Fireworks time and place...

[Moonliner]

In addition to the grand USH meet (http://www.loungeoftomorrow.com/LoT/showthread.php?t=3081), I'll also be spending two days a the DLR giving my youngest a firm grounding in the cultural arts that are her heritage (space mtn, matterhorn, etc...).

Of course that will include the new fireworks show. We'll be there for the show on Tuesday April 11th (The height of spring break). Where is the best spot for a first time viewing and how early do we need to be there?

Thanks.

[Ghoulish Delight]

The only spot is in front of the castle. To view it from anywhere else for the first time would be doing a great disservice, and likely warant a visit from child protective services. Anywhere between the castle and the hub works, but I particularly liked being right on the curb of the hub last time. Essentially, you'll have to get there as the last parade ends as that's when they start allowing people to camp out.

[Kevy Baby]

Ah, the age old "best place to watch RDCT" discussion.

Most would argue that plopping your butt down right in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle and staking out a spot for a few hours is the best viewing opportunity. Unless you have an extremely patient child or can get someone to stake a land claim for you, that may not be your best choice.

The second best viewing (IMHO) is back on Main Street about 15-20 feet back from the loop split (where the tracks for the Horse-Drawn Trolley split). Anywhere from there back towards Main Street Photo Supply - the earlier you arrive, the closer to the castle you can get. I like this area because it allows one to arrive a little later (maybe 1/2 hour to one hour before the show start) and still secure a decent spot. Also, if yo uare leaving right after the show, you've got a good head start on the main crush of bodies.

Now, some will argue that you cannot see the Castle projections from back there. While this is true, I feel that you what you gain by a better overall viewing angle (again, my opinion) supercedes the loss of Castle projections (which are good, but not a make or break for me).

Some people like along the loop of the hub - on the street near the entrance to Tomorrowland. This, if positioned correctly, allows for a view of the Castle projections. However, I feel that the pushing and shoving level there is not worth the effort.

Those are my preferences - I know others will have a different opinion.

[Snowflake]

I place a vote for staking a claim of land on the curb right across from the castle. I just had my first experience of the fireworks there and it was so completely amazing, words cannot describe it. I will never forget it.

This works best with a group so you can have people at the spot, NA is a pro at this. Bring a blanket to be sure, it took two days for my not so small tush to thaw out (especially since we followed it up with Fantasmic).

Back to the fireworks, does anyone have some great photos of it? I'd love to have some prints made.

Donna

[Cadaverous Pallor]

What days will you be there? I'd volunteer to help hold a spot for you at the coveted hub curb, if I can make it....any weekday other than Wednesday is doable.

It's worth it to give new people a shot at THE spot.

[Prudence]

THE spot is the only spot that matters. Really and truly. Bring a deck of cards and a blanket.

[Ghoulish Delight]

What days will you be there?
We'll be there for the show on Tuesday April 11th (The height of spring break).

:cheers:

[Not Afraid]

It looks like I may be out of town for that date of I'd brink my space nazi skills to helpout.

In front of the castle, on the hub curb, dead center, is the ONLY place to watch for the first time.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

:cheers:Heh, thanks babe.

I'd be up for that. We'd leave right after fireworks...

[Moonliner]

Heh, thanks babe.

I'd be up for that. We'd leave right after fireworks...

Wow! That's great. If that works for you we'd love to meet up at the curb. Thanks!

and since I was planning on having to hold her on my shoulders, all the people that would have been behind me also thank you.. ;)

[Not Afraid]

Wrong board....;)

[CoasterMatt]

I'd love to help camp out, but that's right in the middle of the Bataan Death March April :cheers:

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Wow! That's great. If that works for you we'd love to meet up at the curb. Thanks! No problem. You're a part of our small LoT family. You could watch the parade with us. If you show up for fireworks with a white hot chocolate from the Market House for me we'll call it even ;)

Oh, and one for GD too. Since I roped him into this. You are coming, right, sweetie?

I can always bring a book :p

[Moonliner]

Venti White Hots all around. Check. :coffee:

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Alrighty....

I'm heading to the park after work. GD may or may not make it.

I know it's impossible for most of you to join me, but if anyone can, I'd love to see you there. If not, it's cool, I'll have a blanket and my iPod and a book.

I'm excited for Moonliner! Nothing beats that spot.

[BarTopDancer]

Have fun and think of me while I'm scrambling to finish a project due tonight that is 50% of my grade.

