Fireworks ban and Disney

[jcriket]

Mk wets down areas where fireworks might be a problem, I've even been on the train between Frontierland and the toon area, and there where small, and or smoldering fires that you could see, during the next day. They all had sprinklers around them wetting them down. I assumed that was how disney managed them, I thought they might need more attention, but I know they have lots of expirence, and know what their doing. Also you might notice how wet it is around the castle and carousel after wishes.
As for Epcot I once saw one of those small islands in the lagoon catch fire, a small boat went and hosed it down, no harm, but the fire was good size, and more exciting than Illuminations.

 

[WDSearcher]

The Epcot fireworks all go off over the Lagoon, so there is no chance of any fire there.

As far as MK is concerned, they have sprinklers that are permanently installed in the fireworks area, and they do actually run them before and during a show, unless there has been recent heavy rain and no need for them.

Actually, there is always a chance of fire with any fireworks. Even though the Epcot fireworks go off over the lagoon, there is always a chance of a misfire landing somewhere it's not supposed to, and there is always a chance that there will be unfired product that accidentally goes off at the load / unload point. There are also stray embers to worry about, sprinkler failure, winds, and all sorts of other anomolies. But the biggest reason that Disney does NOT shoot fireworks shows during fireworks bans is because it's best for the company and the community. Disney would look like a horrible community partner if they were blithely shooting off fireworks with the smoke from wildfires clearly evident to guests and an announced fire danger / fireworks ban on the books.

 

[Rip]

Actually, there is always a chance of fire with any fireworks. Even though the Epcot fireworks go off over the lagoon, there is always a chance of a misfire landing somewhere it's not supposed to, and there is always a chance that there will be unfired product that accidentally goes off at the load / unload point. There are also stray embers to worry about, sprinkler failure, winds, and all sorts of other anomolies. But the biggest reason that Disney does NOT shoot fireworks shows during fireworks bans is because it's best for the company and the community. Disney would look like a horrible community partner if they were blithely shooting off fireworks with the smoke from wildfires clearly evident to guests and an announced fire danger / fireworks ban on the books.

Yes, I got hit by some debris last year behind the castle, so it's definitely not uncommon for things to go places they aren't intended to go.

 

[LittleMissMagic]

Really? I am new to NC but they sell fireworks at WalMart here in Cary.

Yes, it really is illegal. People set off fireworks all of the time, but it's illegal.... just have to make sure the police doesn't catch you!

 

[chartle]

Yes, it really is illegal. People set off fireworks all of the time, but it's illegal.... just have to make sure the police doesn't catch you!

But the fireworks they sell in Walmart are legal at least in the state of NC, local communities could have their own local restrictions to anything including sparklers.

I doubt Walmart is selling m80s and bottle rockets.

 

[WDSearcher]

But the fireworks they sell in Walmart are legal at least in the state of NC, local communities could have their own local restrictions to anything including sparklers.

I doubt Walmart is selling m80s and bottle rockets.

Not in the main store anyway. Can't vouch for what's being sold out of a truck in the parking lot ....

 

[chartle]

Not in the main store anyway. Can't vouch for what's being sold out of a truck in the parking lot ....

I'm actually looking at the Wikipedia article about Fire works and here is what it says.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consumer_fireworks#United_States

Eighteen states (California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Idaho, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia) allow residents to purchase and use non-aerial and non-explosive fireworks (also called "safe and sane") like novelties, fountains and sparklers.

Like I posted above forever growing up we had sparklers and roll caps as fireworks. Oh and what ever we bought in SC the last time we were there. shh don't tell anyone.

About maybe 10 years ago they loosened the law and allowed these safe and sane fireworks.

In all chain stores and in temporary tents put up in parking lots, they sell legal fireworks. the pack I just bought looks like this but a little smaller.

I can only assume that since NC is listed with PA in that list I would think thats what they are selling. Again these are not firecrackers or bottle rockets.

Here is the pdf on the laws for NC. http://www.americanpyro.com/State Laws (main)/PDFStates/NC2010.pdf note they say fountains are legal.
Everything in the box above is a fountain.

Here is the listing for Florida http://www.americanpyro.com/State Laws (main)/PDFStates/FL09.pdf Since you are in FL I'm assuming these are also available where you live.

