Is attendance really down at WDW this or…

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Every year we get to our NYE Epcot fireworks viewing spot 5 minutes before it starts.

…looks like I’ll see you there

 

[LittleBuford]

Exactly. You can put a giant viewing area with dedicated viewing for fireworks in Frontierland with lights/projections and the hub will still reach capacity. Everybody wants the castle with the fireworks behind it. That's the magic shot, and what a good amount of visitors pay for at the end of the day.

I was there last week and had my heart set on seeing the fireworks from Main Street. I barely looked at the projections, so they weren’t a determining factor. Had I had the chance to watch them a second time, I would have opted for an alternative view from Frontierland (which I’ve done before and loved), but since this was my only opportunity this trip, I wanted the classic castle vantage point. Perhaps I shouldn’t assume that others feel as I do, but I doubt the projections are playing a significant role in where people decide to stand.

 

[LittleBuford]

Right now basically no one wants to watch it from anywhere else because if you can't see the projections you're missing like half of the show.

This holds true for Disneyland Paris, where the projections really are the show, but at the Magic Kingdom, the fireworks themselves are what pop (pun intended).

 

[LittleBuford]

Sorry, but IMHO there's nothing special about them, even with projections on walls. If fireworks crowds thin, even in the hub, WDW should get the message. Until they thin, WDW will continue to treat guests like lemmings and pack them in with wall projections.

There aren’t many places you can watch fireworks burst over and behind a fairytale castle. It’s a pretty special sight, and many thousands of guests must agree to judge from the nightly crowds.

 

[UNCgolf]

This holds true for Disneyland Paris, where the projections really are the show, but at the Magic Kingdom, the fireworks themselves are what pop (pun intended).

I think the projections in HEA are almost as important as the fireworks.

It's actually one of the reasons I don't think HEA is an especially well designed show -- the fireworks and projections are often competing with each other instead of complementing each other.

 

[LittleBuford]

I think the projections in HEA are almost as important as the fireworks.

It's actually one of the reasons I don't think HEA is an especially well designed show -- the fireworks and projections are often competing with each other instead of complementing each other.

I suppose it’s subjective, so I can’t say you’re wrong even if I disagree with you. For me, the projections are a complement rather than a partner to the fireworks.

 

[UNCgolf]

I suppose it’s subjective, so I can’t say you’re wrong even if I disagree with you. For me, the projections are a complement rather than a partner to the fireworks.

I didn't really mean me personally -- I don't care that much about fireworks shows in general, and I wasn't blown away by HEA (partially for the reason I mentioned above, but not solely).

I just meant from the reaction I've seen from others. People seem very into the projections and pointing out what's happening on the castle.

I think the vast majority of guests would feel like they weren't really getting to see HEA if they couldn't see the castle projections, but I could be wrong!

 

[LittleBuford]

I didn't really mean me personally -- I don't care that much about fireworks shows in general, and I wasn't blown away by HEA (partially for the reason I mentioned above, but not solely).

I just meant from the reaction I've seen from others. People seem very into the projections and pointing out what's happening on the castle.

I wonder whether some of those reactions are from people who weren’t even expecting to see such projections in the first place. I say that based on my own sense of delighted surprised the first time I saw projections at Disneyland Paris. I still enjoy them, but the novelty has definitely worn off over time.

I think the vast majority of guests would feel like they weren't really getting to see HEA if they couldn't see the castle projections, but I could be wrong!

I would change that to simply “if they couldn’t see the castle”, but I too could be wrong!

 

[UNCgolf]

I would change that to simply “if they couldn’t see the castle”, but I too could be wrong!

The majority definitely want to see the castle, but I think the difference is that the projections essentially make the castle a requirement for viewing the show -- that wasn't the case when it's fireworks only. There were people willing to watch the show from elsewhere (especially people who had seen it with the castle before) and now essentially no one is because if you aren't in front of the castle you're actually missing a significant part of the show's intended design.

To be clear, I'm not advocating for the removal of projections and returning to a fireworks only show -- I just think it's exacerbated a preexisting problem (people wanting to see the show from in front of the castle).

 

[Lilofan]

I would need evidence to assertain this hyperbolic nonsense is true.

It is obvious you've never been to Epcot on NYE. Let me know when you enjoy that incredible day and see how many families stake out their viewing spots along the lake at 1pm. I would be dancing prior to NYE fireworks in the outside China pavilion with the real fire breathing dragon , techno music.

