Will DL Fireworks Disappear for a While?

[CassieF]

I was in Disneyland California last week, Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30 June. Both nights the fireworks were cancelled last minute due to "high winds" . The park also closed at 11pm. I have been to Disneyland in previous years on the same dates / days, the park stayed open until midnight and fireworks every night.

There have been soo many budget cuts this year, that it wouldnt surprise me that the fireworks are being cut midweek but not being officially announced as being cut as they know people wont be happy. Both nights when the announcement came on, all around me I could hear people saying "high winds my a$$, thanks Shanghai"

While people like to just blame Shanghai I was there on Wednesday and waited for the fireworks in front of the castle and it was breezy through the park, but not overly, but about an hour before the show I noticed the flag on top of the train station and it was blowing for sure. The small banners on the castle were just fluttering so most people would assume it's not that bad. But for those that know, they release a ballon to test the wind, and after the first delay announcement I watched the next test balloon go up and it was vary obvious they would be cancelled. The balloon moved very quickly north and slightly east and was very turbulent.

Sure, guests want their entertainment, and it's easy to blame it on Shanghai and make it seem like it's Disney's fault (easier to be mad at Disney than the wind) but in a populated area, with houses, safety MUST come first.

 

[mom2rtk]

While people like to just blame Shanghai I was there on Wednesday and waited for the fireworks in front of the castle and it was breezy through the park, but not overly, but about an hour before the show I noticed the flag on top of the train station and it was blowing for sure. The small banners on the castle were just fluttering so most people would assume it's not that bad. But for those that know, they release a ballon to test the wind, and after the first delay announcement I watched the next test balloon go up and it was vary obvious they would be cancelled. The balloon moved very quickly north and slightly east and was very turbulent.

Sure, guests want their entertainment, and it's easy to blame it on Shanghai and make it seem like it's Disney's fault (easier to be mad at Disney than the wind) but in a populated area, with houses, safety MUST come first.

I think having people blame Shanghai when fireworks are called off is a risk they take when they do stuff like close the parks earlier than typical for summer months and cut back on parades and such because of Shanghai.

 

[CassieF]

I think having people blame Shanghai when fireworks are called off is a risk they take when they do stuff like close the parks earlier than typical for summer months and cut back on parades and such because of Shanghai.

I am not arguing about early closures and parade cutbacks (they basically didn't start summer hours for parade and closing until 4th of July instead of Memorial Day) being a result of budget cuts but if it really was due to budgets cuts that they cancelled fireworks they wouldn't initially delay them and send off additional test balloons, they would just straight up cancel them at the first chance they get, or not even schedule them to begin with (off season fireworks are usually Friday-Sunday only...they've been scheduled daily due to the 60th).

People should be able to see the difference between budget cuts and safety issues. But it's just easier to blame Disney...

 

[Winnowill]

Yeah, we were there last week, also, and missed out on the fireworks because of the winds. I was so bummed - I love that show. But we bought APs, so I am hoping to get back there in early August to get to see them again. I love the fireworks - I'm of the opinion that, once you've seen Disney fireworks, typical July 4th displays are lackluster and disappointing.

 

[ClaraOswald]

I was in Disneyland California last week, Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30 June. Both nights the fireworks were cancelled last minute due to "high winds" . The park also closed at 11pm. I have been to Disneyland in previous years on the same dates / days, the park stayed open until midnight and fireworks every night.

There have been soo many budget cuts this year, that it wouldnt surprise me that the fireworks are being cut midweek but not being officially announced as being cut as they know people wont be happy. Both nights when the announcement came on, all around me I could hear people saying "high winds my a$$, thanks Shanghai"

Canceling due to wind is certainly nothing new. It's happened fairly often for years and years.

 

[beachdreamr1229]

I've had fireworks cancelled due to winds frequently. It really is the winds. If it's breezy on the ground, often the winds are much worse higher up where the fireworks are exploding. I had a whole conversation with one of the managers at DL about this once. I can't remember what the criteria is, but essentially, if the winds are blowing in a certain direction at a certain speed, they have to be cancelled. Can't blame Shanghai for that. Not to say there haven't been insane budget cuts that I'm not thrilled with, but it's not Shanghai's fault.

 

[MommyLove]

I think it has more to do with needing to redesign and moving the launch area so that when SW land opens it will not have to close for fireworks like Toontown currently does. If it has to happen due to infrastructure then I think that is a very good reason.

I would be sad to miss fireworks too, but this seems like a good reason. While they're already doing all that construction, they may as well take advantage of it to make more improvements.

 

[DizMe]

I'd actually be happy if they had a hiatus on fireworks, WOC, and DL parades. Instead of SWL, I wish they'd built a special area for shows and parades so the rest of us could walk around from land to land relatively unimpeded

 

[JessL]

Based on previous scenarios, when would you expect Disney to make an announcement on this? I've crunched the numbers and I'm seriously considering going to DW instead. It's an extra airfare from LAX to Orlando and I'll lose what I've paid so far on my DLR tickets. But I think I can offset most of that by choosing cheaper accommodation. The only thing is..... I'd still rather go to Disneyland. Which is probably unreasonable because I've already been there and have never been to Disneyworld so I should be jumping at the chance!

 

[mom2rtk]

I'd actually be happy if they had a hiatus on fireworks, WOC, and DL parades. Instead of SWL, I wish they'd built a special area for shows and parades so the rest of us could walk around from land to land relatively unimpeded

I wouldn't care if I knew I would be back in a few months and could catch them then. Or if I had been so many times that the shows were old to me. I saw the 60th Fireworks one time. Beyond that I have seen holiday fireworks once, Halloween once and I think one of the other shows (not RDCT, maybe Magical?) once.