[Alex]

It's good that you're getting to see it from there for the first time. After that I don't think it is worth the hassle and just watch from either the Main Strett train platform or in front of Small World.

[innerSpaceman]

Um ... no. I've now watched the fireworks from all over the Park (and various parts of the Resort). It's a great show from many different vantage points. But nothing remotely compares to THE SPOT. And, seeing as chances to experience this show are limited, waiting there for a couple of hours for the absolute best thing Disneyland has to offer, and the best pyro show its had in its entirey history, is totally worth it every now and then.

Now seems like a perfect opportunity. Are we talking tonight, April 11? If so, I might head down. Um, but the chance of rain may be increasing.

[Alex]

I disagree. Disney had never produced anything worth waiting more than two hours for, for the second viewing. But that is ok, we can have different priorities. Mostly I just wanted to point out the decent viewing locations for the show for later viewings in a time-limited trip. The upper deck of Innoventions also provides an interesting (though not really very good) perspective on some aspects of the show as well.

For my money, after you have experienced what it from the hub, then the train station and Small World provide 80% of the experience for 5% of the hassle and that is enough for me. Also, with different projections it is definitely worth taking it in from Small World at least once just to see it.

That said I did sit in the hub, by myself, for six hours to watch it the first time.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Um ... no. I've now watched the fireworks from all over the Park (and various parts of the Resort). It's a great show from many different vantage points. But nothing remotely compares to THE SPOT. And, seeing as chances to experience this show are limited, waiting there for a couple of hours for the absolute best thing Disneyland has to offer, and the best pyro show its had in its entirey history, is totally worth it every now and then.

Now seems like a perfect opportunity. Are we talking tonight, April 11? If so, I might head down. Um, but the chance of rain may be increasing.Yes, tonight. Depending on how work goes, I'll probably be there in the area of 5:30, plenty of time to stake out a spot.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

An evening of cuddling with my husband at Disneyland, not bad :cool:

[innerSpaceman]

The theatrical value of the show is not based on the percentage of elements that you can see, but rather on the spatial arrangement of those varied elements. No one can deny the splendor of the prime viewing spot, nor reasonably conclude that the show was not designed to be viewed from there. Such elements as the Indy section and the Haunted Mansion section cannot even be decently experienced if you are outside the Hub, and many other sections are vastly improved by having a view of the Castle and way of viewing the multi-depth pyro effects "through" each other akin to a multiplane camera shot.

There are wonderful other spots. The roof of the parking garage gives you a sideways view the reveals how the show is accomplished. it's a small world has a separate set of projections and is very close to the main pryo. The train station has a great overall view, and the laser effects are at their most prominant. The parade cross near Coke Corner also provides a great overall view with minimal camping time. The Casey Jr. area requires some moving around during the show to see various elements, but has the absolute closest proximity to the main pryo. And the tiny area between Dumbo and Monstro offers a wonderful sensurround view that's really close to Tinkerbell, really close to the main fireworks, and has views of the Matterhorn and the rear of the Castle (which they show-light even though the area is closed off). During Indy, it looks as if Toad Hall is burning!


None of them hold a (roman) candle to THE SPOT in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle. With wait times down to two-and-a-half hours, it's a bargain.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

I thought the show was nearly as good from many different spots, but then I was treated to THE spot again at the Snowflake meet. I'm now a true believer in THE spot.

Hope you can make it, :iSm:

[Prudence]

THE spot rocks! I'd totally wait there again. I'd be willing to put in the time, but I'd probably have to let my lame firework-avoiding spouse go wander.

[SzczerbiakManiac]

An evening of cuddling with my husband at Disneyland, not bad :cool:I know I enjoyed it. :evil: ;)

[Isaac]

I'll be watching them from the balcony of the Jazz Kitchen, as usual.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

I know I enjoyed it. :evil: ;)I must be the luckiest woman in the world, since all gay men want my husband.

I miss zapppop already.

[Kevy Baby]

See spot run

[Ghoulish Delight]

Damn.

Well, I grabbed the spot at approx. 6:10. Curb of the hub, dead center. It was beautiful. CP joined me a half hour later, blanket in hand. Moonliner stopped by around 7:30 to say hi, went off for a couple more attractions, came back, bought some treats, and we hung out until iSm showed up around 9. At 9:15, 3 balloons were released...all three went about as straight vertical as I've ever seen. We actually commented that perhaps the air was too calm and we'd be watching the show through a thick layer of smoke.

