Originally Posted By SafariRob My son was watching a video the other day of California Screamin' at night. It looks like a lot of fun to ride it night. Here's the thing. WOC starts at dusk and runs through park closing. Does DCA re-open the rides on PP between WOC shows? How do you ride CS at night? What am I missing?
Originally Posted By KCCHIEF We are here now. We saw WOC the other nite and it looked like all of the attractions shut down before the first showing at 9:00. I doubt they reopen them between shows as when we were exiting..there was a huge line lining up for the second show. FWIW...we had preferred seating from the dinner package offer and we were at the location one hour before the show and so was several other hundred people....so get there early
Originally Posted By FerretAfros Screamin' basically hasn't run at night since WOC premiered last June. It shuts down almost an hour before the first show, and does not come back, due to the long start-up procedures. The ferris wheel also shuts down around that same time, and stays closed for the remainder of the evening. The swings close a while before the show, but a little later than the ferris wheel and Screamin'. They also reopen briefly between the shows. On nights when there is a third show, there are only a couple cycles of the ride between the second and third showing (one time I watched the second show from the boardwalk underneath it, and heard the music start for the test run, so we headed up the stairs; we did our run, there was another cycle, and possibly one more, and then they shut it down for the night). I don't believe Jumpin Jellyfish reopens between shows, but it does last a little longer than Screamin' before it closes. I have no idea what Mullholland Madness did last summer, so I can't comment on what they'll do once the ride reopens this summer. TSMM remains open throughout the shows.
Originally Posted By TMICHAEL I think it's time they leave the rides open. The show is good but coming up on its year anniversary, no longer new to most and rides running in the back ground, really aren't that huge of a distraction. But I do admit, I always thought it pretty stupid to close the rides, especially one of the parks most popular, for a show that not everyone can see on first showing.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt It is stupid considering the overall ride capacity of the park. Will Mermaid close during the show too? I can't imagine that they'll be doing that, especially when the hordes really show up next year when Carsland opens.
Originally Posted By dl1956 Maybe the "just in case" scenario where there is an E stop on Screamin. If WOC is running at the time, at the very least it would have to be stopped to turn on lights for any required evac. And having thousands of spectators watching an evac on the Screamin structure probably doesn't sound too pleasant to DL. Just my thoughts.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros That's an interesting thought about evacuations during the show. Another issue to consider with Screamin' is that it runs in the lagoon, while they're shooting fountains high in the sky just a few feet away. The ride can run in the rain, so it would be possible to run during the show, but it might not be a lot of fun for most guests. I don't know if it's because everything is closed, or because the show is pulling people away, but the backside of the Pier generally tends to be pretty deserted during the show. I really don't think that there are a ton of guests who would be interested in riding Screamin' during it, but I could be wrong. I would assume that Mermaid will stay open during the show, much like TSMM. Neither one is in an area that is particularly visible during the show (they do pull the curtains on Mr Potatohead, since his projected eyes are shockingly bright at nigth) or close enough to the water to cause any real problems.
Originally Posted By yamabuki ^ Noise pollution from the rides, screaming riders interrupting the 'quiet' moments in the show, ride lights have to stay on for safety of guests, etc. You can still ride Screamin' at night.. but you'll have to wait 'till the Fall/Winter months when the sun sets earlier. California Screamin', Mickey's Fun Wheel, Golden Zephyr, Silly Symphony Swings, and Jumpin' Jellyfish close down for the show. The Swings and the Zephyr re-open for about 30mins between the first and second shows. The Carousel, Mulholland Madness, Midway Mania, (and soon Little Mermaid) remain open during the show.
Originally Posted By EighthDwarf That's one of the (many) reasons I dislike WoC - it essentially shuts down half the park. I wish they would run WoC like the fountains at Bellagio - an ongoing cyclical show that varies throughout the evening. If you want to stop and see sit it for a few minutes, go ahead. But let the rest of us enjoy the park.
Originally Posted By DlandDug >>That's one of the (many) reasons I dislike WoC - it essentially shuts down half the park. << I keep hearing this-- but it's just not so. The only area affected is Paradise Pier, and then only a couple of major attractions. The rest of the park (Condor Flats, Grizzly, Hollywood, Fliks, Golden State) is open, including ElecTRONica. It's like saying get rid of Illuminations at Epcot, since it "closes down" all of World Showcase.
Originally Posted By SafariRob Thanks for all the replies. I guess I hit a nerve. Sounds like I need to plan a fall/winter trip and hit it right before WOC. I like the idea of intermittent mini-shows for WOC...but that is probably years away due to the popularity and newness of the show. How much time is there between shows? Why can't they briefly reopen CS during that time? Wouldn't it be cool to have the ride vehicles loaded and ready to go so that as soon as WOC ends, the train shoots up the first lift?
Originally Posted By EighthDwarf <<I keep hearing this-- but it's just not so. >> Ok, maybe a third of the park. I am talking more about area than number of rides. There's virtually no point in going south of Grizzly Peak once the sun starts going down. <<It's like saying get rid of Illuminations at Epcot, since it "closes down" all of World Showcase.>> Isn't Illuminations scheduled to run only once per evening and at closing time??
Originally Posted By yamabuki ^ Midway Mania is kept open during the show, and that is a big draw for the park. Once Paradise Garden opens there will be two additional restaurants and the new Goofy's Sky School (which will also stay open during the show.) Not to mention the brand-new Little Mermaid ride.. Stil plenty of reasons to visit the Pier at night!
Originally Posted By BPSJP >>That's one of the (many) reasons I dislike WoC - it essentially shuts down half the park. << I agree, and I thought I was the only one. It makes no sense that you can nit go on screaming because of this show that I don't think works.
Originally Posted By lesmisfan if you think about it does make sense. the launch is right on the water and very close to the water jets and fire canons. It is too close for comfort. plus the sounds of the coaster, plus screamin, plus the loud launch spiel would take away from the show.
