Fireworks Cancelled twice.

[LGregg]

It sucks that they were canceled, but as someone who lives up the road in Modesto, you've seen first-hand the dry conditions the drought has caused. Add in the Santa Ana winds, and it's better safe than sorry, wouldn't you say?

Attitude is everything.

 

[disneyobsessed808]

I can understand your frustration - I was frustrated on Sunday night. But what everyone is saying makes sense. Fires are a serious matter, and huge fires happen occasionally in Southern California.

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?

Tons of people do including myself. They may be in the sky, but that doesn't mean they can be seen easily from every single location in the park. Not all viewing locations are equal, and speaking from experience, to get the best locations, you have to be willing to wait.

 

[2tinkerbell]

We were there several years ago and the tree on Main Street was blown over along with trees in the moat due to the Santa Ana winds. Interesting because we really didn't feel the wind. We were told some intense gusts of wind came through.

I think Disney could get fined quite a bit if they ignored a Red Alert. I think they could very well lose the ability to have anymore fireworks if they ignored a Red Alert and had the show. It isn't like you can hide a fireworks show.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

We were there several years ago and the tree on Main Street was blown over along with trees in the moat due to the Santa Ana winds. Interesting because we really didn't feel the wind. We were told some intense gusts of wind came through. I think Disney could get fined quite a bit if they ignored a Red Alert. I think they could very well lose the ability to have anymore fireworks if they ignored a Red Alert and had the show. It isn't like you can hide a fireworks show.

Good point.

 

[bcla]

Neither here nor there, but I've parked my car right under where fireworks were going off near the Oakland Coliseum. They close a pedestrian ramp to public transportation during fireworks and clear out several stadium sections closest to the fireworks. When I got back to my car, I found slightly burnt cardboard tubes and paper wadding all over the parking lot and some was on my car. There was also the occasional bit of pyrotechnic residue. Sort of looked like blackened bird poop that was kind of crusty. For the most part I don't think they want winds to blow this stuff in more than a controlled environment.

I think these fireworks shows I've seen at baseball games are better than what Disneyland puts on. The shows are longer and bigger, but of course the budget to do this (usually from a named sponsor) doesn't allow for it to happen after every night game. I remember walking right out after seeing an Angels game to my car in the parking lot, and there was a section that was cleared out where they shot the fireworks. Those were pretty big too.

I've also seen some crazy stuff at a county 4th of July fireworks show at their fairgrounds. This may have been done on a tighter budget. They didn't have the more modern firing system using remote wired firing and maybe even electronic programming rather than someone pressing a button. They literally had guys running around with flares lighting them up in sequences and running away. When it was over, I noticed all the employees were holding the flares up and waving them to indicate that the show was over.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

We were there several years ago and the tree on Main Street was blown over along with trees in the moat due to the Santa Ana winds. Interesting because we really didn't feel the wind. We were told some intense gusts of wind came through.

I think Disney could get fined quite a bit if they ignored a Red Alert. I think they could very well lose the ability to have anymore fireworks if they ignored a Red Alert and had the show. It isn't like you can hide a fireworks show.

I was on Main Street when that micro-burst came through. The trees in the moat were toppled, and some of the carts on Main Street were turned over, too. That was one strong burst of wind! A man on the drawbridge was hit by one of the Christmas trees that fell over. They never did put them up after that.

 

[princessmocha]

It is unfortunate that you are disappointed that there are no fireworks. I am sure that Disney doesn't cancel them just because. Even being all the way in PA, I have heard about the Santa Ana winds right now in CA and how they are affected things. Just one little ember could spark a huge wildfire, why in the world would DL risk something like that. Not to mention, they probably can't have them during this red flag time. Don't let it ruin your vacation. I am sure you will get to see fireworks some day, especially with your frequent visits.

