MK Fireworks - 9:15PM Starting 5/20 Per WDW Website

[GADisneyDad14]

I don’t think I’ve seen this noted/discussed around here yet, if it has I apologize.

Was just looking ahead and note that HEA is on the schedule starting at 9:15PM beginning 5/20. This appears to continue through June and into the few dates visible in July so far.

To my knowledge, this is the first time we’ve seen HEA on the schedule at 9:15PM. It was generally 9PM last summer, if I recall correctly.

Part of me wonders if this is to allow for a bit more darkness to set in over the summer months.

Obviously schedules can change, but just a heads up for anyone planning that far out!

 

[Robo]

Part of me wonders if this is to allow for a bit more darkness to set in over the summer months.

The sky is fully dark by about 8:45PM that time of year, so that would not seem to be the reason.

Curiouser and curiouser.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

The sky is fully dark by about 8:45PM that time of year, so that would not seem to be the reason.

Curiouser and curiouser.

Agree. In terms of darkness, I was thinking more towards the middle of the summer than late May, sort of like what you see in the pic below (which was the 7/4 9PM show, FWIW).

Totally being picky, but as a fireworks nerd, I wouldn’t have minded a bit more darkness on this particular night.

Any clue from your perspective why they’d change the time? Just curious.

 

[Robo]

Agree. In terms of darkness, I was thinking more towards the middle of the summer than late May, sort of like what you see in the pic below (which was the 7/4 9PM show, FWIW).

Totally being picky, but as a fireworks nerd, I wouldn’t have minded a bit more darkness on this particular night.

Any clue from your perspective why they’d change the time? Just curious.

Yes, the later dates in the summer do mean lighter sky conditions earlier, but that doesn't account for the time change in May.
I'm just commenting on the "need" for the time change in relation to the sky conditions on the start dates.
I can't think of anything else that would rate a 15 min. nudge to later.

 

[FastPasser.]

Part of me wonders if this is to allow for a bit more darkness to set in over the summer months.

I can see the wheels turning, what are the other parts wondering?

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I can see the wheels turning, what are the other parts wondering?

Ha, well part of me longs for the return of a nighttime MK parade someday, which would be a reason to go back to a later MK fireworks time. But that doesn’t make sense given this small time change and I’m assuming we’re a ways off from a new parade anyway.

The other part of my brain is typically just an empty void.

 

[hakepb]

Now they can close MK at 9pm in the summer instead of that “crazy late” 10pm, and have a post-closing fireworks show like Epcot and DHS?



(Joking, the 10pm closes last summer we’re way, way too early and made for an absolute madhouse getting into a monorail after the 10pm close)

 

[Tomh]

Now they can close MK at 9pm in the summer instead of that “crazy late” 10pm, and have a post-closing fireworks show like Epcot and DHS?



(Joking, the 10pm closes last summer we’re way, way too early and made for an absolute madhouse getting into a monorail after the 10pm close)

Yes, indeed, 10 was too early, at least in my opinion. True, the line for the monorail was pretty out of hand, but it was better than the line for the ferry. We did the ferry twice, and then realized that the monorail, while it seemed a longer line, was moving considerably faster, and wasn't as densely packed, so there was a bit more air flow.

 

[PPFlight75]

Now they can close MK at 9pm in the summer instead of that “crazy late” 10pm, and have a post-closing fireworks show like Epcot and DHS?



(Joking, the 10pm closes last summer we’re way, way too early and made for an absolute madhouse getting into a monorail after the 10pm close)

I completely agree that 10pm is too early. Do you think the time change could be to discourage people from running to get a few last rides in before closing? I guess HEA would be over at what, 935 or so??

 

[hakepb]

I completely agree that 10pm is too early. Do you think the time change could be to discourage people from running to get a few last rides in before closing? I guess HEA would be over at what, 935 or so??

I would hope it means 11pm+ closings are more common, or at least moving HEA for an earlier night parade.

I have no idea what it actually means, though.