Fireworks Cancelled twice.

[GatorChris]

So far, not so good. Fireworks cancelled Sunday and Monday night. They keep citing inclement weather, but I call horse crap on that. There's not even a breeze here. I hear about high winds, but I'm on the 7th floor of the HoJo. I went to my balcony and guess what? Still no breeze. We even saw one of those light up Mickey balloons get loose while waiting for the fireworks for over 75 minutes and it casually drifted as we all watched it slowly fade into the night. There was no high wind to see.

I've been to WDW 7 times with 55 park days, you know, where they actually have bad weather. Not once were fireworks ever cancelled. But here at DL, two night in a row. A bunch of garbage. Kicking myself for buying APs and thinking Anaheim could ever replace my Orlando trips. Venting. Upset, as we're my kids who've been disappointed twice.

 

[CassieF]

That can be quite disappointing but we are currently experiencing Santa Ana wind weather. Windy, warm, and very dry. It has been windy the last couple of days, yesterday more than today, but they have to be extremely careful with what direction winds (at higher levels) are blowing so the firework debris does not blow into the crowds or into surrounding buildings, neighborhoods, etc. Orlando has the advantage of being more isolated...although they have had fires due to firework debris. You don't hear about those here in Anaheim.

You make think it is safe, but there's a whole safety protocol made by people with far more expertise than you, that ensure you will be able to enjoy the rest of the trip, if not the fireworks. DL has nothing to gain by canceling them really...

 

[MinnieLovesMickey]

That really stinks that your family hasn't been able to see the fireworks yet. The only thing I can think of for the fireworks being cancelled is because Anaheim has a red flag warning due to a mix of high winds, very low humidity, and high temps which will be in effect until Tuesday at 5:00pm. I guess that Disney would have to follow the restrictions that are set up by the city of Anaheim or OC.

Hopefully you all are able to enjoy the rest of your trip!

 

[krispin41]

While I understand your disappointment, you have to consider that just because the weather is fine down near the ground, there may be conditions higher up that would wreak havoc with fireworks. I'd rather Disney err on the side of caution than for someone, god forbid get hurt or Park landmarks get burned or damaged.

 

[sonnyjane]

I think that the threat of fire doesn't register with people as much as other natural disasters. If you were in WDW and they closed because a hurricane was predicted to head straight for the park, it would be obvious that the safe thing had to be done. The threat and potential damage of a fire can be just as devastating, but you don't necessarily think of it that way. All it takes is one tiny spark though.

Very sorry. I'd be frustrated too, but not DL's fault. As PP mentioned, much of SoCal has a red flag warning right now.

 

[sheetz]

Interestingly, there was just a fire at WDW caused by stray fireworks. It doesn't sound like a bit deal but something like that in SoCal during a Santa Ana condition could be disastrous.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Agree with the above posters. A fire weather red flag warning is nothing to laugh at or ignore. DLR has very strict regulations about when they can/can't shoot off fireworks. (They even have restrictions about what kinds and what color fireworks they can use because of the chemical fallout on the surrounding neighborhoods.) We find that checking the NWS page for the warnings is a very good indicator of whether there might be a chance the fireworks will be cancelled. If the NWS has issued a red flag warning, then the chance of fireworks being cancelled is pretty good.

 

[Disney Dreams]

So far, not so good. Fireworks cancelled Sunday and Monday night. They keep citing inclement weather, but I call horse crap on that. There's not even a breeze here. I hear about high winds, but I'm on the 7th floor of the HoJo. I went to my balcony and guess what? Still no breeze. We even saw one of those light up Mickey balloons get loose while waiting for the fireworks for over 75 minutes and it casually drifted as we all watched it slowly fade into the night. There was no high wind to see.

I've been to WDW 7 times with 55 park days, you know, where they actually have bad weather. Not once were fireworks ever cancelled. But here at DL, two night in a row. A bunch of garbage. Kicking myself for buying APs and thinking Anaheim could ever replace my Orlando trips. Venting. Upset, as we're my kids who've been disappointed twice.

Call what you wish, but there have been really strong winds the last few days. There are houses - this - close to Disneyland, as well as a VERY busy freeway. if you lived in one of those houses, how cautious would you want the fire department to be when it comes to fireworks on a windy day? You aren't at WDW where they have the luxury of being in the middle of nowhere. WDW and DLR are very different, even down to safety concerns.

They actually have a scientific method that determines whether or not fireworks will happen. It is all based on a test balloon that is sent up in the air.

The good news is that it sounds like you planned well and did not leave fireworks until your last night. Hopefully, you will get to see them before your trip is over.

- Dreams

 

[StormyCA]

My husband flies hang gliders, so is dependent completely on winds to stay up. Trust me on this; it can be dead calm near the ground and you can still have very high winds aloft or wind gradient or shear. There have been times that HG pilots have complained about getting their 'butts kicked' at 3000 ft while there's scarcely a breath on the ground.

