When did people stop sitting for fireworks at HS?

[Cornish Lad]

Back in the 90's it was always customary to sit down to watch the fireworks over the Chinese Theatre as it meant that everybody had a great view. Imagine our surprise last year (first visit since 2000) when all the people sitting down suddenly got up as soon as the fireworks started. Was the imposition of the Star Wars stage responsible for this or did it start earlier?

 

[Robo]

The procedure you describe of guests sitting on the ground to await the start of the fireworks, but then standing to watch the show
has been the standard ever since the projections have been used in the DHS fireworks presentations.
Standing for the show (and really, before) was also the case when they ran the previous Star War fireworks show a year or two previous to the current version.
You can fit far more guests into a crowded area if they are standing, and there are a LOT
of folks trying to fit in to see the Star Wars shows.

 

[melanielll]

I never sit for fireworks. By the time they start, I am soo tired of sitting and ready to stand. Same for parades.

 

[CAS239]

It would be nice if we could all sit comfortably and view the fireworks, but everyone has been standing for quite some time now. Quite a few times you'll hear CM's ask people to stand as it's a safety issue with people walking around while some are sitting since they don't want anyone stepped on.

And like @melanielll said, by the time the fireworks come I'm ready to stand as it's more comfortable. I can only last about 10 min sitting Indian style before my back is killing me. Would be a different story if I could stretch my legs out but no chance of that.

This is why I loved the wishes FP area. Show up 15 min prior, sit on the ground in the very back leaned up against the gate.

So unless it's a seated show like Fantasmic or RoL, expect everyone to stand

 

[yulilin3]

Not to mention some of us can't sit on concrete without some sort of curb (lower place to put feet) or back support. I make it a point to get to my fireworks/projections shows spots very early, for the SW one as early as 2 hours to get the best spot and I stand the entire time letting people know behind me that I cannot sit.

 

[Victoria3]

I stand for fireworks. I'd be afraid of someone accidentally tripping over/stepping on me.

 

[Cornish Lad]

I see now how the start of the projections would have affected the custom. In the "old days" those who had a problem sitting or were in wheelchairs would position themselves around the edges so that everybody was accommodated. Of course the Star Wars stage was not there then neither so there was an uninterrupted view from a low level.

Thanks for all the input - really helped to explain the change in habit.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I have to stand for the fireworks and parades. I am in a ton of pain when I try to sit on the ground. I never remember having to sit for fireworks in the past.

Sitting to see the new Fantasmic at Disneyland caused me so much pain I had a really hard time getting up afterwards. I also had to grab onto the nearest garbage can and stand there awhile before I could walk. I was so frustrated they wouldn't let me stand in the back of the fancy viewing area for that show. While it was nice to see it from that section, it won't be an option for me ever again.

 

[mousehockey37]

For what it's worth, everyone could be sitting for the fireworks and it only takes that 1 person to try and jam in at the front and stand and it creates a chain reaction.

We (and another couple) got blasted at a MNSSHP in 2014. We camped out for about 45 min to an hour before the first Boo to You parade. We were all sitting on the curb, because who's gonna stand for that long. Well, 2 things happened. 1 - it started to rain and 2 - the parade was about to start. So we all stood up, like everyone else around us. Well, this didn't sit well with the people behind us. We got blasted that we were rude and we were blocking the views of their kids and that we should let their whole family in front of us, etc.

Well, the girl in the other couple turned around, looked at the lady and said "we've been here for some time, there's other spots along the curb where you can park your stroller and watch the parade". We all looked at each other as this lady just kept going, and she actually tried ramming us with her stroller. That didn't go over well and we all stood strong and didn't give in. Eventually she gave in and went about 15 feet down and had a spot... until the CM's came through and promptly escorted them out because they didn't have party bands!

 

[Cornish Lad]

For what it's worth, everyone could be sitting for the fireworks and it only takes that 1 person to try and jam in at the front and stand and it creates a chain reaction.

We (and another couple) got blasted at a MNSSHP in 2014. We camped out for about 45 min to an hour before the first Boo to You parade. We were all sitting on the curb, because who's gonna stand for that long. Well, 2 things happened. 1 - it started to rain and 2 - the parade was about to start. So we all stood up, like everyone else around us. Well, this didn't sit well with the people behind us. We got blasted that we were rude and we were blocking the views of their kids and that we should let their whole family in front of us, etc.

Well, the girl in the other couple turned around, looked at the lady and said "we've been here for some time, there's other spots along the curb where you can park your stroller and watch the parade". We all looked at each other as this lady just kept going, and she actually tried ramming us with her stroller. That didn't go over well and we all stood strong and didn't give in. Eventually she gave in and went about 15 feet down and had a spot... until the CM's came through and promptly escorted them out because they didn't have party bands!