Then the show started...first off, crowd control had left a walkway along the sidewalk on the castle side of the street. And it remained open as the show started. This meant that the people up front who were right behind the walkway had to stand up to see. We futilely tried to get them to sit down, but it was no use, especially when the CM came by and told them all to stand up. Bugger. So we stood up to watch. Not a big deal (though definitely less indulgent than lounging), but puzzling none-the-less.

Aaanyway, as the show started, we instantly noticed things were a bit off. A lot of the pyro, most noticeble the shooting stars, seemed kinda low. The stars weren't even making it all the way across. The Mickey was waaaay off. Then, bizarrely, the skull projection on the Matterhorn was aimed low and to the right, until someone apparantly got over there and shoved the projector back into place (the Mara projection just before had been aimed just fine).

But the real disappointment came at the end of the interlude between Pirates and Fronteirland. About 2/3 of the way through the interlude, the pyro suddenly became very sparse...and then non-existent. The Davy Crocket theme came on, but zero action in the sky. Finally, the music came to an abrupt halt, a minute later the castle lighting changed, and finally the announcement was made.

Here's the odd part, the annoucement was the "Due to winds at higher elevations" announcement. Ummm, everybody kinda simultaneously looked up at the huge cloud of smoke that was barely crawling across the sky. And then, as if some CM were thinking exactly what we were thinking, one more wind-testing balloon was released from behind the castle. We watched as it once again went up, straight as an arrow. Winds at higher elevations my ass (I don't care what a certain crawfish-hating CM told us about 'sudden wind shift').

What a tease for poor Moonliner. I guess it's good that they at least got to see half of the show rather than it getting canceled outright, but it's still disappointing.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

We were soooo bummed for Moonliner and his wonderful daughter. :(

They'll be back at the park today, set to see Fantasmic, so we told them to stay put at their Fantasmic spot so they could see the fireworks from there. But we had the spot, damnit! :(

Anyway, it was fun hanging out with them and hearing about their day. Moon's daughter is a smart kid who has a full-on Disney education. How many kids living on the east coast know where Walt's Apartment is? They had a great day. At least that!

After the fireworks cancellation we ran into a certain crowd control CM who gave us Honorary Disneyland Citizen stickers to make it all better. :)

Ironically, after everyone stood up to watch, we were thinking of making a beeline to City Hall to complain about that...but when the fireworks quit we knew we were going nowhere near that place.

[innerSpaceman]

Heheh, Daaavey, Davey Crock.



I feel so bad for Moonliner and his sweet, smart-as-a-whip daughter. But I'll hold this one fondly in my memories of when Fantasmic, then Believe just suddenly stopped mid-performance. You'd think they'd have a $5 fader on the sound equipment when those mishaps happen. But it's always an abrupt cut of the music. Kinda funny.

Well, except for all those people camped out for hours, and all those out-of-towners and other one-time visitors. But better some show than cancelled altogether ... and I've seen many a show outright cancelled. This fireworks show is almost too complex for it's own good. (Hmmm, I wonder why there were NEVER high winds in Anaheim during the good ol' days of Fantasy in the Sky? Must be global warmning, huh?)

Anyways, Moon and Jr. Moon got the stretch room and the first Tinkerbell and the Indy flames and the Pirate battle. Generally considered the best stuff, but too bad nonetheless. I am relieved that they will (likely) get to see the finale, 24 hours later, from their awesome Fantasmic spot tonight.


If not ....


... we'll they'll just have to come back before next November! :iSm:

[Gemini Cricket]

I hate it when stuff like that happens. Especially to a first timer. Next time, Moonliner! :)

When Ralphie and I watched Fantasmic! for the first time at WDW (bleh!) the dragon didn't retract at the end. A dead dragon just sat there through the finale.
:D

[innerSpaceman]

BTW, G.C., have you seen 'Remember' yet?

If not, you ARE coming here before November!

[Ghoulish Delight]

BTW, G.C., have you seen 'Remember' yet?

If not, you ARE coming here before November!tsk, tsk, how soon we forget...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v246/gdiddy/LoT/GC.jpg

[Not Afraid]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v246/gdiddy/LoT/GC.jpg



Oooooooh! These two handsome dudes are on their way to my hotel room right now!!!!!

[innerSpaceman]

Oh duh, you were part of the EVERYONE that was there for the best fireworks viewing ever. Alzheimer's his hitting me fast, folks.

Oh well, come back before November anyways!!!!

