Rare Weather Event Causes Fireworks Mayhem at Disneyland

A bizarre atmospheric phenomenon threw Disneyland Park’s holiday fireworks celebration into chaos Monday evening as unexpected weather conditions transformed what should have been a magical moment into a frustrating experience for countless theme park guests.

Dense fog descended upon the Anaheim theme park during the December 16 presentation of “Believe…In Holiday Magic,” creating viewing challenges that left families struggling to witness the seasonal spectacular. The weather event struck despite Disneyland Resort’s typical practice of canceling pyrotechnic shows when conditions pose potential problems.

Fog Creates Viewing Nightmare

Reddit user u/OverCry518 documented the unfortunate situation in video footage that captures the moment guests realized their anticipated fireworks experience had been compromised. The clip reveals audible disappointment from Disney Park guests as they discovered the thick fog had swallowed nearly all visibility of the holiday show taking place above Sleeping Beauty Castle.

Fog blocked tonight’s view of the fireworks

Fog blocked tonight’s view of the fireworks
byu/OverCry518 inDisneyland

History of Weather Cancellations Makes Decision Puzzling

Disneyland Park has earned a reputation among frequent visitors for preemptively canceling fireworks displays when wind or other weather factors create concerns. This track record made Monday’s decision to continue the show particularly surprising to longtime Disney Parks fans.

“I’ve been there when they’ve canceled the fireworks for something seemingly less serious than this fog,” u/WanderingStarSoul wrote. “Weird that they would go on with the show in the fog.”

However, some Disney Parks fans celebrated the resort’s decision to proceed rather than cancel outright, viewing any fireworks—even those obscured—as preferable to none at all.

“I’m glad that they still set them off,” u/jrm1985 wrote. “A lot of times any weather anomalies they’ll cancel the show.”

“Lmao considering I went 4 times in the past month and went 0/4 on fireworks due to ‘unforeseen circumstances’, this is a W,” u/Testicle_Eater_Tommy replied.

Understanding Disneyland Park’s Fireworks Schedule

Unlike Walt Disney World Resort, where fireworks illuminate the sky above Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park every evening, Disneyland Park reserves its pyrotechnic displays for select nights only. This scheduling approach means both Southern California locals and visiting tourists must strategically time their park visits to coincide with scheduled performances.

Disneyland Resort updates its nighttime entertainment lineup seasonally, rotating different themed shows throughout the calendar year. The current “Believe…In Holiday Magic” program welcomes all ticketed Disneyland Park guests without requiring additional event admission—a contrast to Magic Kingdom Park’s approach, where Christmas-themed fireworks are typically exclusive to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

Guests seeking current information about entertainment availability at Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park should consult the official resort mobile application or speak directly with cast members stationed throughout both properties.

Stay connected with Disney Dining for ongoing coverage from Disneyland Resort and developments across both Anaheim theme parks.