Fireworks, Don't bother???

[jillinaz]

I sat for almost 2 hours on the hub in front of the castle, two rows back saving seats. Then what happened right before the fireworks started?!?! The CM says that if you want to see the fireworks, it is best that you stand up. So what did everyone do?? STAND UP!! If everyone who had sat there for over 2 hours, just stayed seated, we would have been able to see everything. I get me wrong the fireworks were great, but I wish we could have just sat and watched them. I guess if you wan to sit and watch the show you have to sit right infront of the castle. It was still wonderful!

 

[hlbtimes2]

People take up less room when standing then when sitting. They can fit more people in to the area that way.

I can't imagine your view was ruined from standing, and after 2 hours on the ground, didn't it feel good to stand? Sorry, its just not something I see worth complaining about.

 

[azgal81]

At least they didn't cancel them completely after you sat for that long. Just look at it this way next time you go you will know where you are able to sit to watch them and won't run into that problem again!

 

[jillinaz]

It did feel good to stand up for a little while, but it would be nice if they told you that it was going to be standing room only. They know that people camp out to get the best view. Plus I can complain if I want too.!?!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I can understand. I'm only 5' tall, so when people stand in front of me I can see part of the fireworks, and very little of the projections unless I wait a long time to get a spot where no one will be in front of me, or put their little ones on their shoulders. I've spent many times peering around people, craning my neck, moving from side to side to try & get a decent view. I just deal with it, but I can understand the frustration for people who do not get to the Disney parks often to deal with the same thing.

 

[Brina78]

Yeah, Mary Jo, I'm the same way. I'm 5'2 and can't stand it when people give me looks when I want to move closer to the front. I won't be in your way if you're taller than me, so chill already! If I've seen the show, it's a good chance to go do rides while there's minimal lines.

 

[Stacerita]

Yep, another 5'2" person here and I do have problems seeing around people most of the time. But I have yet to have problems during the fireworks. No matter where in the hub I was, I have always been able to see the entire show. Guess I was lucky. And I have camped out and sat in the hub waiting for the show only to be told to stand. It didn't really bother me. It was nice to have that long time to sit and relax and it did feel good to stand.

 

[GreenGirl8]

I think I can tell you why the cast member was doing this.

When the fireworks first started and the "hub" was the place to be, people of course looked for spots early on. Well, when the fireworks start, some people want to stand up to watch them and some don't. This causes people to start screaming back and forth at each other. Those sitting down chanted for people to sit and those standing told people who were sitting to get up. It really ruined my firework experience once or twice. I avoided the hub for a while after that! Now, the cast members warn people that you may not see if you are sitting so that they don't have the need to CHANT for others to sit down. I actually have this chanting on video and it overpowers the soundtrack to the fireworks!

 

[jgmklmhem]

I think I can tell you why the cast member was doing this.

When the fireworks first started and the "hub" was the place to be, people of course looked for spots early on. Well, when the fireworks start, some people want to stand up to watch them and some don't. This causes people to start screaming back and forth at each other. Those sitting down chanted for people to sit and those standing told people who were sitting to get up. It really ruined my firework experience once or twice. I avoided the hub for a while after that! Now, the cast members warn people that you may not see if you are sitting so that they don't have the need to CHANT for others to sit down. I actually have this chanting on video and it overpowers the soundtrack to the fireworks!

The other reason I can see is just plain safety. Sitting you are more likely to get trampled under foot as people are looking up and the hub is made dark for the show. They want to get as many people in there as possible and then once the show is over if you have people sitting and the huge crowd trying to get out there could be even more safety issues.

 

[cfrith]

I hope our kids can see! How long are the fireworks?

 

[iceskatejen]

The current show is 17 minutes.

 

[MissKIA]

I agree with Mary jo, If you are not a tall person, sitting is much better. Especially with kids. What kid can see over an adult? Then you get parents putting their kids on their shoulders and people get mad about that. It's better if everyone just sits.

 

[Disneyfalcon]

Another vote for sitting here. It is soooo frustrating when we think we've staked out good seats, and everyone stands and suddenly my 8 year old can't see!

 

[axavilez]

I think anyone who wants to see the fireworks from the hub area should expect to stand. That is by far the most popular place to view the fireworks and it is always crowded. Even if the CM did not ask people to stand, they would automatically do it once the fireworks began. At least, that has been my experience when viewing the fireworks from the hub area. If you want to sit, perhaps try viewing the fireworks from the Fantasmic area.

