Epcot at the end of the night...

[cuucuu4karaoke]

Last Friday evening, DH and I were in Japan for Dinner. We had a late ADR, and didn't get out until about 10:30pm. There was a private wedding reception going on over in Italy. We were making our way back around the lagoon when the music stopped and we figured it was cuz they thought everybody was out of the park. An announcement came over the speakers thanking everyone for visiting blah blah blah and they were going to do one more thing to officially signal the end of the evening. I don't know the exact words they used on the announcement. I was a recorded announcement, not a live get the heck out of the park one. lol anyhoo, they said to direct your attention to the lagoon and that the following was a planned event. There was a countdown and at the end of it there was a giant explosion and fireball in the lagoon. It scared the begeepers out of me. If I would have known that was going to happen, I would have had my cameras ready to capture it. I never saw anything like that. It was a mushroom type fireball like a nuclear bomb was going off. scary! A cast member was coming out of a shop in the UK and I asked him what that was about. He said they did it everynight to make sure they burn up/explode all the fireworks and casings left over from Illuminations, and it was his favorite part of the night.

Anybody else ever see this before?

 

[mking624]

Oh wow, that's interesting. We're usually not there through closing unless it's EMH.

 

[cgcruz]

That freaked us out too! We heard the announcement, but thought nothing of it. Next thing you know, KABOOM! I had my camcorder too, but since I wasnt aware, didnt tape it. Oh, well, always next time.

 

[eeyoreiscool]

We haven't seen it but have heard that they have done this for a while now. With a little one, we can't seem to stay there that late anymore.

 

[cuucuu4karaoke]

Well its good to know it wasn't the result of too much sake lol and it really did happen lol

 

[Mickey1122]

We have seen this a few times. They use up the remaining fuel in the fire barge from Illuminations. It's interesting to see.

 

[mlill]

Yes, we've seen it several times! It's pretty cool! I just love slowly walking around World Showcase after closing time, while everyone else is rushing for the front entrance. When they do this, I know it's time to head to International Gateway to leave. LOL!

-Michelle

 

[Dan Murphy]

I have not seen it (knew of it), and I do so enjoy that slow walk out.

 

[lorivegas]

Please explain exactly why do you head over to International Gateway at park closing? SSSQ... but I am learning little tidbits along the way!! Thank You!!

 

[WDWguru]

lorivegas - There is a "back" (really more like side) entrance to Epcot between England and France that leads to the Boardwalk area. There is boat service or you can take the walking paths. We usually stay at BWV, so we use that entrance ALL the time!

 

[mattsdragon]

It is done every night there is IllumiNations. They blow off the excess gas out of the lines on the fire barge. It's a safety precaution. They had a difficulty not too long ago, and it caused damage. Of course, everyone thought that the barge had actually blown up.

They just need to get the lines clear,like you would with a misfired weapon, and as we say in the gunnery world, the safest way to clear a misfire is down range.

**edit**
Actually, our Ordinance Manual says "the preferred method to clear a misfire is downrange"

**edit out**

 

[mlill]

Please explain exactly why do you head over to International Gateway at park closing? SSSQ... but I am learning little tidbits along the way!! Thank You!!

Yes, like WDWguru said, it's the back entrance to Epcot. It's really surprising the amount of people that don't know about it. We stay at the Boardwalk, so it's our usual entrance to Epcot. You should take a walk back that way to see the Epcot resorts and Crescent Lake. It's really beautiful at night!

-Michelle

 

[Leigha]

I'd really like to see this! Does it happen around 10:30 each night? Is there anything special to do to kill time until then such as are the shops still open??

 

[DLo]

How much after park closing does this happen? We have an 8:50 adr at LeCellier and the park will be closing at 9:00. My mom would probably hate it but my boys would think it is cool (but loud).

 

[raidermatt]

They had a difficulty not too long ago, and it caused damage. Of course, everyone thought that the barge had actually blown up.

Yes, they do the "blow off" every night. The incident you reference was an unintended explosion that occured after hours. Fortunately nobody was on or near the barge at the time. The fire portion was missing from the show for several months after that.

10:30 is probably a good guess. The bigger shops in Future World stay open after park closing, so you can pass some time in there.

 

[LUVMICKEY]

We've never seen this happen either. After Illuminations, we're like so many people, we make a beline for the International Gateway to go back to BCV. I don't think we've ever even heard a big kaboom. I'd love to know about what time they do this, we'd like to see it.

 

[Aimeedyan]

We saw it last week at 1030 - it was awesome!! I had heard about it but was surprised when it happened. We even clapped and screamed when it finished =)

We had a late reservation at LeCellier and were leaving.

 

[marc1477]

I would like to see/hear that.

 

[WillCAD]

I've heard of this blowoff explosion but never actually seen it. One of these days I'll get around to staying late enough. I love Epcot after hours anyway.

 

[Luckymommyx2]

I'm going to have to add that to my "to do" list when we stay at the BCV's!! EPCOT is my favorite park, especially at night!!