Inside Disneyland’s new Halloween fireworks show

Display location: Disney theme parks
Date: Halloween

Details: 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.

“Halloween Screams - A Villainous Surprise in the Skies” runs nightly through Nov. 1.