camping out for fireworks etiquette

[cruise cruise cruise]

if my family was to "camp out" for the fireworks....ie , put a blanket down for the 4 of us and sit, what are the rules/ etiquette? Can DH and the kids go off and do some ride while I sit there holding a spot for 4?
Also, do the CMs instruct all to stand prior to the show, or in some areas are people allowed to sti?

 

[oc_tony]

Saving spots is acceptable, and a blanket would certainly help define your area. DW has saved a spot for us on multiple occasions and hasn't had any major problems. Granted, she has no problem telling someone that they may not "invade her space" just minutes before the show begins. You'll always have those last-minute types who try to squeeze into a space that's way too small right in front of you, so as she would say, "Stay strong."

CMs will make you stand and move forward about 15-20 (maybe 30) minutes before the show, so I would at least rejoin your party by then so you can be sure to have your spot. Once everyone stands, it can be hard to find your group.

 

[iheartdisney]

Saving spots is acceptable, and a blanket would certainly help define your area. DW has saved a spot for us on multiple occasions and hasn't had any major problems. Granted, she has no problem telling someone that they may not "invade her space" just minutes before the show begins. You'll always have those last-minute types who try to squeeze into a space that's way too small right in front of you, so as she would say, "Stay strong."

The only thing more annoying than those last minute squeeze-in-ers, is the last minute squeeze-in-ers that squeeze in and then hold their point and shoot camera above their head for the entire show. Of couse, Karma gives me a wink and a nod when thier camera ALWAYS goes off 2 seconds after the good shot...and all they get is smoke.
Just make sure they bring you back some ice cream!

 

[kiwitinkerbell]

Oh dear, I don't know if I could be bothered with the hassle. How long in advance before the fireworks do people start camping out and claiming a spot? (I haven't been to Disneyland for many years). I think I will just watch it from my hotel?

 

[mvf-m11c]

We always like to watch Remember right in front of the castle and we set up a blanket right next to the curb almost two hours before the firework show. I save the spot with the blanket while my family go on rides or get food. We always get a lot of people asking us if we can move our blanket in closer for these other people can get a spot for the fireworks and we always tell them that we have a big group and don't have enough space. Then when it is time for the show, we put away our blanket and have to stand up for the show. Then these other people around us tried to squeeze in the last few minutes before the show and it always frustrate us.

I always like to video tape Remember, so I like the curb so much that I can get a better shot of taping the fireworks, so no one will be in my way.

Mostly all the CM instruct all the guest to stand up for the fireworks, but one night when I was there during St. Patrick day this year, some of the guests were standing and some were sitting. There were some people arguing at the other guests for them to sit down. But, none of the CM said anything to the guests that night.

 

[Leshaface]

Such a great question! I've always wondered about this too!

There were times when I was sooo annoyed, when I would see a land of blankets sprawled out hours before Fantasmic! and think that they're using their blankets as a Fast Pass!

But if everyone's in unison about it being perfectly fine to hold a spot for you and your family, then I guess I'll be all for it too!

I just wouldn't want someone telling me that I couldn't do that...if the CM's thinks it's Okay, then by-golly I'll be doing this next time!

 

[nunzia]

The only thing more annoying than those last minute squeeze-in-ers, is the last minute squeeze-in-ers that squeeze in and then hold their point and shoot camera above their head for the entire show. Of couse, Karma gives me a wink and a nod when thier camera ALWAYS goes off 2 seconds after the good shot...and all they get is smoke.
Just make sure they bring you back some ice cream!

Yep..I had a guy VIDEOING the whole show right in front of me...after being scrunched in the crowd and squeezed by the last minute squeezers, then have this distracting light and hands in front of me the whole time...and yet..still worth it for the best fireworks show ever.

 

[iheartdisney]

Oh dear, I don't know if I could be bothered with the hassle. How long in advance before the fireworks do people start camping out and claiming a spot? (I haven't been to Disneyland for many years). I think I will just watch it from my hotel?

It depends on the day, obviously. On a Friday during Spring Break, we got our spot 30 minutes beforehand. Granted, we were not in the center of the hub, more off towards Tomorrowland, but with 3 small kids solo, its not possible for me to get there any earlier. You don't HAVE to see them from the hub, but it is a better "experience" if you do.

RE: Fantasmic- I don't mind a blanket with a person on it. That is dedication. I am annoyed by the unattended blankets, that kind of make the Rivers of America look like the homeless encampment down by the river.

 

[HydroGuy]

if my family was to "camp out" for the fireworks....ie , put a blanket down for the 4 of us and sit, what are the rules/ etiquette? Can DH and the kids go off and do some ride while I sit there holding a spot for 4?
Also, do the CMs instruct all to stand prior to the show, or in some areas are people allowed to sti?

As long as someone stays with the blanket at all times it is fine to camp out like that. However, I believe it is only allowed in "sitting" only areas. I cannot imagine it would be OK in the standing areas - and not sure why anyone might want a blanket in a standing area.

