Illuminations fireworks question?

[rlahansler]

Last month my family was at Disney World. While dining at La Hacinda my husband commented that earlier that day that all the firework barges were gone, now in the evening they were back again. We assume that they go somewhere and get refilled up for the next firework show. Anyone know where they go? My husband thought maybe there is a basement under the lagoon but on another post they apparently is not. Anyone know this?

 

[WEDWDW]

They,as well as the Friendship Water Taxis go backstage via the "drawbridge" between China and the Outpost.

 

[Strawberry's mom&dad]

We happened by the drawbridge when they were moving the units into place. It was fun to see them up close.

 

[WDSearcher]

As mentioned upthread, there is a drawbridge by China where the barges enter and exit from. They enter around 3pm or so to get hooked up for the show, and then exit after the show (once the main push of Guests is over). There is a marina back behind China / Norway where the barges live and where they are loaded, unloaded and maintained.

 

[chartle]

Here is a Google Sat pic of their home. In fact when it was taken they were moving the barges out so you can see the drawbridge is up.

http://goo.gl/maps/LD4R

 

[rlahansler]

Thanks everyone, now we know. My husband is a Union electrician and he has always said that his dream job would be a pyrotech person. He loves fireworks!!!

 

[SueM in MN]

We happened by the drawbridge when they were moving the units into place. It was fun to see them up close.

You were lucky to see it from the interesting side
We’ve always been on the other side when the bridge went up and all you get is a closer view of pavement!

 

[chartle]

You were lucky to see it from the interesting side
We’ve always been on the other side when the bridge went up and all you get is a closer view of pavement!

Is that like the back side of water.

 

[SueM in MN]

Is that like the back side of water.

Similar, but I do believe the back side of water is slightly more interesting.

 

[Babbletrish]

Yeah, the barges travel down a river you may have not even noticed while walking through World Showcase. I think it passes a ways behind The Boardwalk - and some BW guests are startled awake by the "burning off" of excess pyrotechnics late at night! (But seriously, if I didn't know what was going on, an earth-shattering kaboom in the middle of the night would scare the ever-loving **** out of me too.)

 

[chartle]

Yeah, the barges travel down a river you may have not even noticed while walking through World Showcase. I think it passes a ways behind The Boardwalk - and some BW guests are startled awake by the "burning off" of excess pyrotechnics late at night! (But seriously, if I didn't know what was going on, an earth-shattering kaboom in the middle of the night would scare the ever-loving **** out of me too.)

If you check out my link above their docks are on the other side of the WS kind of behind China and not near the Board walk.

I would imagine though that they don't burn them off any where near the dock but right in the middle of the lagoon were the stand at the end of the show. It would be the safest place.

 

[Robo]

There is only one barge that needs any "burning off," and that's the "Inferno Barge."
It carries propane (or similar) fuel, and displays during the show, flames of gigantic purportion.

After the show (an hour or two,) they do perform a "burn-off" of any remaining fuel/gas...
while the barge is still sitting in the World Showcase Lagoon.

That burn-off can make a loud explosive sound, so they offer an audio countdown via the PA system
before it occurs.

HOWEVER, (AFAIK) the Inferno Barge is set to go into refurb next week.

IllumiNations can run without the Inferno Barge, and did so in the past (a few years ago) when the barge experienced an after-show accident and an amount of gas exploded unexpectedly, causing damage to the technical parts of the barge (but no human damage to the crew.)

The barge will be pulled from the show for periodic maintenance for about a month,
and should be back on or about May 27, 2011.



.

 

[jimmiej]

We saw the backstage area where the barges go on the Undiscovered Future World Tour.