 

[Sammie]

Actually Disney has cancelled fireworks before even on the 4th of July due to drought circumstances so it could happen. They would never intentionally put the area in danger.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

A number of years ago we were staying at the Contemporary with a view of the Magic Kingdom. Since it was July 4th weekend we were very excited to be able to see the fireworks from our room, we thought. You guessed it. Because of the fire conditions, all fireworks were cancelled even the planned July 4th fireworks. So Disney is not above the law.

That was in 1998! That was the worst year in Fl for fires. My sister's County, the entire County had to be evacuated due to the fires. She lives in Flagler County..

 

[A Mickeyfan]

That was probably the same year that the second race at Daytona was canceled/postponed.

I believe it was.. 1998! That year everything was canceled. The fires near the surrounding areas of the Speedway were very bad and I-95 was closed on and off. ..and as I just stated, all of Flagler County (just north of the Speedway) was evacuated.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

This year is starting off pretty bad with the fires.. and sure hope it doesn't amount to another "history making year" with fires. If the ban continues, Disney will have to comply. There is no if, ands, or buts about it.

Yes, it will make one's vacation less magical, but all of you on vacation do have to think about your safety as well as the safety of everyone who live around the parks, where the fires could spread to if they were to start from just one spark.

While you might not have your perfect vacation and feel you are not getting your money's worth, the house that might burn down due to that jumping fire, that family will lose everything.. not just some money spent on a vacation

All the fire-fighters in the State of Fl need to have some Kuddo's sent their way as well as a big Thank You for all their hard work in doing what they have been doing with the fires. From what the news has stated, there are about 400 fires burning right now.. and some homes in Volusia County have just been evacuated today... my heart goes out to those people..

 

[A Mickeyfan]

The Epcot fireworks all go off over the Lagoon, so there is no chance of any fire there.

As far as MK is concerned, they have sprinklers that are permanently installed in the fireworks area, and they do actually run them before and during a show, unless there has been recent heavy rain and no need for them.

were you not working for Disney when they did not have the firework shows due to the ban?

 

[Aunt Cawa]

Was it in 1998? We were there on our honeymoon and there were no fireworks for the entire week we were there.

It might have been. I am not really sure. That sounds about the right time. I only remember the entire time we were there the TV stations were covering the fires 24/7.

We never thought to complain to Disney about the cancelled fireworks. We were more concerned about the people dealing with the fires. What a horrible thing to happen.

 

[Aunt Cawa]

That was in 1998! That was the worst year in Fl for fires. My sister's County, the entire County had to be evacuated due to the fires. She lives in Flagler County..

Thanks! I really couldn't remember. Should have read the entire thread before I responded.

 

[disnut8]

We have a total fireworks fan here in Georgia and yet the Atlanta Braves, the Gwinnett Braves, Chateau Elan, the Mall of Georgia, Lake Lanier, and lots of smaller areas set off fireworks for at least July 4th. Why? Because there are exemptions from everything. For of all, this ban that the OP is referring to doesn't even exist for Disney World. Second of all, if it did, Disney would simply seek an exemption like every other place I've mentioned above that is no where near the conglomarate Disney World is. So big deal. IF, and that 's a big IF fireworks are banned in Osceola County and Disney gets an exemption, what is the big deal? Disney knows how to deal with it and that's why they would get the exemption. Moot point people, move on.

 

[TXMemaw]

A number of years ago we were staying at the Contemporary with a view of the Magic Kingdom. Since it was July 4th weekend we were very excited to be able to see the fireworks from our room, we thought. You guessed it. Because of the fire conditions, all fireworks were cancelled even the planned July 4th fireworks. So Disney is not above the law.

We were also there that year (also at the Contemporary) and I was just thinking the same thing as I read this post. Fortunately, we were able to see the fireworks a few days later when the fire risk decreased.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

We have a total fireworks fan here in Georgia and yet the Atlanta Braves, the Gwinnett Braves, Chateau Elan, the Mall of Georgia, Lake Lanier, and lots of smaller areas set off fireworks for at least July 4th. Why? Because there are exemptions from everything. For of all, this ban that the OP is referring to doesn't even exist for Disney World. Second of all, if it did, Disney would simply seek an exemption like every other place I've mentioned above that is no where near the conglomarate Disney World is. So big deal. IF, and that 's a big IF fireworks are banned in Osceola County and Disney gets an exemption, what is the big deal? Disney knows how to deal with it and that's why they would get the exemption. Moot point people, move on.

