Stand or Sit for Fireworks?

[JustAKid]

I was searching the DIS boards a couple of days ago to find an answer to a question I had and stumbled upon a thread reguarding fireworks and how the CMs make you stand. There was a big debate about whether or not it was for safety reasons, or to pack maximum capacity into the park. The thread was from June.

Now I just read that sometime within the last week people were laying out blankets and towels to sit on!

What gives? Is Disneyland only safety conscious during peak season due to the parks being busier? Was the standing nixed due to complaints? Next June will I have to sit (I want to bring a blankie!) or stand (I'll watch it from my hotel! )

 

[GrandBob]

We were at the fireworks last night (Mon night). We were in the street at the plaza area, in front of the castle. People were sitting on blankets until about 15 minutes before the show, at which time the CMs made us all stand. So apparently the "standing only" rule applies on a weekday in off-season too.

-Bob

 

[bumbershoot]

For the fireworks, on the castle side, you do stand.

And it might have changed, but in Dec '07 when we watched from IASW, we all sat down and watched that way. The CMs said that it was very normal and usual to sit at IASW, but you can't sit on the ground when watching on the main street side.

 

[LuLusApple]

It is because the fire Marshall wants you to stand in the street not sit in the street. Main street is the exit. If there was a need to evacuate people sitting would be shmooshed.
ETA: oops forgot the most important part. When the lights are dimmed/ sun going down you can sit during the daylight where we can see who we are trampling! Lol

 

[Disney Dreams]

...What gives? Is Disneyland only safety conscious during peak season due to the parks being busier?...

Wow. Harsh.

Every business location (restaurants, stores, theme parks) has safety procedures related to capacity. Depending upon how crowded Disneyland is, there are different measures that must be enforced. The fire marshall (note: government agency, not Disney) makes sure these are strictly enforced based on the number of people in the Park.

A few years ago it was explained to me by a CM that whether or not the brick area in front of the castle is a walkway or viewing area is dependent completely upon the number of people in the park - wait for it - for safety reasons. They are always safety conscious, but different measures are needed depending upon crowd level.

- Dreams