Why are the fireworks so darn late?

[mrsjoannh13]

Going in November (week of 11/9) with both young and not-so-young members in my traveling party. Other than MVMCP nights, every night we are there the fireworks are at 10 pm. DH and I could swing it but not my little one (2 turning 3 there) and my parents. They are out around 8 every night.

What are the chances they might be moved up to 9 or even 8? The week before we go there are some nights with 8 pm fireworks. Can't understand why Disney would schedule 10 pm every night while we are there.

Sorry, just venting. Really wanted to catch Wishes - would be a first time for everyone in my family. But I don't think it's in the cards this trip.

 

[Crystal824]

There is really no chance that they will be moved up. Wishes for the most part is always at 10. There are few exceptions. Generally, once the showtimes are released, they aren't changed.

However, you could plan one late night out if you really want to see it. Maybe let everyone sleep in a little that day or sleep in the next day. That is what we do. Really, it depends on the kid. My oldest, now 5, even when she was your child's age was fine staying out and watching the nighttime shows. My younger one, now 13 months, doesn't do so well when she gets off her routine. In the alternative, maybe you and DH could have a date night and see Wishes while your parents watch the little one.

 

[dprincessmom]

Sorry that is hard for you - perhaps one day that has a later morning the next day, a late nap could keep everyone up for the shows. They really are worth it.

 

[AlixaLock]

Yeah ... Very tough for families with little ones! I'm not an expert, but I've always thought of fireworks as a means Disney uses to help clear the park toward the end of the night, which is why I think they are always toward he end of the evening.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Yeah, it's a bummer. We didn't go to any nighttime shows for years, it just wasn't worth it for us with having to disrupt sleep schedules. Some kids are really flexible but one of ours wasn't.

 

[bumbershoot]

They are out around 8 every night.

What are the chances they might be moved up to 9

Are you taking the timezone change into account? You're in Central, right?


That said, the first time DH and I saw Fantasmic at Disneyland, DS was sleeping in his stroller, out like a light. The noises didn't wake him at all. Not sure how that helps your parents, but at least maybe you and your spouse could see the show with the little one sleeping in the stroller? (and if he wakes, then he sees the show!)

 

[Dan Murphy]

The main reason for the fireworks, as well as having them late, is to keep people in the parks, spending money.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

Going in November (week of 11/9) with both young and not-so-young members in my traveling party. Other than MVMCP nights, every night we are there the fireworks are at 10 pm. DH and I could swing it but not my little one (2 turning 3 there) and my parents. They are out around 8 every night.

What are the chances they might be moved up to 9 or even 8? The week before we go there are some nights with 8 pm fireworks. Can't understand why Disney would schedule 10 pm every night while we are there.

Sorry, just venting. Really wanted to catch Wishes - would be a first time for everyone in my family. But I don't think it's in the cards this trip.

That little one just might surprise you. We always tried to maintain a 9 pm bedtime, but it was never enforced on vacations. In fact, we always found it easier to let them stay up late than to make them get up early.

My fondest Disney memory is chasing my then 3 year old daughter back to the entrance of Space Mountain moments before midnight with her screaming "one more time Daddy" all the way.

 

[scrapquitler]

If they moved Wishes earlier, they'd also have to adjust the timing of the parade. They can't make the parade too early, because that needs darkness as well. And, as someone else pointed out, they want you in the park longer.

 

[mrsjoannh13]

If they moved Wishes earlier, they'd also have to adjust the timing of the parade. They can't make the parade too early, because that needs darkness as well. And, as someone else pointed out, they want you in the park longer.

I guess i just don't understand how / why they are as early as 8 pm the week prior. In November sunset is at about 5:35 in Florida so by 7 or 8 it is plenty dark. I get the keeping us in the park later, but an earlier night here and there would be awesome!

 

[Accident]

I wouldn't gauge how they will do for the fireworks by how they are at home. There's a lot of excitement being there and you might be surprised how they stay up no problem. You might have a log to carry back to the room after but generally the parade then wishes then fireworks line up and keep them interested and excited.

 

[Accident]

I guess i just don't understand how / why they are as early as 8 pm the week prior. In November sunset is at about 5:35 in Florida so by 7 or 8 it is plenty dark. I get the keeping us in the park later, but an earlier night here and there would be awesome!

I think the week prior is still on the halloween season earlier close schedule. Once the holiday lights are a primary decoration, the parks stay open much later and things shift to the late night schedule.

 

[RafikiTiki21]

I guess i just don't understand how / why they are as early as 8 pm the week prior. In November sunset is at about 5:35 in Florida so by 7 or 8 it is plenty dark. I get the keeping us in the park later, but an earlier night here and there would be awesome!

Does the park close earlier the week before? Wishes is sort of a send-off near the end of the park's hours for the day and seems to correlate. We go in February and the park hours are shorter in general, which many folks don't like but it suits us for now with a little one. Wishes will be 8 or 9 that whole week.

I'm sorry for your week's timing though, bummer. Perhaps schedule one "late" night in your week and plan that day, and the next morning, accordingly? Definitely want to catch Wishes with the whole family!

 

[BuckeyeBama]

We just skipped the fireworks for a few years when our children were too young, but can understand how this could be more of a problem for people who simply cannot travel to WDW very frequently.

 

[Kelly014]

Are naps a possibility for your child and/or parents? We are going to Disney with a five year old and a nine month old and I know we will throw off the baby's schedule but we're going to try and wing it and make it work. There's always stroller naps. Last year when DD was 4 she made it through wishes and was asleep about 2 minutes after it ended! We had been in the park all day and she was worn out but their stamina can sometimes surprise you in a place like Disney (given that they have time to recover the next day!).

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

Does the park close earlier the week before? Wishes is sort of a send-off near the end of the park's hours for the day and seems to correlate.

It seems that the vast majority of guests do leave after Wishes. We visit during summer when the hours are the longest. Wishes is at 10 pm then MK closes at midnight or 1 am (even later on EMH nights). Those hours between fireworks and closing are the absolute best time of the day for multiple rerides on the headliners with little to no wait.

 

[mrsjoannh13]

Are naps a possibility for your child and/or parents? We are going to Disney with a five year old and a nine month old and I know we will throw off the baby's schedule but we're going to try and wing it and make it work. There's always stroller naps. Last year when DD was 4 she made it through wishes and was asleep about 2 minutes after it ended! We had been in the park all day and she was worn out but their stamina can sometimes surprise you in a place like Disney (given that they have time to recover the next day!).

Yes, planning on midday naps for DD and my parents (probably me and DH too!). I still think all of the walking is something they are not used to and my DD will be excited as all get the heck out running around the entire day. So lots of activity compared to the norm - even with naps - should lead to some tired peeps before 10 pm. Maybe adrenaline will keep us going? Who knows! I did actually get a Wishes dessert party on our first night. Maybe we'll try and I just hope we won't regret it later

 

[Happy_Haunt999]

It more than likely will not change to an earlier time. My suggestion would be to take a mid-day break and go back to your resort for everyone to relax and for the little one to nap.

 

[Jenna319]

We are going the week of 11/1 with a 1 year old and I am thrilled to see 8pm fireworks. That stinks that the following week is so late, I would be bummed too. Have the little one take a late afternoon nap and perhaps you can have a night where he stays up late! That's what I would do.

 

[amerikiwiroo]

In addition to mid-day nap and/or a late start, can you schedule the fireworks at the end of your trip? That way if the day after is a bit rough/cranky from the tiredness it's on a travel day as opposed to a park day.