Disney does care about the area and while they can get an exemption, they sometimes do just cancel the fireworks shows on their own. There were times they had done that.. and July 4th 1998 was one of them

 

[WilsonFlyer]

I can't believe this discussion has seriously evolved to 4+ pages? Really?

C'mon people. Use a little common sense.

So Orange Co. does ban fireworks? So what! Local governments, ball stadiums, MALLS (Yes, MALLS!) are issued special use permits all the time once they prove that the fireworks will be deployed safely.

RCDD is not above the county laws. No local government shall make any law which supercedes county, state or federal law. It's Poly Sci 101. Jeez. What they can do is ask for exemptions. If the governing body approves the exemption, that's the end of it. Even if Orange Co. were to write such a law, the local parks would be in it and exempt from the get-go (written into the original law).

Even if that didn't happen (no chance it wouldn't be written exempt into the original law, though), what CAN and WOULD happen (and probably already did happen many, many years ago when a whole bunch of exceptions were granted to Disney in order for them to agree to build WDW in FL.) is Disney would be granted a permanent license/exception to the local fireworks ordinances. So would Universal and Seaworld if they do fireworks shows.

I can't believe this has even become what is apparently a serious discussion. There's nothing to discuss. Does anybody here seriously think that Orange county has the (I'm gonna choose to use the word "nerve" here.) nerve to make fireworks illegal to the extent that the local parks cannot do shows? You gotta be kidding me. Like I said. I can't even believe anyone would even try to turn this into a serious discussion.

 

[WDSearcher]

I can't believe this discussion has seriously evolved to 4+ pages? Really?

C'mon people. Use a little common sense.

So Orange Co. does ban fireworks? So what! Local governments, ball stadiums, MALLS (Yes, MALLS!) are issued special use permits all the time once they prove that the fireworks will be deployed safely.

RCDD is not above the county laws. No local government shall make any law which supercedes county, state or federal law. It's Poly Sci 101. Jeez. What they can do is ask for exemptions. If the governing body approves the exemption, that's the end of it. Even if Orange Co. were to write such a law, the local parks would be in it and exempt from the get-go (written into the original law).

Even if that didn't happen (no chance it wouldn't be written exempt into the original law, though), what CAN and WOULD happen (and probably already did happen many, many years ago when a whole bunch of exceptions were granted to Disney in order for them to agree to build WDW in FL.) is Disney would be granted a permanent license/exception to the local fireworks ordinances. So would Universal and Seaworld if they do fireworks shows.

I can't believe this has even become what is apparently a serious discussion. There's nothing to discuss. Does anybody here seriously think that Orange county has the (I'm gonna choose to use the word "nerve" here.) nerve to make fireworks illegal to the extent that the local parks cannot do shows? You gotta be kidding me. Like I said. I can't even believe anyone would even try to turn this into a serious discussion.

Well ... then ... why spend the time and energy ranting on something that isn't worth the discussion?

Clearly, the thread was started by someone who wanted to dig at WDW and make it seem as though the company was above the law or something similar. Other people have weighed in. Isn't that kind of what a discussion board is for? To, you know ... discuss things? Just because you don't think it's interesting doesn't mean other people shouldn't be allowed to chat. Lighten up!

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Well ... then ... why spend the time and energy ranting on something that isn't worth the discussion?

Clearly, the thread was started by someone who wanted to dig at WDW and make it seem as though the company was above the law or something similar. Other people have weighed in. Isn't that kind of what a discussion board is for? To, you know ... discuss things? Just because you don't think it's interesting doesn't mean other people shouldn't be allowed to chat. Lighten up!

those where my thoughts exactly.. and if they didn't think it was worth the discussion, why are there in this thread discussing it Obviously there are others here, like us, who feel it is worth the discussion and this is a discussion board.. so let's discuss this topic

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