** Calling all Poly experts! **

[wheeler]

Ok, someone convince me I'm not crazy...... in Dec. '01 I stayed at the Poly 12/1 - 12/5, and on the afternoon before we left, I had a voicemail message in the room from a staff member that said there would be "special" fireworks on Bay Lake that night at 9:00. These were not MK fireworks, these appeared to be shot right off of that big island directly in front of the Poly beach (the island the boat to MK passes by). We had no other plans that night, since we were leaving the next day, plus we had a water view room on the 4th floor. These were hands down, the most spectacular fireworks I have ever seen in my entire life and seemed to be much longer than the MK ones! (one strange thing happened though - the far left side of the island caught on fire - quite seriously - towards the end of the show, and seemed to be seriously out of control - about 1/6th of the island was engulfed in 20 foot flames). Since then, I have made 3 trips and stayed at VWL all three times........each time, I could SWEAR there was one evening where there seemed to be fireworks so CLOSE, that by the looks of it from my room, they were in the parking lot!!!!!! Each time, circumstances prevented me from leaving my room, so I couldn't investigate further, but when I called the WL front desk, they had no idea what I was talking about, and when I called the Poly front desk and asked if they have special fireworks on Bay Lake on a regular basis, on two separate occasions I was told that they had never heard of this!!!! Look outside for pete's sake! These could not POSSIBLY have been from the MK. I don't remember what night of the week it was, or if it was the same night each time, but they definately were so close that they HAD to be on Bay Lake. Anyone know anything about this?

 

[Scoootch]

I haven't heard anything about any "special" fireworks but I did just get back from the Poly last night and the only thing that went on on Sat. night was the regularly scheduled electrical water pagent seen from the beach -- that was at 9pm and then the fireworks over the castle at 10pm.

 

[wheeler]

If I had to guess, I would say it WASN'T Saturdays that these fireworks were going off, because I usually am *AT* MK to see MK fireworks (since the time of year I go MK usually only does fireworks on Sat.)
For some strange reason, I want to guess Sunday, because it always seems like it's the night before I leave, and I almost always fly home on Mondays (less crazy than Sundays). From my room at VWL (I had a pool view) if I looked to the far left off the balcony, I could see fireworks above the roof of the main lodge and they were very close, and so loud, that the noise is what brought me to the balcony in the first place, and I know the Poly is in that direction.

 

[LadyLt]

I can't help you with the Wilderness Lodge questions. I do know about the other situation in December, 2001. I also witnessed it, but from the window of 'Ohanas.

First of all, you could not have a fourth floor view of the lagoon at the Polynesian. The buildings only have three floors.

But back to the fireworks. I was with a group of friends and we had 8:30 pm PS at 'Ohana. We were lucky enough to grab one of the large round tables by the window. We were told that night that there would be the regular MVMCP fireworks, but in addition there would be extra fireworks because a company was demonstrating their product to Disney executives. So when the lights dimmed and the music started, we were ready for a show. It was absolutely breathtaking. But then the island caught fire. The flames became quite large and then they faded until they were almost out. We thought that the Reedy Creek firefighters had put it out. Then the flames regenerated and became almost as big as the first time. We could see the shadows of boats around the island and assumed that those were the firefighters trying to put it out. The fire was finally extinguished before we left the table. The next day or two, I traveled by monorail and ferry and tried to see the damage to the island. But I guess Disney had already managed to "imagineer" it away.

BTW, for Wheeler, I think it was a Monday or Tuesday. It was the week of the RADP - 5 meeting, and we were leaving on the Disney Magic on Saturday the 8th. So I think we went to 'Ohana on Monday or Tuesday that week.

 

[KathyTX]

It's possible that the special fireworks could have been related to a Disney Wedding going on that evening...

 

[wheeler]

Well, if those were some kind of demo they were unbelievable, and I'll consider myself lucky for having seen them. To this day my kids still talk about it, that's how amazing they were, and we were lucky enough to be in the Tahiti building (I think) and facing the water (and you're right of course - 3rd floor!). Nothing short of incredible - and long, too! I just kept saying over and over, "OH MY GOD!" As far as what the heck is going on on these other trips near the WL, if the Poly does not run "special" fireworks on Bay Lake, then I'll have to assume they were for a private function....it's just a coincidence that the last 3 times I stayed there 05/02, 10/02, & 5/03, there must have been weddings or whatever all 3 times, because they were definately coming from that direction, and they were way too close to be MK

 

[Tikiman]

They do have practice displays of fireworks. There have even been a few that are done after the park closes and only the resort guests can view them. The fireworks do get launched from Beachcombers Isle out in the Seven Seas Lagoon on special occasions. The 4th of July show has them go off from that island and other areas around the lake.

You are not crazy!!!

Aloha

Steve

 

[wendylovesdisney]

I was at Poly then too. I remember the phone call about the fireworks but we were not around to see them. Almost wish I had now! LOL!