small world”. Arrive by 5:30. Bring dinner to the area to sit and enjoy while you wait. Sit as close to facing “it’s a small world” as possible. Bathrooms and snacks are both nearby. The parade will end near “it’s a small world” so remember it won’t arrive to your spot until after 6:30 PM.
2. Explore Mickey’s Toontown before it closes for the night. 
3. 8:15 PM Encanto Projection Show on the front of “it’s a small world.”
4. 9:30 PM Stay in your same spot from the parade and Encanto show for Disneyland Wondrous Journeys.
5. 9:45 PM Hop in line for “it’s a small world” as soon as fireworks finish. This last ride of the night will give time for the fireworks crowd to clear out and provide an easier exit down Main Street.

California Adventure Day

1. 12:00 PM Join the virtual queue for your World of Color viewing spot.
2. 9:00 PM Enjoy World of Color from Paradise Bay viewing area. 
3. 9:30 PM Catch a glimpse of Disneyland Fireworks as you leave the parks and the esplanade for the night.

Night Owl Disneyland Plan Nighttime Shows 

Night Owls who like to close down the parks will likely enjoy better seating with less time commitment holding spots. If you can make it to the later shows of the night and like staying out late, this Disneyland Plan is a great option for your visit. 

Disneyland Day

1. 9:30 PM Disneyland Wondrous Journeys. Some spots for viewing include Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge by the Millennium Falcon, over Rivers of America or on Main Street, U.S.A. You can also catch glimpses while you’re on the go. Good rides to see them on include Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Mad Tea Party and Matterhorn.
2. 10:00 PM Encanto Projection Show on the front of “it’s a small world.”
3. 10:10 Hop in line for “it’s a small world” to let the crowds clear out. After the ride, hop on the train or walk to your last rides of the night. As long as you get in line before park closing, you should still be admitted. Try Haunted Mansion, a great attraction to exit once most people have already left the park.

California Adventure Day

1. 9:00 PM If you have a park hopper you might watch Fantasmic’s earlier show.
2. 9:30 PM Then watch fireworks as you leave Disneyland for the night. Just make sure you give yourself enough time to scan into California Adventure before closing at 10:00 PM. 
3. 10:15 PM Enjoy World of Color from Paradise Bay viewing area, walk up viewing.

More Disneyland Nighttime Tips

Rest assured, my Disneyland articles are updated and refreshed on a regular basis. If you notice something that isn’t quite right, let me know so I can make the adjustments. 

I’ll be adding more tips and tricks as we navigate these nighttime classics throughout the summer. Are you ready for Disneyland’s Nighttime Shows, tell us what you’re most looking forward to!