Fireworks only on Fri/Sat/Sun? Should I change my plans?!

[pokee99]

We're planning a visit mid-March and when looking at the schedule on the Disneyland website I noticed that Fireworks are only scheduled for Friday, Saturdays and Sundays. What?! They used to be daily!!!!

Currently I had our hotel stay planned for visiting Tue/Wed/Thu (to avoid the weekend) and now I'm wondering if I should change that so we can stay on Friday night and see the fireworks.

We've already seen the fireworks, but I'm sure my kids would want to see it again - but not sure it's worth changing our plans. I'm a little torn about this because it will cost more money to stay the Friday night in Anaheim, plus Friday will be much busier in the park. BUT...but the fireworks are part of the Disney magic!!!! Aggghhhh! What to do!!! (I've written a pros and cons list and this didn't help - lol!).

Perhaps some of you can let me know what your experiences have been like when visiting on a Friday (or other weekend night) and if the fireworks was a highlight of your trip? Any advice would be greatly appreciated - I know your experiences will help me with my decision. Thank you!!!!

 

[SMD]

Fireworks have never been every night year round. They were for the 60th, but that is the only time. I would weigh knowing there will be no fireworks versus spending more to be there Friday and then the possibility of the fireworks being canceled due to weather. but I also wouldn't assume that Friday will be that much busier. Weekdays can be just as busy depending on what's happening at the resort, like AP Days or F&W.

 

[pokee99]

Ahhh - we went last during the 60th, so that explains it! We won't be there during AP days, and doesn't look like there's much going on for F&W the days we're there. Thanks!

 

[Skyegirl1999]

These fireworks are different than the ones you saw for the 60th, FYI.

Honestly, the fireworks get cancelled often enough that I wouldn't reschedule my whole trip for them. If it was a situation where you were in town for a whole week and picking park days, I'd say sure, pick at least one fireworks day... But rescheduling a whole trip for something that is often cancelled due to weather? That seems like a potential set up for disappointment. Just my two cents...

 

[Hojoanaheim]

The fireworks in March are the "Remember.. Dreams Come True" fireworks, which were the fireworks they had before the 60th. So if you've seen that one, you might not have to change your plans. Unless you want to see that specific firework show again. (I would, its my favorite one so far!)

HTH,
Kriss

 

[Scorpion1024]

I am with you on this one!
We are scheduled to be there Mon-Fri in April and I have had some tips that there might not be fireworks until Friday. We wanted to book BB MSEP on the Tues and then end up watching the fireworks. I doubt that will happen now (We are there at the end of April) So we will just hope we get to see them Friday but if not, we have decided we aren't going to be overly upset about it.

 

[figment_jii]

I love fireworks and they're one of my favorite entertainment offerings at DLR. That being said, I probably wouldn't re-work my entire schedule just because of fireworks. As SMD noted, fireworks are cancelled on fairly regular basis due to weather (usually due to winds at higher elevations - meaning it may not feel windy at ground level, but there could be winds higher up that cause fireworks to be cancelled). There really won't be any way to know in advance, so you have to decide how disappointed you'd be if the fireworks were cancelled on Friday and whether you're willing to take that risk. In terms of the crowds...I've generally found that Friday crowds pick-up in the evenings, but the mornings were okay (it can vary if there are holidays, special events, etc.).

 

[Catvondita]

I think Disney World is the one that has fireworks daily. The 60th had the everyday and I believe during Christmas season they also have daily fireworks.

 

[GatorChris]

Catvondita is correct. Fireworks happen nightly at WDW at the MK, Epcot, and DHS. Not sure about the nighttime show at AK.

This is my one constant complaint, though, about Disneyland. When we fell in love with Disney parks, it was Disney WORLD. And we loved how 3 of 4 parks had a great spectacular/show every night. There, it wasn't about being there at rope drop and doing all the rides you could. It was about getting there when you got there and then stick around at the end for what Disney does best - fireworks. At DL, unless you want to brave the heat and crowds of summer, you only get fireworks on the weekends....you know, the days that you're either traveling in or traveling out of Anaheim. Makes no sense to me. And then on top of all that, fireworks get cancelled frequently. That's something I never experienced in Florida ... even when fierce storms were blowing.

But at least if you're there after March 7th, you can catch World of Color. That's a great show worth seeing more than once.

 

[bumbershoot]

At DL, unless you want to brave the heat and crowds of summer, you only get fireworks on the weekends....you know, the days that you're either traveling in or traveling out of Anaheim. Makes no sense to me

I don't travel on weekends. I get there whenever it works out and leave when it works out. Plenty of people don't travel on weekends.

