Doctor Disney Explains: The mysterious ‘rain’ during the Magic Kingdom fireworks

Have you ever been walking around the Magic Kingdom at night and realize that it is just about time for the “Wishes” fireworks show? Well, if you’ve been in the Fantasyland or Liberty Square areas at that time, you may have felt a little bit of “rain” even though the forecast was clear for days.

Doctor Disney will now explain why.

Numerous times, I’ve been walking along and had guests in front of me look up and wonder why water fell down on their heads or why the ground is entirely wet, but there are no clouds in the sky.

Well, don’t be confused because you’re not going crazy and it is all a safety precaution.

Have you ever heard of the expression, “what goes up, must come down?”

That’s exactly what can be said for the fireworks at Walt Disney World. Precautions and safety measures need to be taken so that guests are protected as well as the buildings themselves.

Disney knows that there are certain areas in the Magic Kingdom where debris and ashes and other such things from the fireworks could fall, and they are often referred to as “Fallout Zones.” These locations could have an lit ash fall on it, and a fire could be started.

But…that’s where the mysterious “rain” comes into play.

Sprinkler systems on top of the buildings are turned on about 10-12 minutes before Wishes is set to begin, and it wets down the area. Therefore, if an ash or lit piece of firework lands in that area, it will be extinguished.

A couple of the more common areas that you’ll see these sprinkler systems turned on before Wishes includes:

• The walkway between Fantasyland and Liberty Square – Over the Columbia Harbour House
• Over the top of the line entrances of it’s a small world

There are a few other locations throughout the park, but they are mainly in the areas that are the biggest risks for a fire to get started. So, don’t be surprised if you feel some rain drops on a totally clear evening.

OH OH OH…this is also the reason that the area immediately behind Cinderella Castle and in front of the Golden Carrousel is shut off during Wishes and doused with water. With fireworks going off right above that area; Disney won’t allow guests to be put into harm’s way.