Fireworks: OOOH! AAAH! NOOO WAY?

[GPC0321]

Confession: I've watched Wishes multiple times on Youtube (haven't seen it live yet), and I do "ooo" and "ahhh" right out loud to myself and have even gotten a little misty-eyed watching it. I've watched IllumiNations a few times too (not as many as Wishes), and I think it looks awesome. Cannot wait to see both of them in real life.
I saw Fantasmic! many years ago and was underwhelmed, but we'll probably go watch it again when we're there.

I love fireworks, especially set to music. I'm bummed I won't get to see the Star Wars ones. John Williams' scores go well with fireworks, IMO.

Different strokes for different folks, I guess!

 

[AngiTN]

I think Fireworks are one of the things Disney does best. They are don't miss for me. So no, I can't even remotely comprehend someone hating them

 

[AngiTN]

I suggest watching them back in the Fantasyland area. Watching them over the castle from Main Street always sounds great to me in theory, but in practice I usually wind up on Main Street getting shoved and then ultimately seeing only the back of someone's head (or just their back) or their ipad. It doesn't matter where I stake out, or how long I stake out- a spot- someone tall always shoves into the crowd and stands about 2 inches in front of my face where I can't see. I never get the experience of my imagination! In the Fantasyland area, they are kind of all around you. There are still lots of people watching them, but generally room to breathe and move around. I find it far more enjoyable even if I don't get that view of the fireworks over the castle, or of Tink flying. Then, go ride something or shop somewhere before leaving to let the Main Street post-fireworks mass exodus get disbursed before you leave. That might change your view of the fireworks a little. Being a short person myself, I totally get where you are coming from!

Yes, this is an incredible spot to watch them. We plan to be back there on Saturday night. I miss getting to see Celebrate the Magic, which is also a remarkable show but I got to see it last week so I'll pass on it to experience the fireworks in the round. There is really nothing like that, it's like you are the center of them (you sorta are)

 

[NeuroCindy]

I'm with you. Just not a huge fireworks fan. We even did the special dessert fireworks package (I'm drawing a blank on the name currently). I just sat at the table eating desserts while my friends went up to watch.

 

[Dr.Mickey]

I have exactly the same thought as the OP...about parades. What the what? Stake out a spot at 3 in the afternoon in July to see a parade????

But I get fireworks. We love them. I haven't done a video ever, but I did FaceTime my wife and kids when I was on a business trip to Orlando. I made sure to stand at the back of a section not to annoy anybody, but that was pretty cool.

 

[msmama]

My dinky little town that I grew up in had AMAZING fireworks every 4th of July. Like a HUGE display with all of the newest designs and everything. As a kid they were awesome.

Knowing what my small town did, I expect that Disney can do exponentially better. They can't. Because fireworks just don't get better. They just are what they are.

So I am indifferent to fireworks. If I see them, great, if I don't I don't sweat it (we saw Xmas fireworks from the 7dmt line).

That said last years SWW fireworks were great and I hear that the current SW fireworks at HS are even better!

 

[georgina]

I have exactly the same thought as the OP...about parades. What the what? Stake out a spot at 3 in the afternoon in July to see a parade????

But I get fireworks. We love them. I haven't done a video ever, but I did FaceTime my wife and kids when I was on a business trip to Orlando. I made sure to stand at the back of a section not to annoy anybody, but that was pretty cool.

Me too! I have seen the special Christmas and Halloween parades, which were nice, but I'm not in general a big parade fan. Certainly not to stake out a space hours ahead.

I like fireworks, but just to watch, not to film or photograph.

 

[ruthies12]

I love fireworks but HATE parades. And I do mean hate them. I can't think of anything more boring than watching people walk by you, I don't care if it's characters or how pretty they make the floats, you are still standing there watching people walk by. I also hate getting trapped when they close off the parade routes, it's such a PITA in my opinion.

But I'll watch fireworks every day all day and have done the dessert party twice and the fireworks cruise once. Funny how people can have such differing opinions!

 

[ZoZo]

Am I alone in my "I can't stand fireworks" stance? I just don't get it.
- Craning your neck to look up at the sky (plus I'm a short person so my vantage point is the back of someone)
- Staking out a spot and having to "defend" it! (If that's the case I'd carry a sword! I like to picture Main Street full of pirates battling it out )
- People holding up cameras, phones, IPads to video the fireworks... seriously are you really, truly going to go home and sit at your computer and watch this video? I can just see someone...alone at home... OOOH! AAAH! So pretty!!! well it's just not the same....
- When the fireworks start people all over the park stop dead... and look up like a giant space ship is hovering above the park waiting to be beamed up. ok those are fireworks keep moving.....
-The exit after... all the exhausted masses moving oh....so.....slowly....toward the single exit.... and the lines for all transportation....

OP, I'm with you! I've never "gotten it." Last 4th of July here at home, I went with a bunch of family to go see fireworks. It was kind of a hassle to get to the viewing spot, there was a ton of traffic, and all for about ten minutes of fireworks, which we had to view from a pretty good distance. Sure, they're pretty, but to me, they're just sort of "meh." More power to the folks who like them, but they're not a big deal to me.

Now give me a good parade any day!

 

[courtneybeth]

Am I alone in my "I can't stand fireworks" stance? I just don't get it.

After living a mile from Disneyland the magic wore off quickly and I don't need to see Fireworks at either DL or WDW. I leverage that time to ride busy attractions with short lines.

