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Inside Disneyland’s new Halloween fireworks show
September 27th, 2009, 7:15 pm · 12 Comments · posted by Sarah Tully
Orange and red lights burst, ghostly images waft on Sleeping Beauty Castle and guests join in on a group scream — all for Disneyland’s first Halloween fireworks show.
The display debuted Friday night as Halloween Timebegan at the local Disney theme parks. The 13-minute show, described as “wicked fun,” is based on the Disney villains and their music, said John Addis, senior show director.
Guests started setting up spots to watch the fireworks before 5:30 p.m. — four hours before the show began. Disney had to rope off the circular, plaza area hours before the event. It’s the earliest that Addis said he’s ever seen people arrive for a fireworks show.
The display has unique features, Addis said.
For the first time, a 20-foot orb rises 45 feet in the air on top of the castle, Addis said. On the orb, guests can see various projected images, including that of animated host Jack Skellington from “The Nightmare Before Christmas” movie.
Throughout the show, about six plumes of flames shoot 40 feet into the air along the castle, Addis said. They are so hot that nearby audience members can feel them.
Zero, the ghost dog from “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” flies across, just as Dumbo and Tinkerbell did in previous fireworks shows.
Screaming comets rise 400 feet above the audience, Addis said.
In all, workers fire off 700 shells — about 50 more than the previous fireworks show. All is set to a soundtrack of creepy music, from Cruella De Vil’s theme song to “Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf.”
“I think Halloween is my favorite fireworks show we’ve done to date,” Addis said.
Audience members also said that they were happy with the show.
“It was epic,” said Tomas Estrada, 24, of San Ysidro. “It was a bunch of surprises. They had new fireworks tricks. … It was in your face.”
Sharri Knight, 52, and her daughter, Rebecca, 17, of El Segundo, came at 5:30 p.m. for the show, and especially Zero. They liked how the show combined Disney classics with newer shows.
“It was awesome that they combined all different forms to entertain you,” Rebecca Knight said.
The Halloween fireworks show is part of Disney’s strategy to give guests, especially annual passholders, something new throughout the year.
“We wanted to do something for the seasons. We have guests coming back. We love having a new fireworks show for our guests,” Addis said.
While the theme is spooky, it’s designed to be family-friendly for kids, Addis said. Guests also can see a special projection near the it’s a small world ride, where it is less crowded.
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Man, that looks really cool I should check this out.
Heading down tonight to check it out and do our traditional Halloween pictures at Disneyland. Can’t wait
We saw it Saturday night and it was excellent! Worth waiting on the Main Street circle for. I’ve never been so impressed by a fireworks show because it was way more than that. With the music that accompanied it, it was like a Halloween party!
Can’t blame Disneyland for trying, but Knott’s absolutely OWNS Halloween! Plus it’s less expensive! Disneyland Halloween = Fail.
you’re completely missing the point. they’re not trying to “scarify” the place, just make it a little more fun for the holiday.
can you imagine if Disneyland didn’t have any halloween decorations or themes at all? now that would be simply LAME
We were there opening night! It was spectacular! We LOVE Disney-anything! lol
Disneyland isn’t trying to show up anyone. It’s like comparing apples to oranges. One place is for adults and way older children and the other place is totally for kids and their families!
You are wrong, Stephanie. I have a friend who works at Disney corporate and they are tired of seeing Knott’s do HUGE business every Halloween, which is why you see Disney expanding their Halloween presence every year. The problem is Disney will never be able to compete at Halloween because there are too many toddlers there and Knott’s already OWNS Halloween. Disney would be better off putting up their Christmas decorations early and abandoning Halloween altogether.
ok, you’re truly an idiot. really, no point even attempting to talk to you with that ATTITUDE. you’re really OWNING it though I’ll give you that.
Agreed, she’s an idiot!! Besides, no one can OWN a Holiday, that’s an moronic statement/concept in the first place. As someone stated earlier, no one can compare to Disney; it wold be like comparing a Diamond to a Cubic Zirconia; they are not even made of the same substance.
Fellow readers: Could you please abstain from calling each other idiots? Healthy debate is fine. Please avoid insults.
Sarah Tully
Around Disney editor
Disney is ALWAYS trying to find a way to expand their audience and tap into what works for others. It’s genius. That’s why Disney OWNS theme parks WORLD-WIDE. Honestly, Knotts has a different market than Disneyland. I don’t want to take my family to Knotts on Halloween. It’s not supposed to be family-friendly. It’s geared toward people in their tweens.