There's a neighborhood around them. They try to keep them happy. We can say "Disney was there first" all we want but that's not how it has worked.

And then on top of all that, fireworks get cancelled frequently. That's something I never experienced in Florida ... even when fierce storms were blowing.

Surrounding wdw is a swamp. Fires are harder to start with a spark landing in a swamp vs dry Anaheim. And the fire departments are different. Safety laws are different.

 

[GatorChris]

I don't travel on weekends. I get there whenever it works out and leave when it works out. Plenty of people don't travel on weekends.

There's a neighborhood around them. They try to keep them happy. We can say "Disney was there first" all we want but that's not how it has worked.

Surrounding wdw is a swamp. Fires are harder to start with a spark landing in a swamp vs dry Anaheim. And the fire departments are different. Safety laws are different.

When I make an excuse to my boss, it doesn't get me anywhere. We can make excuses for DL all we want, but it won't get anywhere with me. It doesn't make the situation better. I heard for years that DL doesn't do fireworks nightly because of school nights. And the 60th happened where they had fireworks every night for a year ....and blew that theory out of the water. That told me it's a money issue, not a neighborhood issue.

As for the fire hazards, yeah, I get that. But it doesn't make my any more happy or any less displeased knowing that's the reason when they come over the loud speaker and tell me I've been holding this spot for an hour in vain. If a ticket to the MK and DL cost the same, I expect to get the same value. This is where I feel I get shortchanged in Anaheim. And believe me, if money weren't a barrier, and 3000 miles vs 300 miles weren't such a big difference, I'd go where they had nightly fireworks every time. But that's just me.

 

[Catvondita]

I understand all the reasons for not having the fireworks every night at DL. It kind of sucks but I try to look at as in "it would be great if it could happen but it might not" and still try to enjoy the day. I've been fortunate enough to have seen the fireworks a few times at DL but if I ever go again and miss them I'll just look forward to my next trip at DW.

 

[Butterfly123]

I have had trips in the spring where we scheduled it so we had fireworks for one night, on Friday. And we have had that fireworks show canceled for weather reasons, so just know cancelling happens! If fireworks are really important to you I would consider it, though. I love the Remember Dreams Come True fireworks, and if those are the ones showing....!

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

I wouldn't change your plans unless it's a must do- and you still be ok with the cost if you end up not getting to see them. This past holiday weekend, the fireworks were canceled 2 out of 3 days.

 

[Kaytie]

This is my one constant complaint, though, about Disneyland. When we fell in love with Disney parks, it was Disney WORLD. And we loved how 3 of 4 parks had a great spectacular/show every night.

MGM/DHS until relatively recently only had fireworks a very few times a year: Independence Day, New Year's Eve, special events. Not the Fantasmic! light show, but actual fireworks.

And then on top of all that, fireworks get cancelled frequently. That's something I never experienced in Florida ... even when fierce storms were blowing.

Yeah, DisneyLand cancelled the fireworks on my birthday after we waited about 20 minutes past scheduled start time. Any time the wind speed and or direction at fireworks level exceeds specific criteria, they're required to cancel. For safety. Walt Disney World will cancel fireworks when a fierce storm involves lightning. Again, safety.

When I make an excuse to my boss, it doesn't get me anywhere.

I'm relatively certain any online or printed dictionary will clarify the difference between an explanation and an excuse.

I heard for years that DL doesn't do fireworks nightly because of school nights.

You heard wrong.

And the 60th happened where they had fireworks every night for a year ....and blew that theory out of the water.

While fireworks were absolutely scheduled every night, if the hazardous conditions were met the fireworks were cancelled. Now, it's possible Southern California had no high winds all year that could carry burning fireworks debris to residential areas, negating the need to cancel any displays, it's unlikely.

As for the fire hazards, yeah, I get that. But it doesn't make my any more happy or any less displeased knowing that's the reason when they come over the loud speaker and tell me I've been holding this spot for an hour in vain. If a ticket to the MK and DL cost the same, I expect to get the same value.

The value you get out of an admission ticket purchase depends on how you choose to use it and how much you choose to get out of it.

 

[Snap Crackle Pop]

When I make an excuse to my boss, it doesn't get me anywhere. We can make excuses for DL all we want, but it won't get anywhere with me. It doesn't make the situation better. I heard for years that DL doesn't do fireworks nightly because of school nights. And the 60th happened where they had fireworks every night for a year ....and blew that theory out of the water. That told me it's a money issue, not a neighborhood issue.

