Disneyland's Best Kept Secret

Sometimes a solo trip to Disneyland reaps great benefits like single rider lines, a whole row to yourself in "It's a Small World" and front row seats to fireworks (directly in front of me) and just behind me, with just a 180-degree turn, front row seats to "Paint the Night Parade."

Where is this magical two-sided spot? Dare I tell? Small World, of course!

Before "Paint the Night" parade

After "Paint the Night" parade

Top reasons why this spot is better than anywhere else in the resort:

1) Up close and personal view of the Paint the Night parade. You can see all the small details on the costumes.

Toy Story's Buzz Lightyear

Belle from "Beauty and the Beast"

2) Better view of your favorite characters. I won't lie, I was truly excited to see Ariel in The Little Mermaid. You can even see her have a fishy conversation with Flounder. Wow, King Triton is massive!

Ariel, Flounder, King Triton and Sebastian from "The Little Mermaid"

Anna and Elsa from "Frozen"

Frozen's beloved and crowd-favorite Olaf

Rapunzel from "Tangled"

Everyone's darling, Cnderella

Toy Story's Jessie

3) Better view of the billions of colors. OK, so maybe not quite billions, but close and very vividly vibrant. 

Mike Wazowski (and in the background, James P. Sullivan) of Monsters, Inc.

Red from "Cars"

Lightning McQueen from "Cars"

4) Better view of all the colors in full bloom and glow-ry. From the fishes to the butterflies to other sea creatures.

5) Better view of Mickey and the gang. As with any Disney parade, Mickey and Friends make the wait in this humidity worth all its weight in gold. Yes, I can sleep well tonight as Mickey and his entourage complete me.

Goofy led the Mickey and Friends appearances.

Donald Duck was right on Goofy's heals.

Almost missed Minnie and she zipped on by.

And everyone's favorite Mickey Mouse.

Did you guess the underlying theme throughout? BETTER VIEW, indeed.

DISCLAIMER:

Don't get your hopes up high, though.

There still stands a chance the fireworks show will get canceled due to "unforeseen circumstances" as was the case tonight. Boo.

Well all wasn't lost. I did get to see "Paint the Night" parade after all.

CONSOLATION:

We did, however get a quasi-presentation, though not in its full pomp and circumstance; it was beautiful nonetheless. 

The Small World castle was transformed with an array of colorful projections. Great way to end the night and the trip to this magical land of Disney.