Update: reserved viewing for the night show fixed our timing problem with a tired kid

Quick follow-up to my earlier post about trying to keep our little one awake for the nighttime show without turning the whole evening into a meltdown.

We just got back and tried the reserved viewing one night. For us it was worth it because we did not have to stake out a spot ages in advance, so we could stick to our usual routine: early dinner, a slow loop through the shops, then head to the viewing area closer to showtime.

What worked:

- Kept the late afternoon mellow with quiet rides and a snack, then ate earlier than usual.

- Went back to the hotel for a short reset. Even 30 minutes of downtime helped our kid recharge.

- Used the reserved viewing area. It was way less stressful than squeezing into the crowd.

What I would change next time:

- Bring a small foldable cushion to sit on while waiting. Standing or sitting on hard ground was the toughest part.

- Pick a meeting spot before the show ends. The surge of people right after felt chaotic.

Best part: our kid actually enjoyed the show instead of being overtired. If you are on the fence because of timing with kids, this was the one thing that made the evening feel doable for us. Curious if anyone has other strategies that work without having to arrive super early.