 

[esmetutu]

YAY for standing!

(I think) I was one of the people involved with getting the standing only policy going. I mean it sounds more important than it really is...

I had two experiences with the shouting matches: "sit down!" "stand up!" etc. During the first one DD6 was completely traumatized from getting yelled at to "sit down" by cast members and other park go-ers. She couldn't! There was no room anywhere for us to sit and she was wearing a skirt. It was terrible. She was very upset by the whole thing. The second time just 2 weeks later. It started when an elderly gentleman was being screamed at by a cast member to "sit down", and having the light from the CM's flashlight shined in his eyes. He looked over at me sadly, where I was standing with DD (who stood patiently with hardly a complaint for 30 min.) and my DFi, and said "I can't sit down here on the ground. It's too painful." It was SO sad. So I immediately began yelling back that this man couldn't sit due to his health and for everyone else to stand up. We just had to stand there listening to people yell the whole time at us. I was not going to back down. I had to stand tall with this man. I immediately went to City Hall after the fireworks were over and complained, including giving them the name of CM who acted to horribly. I also wrote several emails. Not more than a week later I read over at Laughing Place that there was standing only policy for the fireworks viewed in front of the Castle.

I've never felt comfortable sitting on the ground at DL. There are some pretty gross things down there, especially around Main St. since that's the horses' path and they are not potty-trained. Seems like if everyone stands there are no problems. I'm sorry. This topic still gets me so upset. To see children and the elderly get screamed at over fireworks is just unacceptable in my book. I know Disney brings out the children in us, but sometimes you just have to grow up.

</end rant>

 

[Alex2kMommy]

You can make the case either way. There is no way my mother would be able to stand for that long, and certainly not including the waiting period before the show begins! (She's not going on the trip with us this time, I'm just using her as an example.)

DH and I are not fond of being in crowds, so I'm really not sure if we'll be able to experience the fireworks. Is there a not so crowded spot where we can still hear the music and see the fireworks but not be standing/sitting shoulder to shoulder in a crowd?

We're planning to see the Electrical Parade on our first night in DL. Is there a spot between CA and the DLH to possibly see the fireworks? Not even sure if the kids will want to stay up for the fireworks, but I would like to see them.

 

[judimouse]

Having just seen the fireworks on Sunday evening I can tell you what they are doing right now.

Directly in front of the Castle is the sitting zone. Where the low wall from the castle moat ends near the hub is about where the standing zone starts.

Hope this helps some of you view the fireworks.

 

[Brina78]

I've never felt comfortable sitting on the ground at DL. There are some pretty gross things down there, especially around Main St. since that's the horses' path and they are not potty-trained.

Well, goodness, they do keep the streets clean from the 'road apples' horses may leave behind. But, still, I know that street is something I wouldn't want to sit on. I'd hate to put my hand (or backside) down in someone's spit mark, soda drops, candy, popcorn, ice cream dribbles, or chewing gum. Did you all know DL doesn't even sell gum in their stores? Not that I'd buy any, but I didn't know that for a long time. It's because people just litter it all over. Plus, it's hard to clean up and nasty to step in.

Seems like if everyone stands there are no problems. I'm sorry. This topic still gets me so upset. To see children and the elderly get screamed at over fireworks is just unacceptable in my book. I know Disney brings out the children in us, but sometimes you just have to grow up.

</end rant>

I'm glad you reported that incident to City Hall. Disney officials need to know everything that goes on and to make sure everyone has a pleasant experience...or try to have a pleasant experience!

 

[Eeyorecln]

Funny, I sat on a bench not the street and had a big blob of gum on the back of my pants. Guess it doesn't matter if you sit on the ground or a bench.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I see both sides to this. I used to enjoy sitting in the hub back when they had "Imagine" but that was a much less popular show with no effects shown on the castle. What drives me nuts when people stand, is when they put their kids on their shoulders! I am 5'5" and its bad enough but my poor kids want to see the fireworks, not the backend of a kid who has now been elevated to over 7 feet! I really like to see the fireworks back by Its a Small World more. Less crowded and you can grab a seat on one of the bench things, have a bathroom nearby and see the cool effects they project on Its a Small World. Much less hectic, not as spectacular but worth the trade off in my opinion.