In any case, CMs do make people sit in the sitting areas and stand in the standing areas.

 

[bnbheartdisney]

We were lucky enough to see the Electrical Parade for one of it's last runs and my sister unexpectedly "camped out" for us. She put out her blanket and we went to get snacks, little did we know that we would be in line for an HOUR! We got back to our spot and she had no issues - except for a few rude teenagers walking on the blanket and pushing the strollers.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

A blanket to hold 3 or 4 seats is accepable. However, I have seen people bring in sheets of butcher paper to line an entire section of sidewalk and chalk their names on it thinking that this would miraculously save all the spaces they needed. Needless to say, the CMs were all over that and brought it to a halt.

 

[Kayla's Mom]

A blanket to hold 3 or 4 seats is accepable. However, I have seen people bring in sheets of butcher paper to line an entire section of sidewalk and chalk their names on it thinking that this would miraculously save all the spaces they needed. Needless to say, the CMs were all over that and brought it to a halt.

 

[DTDkettleCORNfan]

We have only watched the fireworks from the top of Main Street, and are able just to walk in and find a space about 20 minutes before.....with plenty of room around us. It doesn't seem to get smooshy until just before they start.

What is it like in front of the partners statue? I assume that is where people are saving places. Is it much better to be a bit closer? Granted...where we stand, the trees block out the lower part of the castle. Just wondering. Maybe this year we'll try for a closer view.

 

[Mister Toad]

People get intense about the fireworks. I saw some dad with his kids quite nearly attack a CM for telling him he couldn't stand in the walkway, he had to keep moving. This guy flipped out and told him to get security and force him to move.

Guy was intense.

 

[Raindown]

People get intense about the fireworks. I saw some dad with his kids quite nearly attack a CM for telling him he couldn't stand in the walkway, he had to keep moving. This guy flipped out and told him to get security and force him to move.

Guy was intense.

Gheez people like that should be booted. Too bad probably nothing happened.

 

[FlameGirl]

People get intense about the fireworks. I saw some dad with his kids quite nearly attack a CM for telling him he couldn't stand in the walkway, he had to keep moving. This guy flipped out and told him to get security and force him to move.

Guy was intense.

What a lovely example he is setting for his children.

 

[iheartdisney]

We have only watched the fireworks from the top of Main Street, and are able just to walk in and find a space about 20 minutes before.....with plenty of room around us. It doesn't seem to get smooshy until just before they start.

What is it like in front of the partners statue? I assume that is where people are saving places. Is it much better to be a bit closer? Granted...where we stand, the trees block out the lower part of the castle. Just wondering. Maybe this year we'll try for a closer view.

During high times it can get pretty much belly-to-butt packed at the hub. The biggest difference at the hub is during the Haunted Mansion sequence- the whole area lights up like daylight when the stretching room fireworks go up- it is pretty breathtaking.

 

[kiwitinkerbell]

What a lovely example he is setting for his children.

That is exactly my thoughts!

I am going to DLR October 3-8 and am hoping the Halloween fireworks will be happening nightly by then because I wont be there during a weekend (we fly out Friday 8th). I will be going with someone with a bad back who can't stand for a long period of time and can't sit on the curb. Is there somewhere we could sit to watch the fireworks? It wouldn't matter if we had to get there early and sit and wait and obviously it wouldn't be the 'best viewing spot' but hopefully still enjoyable?

 

[mareed]

That is exactly my thoughts!

I am going to DLR October 3-8 and am hoping the Halloween fireworks will be happening nightly by then because I wont be there during a weekend (we fly out Friday 8th). I will be going with someone with a bad back who can't stand for a long period of time and can't sit on the curb. Is there somewhere we could sit to watch the fireworks? It wouldn't matter if we had to get there early and sit and wait and obviously it wouldn't be the 'best viewing spot' but hopefully still enjoyable?

I don't think I've seen DL fireworks from anywhere near the castle in a very long time because I'm not going to fight the crowds and stand squeezed in! We either watch them from ROA after Fantasmic or from around the Small World area. I'd say both of these locations give you about a 80-90% view with much less crowds and hassle, so it works for us! On our Spring Break trip we were able to arrive in the Small World area about 5 minutes before the fireworks and find enough space sitting on a ledge for 2 people in our group who really needed to sit at that time, and the others were able to stand nearby. Could even see Tink flying from here if you know where and when to look!

 

[mommyof2boys1girl]

We watched the fireworks from ROA after F! last time, so I never really considered where we'd have to be this time. I just figured we'd watch near the hub this year. But if it's wall to wall people with standing room only, how are my tiny tots gonna see anything? We'll have a double stroller for them to sit in (much more comfy), and we usually have to hold dd up because she's so tiny, but will the kiddos be able to see anything, or should we try for a "sitting" area??