Times for the Electrical Water Pageant

[OldestMember]

My family is going on March 30 - April 7, 2005. Is there any place I can find out what hours the Electrical Water Pageant will be shown? We'd like to have dinner at the Polynesian and then watch it from the beach there.

 

[Princess Wannabe]

The ELP starts at 9:00 pm, and the Polynesian is the first hotel to view it. I would suggest being out on the beach (or by a window) around 9:00 pm! It's pretty neat...!

 

[sanibelover]

Don't get too excited about the EWP........

When were there in Nov., it consisted of about 4 barges with some flashing stars playing really awful sounding music. It was over in about 1.2 minutes.

I was really excited about this. Everyone said it was so cool. Well, it's not, and I ceratinly wouldn't go out of my way for it.

 

[OldestMember]

We know it's lame but it brings back memories of our childhood which we would like to share with our child---who is 5 and doesnt think it's lame!

 

[OldestMember]

thank you princess wannabe

 

[cruiseonmagic]

Don't get too excited about the EWP........

When were there in Nov., it consisted of about 4 barges with some flashing stars playing really awful sounding music. It was over in about 1.2 minutes.

I was really excited about this. Everyone said it was so cool. Well, it's not, and I ceratinly wouldn't go out of my way for it.

At the time you saw it, there were 7 barges instead of the normal 14. If you only saw "stars and stripes", then you only saw half of what we had at the time. The water pageant is the longest running parade for WDW. The reason that you only saw a portion of the parade is because one string of barges was destroyed by two hurricanes that came through Orlando. We knew that guests look forward to seeing the parade that they had seen years ago, so the show went on with only half. FYI the Electrical Water Pageant consists of 2 strings of 7 barges--each is just over 450' long and 26' tall.

I'm sorry if you don't enjoy it, but the thousands of flash bulbs, and the applause that I hear tell me that most of the guests do.

 

[civileng68]

Is it just driven by someone on a barge?

 

[cruiseonmagic]

There are engines and pilots at each end of both strings. The only time that we won't have "light show" as we call it, is if there is lightening or if the wind is too strong to keep it in place. Just to let you know--the pilots of the barges and the safety boat are some of the best that we have. Going through the water bridge from seven seas lagoon to bay lake is tough even without wind. The lead pilot basically plays crack the whip with the back end just to make the turn. Add a little wind and it really gets fun!

 

[CaipiraBob]

Don't get too excited about the EWP........

When were there in Nov., it consisted of about 4 barges with some flashing stars playing really awful sounding music. It was over in about 1.2 minutes.

I was really excited about this. Everyone said it was so cool. Well, it's not, and I ceratinly wouldn't go out of my way for it.

I know I'll regret not reading the other posts before asking, is it fixed yet?

We were dissappointed as well! So sad to see that they didn't take the repairs more seriously and get them going by the holidays last year.

We have the old parade on film so we can enjoy it, but it's like they took down the Castle or something, IMHO.

 

[BCV23]

We stayed at the Polynesian at the end of February and I'm happy to report the EWP is again in its full glory. I love it!

 

[sanibelover]

Darn!!! Now I have to plan another trip so we can see the WHOLE EWP!!! (I'm the poster who said it was pretty lame).

 

[Stitch's Greatest Fa]

Don't get too excited about the EWP........

When were there in Nov., it consisted of about 4 barges with some flashing stars playing really awful sounding music. It was over in about 1.2 minutes.

I was really excited about this. Everyone said it was so cool. Well, it's not, and I ceratinly wouldn't go out of my way for it.

Some of the barges were damaged in Hurricane Charley last summer - we were there, boy was it fierce. Apparently they are all up and running. It's not supposed to be hi tech, heck it first came out for the opening of the Poly in the seventies. It's cool retro kitsch, we loved it, you have to see this one - 9pm sharp on the Poly beach (we stayed there and saw it many nights!)

 

[cruiseonmagic]

So sad to see that they didn't take the repairs more seriously and get them going by the holidays last year.
QUOTE]
I can assure you--they took repairs very seriously. The lightshow barges are not things that can be replaced at your local marina. How long does it take to decorate a christmas tree--if you want everything to look nice and not thrown together? A few hours? Now picture a christmas tree 468' long, 26' tall with lights that not only have to make a solid picture, but has to make pictures that move and coordinate with another 468' christmas tree that does the same thing. Add the miles of wiring, a 1000 watt+ stereo, speakers, etc.

Personally, I think that they did a great job. I still know people who have not been able to get their roofs repaired yet with the new season almost here. I'm definitely not complaning about that--I traded snow measured in feet for 120 mph winds.

We'll keep our fingers crossed this year, but just in case, you had better plan another trip soon!

 

[riu girl]

So can I assume that the EWP has been repaired and the whole parade is now running?
Thank you
Suzy V.