Disney doesn't like to disappoint their guests, no matter what we may think. And a fire would be really bad PR.

 

[rentayenta]

I think because Disneyland is basically in a residential area, they have to be more conservative. I totally understand the disappointment, been there myself a few times, just adding a little insight.

 

[Tinker1972]

We have been here since Friday... Sunday was crazy windy , I figured the fireworks would be cancelled. Yesterday was gusty but the evening was calm so we hoped the fireworks would be on...tonight is our last chance to see them!! Fingers crossed for no wind!! I think I will cry if they are cancelled again :-(

 

[GatorChris]

I guess I don't get it. I've been to the MK when the winds were strong and fireworks still happened. Happened where there's grasslands and pile pines that aren't fire retardant like all CA buildings are over-regulated to be. Just tired of spending an hour plus to get a front row seat so they cancel the show over a breeze. Wondering if WOC will get the axe tonight due to drought and Mosquitos.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I guess I don't get it. I've been to the MK when the winds were strong and fireworks still happened. Happened where there's grasslands and pile pines that aren't fire retardant like all CA buildings are over-regulated to be. Just tired of spending an hour plus to get a front row seat so they cancel the show over a breeze. Wondering if WOC will get the axe tonight due to drought and Mosquitos.

Are you even serious right now? Like for real? Because this is not even funny. I'm dumbfounded, really.

Even IF every home within 10 miles of Disneyland were "fire retardant" (which BTW, um, no) you really think dropping flaming debris on them is a good idea? Because in the off-chance that the (fictitious) flame retardant values of the homes should fail people could die. Not fictional die. Die for real. In flaming houses. For YOUR viewing pleasure.

I get that you're frustrated. My first/only trip out west this spring was met with unseasonable miserable Santa Ana winds. It was not fun for us. Trust me. But you gotta put that stuff into perspective and make the best of it. So you sat there for an hour. You rested your legs for an hour. You (hopefully) spent an hour chillin' with people you care about.

A previous response mentioned Santa Ana's the last few days. When we were there they were fighting off wildfires left & right because the dry, arid conditions make fire hazards much more pronounced. I'm not from anywhere near dry, arid climate. I'll take the word of people who know about that stuff and go with what they say. Much like if someone from the plains states came where I lived & a hurricane was coming they'd be best advised to go with what we tell them since we've lived these conditions for so many years.

Just sayin. Take a step back. Think about what you're saying.

 

[sonnyjane]

Are you even serious right now? Like for real? Because this is not even funny. I'm dumbfounded, really. Even IF every home within 10 miles of Disneyland were "fire retardant" (which BTW, um, no) you really think dropping flaming debris on them is a good idea? Because in the off-chance that the (fictitious) flame retardant values of the homes should fail people could die. Not fictional die. Die for real. In flaming houses. For YOUR viewing pleasure. I get that you're frustrated. My first/only trip out west this spring was met with unseasonable miserable Santa Ana winds. It was not fun for us. Trust me. But you gotta put that stuff into perspective and make the best of it. So you sat there for an hour. You rested your legs for an hour. You (hopefully) spent an hour chillin' with people you care about. A precious response mentioned Santa Ana's the last few days. When we were there they were fighting off wildfires left & right because the dry, arid conditions make fire hazards much more pronounced. I'm not from anywhere near dry, arid climate. I'll take the word of people who know about that stuff and go with what they say. Much like if someone from the plains states came where I lived & a hurricane was coming they'd be best advised to go with what we tell them since we've lived these conditions for so many years. Just sayin. Take a step back. Think about what you're saying.

Right! Not sure why my home even has smoke detectors since clearly it can't catch on fire, just like ALL the other buildings in California! I know for a fact that our fires were covered pretty heavily on the national news circuit, but just in case the OP missed those WEEKS of coverage, as sweetpee said... TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT. it's not worth the risk for a fireworks show!

 

[jetskigrl]

So far, not so good. Fireworks cancelled Sunday and Monday night. They keep citing inclement weather, but I call horse crap on that. There's not even a breeze here. I hear about high winds, but I'm on the 7th floor of the HoJo. I went to my balcony and guess what? Still no breeze. We even saw one of those light up Mickey balloons get loose while waiting for the fireworks for over 75 minutes and it casually drifted as we all watched it slowly fade into the night. There was no high wind to see.

I've been to WDW 7 times with 55 park days, you know, where they actually have bad weather. Not once were fireworks ever cancelled. But here at DL, two night in a row. A bunch of garbage. Kicking myself for buying APs and thinking Anaheim could ever replace my Orlando trips. Venting. Upset, as we're my kids who've been disappointed twice.

