Coordinating Fireworks at Carthay?

[Elias1901]

Hey fellow DISers,

So for my upcoming 25th birthday in October, we're trying to coordinate a dinner at the Carthay Circle Restaurant (seated on the terrace) to view the Halloween Screams fireworks from Disneyland Park that night while we dine. I've attempted to make fireworks on the terrace work a few times on past trips, but it's never come off (whether because it was due to weather or fireworks cancelled by "winds at higher altitudes"). However -- I'm gonna try again this trip and hope some birthday magic is on my side for the evening!

We hold a reservation for the latest seating that night, which is 8:10 PM. The fireworks over at MHP begins at 9:30 PM, so we will have time to have a nice leisurely dinner up until that time. I know the general procedure for requesting the terrace (arrive early, might have to wait, explain what you're trying to have happen, etc.) so that's not where my question comes into play.

My question is this part of the equation I'm trying to make a bit more magical for my dining party. Since a couple members of our party is only in Disneyland for my birthday evening, they won't be staying long enough to experience Halloween Screams in person in Disneyland Park with us. So, I got to thinking how I could "plus" the experience a bit for us all.

You see, I have the source audio file from the show on my iPhone. So my conclusion was that at 9:30 PM when the fireworks are set to begin (with potential cancellations aside) I would hit play on the audio track and try to sync up with the fireworks over at the park (like piping in the audio for the MK fireworks at the California Grill over in WDW). I think it could be a fun idea! However, I am a bit concerned that it won't come off as well as it sounds on paper.

Things like delays in start time could throw off my time if I'm pushing play right at 9:30 PM... so my question to the seasoned veterans who have witnessed many-a-fireworks show at the park, is to weigh in on this. Does the fireworks typically start as soon as 9:30 PM hits if all is going ahead as planned? Is there typically a minute or two delay after 9:30 PM?? What tips could I follow to more closely have my audio synced with the fireworks... it could prove tricky! I mean, at very least we'll just have some out of time music to accompany the show -- I suppose! LOL. ㄟ(ツ)ㄏ

 

[Elias1901]

Thanks for any thoughts y'all can provide!

 

[Nonsuch]

I don't want to be too negative, but it your plan to see fireworks seems likely to fail. So many things need to work out, and at best you will have a marginal view.

Another option you might consider at Carthay is the Premier Room. This is a private room in the corner of the building, under the "tower". No view of fireworks (only small windows), but a very special experience. Sometimes called the "wishing well room", since the base of the round table is patterned after the DL wishing well. Accommodates groups of 8 to 12 guests. No extra costs, but might require a deposit.

 

[purple figment]

Sounds like a fun idea, but I don't know how successful it would be. There is the possibility that weather conditions could cause the fireworks to be cancelled or delayed which means you won't know if/when it starts. You'll see the higher fireworks, but won't see any of the castle projections, the projection orb, Zero or the lower bursts and effects so you and your guests will be missing a fair amount of the actual show. The Carthay terrace isn't always open.

Maybe concentrate on a nice dinner at Carthay, Napa Rose or Steakhouse 55.

 

[Elias1901]

I don't want to be too negative, but it your plan to see fireworks seems likely to fail. So many things need to work out, and at best you will have a marginal view.

Another option you might consider at Carthay is the Premier Room. This is a private room in the corner of the building, under the "tower". No view of fireworks (only small windows), but a very special experience. Sometimes called the "wishing well room", since the base of the round table is patterned after the DL wishing well. Accommodates groups of 8 to 12 guests. No extra costs, but might require a deposit.

Noted. I kind of expected as such.

That Premier Room might be a cool idea, though! How do you go about seeing if you can reserve it? Could I call back on the Disney Dining Line? Or, like the terrace, is it something I have to request upon arrival?? We're a group of 4 and you stated that this room accommodates 8 to 12 guests... is 8 guests minimum enforced to occupy that room? It just feels like 4 in a private room wouldn't be permitted.

Sounds like a fun idea, but I don't know how successful it would be. There is the possibility that weather conditions could cause the fireworks to be cancelled or delayed which means you won't know if/when it starts. You'll see the higher fireworks, but won't see any of the castle projections, the projection orb, Zero or the lower bursts and effects so you and your guests will be missing a fair amount of the actual show. The Carthay terrace isn't always open.

Maybe concentrate on a nice dinner at Carthay, Napa Rose or Steakhouse 55.

Thanks for the thoughts. I did realize that they won't be able to see anything but the high launched fireworks... but it's not like they have a choice to view it any other way and they don't seem too bothered to extend their trip anymore than a day. It's frustrating but that's the reality of this trip.

We are doing the Chef's Counter at Napa Rose the night prior, however!

 

[Nonsuch]

...That Premier Room might be a cool idea, though! How do you go about seeing if you can reserve it? Could I call back on the Disney Dining Line? Or, like the terrace, is it something I have to request upon arrival?? We're a group of 4 and you stated that this room accommodates 8 to 12 guests... is 8 guests minimum enforced to occupy that room? It just feels like 4 in a private room wouldn't be permitted.

A party of 4 is likely too small for the Premier Room.
There are 2 smaller rooms, Hyperion and Buena Vista, for parties up to 6 (excellent with 4). I doubt these can be reserved in advance, but it might be possible to have a request added to your reservation.

 

[goin' again!]

We celebrated our 22nd anniversary at CC last year and were lucky enough to get a seat on the terrace about an hour before fireworks began. About 5 minutes before the start time a group of 10-12 people came out on the terrace to 'watch' the fireworks. I put that in quotes because what the mostly did was be loud and interrupt our dinner. If this is a regular occurrence I don't think you would even be able to hear the audio from your phone. I'm hoping this was just a bad experience as we will be going back to Carthay for our anniversary this year and hoping for a slightly more magical experience.

Hope things work out for you!