It's a lot easier to plan around the presence of entertainment than it is to plan around its absence.

 

[mom2rtk]

Based on previous scenarios, when would you expect Disney to make an announcement on this? I've crunched the numbers and I'm seriously considering going to DW instead. It's an extra airfare from LAX to Orlando and I'll lose what I've paid so far on my DLR tickets. But I think I can offset most of that by choosing cheaper accommodation. The only thing is..... I'd still rather go to Disneyland. Which is probably unreasonable because I've already been there and have never been to Disneyworld so I should be jumping at the chance!

We're in the exact same place with our decision making. But at least all we have invested so far is part of our air travel on Southwest, which can be changed. I would just like some reliable information so we can make an informed decision.

I think some of the entertainment doesn't get posted until mere weeks out. However, I'm hoping that when the Halloween party information comes out in a few weeks that there will be some mention of fireworks during the party, which will likely put my mind at ease.

 

[figment_jii]

At least we now know that fireworks will be presented at MHP (so through October 31st at least)...

 

[mom2rtk]

At least we now know that fireworks will be presented at MHP (so through October 31st at least)...

Thanks! It seems a missed a few pages this morning on the new thread. That's great news and hopefully an indication that fireworks will continue through the end of the year. I can't imagine they would have them through Halloween then close them down for the holidays.

 

[tlovesdis]

Just saw this online. Sadly it does not mention PTN Since it says select nights, I am guessing weekends only.

On select, non-Mickey’s Halloween Party nights, guests visiting Disneyland will enjoy a special treat: the “Fantasy in the Sky” fireworks spectacular. In addition, the dynamic “Mickey’s Soundsational Parade” will march down Main Street, U.S.A., each day throughout Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort. - See more at: http://disneylandnews.com/2016/07/1...t-sept-9-through-oct-31/#sthash.96c1c7m3.dpuf

 

[mom2rtk]

Just saw this online. Sadly it does not mention PTN Since it says select nights, I am guessing weekends only.

On select, non-Mickey’s Halloween Party nights, guests visiting Disneyland will enjoy a special treat: the “Fantasy in the Sky” fireworks spectacular. In addition, the dynamic “Mickey’s Soundsational Parade” will march down Main Street, U.S.A., each day throughout Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort. - See more at: http://disneylandnews.com/2016/07/1...t-sept-9-through-oct-31/#sthash.96c1c7m3.dpuf

 

[GatorChris]

Just saw this online. Sadly it does not mention PTN Since it says select nights, I am guessing weekends only.

On select, non-Mickey’s Halloween Party nights, guests visiting Disneyland will enjoy a special treat: the “Fantasy in the Sky” fireworks spectacular. In addition, the dynamic “Mickey’s Soundsational Parade” will march down Main Street, U.S.A., each day throughout Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort. - See more at: http://disneylandnews.com/2016/07/1...t-sept-9-through-oct-31/#sthash.96c1c7m3.dpuf

A little off topic, but this article does mention things about the ghosts at Tower of Terror. So does this finally kill the rumor that ToT is going down this fall for a Guardians refurb? I hope.

 

[BrianL]

A little off topic, but this article does mention things about the ghosts at Tower of Terror. So does this finally kill the rumor that ToT is going down this fall for a Guardians refurb? I hope.

Oh please let that be true!

At least MHP will have fireworks, but will they continue to run the DL Forever ones on non-party nights? I'm just curious at this point since I'm getting in under the wire to see them!

EDIT: I read the article - looks like it will be Fantasy in the Sky on select non-party nights.

 

[figment_jii]

A little off topic, but this article does mention things about the ghosts at Tower of Terror. So does this finally kill the rumor that ToT is going down this fall for a Guardians refurb? I hope.

I would guess that it means no HalloweenTime refurbishment of ToT, unless someone just copied last year's information about ToT for this year's news released. They always mention ToT, even though (as far as I know), nothing changes for HalloweenTime.

At least MHP will have fireworks, but will they continue to run the DL Forever ones on non-party nights? I'm just curious at this point since I'm getting in under the wire to see them!
EDIT: I read the article - looks like it will be Fantasy in the Sky on select non-party nights.

Yeah, I read the article and interpreted it to mean that Disneyland Forever is going to be put in hiatus (hopefully just for a bit) and Fantasy in the Sky will return on "select" (probably meaning non-party weekend nights) nights.

So, now the last big question is what is happening with PtN. It's not mentioned at all, but they do mention Soundsational. So it kind of sounds like PtN is also going on hiatus and there won't be a nighttime parade during HalloweenTime.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Is it bad that I actually hope they do stop running fireworks for a while? Maybe that would reduce the number of guests as more people would be likely to wait until the fireworks are back. I could finally walk at night in the parks again without major anxiety attacks over the crowds. Don't get me wrong. I love the fireworks and part of me will miss them. But, there's always a silver lining. If you want great fireworks, there's always WDW for those traveling from out of state anyway.

If I wanted to go to WDW, I would. There's many reasons I prefer DLR over WDW, and fireworks is one of them. RDCT and Disneyland Forever are both better shows than Wishes, IMO.

 

[GatorChris]

If I wanted to go to WDW, I would. There's many reasons I prefer DLR over WDW, and fireworks is one of them. RDCT and Disneyland Forever are both better shows than Wishes, IMO.

The only problem is that DL does the fireworks on weekends only, and then if someone sneezes wrong, they get cancelled. I've seen Wishes launch with storms blowing through. I guess it's a quantity vs quality issue....although I love Wishes.