[wendybeth]

GC is so sweet- he was the first LoT person I saw at the Birthday Meet- we had just checked in and had taken the kids up to the pool for a quick swim. He recognised me and came up and intro'd himself and Ralphie, which was very cool and a nice way to kick off the party!:cheers:

[MickeyLumbo]

^^ awhhh. great memories!

sorry i have missed this thread until tonight, moonliner.

and very sorry about the cancellation.

don't shoot the messenger, but, safety first. if a problem exists, it IS someone's job to call the show off. it may not be anything visible or known to the Guests or even most CM's. (It may be proactively preventing a problem that was about to develop).

the "wind" tape could be used for a variety of causes.

trust me... TDA would seriously prefer happy Guests. But, safety for ALL (Guests, CM's, Neighbors, Freeway Traffic) must be a priority.

I really hope that you will have a chance to return soon and see the entire performance.

BTW, the Sactown clan and I choose the comfort of benches just a few feet behind the above mentioned curb location. extremely limited and must be staked out well in advance. One of the best parts of the show for me is seeing Tinkerbell's BIG blue eyes as she looks out to Main Street during her flight.

another is waching the show with friends from LoT!

[innerSpaceman]

Ah, the benches. Someday, I dream of getting the benches. But you must be prepared to sit on those benches from around 4pm in the afternoon .... until 9:30.

Ugh, it's a prospect I don't relish. But I'll likely do it once.


During very a unwindy time of year.



It wasn't just the wind recording though. That's the reason they also communicated to CMs (we have from a reliable source). And yet, it was clear that the show was experiencing technical difficulties from the git-go. It didn't so much look like a show that was cancelled due to impending disaster, but rather one that simply broke down.

But, as the post-cancel balloon clearly and sardonically demonstrated, the problem was not the wind.


Hopefully, as I type this ... the show has just finished up ... and Moonliner and Co. have gotten to finish what we started last night. I think they sprung for Fantasmic Balcony - - can you see far enough east to view the fireworks from up there?

[Moonliner]

Greetings all. JuniorMoonie and I have made it back to the hotel at the end of an outstanding DLR trip. Of course major kudos to GD and CP for staking out "THE SPOT" for us.

We did Fantasmic from the riverside reserved seats today and stayed there to see the (complete) fireworks. There are a few minor effects from that spot. Some green fog for the HM section, lasers for Star Tours, etc.. I'd have to say that from the Fantasmic site it was a great fireworks show and from "The Spot" it's probably the greatest fireworks show the planet has ever seen. The "stretching room" made me gasp, and that ain't easy to do :)

Last night was certainly a trial. After we meet up and GD and CP we went to use our Thunder Mt. fastpasess, JuniorMoonie really wanted to ride TM in the dark. It was 101. So we went back and waited for the fireworks show. Of course you already know what happened there... After the "show" we decided we'd had enough and beat feet for the Monorail back the the hotel. Guess what else went 101? Yup. The monorail pulled in with a "squeaky wheel" and they shut it down right in front of us. Sigh... So we had the pleasure of waking back to the Disneyland hotel from the Tomorrowland station after a very long day.

I have to give major mojo to JuniorMoonie, while we saw a number of kids in total meltdown over the fireworks and/or monorail she held it together and quipped "Do you think the sidewalk is going to have technical difficulties?" Love ya babe.

I'm sure I'll eventually post more details of our trip. Overall I think we did pretty damn well for ourselves given the wall-to-wall crowds and never let the setbacks get us down.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Cripes, Ml, not your day was it?

Okay, one more anicdote from the fireworks wait. An hour or so before the show, with the street filled, a CM decided to keep the kiddies in the crowd entertained for a bit. Mind you, this is 2 days before Disney's The Wild is set to premier. So he stands in the walkway in front of the crowd and asks, "Hey, how many of you have seen Madagascar?!" :rolleyes: And then he proceded to sing "I Like To Move It". Yikes.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

I'm glad you saw the rest of it, even if it was from the Rivers of America.

That girl is such a trooper! I haven't met a more well-mannered, smart, and patient young lady. You're lucky to have her with you to keep you going ;)

It's funny, iSm, GD and I ended up walking back to the structure via Downtown Disney, (trams were busy and we hadn't exercised that day) and as we passed the Monorail stop I wondered aloud if you'd beaten us there. Seeing as how we had spent a good little while hanging out at the spot feeling dejected after the fireworks died, it was a laughable statement. Now I realize we probably did beat you.