It never ceases to amaze me how many people think that they can turn up anywhere and at any time for a parade or fireworks and think that they have the right to push in front of everyone else. As far as sitting for fireworks this was only normal for MGM in the 90's - did not ever see it happening in any of the other parks at the time.

 

[Dug720]

I cannot imagine the chaos and damage to life and limb that would be caused if there were an emergency evacuation and everyone was sitting. It would be chaotic enough with everyone standing - but adding in people having to get up out of a sitting position and then move? No way. Standing is definitely safer!

Besides, last time I checked, fireworks are UP in the sky...???

 

[Allison]

I have been going to Disney for well over a decade and standing has always been the standard for fireworks.

 

[mousehockey37]

It never ceases to amaze me how many people think that they can turn up anywhere and at any time for a parade or fireworks and think that they have the right to push in front of everyone else. As far as sitting for fireworks this was only normal for MGM in the 90's - did not ever see it happening in any of the other parks at the time.

Don't forget to add.. they'll push in front, then put their kids on their shoulders!!!

We all know the mantra though... "I paid all this money to come here, I'm getting that inch in front of you and squeezing my party of 8 in it"

 

[Wubar]

We all know the mantra though... "I paid all this money to come here, I'm getting that inch in front of you and squeezing my party of 8 in it"

Absolutely despise that mantra and the entitlement attitude in people. Ugh.

 

[mousehockey37]

Absolutely despise that mantra and the entitlement attitude in people. Ugh.

Agreed. Sadly, it's never going to go away. Forums like this unfortunately ADD to the problem. We share our experiences and such and as others read/hear from friends who visit here, etc, then go and try to force Disney to recreate what happened, we lose those things going forward as CM's don't want to be forced to make a magical moment happen.

 

[sweetyk83]

The standing was such a bummer last time we visited. The first time we went to MK we were in a less than perfect viewing area but my kids had a much better view than they did when we went the second time and stood at the hub. My kids only got to see the really high fireworks and the butts of the people in front of us. We weren’t about to put our kids on our shoulders because 1)that’s rude and 2)we were EXHAUSTED. We just took turns holding the youngest but my 9 year old missed the entire show.
It was a MAJOR bummer.
Granted it was a very busy day in the park. A Monday and non MNSSHP day.

 

[icesk8abc]

We had the opposite experience this past April/May. We sat for Wishes, Star Wars, and Illuminations. I appreciated it because we had a toddler and a baby. Except for Wishes (because it was close to the last show), it was not very crowded so there were plenty of spots on curbs etc right before it started. I think a lot has to do with how crowded it is that particular night and where you are. In February 2016, we saw the prior Star Wars show. The first night was more crowded and everyone stood. The second night we saw it, we got lucky and everyone stayed seated. We also had one of each for Wishes that year as well. We always find a spot for Illuminations early enough to push the stroller up to the fence and sit beside it - usually on the ground.

 

[NY Pirate Princess]

We always let kids in front of us at parades, as long as the parents are cool with not joining them too. Now for fireworks and kids on shoulders or giant tablets in my face recording the whole thing, I'm thinking of some sort of humorous solution. Ice water baths for everyone!!!!

 

[Cornish Lad]

I cannot imagine the chaos and damage to life and limb that would be caused if there were an emergency evacuation and everyone was sitting. It would be chaotic enough with everyone standing - but adding in people having to get up out of a sitting position and then move? No way. Standing is definitely safer!

Besides, last time I checked, fireworks are UP in the sky...???

As I said earlier it only happened at HS back in the 90's and not anywhere else that I was aware of - the beauty of it was the relaxed attitude and the fact that the kids all had great views with no adult bodies in front of them - hence no kids on shoulders etc.

 

[Cornish Lad]

We had the opposite experience this past April/May. We sat for Wishes, Star Wars, and Illuminations. I appreciated it because we had a toddler and a baby. Except for Wishes (because it was close to the last show), it was not very crowded so there were plenty of spots on curbs etc right before it started. I think a lot has to do with how crowded it is that particular night and where you are. In February 2016, we saw the prior Star Wars show. The first night was more crowded and everyone stood. The second night we saw it, we got lucky and everyone stayed seated. We also had one of each for Wishes that year as well. We always find a spot for Illuminations early enough to push the stroller up to the fence and sit beside it - usually on the ground.

When we watched the MK show last September the majority of the crowd at the front tried to sit but a few selfish people at the very front insisted on standing when it started despite people urging them to stay seated so, in the end, everybody had to get up to see it properly.