 

[Lilofan]

…looks like I’ll see you there

Its odd that critics are critical even when they haven't walked in someone else shoes who regularly attends NYE celebrations at WDW.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I was there last week and had my heart set on seeing the fireworks from Main Street. I barely looked at the projections, so they weren’t a determining factor. Had I had the chance to watch them a second time, I would have opted for an alternative view from Frontierland (which I’ve done before and loved), but since this was my only opportunity this trip, I wanted the classic castle vantage point. Perhaps I shouldn’t assume that others feel as I do, but I doubt the projections are playing a significant role in where people decide to stand.

Just sharing my view but I do think the projections definitely add to the show - maybe not as important as the fireworks but more than just a complement. The show is designed around all that working together - including now the projections on Main St - so I think not seeing the projections provides for a lesser show (not necessarily lesser experience as I just can't do the hub anymore as crowds make it a very negative experience for us)

So for folks who have never seen it or only get there once a year or whatever, majority are going to want to see the full show - so I do think having alternative projections around the park could help spread things a bit - especially for folks who have multiple MK nights and are more open to seeing different views

 

[LittleBuford]

Just sharing my view but I do think the projections definitely add to the show - maybe not as important as the fireworks but more than just a complement. The show is designed around all that working together - including now the projections on Main St - so I think not seeing the projections provides for a lesser show (not necessarily lesser experience as I just can't do the hub anymore as crowds make it a very negative experience for us)

So for folks who have never seen it or only get there once a year or whatever, majority are going to want to see the full show - so I do think having alternative projections around the park could help spread things a bit - especially for folks who have multiple MK nights and are more open to seeing different views

You may be right, but as a counterargument, I would note that even the afternoon parade, which is the same wherever you watch it from, draws a much bigger crowd on Main Street than it does in Frontierland, where you can find excellent viewing spots moments before it starts. People enjoy seeing such spectacles against the backdrop of the castle, and I can’t blame them (though in the case of the parade, the convenience of Frontierland is worth it for me).

 

[SamusAranX]

We know which picnic loving free loading pass holders love to pack the parks for the fireworks.

I went last week and packed my waters and some snacks to save money at the park with my weekday pass. Keep crying about the APs the tears are delicious

 

[TheMaxRebo]

You may be right, but as a counterargument, I would note that even the afternoon parade, which is the same wherever you watch it from, draws a much bigger crowd on Main Street than it does in Frontierland, where you can find excellent viewing spots moments before it starts. People enjoy seeing such spectacles against the backdrop of the castle, and I can’t blame them (though in the case of the parade, the convenience of Frontierland is worth it for me).

oh for sure, and even if they did have projections elsewhere Main St would still be by far the most popular spot - just thinking if they can move 20% or even 10% more people off Main St it would help

.... especially if they do they beyond Big Thunder project and increase the capacity of Magic Kingdom - need *somewhere* for those extra people to go

 

[HauntedPirate]

I went last week and packed my waters and some snacks to save money at the park with my weekday pass. Keep crying about the APs the tears are delicious

The unadulterated hatred that particular person has for AP holders is astounding. And the lies that get created as a result are fascinating, not to mention painting every single AP holder with the same brush. Or else it's the longest running and most un-funny bit on the forums.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Its odd that critics are critical even when they haven't walked in someone else shoes who regularly attends NYE celebrations at WDW.

Wha….???….I can’t have that much word salad for breakfast

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I didn't really mean me personally -- I don't care that much about fireworks shows in general, and I wasn't blown away by HEA (partially for the reason I mentioned above, but not solely).

I just meant from the reaction I've seen from others. People seem very into the projections and pointing out what's happening on the castle.

I think the vast majority of guests would feel like they weren't really getting to see HEA if they couldn't see the castle projections, but I could be wrong!

It’s the drawback to projection shows

Back in the fantasy days…you had choreographed music and bursts…so seeing them dead on or not didnt change it all that much

Now with projections there’s a sense you’re “missing” if you’re not dead on.

Also…technology. Cell phones recording fireworks were not a thing. So you just had to use your brain to remember it

It also didn’t cost $200 a head to come back and watch it again

 

[Lilofan]

Wha….???….I can’t have that much word salad for breakfast

Regarding another poster comments

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Regarding another poster comments

There’s room for everyone here on the island of misfit toys…

For those that never go and hate the idea of the place….for those that adamantly defend and haven’t gone enough to know what it is they’re defending…

And the rest of us stuck in the middle with you