 

[rosiep]

While I don't agree with the OP's cavalier attitude, I understand his frustration especially being a regular at WDW. Two DL trips ago I'd gone during off season and there were no fireworks during the week. Friday night it was cancelled and then WOC was cancelled on Sunday so I never got to see any. A previous poster hit the nail on the head when she observed that Anaheim is smack dab in the middle of a residential neighborhood while WDW is farther away from the outside world. Naturally, I wouldn't want anyone's home to be endangered just for my entertainment but it does lessen my enjoyment of the parks when there are no fireworks to be seen.

 

[wdwfan22]

DW is in Florida. DL is in California. California has crazy regulations. DL has to follow them. They do not decide if fireworks can go off or not, the state has very strict guidlines. Do not blame DL. My last trip there, the fireworks were cancelled every night. Yes, I was bummed, I really wanted my sister to see them as she hadn't been to DL in 30 yrs. But I know it was not DL's fault, and I didn't let it ruin my trip.

I was also bummed about the changes to the outside part of Alice. Welcome to California.

 

[Geemo]

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.

Here are a couple of weather sites for you and those interested.

NOAA for Anaheim. NOAA posts their warnings in RED right above Current Conditions. The "+" on the map is right over DLR.
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-117.91885&lat=33.81204#.VGvO0Gfp_lM

AccuWeather has a tab for RED Flag Warnings
that will give you detailed info if you click on it.
http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/anaheim-ca/92805/weather-forecast/327150

If you really want to see Disney Fireworks and it's canceled due to condition. Turn on YouTube, there are plenty of options there. And you don't have to stake out a prime spot hours ahead of time.

I do hope the wind calms down so everyone can enjoy the show tonight.

Good luck


Geemo

 

[ExcitedMama]

Thank you so much Geemo!

 

[Butterfly123]

During one of our April vacations the fireworks were cancelled every night. It didn't seem that windy, but obviously up high where it counts it would have been risky. We're we disappointed? Yes. Did it ruin anything? Not even a little. We still had a wonderful visit. Not everything will go smoothly all the time... You gotta just roll with it. Kids learn how to handle disappointment by watching how adults handle disappointment. So if plan A--the fireworks-- aren't shown tonight why not come up with a fun sounding plan B you can do instead. That way the kids (and you) have a fun evening to look forward to no matter how it plays out.

 

[bumbershoot]

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.

What DO you think the reason is? You don't believe that it's safety concerns or weather. What does Disney get if they cancel something like that? Any savings would be eaten up by the extra man hours dealing with complaints.

Santa Ana winds are unpredictable. And Disney engineers are going to have access to weather/wind info that you don't have.

We've actually had the fireworks start, only to have them stop. We now know to watch waaaaay up. If the smoke plumes from the beginning wander to the side even sort of quickly, it's not going to continue. It sure IS frustrating! But they have absolutely no reason to lie about anything. They have strong and strict regulations.

You know that the neighborhoods that grew up around Disneyland are the exact reason Disney got so sneaky and secretive about buying property in Florida, right? He wanted a ton of property but didn't want to pay the prices that would be charged if his name was attached. So his name wasn't attached. And he got a ton of land. Swamp land, even. With its own fire station.


I was watching Wishes (ptooie!) with a friend (she was the reason I was watching) last week and the wind was blowing the plumes to an insane degree! It was almost scary seeing the conditions Wishes can happen in. And, of course, their ride caught on fire the week before, because there is fireworks debris going ALL over the place. We were near the bridge to BOG and the fireworks were on both sides of us. In Anaheim they close Fantasyland. In FL they seem to be doing some sort of population control by letting us stand right in the middle of things. Terrifying. I'm done with Wishes anyway so I won't worry about that any further. On a personal level, at least.

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...

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.

....

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

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.

If FL is so great and easygoing, then why can't my aunt sell her trailer? (in a very nice, permanent community that truly looks like a neighborhood of homes, it's really neat) It has withstood 30 years of Daytona-area storms, but it's not rated for hurricanes and so it cannot be insured, and so you cannot get a mortgage on it. So she cannot sell it. (she's lived in a house-house now for 3 years and can't get rid of the trailer)

Front row seats are overrated. I've had the best fireworks experiences just ending up wherever I end up. The one time we truly waited (thanks to an awesome dis'er who set up a blanket and everything) we still ended up with a tree in front of Skellington's face. (this was when the Halloweentime fireworks were free for everyone, before they went with the FL "charge 'em more!" model)

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?