So don't feel like you're alone. Some of us are out there.

 

[vladimir]

Wow! We love the fireworks. I thought the Frozen fireworks at HS last summer were awesome. We also love Fantasmic. But there is nothing better than Wishes. My 14-year old daughter and I love Celebrate the Magic so it's only the front of the castle for us. Just surprised both daughters (the other is 8 years old) with a trip to Disney for MVMCP on December 4. Wow. Those fireworks were spectacular. Hadn't seen them before.

 

[disneyseniors]

I don't hate fireworks, but I'm a "been there, seen that, done that" kind of person with fireworks. I don't like to fight the crowds just to look up at the sky and also have to fight crowds to get out( I know, you can wait 30 minutes til they thin out). Soooooo, I guess I like them, but not interested enough to stand through them. But to each your own, as most people seem to love them, and that's great. I'll leave or ride the rides. Just another vote for you are not alone!

 

[maxiesmom]

I love the fireworks! And I've never had to get and defend a spot more than 5 minutes ahead of time. And exiting after, so? Once the park closes we all have to exit anyways. And it is not like you have to run right out of the park, you can shop for a bit if you would rather.

But go ahead, don't stay and watch them. More space for the rest of us who think they are beautiful!!!

 

[Dug720]

Love me some Disney fireworks.

Now... "moving" lights on buildings? That's another story. Pretty sure I'm completely alone in NOT getting the appeal there based on the weeping and gnashing of teeth that they are going away all over these boards.

 

[Mousemommy1]

I love Disney fireworks. Fireworks everywhere else never live up to Disney.

I don't usually record them though, because I'd rather watch them in the moment, but I'm glad people do (as long as they're not blocking my view, lol) because I am guilty of pulling them up on YouTube to watch.

 

[FirstDown]

Yes, this is an incredible spot to watch them. We plan to be back there on Saturday night. I miss getting to see Celebrate the Magic, which is also a remarkable show but I got to see it last week so I'll pass on it to experience the fireworks in the round. There is really nothing like that, it's like you are the center of them (you sorta are)

What's the best spot in Fantasyland? I've never seen Wishes.

 

[wdw4rfam]

I like fireworks in general. That being said, I had issues with most (read all...) fireworks at WDW (I know I won't win any popularity contests here, but oh well, you need to know you're not alone!):

MK: Issue #1 - I will NOT find a spot to defend 30 minutes or an hour before. I'll either manage to squeeze somewhere at the last minute (sorry for ruining you defensive stance) and try not to stand in front of a child or someone shorter than me. But if there is a space and I fit into it, I'll take it. Otherwise, I'll find any other place in MK where I find I have a somewhat decent view of the sky, and that's that.
Issue #2 - My heart does little flips of childhood wonder seeing the fireworks behind the castle, like at the beginning of every movie I've loved since I was a kid. That is the one and only reason I plan on seeing them again, because otherwise, I found them pretty boring. I hated the Wishes song, and it was not at all energetic enough to accompany fireworks. Is it just me, or should there be a bit of boom or oomph to match fireworks? Anyway, I could just as well (better in fact) watch these fireworks in complete silence.

EPCOT: Fireworks themselves are fine. I have no idea what they are trying to do on the earth in the middle of the lake, and how on earth they think anyone sees anything they are projecting there. We had a good spot, and a good view, but seriously, that projection was useless. Maybe if I had binoculars?

DHS (Fantasmic): This one was the worst, IMHO. You sit there for ages, listening to some sort of crowd entertainment no one really cares about, and then you have a weird show about Mickey and good vs. evil, none of it really makes any sense at all except to fit in as many Disney characters as possible in a 20-minute show (or however long it actually lasts, I don't know). Some of the effects were cool, and fun. But after all the hype I'd read about before going, maybe my expectations were too high.

My parents saw the Star Wars fireworks on a SWW a couple years ago, and based on their video (yes, they are "those people" who film the fireworks!) those looked pretty good. As I'm going back to WDW next May, without SWW it doesn't look like I'll get to see SW fireworks this year. I'll look at the MK ones from some distance (to my DH's despair, who would prefer skipping them all completely!), and use the slightly lower crowds to ride things during the others

Will agree with you on ALL of this Especially fantasmic. We did it years ago and thought, never again. Then last year decided to give it another shot, so booked the fantastic dinner package. We were sat in a great section, but it was just as bad as I remember. By the time the show started all the small kids around us were screaming, kicking us ( behind us I swear the kid was possessed). the show wasn't great, and luckily all the kids were just as uninterested, so when the finale started, we bolted to best the rush. It was great because our resort bus was waiting when we got out there too. But we always skip the " night" shows. In my opinion, most of them are a do one time thing. we did catch wishes this last time because we were exiting ETWB as they were starting, so we watched for a few minutes before the kids lost interest. Totally agree with illuminations too. Even if I could actually make out what's on the globe, any time we've tried, we end up leaving halfway. We DID actually enjoy the fireworks from outside our room on the Martinique beach at CBR many times over our trip last month though. Crowd free

 

[AngiTN]

What's the best spot in Fantasyland? I've never seen Wishes.

Anywhere from around the Carousel to down near Dumbo.

 

[FirstDown]

Can you still see Tink from there or no? Thx!!

 

[Jennasis]

Fireworks are fun...but they're especially awesome when it's a SHOW. This is why I highly recommend the Hallowishes fireworks. Disney at it's finest.