No more fireworks at PI - Sad news for SSR?

[mark&sue]

I just read on the MousePlanet website that the nightly fireworks at Planet Island is to discontinue from 1st Jan 2006. We are sad as the night we stayed at SSR in May they didn't happen and we let the kids wait up for them.

We told them not to worry as we would be staying a whole two weeks next year and could see the fireworks every night.

I know they were over very quickly but it was an extra bonus for us to be staying "at home" to watch fireworks.

I guess we will have to cheer ourselves up with the new Irish pub and the new SSR sit down restaurant.



Susan

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

I just read on the MousePlanet website that the nightly fireworks at Planet Island is to discontinue from 1st Jan 2006.

I read that too. It's too bad for everyone, especially those at SSR. Consider that the front page of the 2004-2005 Vacation Planner was the family at SSR with the firweworks in the background. The fireworks were a big deal.

Seems like the whole nature of PI is changing (which I don't mind).

HBC

 

[Sammie]

Considering several people complained there that the noise woke them up, I guess they will now be happy.

 

[CharmedLife]

Glad I happened to catch them at our stay in Congress Park a few weeks ago... The whole family was in bed and I was up watching TV in the living room when they went off. Guess it was my first and last time!

 

[KLEONARD]

I just read on the MousePlanet website that the nightly fireworks at Planet Island is to discontinue from 1st Jan 2006. We are sad as the night we stayed at SSR in May they didn't happen and we let the kids wait up for them.

Susan

I have not seen the fireworks at PI, but I have read that they are about 20 or 30 seconds at midnight. I do not think I will miss them. Even if they are continued, I would not stay up just to see them. I own at SSR and for me this is a non-issue. On the other hand, I do see how children could find this an exciting and special event on vacation. Sorry your children missed them.

 

[Mark099]

The fireworks last for about 30 seconds. I suppose it's a cost cutting measure for Disney, but celebrating New Year's every day is kind of lame, anyway.

 

[pmcpmc]

sell my SSR points

 

[castleri]

Didn't get to see the PI fireworks in Sept because we were in room 1836 in CP which looked out over the bus stop. However I happened to be on the balcony and was able to see most of the MK fireworks off to the left - didn't have the sound but the view was great. So depending on where you are at SSR, fireworks are possible just not so close and without the loudness.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I thought the PI fireworks were pretty lame anyway. They maybe lasted 2 minutes. Time for something bigger and better.

 

[SueOKW]

To me they were similar to a clock tower - we would generally be settling down at OKW - maybe just starting to doze - and off they'd go. Always brought a smile to my face - - ah midnight!

I'll miss them even though I'm not sure I ever actually saw them!

 

[DVCJEN]

I have to admit the first time I saw the PI fireworks I was disappointed. It was ok but very brief. I guess I was expecting a bit more.

 

[LeCras]

Considering several people complained there that the noise woke them up, I guess they will now be happy.

OMG where were these people sleeping - on the balcony??

Charlotte

 

[kab407]

When we were at SSR a few weeks ago, one of the ferry captains mentioned that there was some discussion on retooling PI. Disney did not like what PI was turning into. His understanding was that many of the clubs would be shut and turned into more restaurants, shops and family type entertainment venues. I wonder if this is the first step?

 

[aDVCguy]

kab407,
Do you know why Disney feels this way? I could guess...and I'd probably
be right...the bar scene on certain nights is less than what Walt envisioned
for a "Family" atmosphere. Sound right?
-aDVCguy

 

[beccasmom]

We saw the fireworks when we stayed at SSR August of 2004, but I have to say there really wasn’t much to them. The guy who brought our luggage to our room told us that we would have a great view of them – and we did – but they lasted for a very brief time. He had said that folks who had parking lot views would rush down to the pool area to see them. Saved us that trip! We were somewhat underwhelmed, although what we did see was lovely. As for the noise, we can hear it sometimes at OKW, our home resort, too (Illuminations as well). It doesn’t wake us up, but I can see where it might be annoying.

 

[dtndfamily]

I would be glad to see PI turned into more of a family environment. I am not much of a bar hopper myself and would love extra restaurants close by to my "new home".

 

[crisi]

I actually hope PI turns into less of a "family environment." I like the option of an adults place WDW (not that type of adult entertainment - get your mind out of the gutter!) and I find it disturbing that people think its an appropriate place for anyone under 18.

WDW has done too much marketing to weddings, conventions, honeymoons, and the college crowd. If those guests don't have PI to go to, I really don't want to see what happens to the Boardwalk. And expect the monorail drink a thon to become less of an obscure activity.

 

[LeCras]

I agree with Crisi, it's nice to have an adult place to hang out in the evenings, and if anything I would prefer if under 18's weren't allowed in at all. Let's face it, there are plenty of other places for children to enjoy themselves in the evenings.

Charlotte

 

[kab407]

kab407,
Do you know why Disney feels this way? I could guess...and I'd probably
be right...the bar scene on certain nights is less than what Walt envisioned
for a "Family" atmosphere. Sound right?
-aDVCguy

No idea. The conversation started by my Mom mentioning that she was surprised to see PI "open" meaning, that you could walk through. The last time she had visited you had to pay before you were allowed to enter the gated area. (Now you pay if you want to go to the clubs.) She also was taken aback by the number of, what appeared to her to be, under-21's. That was when the Captain mention Disney rethinking PI.

I'm not a dance club person but I would enjoy other venues like AC. I would also agree with making places 21 and older past a certain hour.

 

[gppnj]

The fireworks last for about 30 seconds. I suppose it's a cost cutting measure for Disney, but celebrating New Year's every day is kind of lame, anyway.

Agreed. That's an idea whose time has passed.