 

[Flower1]

Sorry, we were there over the weekend too and no fireworks due to the winds. Not so disappointed because having lived through 3 major fires on my area over the years due to Santa Ana winds, you don't want any crazy hot stuff flying through the air.
My kids and I were on a field trip today to the mountains and it was still horribly windy up there. Disney is doing the right thing. And who does line up for fireworks an hour before?

 

[GeneralTso]

This is not the place you are going to get people to chime in about how bad Disney sucks. Opposite.

You're getting chewed up and spit out for posting quite a selfish and childish gripe. I have a feeling Disney knows how to assess for danger in the fireworks situation. But I will acknowledge your disappointment. I think that's what this is all about anyway.

 

[Malcon10t]

I want to clarify one point. Disney doesn't call the fireworks off, the fire marshal on site does. Disney does NOT like to deal with the lines of people demanding their money back or FPs or meal vouchers because fireworks cancelled. They would prefer to put the show on. They set off balloons (look over the photo center from Main ST and watch how they fly.) They determine the winds at higher levels. The fire marshal decides if the balloons move too far off course. AT Halloween, just before Jack flying, the smoke started moving too far to the west, and just as I told my friends "They are going to cancel this", the show was stopped. We couldn't feel anything, but you could see it up above.

Sunday, winds were 15 mph with gusts to 45 mph. Not sure how you missed them. Way to windy.

ETA - You might tell all the Avenger Half runners there was no wind... I know my son and daughter are still trying to get all the dirt off from the run by Angel's stadium dirt canal.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

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.

Geemo got to it first (thanks, Geemo!).

Our oldest was very similar to your son -- such a hard time learning to deal with disappointments and changes in plans. We learned to check the weather sites so we could start warning him in advance and always discussed "Plan B." We would suggest something fun and rare (ice cream sundaes at Gibson Girl? 2 churros instead of 1? Dole Whip floats?) and he got to decide which would be the consolation prize if the fireworks got cancelled. He loved, loved, loved his fireworks, but "Plan B" really helped him focus on moving on and keeping his focus on the positive. Maybe something like this could help your son, too.

 

[poppinspal]

You might tell all the Avenger Half runners there was no wind... I know my son and daughter are still trying to get all the dirt off from the run by Angel's stadium dirt canal.

Man I think the wind burn I got while running was worse then any sunburn I've gotten. And I had a nice cup of dirty water because the wind kept kicking dirt into the cups. Coming from the East I have a new appreciation for when I hear people talk about the Santa Ana winds!!

 

[Malcon10t]

Man I think the wind burn I got while running was worse then any sunburn I've gotten. And I had a nice cup of dirty water because the wind kept kicking dirt into the cups. Coming from the East I have a new appreciation for when I hear people talk about the Santa Ana winds!!

I was hoping the portapotties that blew over were empty. I heard all the mile markers were down also. I was cheering at the corner of Lewis and Garden Grove (about 1/2 way mark) and the gusts took out a metal barrier (knocked it over.)

Also, in DIsneyland, by Rivers of America, trash cans blew over Sunday just before 11am.

 

[GatorChris]

They set off fireworks while we were waiting for WOC at DCA tonight. Guess the winds went away??? Seems the exact same as yesterday. In fact I feel more breeze today than the last two nights. But what do I know. I'm just a "childish" and "selfish" dad who gets front row fireworks seats for my very short kids who can't see when folks show up last minute (like some have posted they do) and squeeze and stand in front of us. Flame me all you want. I got burnt twice on standing around for fireworks. When the kids start realizing that they've wasted two nights of ride time for nothing.... Anyway, glad there's a few folks here who understand my frustration and cut me a little slack.