Where to Watch Paint the Night at Disneyland (Sensory-Friendly)
Paint the Night Parade at Disneyland
Paint the Night Parade
Paint the Night is back for Disneyland’s 70th Anniversary—and I’m not going to lie, I got a little emotional watching it opening weekend. It’s my favorite parade. I first saw it almost 10 years ago, and this time, all those memories came flooding back. My daughter was 3 when we first watched it, waving like crazy to Anna and Elsa. My son was 5, and that was the night I truly learned what sensory overload looked like.
So I’m sharing my favorite spots to watch the parade—with sensory sensitivities in mind.
First, what is Paint the Night?
Paint the Night is Disneyland’s nighttime electrical light parade. According to Disney’s official description:
Dare to be dazzled by more than one million brilliant LED lights and popular Disney pals in this technical spectacle, flooding the parade route with stunning colors and fun surprises!
It really is magical. But it’s also very bright, with flashing lights and loud music. The parade runs from Town Square to it’s a small world, with two showings each night—8:45 PM and 10:45 PM.
The earlier showing is always more crowded. People start waiting around 6:45 PM (which is the earliest Disneyland allows you to hold a spot—there are signs posted throughout the park). So keep that in mind.
Best Viewing Spots (Sensory-Friendly):
1. Main Street Train Station platform
This spot gives you a slightly elevated view from the top of the Main Street Train Station. It can get busy for the 8:45 PM showing, but there’s usually space on either side of the center VIP section. You can stand right against the railing, and since you’re higher up and set back a little, the lights aren’t quite as intense.
Frozen float from the Main Street Train Platform (right side - facing parade)
2. Pavilion area near it’s a small world
To the right of it’s a small world, there’s a small pavilion where characters appear mid-day. This area has some limited bench seating and, while there is VIP seating up front, the section just behind it is usually open. It can still be crowded and loud during the earlier showing, but it’s less chaotic than Main Street or Town Square.
Pavilion area near it’s a small world
Bonus: From this spot, you can stay put and catch all three nighttime shows with very little movement:
Paint the Night at 8:45 PM
Fireworks at 9:30 PM
Tapestry of Happiness projection show on it’s a small world at 10:00 PM
I think this is the best spot in terms of avoiding transition stress and navigating through crowds. Low stress for sure—especially if you’ve got littles or a stroller.
Monster’s Inc float from the pavilion near It’s a Small World
3. On either side of City Hall in Town Square
In my opinion, this is the best spot for anyone with sensory sensitivities. There are benches on one side (the left side facing City Hall), the area stays well-lit, and you’re far enough back that the lights aren’t overwhelming. The view is a bit obstructed—but the floats are large enough that you’ll still see about 90% of the parade. You’re not packed in with a crowd, and you get to enjoy it with a bit of breathing room.
I truly love this parade, but I also know how intense it can be. With a little planning and the right spot, Paint the Night is definitely doable—and still magical—for kids (and adults!) with sensory sensitivities.
