Are the fireworks really worth it!?!?!?

[ScottShaft]

OK....before everyone jumps on me for this, first hear me out.......

I live in the Greater Vancouver area and every summer the city hosts the Celebration of Light fireworks competition. (check it out at celebration-of-light.com) On each of the 4 nights, approx 250K people decend on English Bay in the west end of Vancouver to see the show. 3 countries compete for the title, with each having a 20 minute display of fireworks set to music. Now, typically, this is a full 20 minute sustained barrage of some of the most incredilble fireworks displays you will every see. So my question to people that have seen both DL fireworks and one of the shows in English Bay is.......how do they compare? I find that now, whenever I see a "normal" fireworks display I think "ho hum".......I guess I'm kinda jaded now. I don't expect DL to have something as elaborate as this, but, since I haven't seen them in more than 25 years, my memory is slightly foggy.

I'm heading down to DL in October and am trying to decide if I should bother staking out a spot for the fireworks or taking advantage of the lull in the lineups to hit some rides.

Thanks!

 

[BillyFan]

I haven't seen the show you're talking about, however I can say that the RDCT fireworks show is INCREDIBLE!!!!!! We never get there super early to stake out a spot in front of the castle. Instead, we show up 20 or so minutes early and stand in the middle of Main Street, somewhere between Coke Corner and the Candy Palace. You can still see the projections on the Castle, Tinkerbell fly, and there are fireworks going off all around you. Plus the music that goes with the fireworks comes from all of the attractions in the Park, so if you love Disneyland like I do, you'll love RDCT!

 

[DangerMouse]

It's not so much that it is the "best" fireworks presentation, but what it does for me is evoke a great deal of emotion. Something about the way they piece it together, using Julie Andrew's and Walt Disney's voices, and then how they showcase all the different parts of Disneyland. . . it's just magical. I get choked up every time I watch it. I haven't seen the shows in Vancouver, but I would guess that RDTC is probably on par with them technically.

So to answer your question, if you are at all into the Disney magic, yes, it is TOTALLY worth it.

 

[Rapunsel]

You have to see the show just once... It is just incredible. The music, the lights, the atmosphere. it is all very much worth it. They bring in the songs snad themes from the rides.. Walt's voice to narrate. Tinkerbell in the sky.. As a family we sometimes go at night just to see the fireworks.. So for us it is totally worth it..

 

[drag n' fly]

We have something similar in Calgary called the GlobalFest International Fireworks Competition each year. It really is great....but their is always something about Disney fireworks that make it worth the effort as it is not comparable to anything else.

 

[HydroGuy]

I was in Vancouver earlier this year but have not seen the show there. However, one thing to keep in mind is that to call "Remember...Dreams Come True" a "fireworks show" is a gross understatement.

RDCT has lasers, light effects on the castle and Matterhorn, fire, and other special effects. And the music and fireworks. But even the fireworks are more than fireworks. I will try hard to not give anything away, but Disney uses fireworks in very creative and diverse ways to communicate the themes in the show.

In addition, it is all tied closely to Disney themes and history. It is incredibly nostalgic and the best show of its kind Disney has ever produced. If you have any emotional connection to Disney, your jaw will drop to the ground.

Bottom line? DO NOT MISS IT!

 

[NostalgicDad]

Any fireworks production that you never get tired of seeing is definitely worth making time for. We've seen it several times. And, as others have mentioned, it stirs you emotionally. Seriously.

 

[XTinabell]

We have something similar in Calgary called the GlobalFest International Fireworks Competition each year. It really is great....but their is always something about Disney fireworks that make it worth the effort as it is not comparable to anything else.

I was going to say the same thing. Global fest is also quite spectacular. Countries competing to win and the fireworks are set to music and refelect off the river, it's very beautiful and some of the shows are outstanding. However the dl fireworks show is really awesome and should not be missed.

 

[famograham]

It's funny what you say about nostalgic!!! And I agree one hundred percent!
I haven't seen RDCT, but I'm hopefully going to, next Friday!!!!!!

But I will say this....I watched about 4-5 minutes on youtube...on a tiny 3x3 inch screen..and even THAT made me cry...LOL!

I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!

Linda

 

[TheZue]

I haven't been to the celebration of light, but I've seen bits of it on TV. I would guess the DL fireworks would be equivillent if not better. There are no drunks on the beach, no cops organizing everything and checking your bags, no massive traffic problems, and to top it off it's at Disneyland. I'm also jaded from normal fireworks because of Disney, I generally don't even bother but the Disneyland ones truly are great and you can get a really good spot on Mainstreet without a whole lot of waiting. Last time we were in the stores and just stepped out and got a great view and could hear everything.

 

[RMH]

As the other posters have said, it is not so much the amount of exploding lights in the sky - if that is your yardstick is sounds like the Vancouver show is 'better' - but the theming, then use of other media besides fireworks, and getting caught up in the whole Disney emotion. If you have ever been to Disneyland before or are even a small Disney fan you should not miss this show. Besides, if you are going in October lines should generally be small at all the attractions and your gain from a few extra rides would so not be worth the loss of missing the fireworks. Just know that in October you will usually only be able to catch them on Friday/Sat/Sun. They don't have the show during the week.

 

[IluvDISNEYLAND!]

The fireworks show is breath taking!! You will feel the magic of Disney !! Since we have small children I don't like to stake out a spot and wait. Instead we show up 15-20 mins early in front of Small World(they do a special light show on Small World during the fireworks!). I find that to be one of the best spots to enjoy the show. I hope you have a magical experience!!!!!

 

[ScottShaft]

Thanks for all your opinions! I'll be sure to check them out!

TheZue......don't judge the Vancouver fireworks from what you see on TV. I have never had a problem with police or rowdies........the TV typically only focuses on the tiny pecentage of the people that are idiots and you've got to expect of handful of them mixed in with a crowd that large. I highly recommend that you take the time to check them out next year if you get a chance. Well worth the parking nightmare!

 

[TheZue]

Ya I'd have to pay for the ferry too so I probably would take a pass haha, if I'm paying to get somewhere for fireworks I'm going to disneyland haha.

 

[ScottShaft]

Your just about right....by the time you grabbed the ferry and a hotel for the night you definately could be in DL. I just got a 4 night package with airfare for $299. Hell, the ferry would be at least a third of that!

 

[IASWAM]

It's not so much that it is the "best" fireworks presentation, but what it does for me is evoke a great deal of emotion. Something about the way they piece it together, using Julie Andrew's and Walt Disney's voices, and then how they showcase all the different parts of Disneyland. . . it's just magical. I get choked up every time I watch it. I haven't seen the shows in Vancouver, but I would guess that RDTC is probably on par with them technically.

So to answer your question, if you are at all into the Disney magic, yes, it is TOTALLY worth it.

Couldn't have said it better myself!

 

[cryssi]

Thanks you guys, all this RDCT talk made me put on the soundtrack, and now I REALLY want to get down to the park...um, like right now! LOL

 

[cardaway]

I've seen some very weel done displays outside Disney and IMO some of them compare to the best of the best.

Personally I would rank the current fireworks show at DL just behin dIlluminations at Epcot as the best display... period. To me having the story element puts them over the top. Others outside Disney just put them to music, and not even that well in some cases.