Mythbusting, Disney style

[marni1971]

I'd never heard this one before, but along those lines I did hear, long ago, that the statues atop the Swan and Dolphin hotels could be retracted in the event of an approaching storm. I can't find any reference to this one way or another, leading me to believe it's false. Anyone know for sure.

Very false.

However..... the 4 spires on the front of the Chinese Theatre in DHS were designed to retract for firework shows.

 

[raven]

I'd never heard this one before, but along those lines I did hear, long ago, that the statues atop the Swan and Dolphin hotels could be retracted in the event of an approaching storm. I can't find any reference to this one way or another, leading me to believe it's false. Anyone know for sure?

First time I heard this one. :lol: Oh the things people will come up with.

 

[unkadug]

Very false.

However..... the 4 spires on the front of the Chinese Theatre in DHS were designed to retract for firework shows.

What? Really? Why? Have they ever operated?

 

[Rob562]

Very false.

However..... the 4 spires on the front of the Chinese Theatre in DHS were designed to retract for firework shows.

Well whadda ya know. I never knew that. I even found photo proof. Maybe not all 4, but the two center ones definitely:

Look at where the two inner ones *should* be in the second photo...
You can see that there's still something there on the outer two, but perhaps they lowered down only part of the way.

-Rob

 

[ChrisFL]

Wow, I never knew that one either!

It's kinda opposite of all of the lighting/stage stuff that pops up before Illuminations at Epcot

 

[marni1971]

It took me by surprise. I found it a few years ago when someone asked why a spire had disappeared in a photo. It seems they were lowered to various heights during the original Sorcery in the Sky, during the show. Watching home video from certain angles, you can actually see the heights of the spires change during the show. Also, as in the photo Rob posted, the spires seem to have been moved before the show too.

Strangely though, it must have been incredible forsight or for another reason. The building was designed in the mid 80's. Sorcery in the Sky was a rushed production that was added to boost entertainment after dark. The show didn`t debue until August 12 1989, 3 months after park opening, and was so rushed it didn't even have a name until May 1990.