Who else is too spoiled by Disney fireworks to enjoy their local ones?

[topolino]

Ha, funny because we are in Buffalo...we go to the Amherst one at UB (University of Buffalo), and I was VERY, VERY impressed with last night's show. They set it to music, and I thought it was just the right length. (About 15 minutes.) Try that one next year.

We also compare to Disney, but of course it can't compete. However, I have to pay thousands to go to Disney, but the local firework show is "free" (Yeah, I know we pay taxes and all.) and I'm back in my own bed in 25 minutes.

I wish I'd known that they were putting on a show at UB North Campus. I might've checked it out!

 

[goofy-4-ever]

There is nothing like Disney fireworks

 

[Experiment_626]

We did go to the fireworks display last night in Panama City Beach at Pier Park. It was fine, as far as it goes -- in terms of number of fireworks bursts, Disney doesn't compete. This was a full 20 minutes of a constant stream of fireworks, with a pretty intense finale. However, there was nothing but fireworks -- no music, certainly no story -- no show. It was kind of cool to see the fireworks over the gulf, but they were all fired from the same point. There was some variation in height, but none of the wide view you get at WDW. And while there's always a crunch to get out of the Magic Kingdom at the end of the night, especially if you leave right at the end of Wishes, that's nothing compared to what we experienced. We waited at least an hour before we even ventured toward the parking lot (Pier Park is a large outdoor shopping mall right across the street from the beach, so if you go toward the front center to watch, it's a little like watching from down Main Street), but police were only directing traffic at the lot exits. We waited an hour or more before we even bothered to get in the car, and (at this point it had been more than two hours since the fireworks ended) it still took another half-hour-plus to get out of the parking lot.

There was a nice atmosphere and the kids had fun. A live band did some good stuff after the fireworks. And the fireworks were nice for what they were. But I doubt we'd go back again. Frankly, I don't think the crowds at the Magic Kingdom could be worse, especially if you're in no hurry to leave -- and we never are. Of course, you would have to get there early. I've been at the Studios on July 4th several years ago, when they still did Sorcery in the Sky on that day, and it was overall a better experience.

Scott

 

[PinkBudgie]

Wow! Last night we didn't have to go to see the official city fireworks. Someone across the street from us and at the end of the street had some major up in the air fireworks! And let me tell you, all I could think about was something landing on a house and setting it on fire. Or, a miss-fire at people on the ground. The people down at the end of street must have been in the school field at least. They had big one after big one and all that was missing was the music. I can't even imagine how much that would cost. I think of Disneyland closing Toontown during fireworks and canceling them if the winds are too strong and these people are just launching them from the neighborhood.

 

[DjChaos7]

My family, a few friends, and I just recently got back from WDW and while most of us have been there many times, I made it a point to get them to appreciate the fireworks display(s) in WDW this time since we'd be coming home so close to the 4th of July. I must say, now that they really paid attention to them as a 'show' and not just fireworks, we were watching the 4th of July fireworks and all agreed that after seeing what WDW offers, everything else just seems so subpar.

 

[miralys]

I'm also in the "spoiled by Disney fireworks" category.

Actually, I am almost in a depression right now. After the AWESOME fireworks show at Last Tour to Endor, I am not sure ANY fireworks could ever amaze me again.