As for the fire hazards, yeah, I get that. But it doesn't make my any more happy or any less displeased knowing that's the reason when they come over the loud speaker and tell me I've been holding this spot for an hour in vain. If a ticket to the MK and DL cost the same, I expect to get the same value. This is where I feel I get shortchanged in Anaheim. And believe me, if money weren't a barrier, and 3000 miles vs 300 miles weren't such a big difference, I'd go where they had nightly fireworks every time. But that's just me.

You seem like you have a huge chip on your shoulder about Disneyland, have you considered just not going anymore? They aren't going to change on this unless it's an anniversary. There are so many things you seem to just not like about Disney, so why go if it's just going to be a miserable time for you? Also I think not going and not spending money at a place that is doing things you don't like is better than just complaining.

They don't do fireworks every night to be respectful of their neighbors, and because ANAHEIM has more control over what is allowed and isn't allowed than Disneyland does. I am pretty sure that they reason why Disneyland was able to have fireworks every night (scheduled at least, some nights they did not go off because of wind or hazardous weather) is because Anaheim approved of it and it was the 60th. That was the only reason. You can think of it all you want but it's most definitely not a money issue since for many years neighbors have COMPLAINED about the noise issue and Disneyland being the respectful company they are took their needs into consideration.

While it sucks that you wait for fireworks were canceled, but life happens and things happen. What would you say to someone if somehow Disneyland let their fireworks go off in a dangerously windy situation and somehow the debris landed on something that caught on fire and destroyed someones house or heck even something in Disneyland? "OH sucks for you but hey I paid to be here and got my entertainment, and I am more entitled to that than the safety of the people!"? That's what it sounds like to me.

You are only entitled to getting into the park nothing else.

 

[minnieralyks]

We're going around the same time (mid-March) and I would personally not change your plans. We were kinda bummed, too, that our plans would allow for only one night of fireworks. However, with so much rain SoCal has been having, I would be worried that the rain would cancel the fireworks and you would have changed your plans for nothing.

 

[GatorChris]

You seem like you have a huge chip on your shoulder about Disneyland, have you considered just not going anymore?

I think people who are criticizing those who are upset aren't justified in doing so because people are allowed to feel how they feel

When did this change?

My opinion is that I want DL nighttime entertainment to be as good as what I've experienced at WDW. That won't change. Have you experienced a trip there when you have Wishes one night, Illuminations the next night, and then Fantasmic! to cap off a third night? There's nothing quite as magical as having finales at the end of each night. It's amazing. Really, you should go there to experience it for yourself. Change your life .... and perspective. Hey, I wish I could fund yearly trips to fly across the US to go there, but we're on budget like everyone else. DL fits into that travel budget because it's less than $100 round-trip total for us. If DCA can do WOC nightly (except next week when we're there), why can't DL at least do Fantasmic! nightly? It's as quite as WOC and doesn't pose fire threats dur to low height of report. If DL starting doing this, my "chip" as you said would shrink dramatically. For me and my family, it is, and always will be, about that Disney finale.

 

[minnieralyks]

BTW, some of the best memories we've made at Disneyland were from sitting on the curb and waiting for fireworks 3 hours and then cancelled due to winds at higher altitudes. It's all about what you make of it. A "bad" day at Disneyland is by far better than a good day at work!

 

[Snap Crackle Pop]

When did this change?

My opinion is that I want DL nighttime entertainment to be as good as what I've experienced at WDW. That won't change. Have you experienced a trip there when you have Wishes one night, Illuminations the next night, and then Fantasmic! to cap off a third night? There's nothing quite as magical as having finales at the end of each night. It's amazing. Really, you should go there to experience it for yourself. Change your life .... and perspective. Hey, I wish I could fund yearly trips to fly across the US to go there, but we're on budget like everyone else. DL fits into that travel budget because it's less than $100 round-trip total for us. If DCA can do WOC nightly (except next week when we're there), why can't DL at least do Fantasmic! nightly? It's as quite as WOC and doesn't pose fire threats dur to low height of report. If DL starting doing this, my "chip" as you said would shrink dramatically. For me and my family, it is, and always will be, about that Disney finale.

I've been to WDW quite a bit, and I have done all that and it didn't change my life, why would it? I feel like that's too much emphasis on a theme parks entertainment. It's entertaining and I love everything Disney but not seeing entertainment at night doesn't change the way my life is. I can still go to Disney and that's all that matters to me. It doesn't sound like it's worth it to me for you (for $100), maybe saving that money to go to WDW is a better option since night time entertainment changes your life so much.

Disneyland can't do Fantasmic! nightly because it's down for refurbishment at the moment, I don't know why they don't have it nightly but Disneylands hours are short, and maybe they just think that there isn't enough of a demand during "non-peak times" to have two different night entertainments at two different parks.