I think an overall shift in park operations will change when a 3rd park is added, expecting guests to have longer stays on property. Also, isn’t there a noise ordinance issue at the current parks witn housing and schools directly next to the parks? Also, no current room for fireworks.
They have room at the new park for Fireworks, so being open until 10/11 is my guess for this park most of the year.
The location of the firework launch is perfect since the closest thing is the highway and then there's commercial areas after that I think, which usually aren't open at night anyway. I'm not sure if Universal could use the really loud fireworks? They had special fireworks that were less noisy used at USF for a while during their nighttime shows didn't they? I'm imagining we'd get a show similar to that with a lot more used.
On the topic of noise and the main fountain: I'm not sure how high the water will go into the air but if the show will be anything like the Bellagio the water spouts can be noisy.
(video should automatically start at :46)
It may be a little difficult at first—listen for what sounds like a helicopter (it's clear around 1:30). There are some moments where you can hear it over the music, and IIRC I think they try to time the sound with the music at certain points. The hotel and large show buildings around the fountain are a great sound barrier, whether it was intentionally designed that way or not.
Btw World of Color's fountains do the same thing. The noise is softened and with the music blaring you can't hear it during a show (I wouldn't be surprised if the noise was also timed with the music to hide it more). At the 2:24 mark in the video below during construction. It's soft but imagine dozens of those going off like they do during the actual show.
I'm excited to see what the fountain show will look like!
Woohoo, no scaffolding (sort of)
Looking at those frames, does this mean we'll have
real windows as we walk through a castle? One thing I never liked was the fake windows going through Hogwarts trying to simulate natural lighting which never looked right.
It's an extra layer of awesome if we're actually able to look back out into the land waiting in line for the ride!