I'm sorry you are frustrated but take my word for it, it can get bad quickly. We were there on Sunday and the winds were horrible during the morning hours. I felt so bad for the people trying to run the half marathon with tables and port-o-potties blowing over. It is the gusts that are the problem and they aren't always right on the ground.

I, for one, am grateful that Disneyland is extra cautious about these things (and yes, we have waited more than an hour only to find out the fireworks were cancelled - more than once). Believe me, Disneyland doesn't want to disappoint their guests by cancelling either which is why they wait as long as they can to see if conditions improve before making that call (I'm sure they deal with a lot of people that want their 20 minutes of firework entertainment at all costs and head straight to guest services to complain about it when they don't get it). But I prefer that they consider the safety of the guests and the areas around the resort during our red flag conditions.

 

[wildflower329]

I guess I don't get it. I've been to the MK when the winds were strong and fireworks still happened. Happened where there's grasslands and pile pines that aren't fire retardant like all CA buildings are over-regulated to be. Just tired of spending an hour plus to get a front row seat so they cancel the show over a breeze. Wondering if WOC will get the axe tonight due to drought and Mosquitos.

Wow... really?! It is people with attitudes like yours who end up causing fires. Like the people in my area (eastern Washington) who drive their ATVS in the dry sagebrush during red flag warnings, so they can have their own personal pleasure, and then cause fires that burn down peoples homes and livelihood (farms, orchards, etc.)

I find it sad that you are at Disneyland, and all it seems you can do is complain... find the joy in being there, spending time with loved ones, and having a break from real life.

 

[ExcitedMama]

Agree with the above posters. A fire weather red flag warning is nothing to laugh at or ignore. DLR has very strict regulations about when they can/can't shoot off fireworks. (They even have restrictions about what kinds and what color fireworks they can use because of the chemical fallout on the surrounding neighborhoods.) We find that checking the NWS page for the warnings is a very good indicator of whether there might be a chance the fireworks will be cancelled. If the NWS has issued a red flag warning, then the chance of fireworks being cancelled is pretty good.

Is NWS for National Weather Service? What warnings would I look for on their site? Is it wind or a combo of wind and humid? Do you have a link? We had one cranky disappointed little boy on our last trip (his first) when they were cancelled so it would be great to have a heads up if they are going to be cancelled. Will the conditions be better in early December? If we hopefully get more rain? We are in Monterey so I know LA and the Santa Ana winds are a whole different climate.

 

[crazyventures]

Are you even serious right now? Like for real? Because this is not even funny. I'm dumbfounded, really.

Even IF every home within 10 miles of Disneyland were "fire retardant" (which BTW, um, no) you really think dropping flaming debris on them is a good idea? Because in the off-chance that the (fictitious) flame retardant values of the homes should fail people could die. Not fictional die. Die for real. In flaming houses. For YOUR viewing pleasure.

I get that you're frustrated. My first/only trip out west this spring was met with unseasonable miserable Santa Ana winds. It was not fun for us. Trust me. But you gotta put that stuff into perspective and make the best of it. So you sat there for an hour. You rested your legs for an hour. You (hopefully) spent an hour chillin' with people you care about.

A previous response mentioned Santa Ana's the last few days. When we were there they were fighting off wildfires left & right because the dry, arid conditions make fire hazards much more pronounced. I'm not from anywhere near dry, arid climate. I'll take the word of people who know about that stuff and go with what they say. Much like if someone from the plains states came where I lived & a hurricane was coming they'd be best advised to go with what we tell them since we've lived these conditions for so many years.

Just sayin. Take a step back. Think about what you're saying.

Couldn't have said it better myself. Disneyland is right to be careful if they're currently experiencing Santa Ana winds, especially since the drought was so bad this year. OP lives in Modesto and they were definitely feeling the water shortage/dry conditions too!

It sucks when things get canceled but it seems like it was for a good reason and Disney lets you know that entertainment schedules are always subject to change. You're paying for admission to the park, not for the right to see a fireworks show.

 

[superlarz]

I guess I don't get it. I've been to the MK when the winds were strong and fireworks still happened. Happened where there's grasslands and pile pines that aren't fire retardant like all CA buildings are over-regulated to be. Just tired of spending an hour plus to get a front row seat so they cancel the show over a breeze. Wondering if WOC will get the axe tonight due to drought and Mosquitos.

We have been experiencing Santa Ana winds in SoCal the last few days and there has been a red flag warning. It is extremely windy at certain altitudes and the air is extremely dry. All it takes is a single ember to ignite a brush fire, and basically start a wildfire.

The red flag warning expires at 4pm tonight so there is a chance they may happen tonight, but it could also be extended.

 

[starjazz]

What I want to know is, who sits for an hour waiting for fireworks at Disneyland anyway? I mean, they're in the sky. What kinda "front row seat" do you need?