Disney News

Category: Nighttime Spectacular

  • Happily Ever After Fireworks Show at Magic Kingdom Ending Permanently

    Happily Ever After Fireworks Show at Magic Kingdom Ending Permanently

    Disney has confirmed that the Magic Kingdom’s current nighttime spectacular, Happily Ever After, which replaced Wishes back in 2017, will have its final performance on September 29.

    A new nighttime spectacular, “Disney Enchantment,” will help kick off the 50th anniversary festivities when it debuts Oct. 1 at Magic Kingdom Park.

    Created to launch with “The World’s Most Magical Celebration,” this evening extravaganza will take you on a journey filled with adventure, wonder and empowerment. Inspiring everyone to believe in magic, “Disney Enchantment” will feature music, enhanced lighting, stunning fireworks and, for the first time, immersive projection effects that extend from Cinderella Castle down Main Street, U.S.A.

  • Disney World Updates Fireworks Show Greeting to be More Inclusive Removing Mention of Gender

    Disney World Updates Fireworks Show Greeting to be More Inclusive Removing Mention of Gender

    The Magic Kingdom’s fireworks show, which returned July 1 for the first time since the COVID pandemic began, has modified their “Happy Ever After” fireworks greeting to be more inclusive.

    Instead of the longstanding “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls,” greeting, shows are now prefaced with one that swaps the gender specificity, subbing in “Dreamers of all ages.”

    The change was first inttoduced at a Wednesday preview of the Orlando, Florida theme park’s “Happily Ever After” fireworks display. But the switch apparently extends throughout the Disney empire and is used in more than fireworks displays, as confirmed by a spokesperson for Tokyo Disneyland.

    The announcement received mixed reactions on social media. One Twitter user wrote, “I HATE THAT. BRING IT BACK NOW!!!”

    However, others welcomed the change. Another tweeted, “I love “Dreamers of all ages” because it really makes that super snuggly and more magical. It’s so heartwarming.”

    In April, Disney announced they would be working towards “including everyone.”

    “Inclusion is essential to our culture and leads us forward as we continue to realize our rich legacy of engaging storytelling, exceptional service, and Disney magic,” they wrote.

    “We’re bringing the spirit of the Inclusion Key to life across our business. We’re reimagining our attractions to be more inclusive.”

    As word of the change circulated on social media, knee-jerk reactions condemning the move surfaced from those who apparently feel the embrace of diversity and inclusion has gone too far.

    There has been no official confirmation of the fireworks announcement or other changes by Disney. However, a spokesperson for Tokyo Disneyland’s licensee, Oriental Land Company, acknowledged the changes that company has implemented that are similar. In Japan, gender specificity is changed to “everyone.”

  • OFFICIAL: Fireworks Spectaculars Returning to Disney Parks This Summer

    OFFICIAL: Fireworks Spectaculars Returning to Disney Parks This Summer

    As more communities adjust and ease COVID-19 guidelines, Disney theme parks has been gradually bringing back more park experiences and now Disney has officially announced the return of fireworks this summer!

    At Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, July 1 marks the start of nightly fireworks performances at Magic Kingdom Park and EPCOT.

    A Disney tradition since 1957, fireworks shows are what Walt Disney called the perfect “kiss goodnight” at the close of a magical day, and this summer the skies above Disney theme parks will sparkle with color once more. Disney made the announcement in a video as you can see below:

    “Happily Ever After” will transform Cinderella Castle with lights, projections and pyrotechnics, as moments from favorite Disney stories encourage you to grab hold of your dreams and make them come true. And as part of the ongoing transformation of EPCOT, “EPCOT Forever” will produce a spectacle of fireworks, music and lighting effects over World Showcase Lagoon, highlighting the themes of innovation, exploration, imagination and celebration at the core of the park’s past, present and future.

    As Disneyland park in California welcomes back all guests, the fun starts July 4 with “Mickey’s Mix Magic” presented nightly throughout the summer. State-of-the-art projections, show lighting and lasers will transform Main Street, U.S.A., Sleeping Beauty Castle and the façade of “it’s a small world” into a dazzling, family fun dance party that goes sky high with fireworks to celebrate the leader of the club, Mickey Mouse.

  • Fireworks Could Be Returning to Disney World in July

    Fireworks Could Be Returning to Disney World in July

    Fireworks will return to Disney World during the first week of July just in time for the 4th of July according to several online reports.

    Reportedly, Happily Ever After and EPCOT Forever will be returning to their respective parks. It is unlikely that Harmonious would debut at EPCOT, but considering the pyro tests that have been seen from EPCOT area resorts, its debut may be sooner than we think, according to MonorailNews.com.

    This would make since Disney Parks has been relaxing covid saftey measures and has also recently begun to hire new pyrotechnic and special effects designers as well as bringing back former cast members to the job according to reports.

    Happily Ever After takes you on a dazzling journey of color, light and song that captures the heart, humor and heroism of favorite Disney animated films. Cinderella Castle becomes part of the story by magically transforming through amazing state-of-the art projection technology you have to see to believe.

    This astounding 18-minute fireworks extravaganza uses more lights, lasers and special effects than any other fireworks spectacular in the history of Magic Kingdom park, plus a soaring score featuring contemporary versions of beloved Disney songs.

    During EPCOT Forever you’ll witness the wonder as the story of Epcot and its next incredible chapter come to life in this new nighttime spectacular. Behold the single “spark of imagination” that started it all. Watch it grow, evolve and transform into an epic nighttime extravaganza that stirs the senses and captures all you love about Epcot—and all that’s to come—with dazzling fireworks, stunning laser effects and choreographed kites set to tunes that have become theme park favorites.

    Hopefully the rumors prove true! We’ll keep you updated so stay tuned to Disney Dorks for the latest updates.

  • Six Story Icon Ring Moved into ECOT Lagoon for New Nighttime Spectacular

    Six Story Icon Ring Moved into ECOT Lagoon for New Nighttime Spectacular

    Disney has not yet determined when “Harmonious”, EPCOT’s next spectacular will debut, but they have given us an update of the progress of the project.

    “Early in our plans for the transformation of EPCOT, we recognized the power and potential this new show has to tell a story of global connection and celebration,” Disney said in a post. “This grand, original spectacular is a tribute to the power of story and song that unite us, leveraging music and visuals from across Disney and artists around the world.”

    Walt Disney Imagineering and Disney Live Entertainment teams are hard at work building on that legacy with “Harmonious,” and while the show is still in the early stages of development with more finishing details to come, you can still take a look at some recent progress in the video below:

    “Harmonious” is a global effort, truly embracing the magic of possibility. In recent weeks, Disney Live Entertainment technical designers across the country have been programming various elements of the show, from media and fountains to lighting and pyrotechnics, working in a completely virtual environment. Music producers at Walt Disney Imagineering have been remotely directing recording sessions with an incredibly diverse array of musical artists, performing in studios around the world.

    Once complete, “Harmonious” will be one of the largest nighttime spectaculars ever produced. They’re busy setting the stage of this innovative toolkit, preparing each of the show’s five floating platforms to take its place on World Showcase Lagoon. Positioned like a compass, these platforms house the primary show equipment for “Harmonious,” and on the recently-placed center platform stands an iconic six-story-tall central ring structure, supporting a high-density water curtain, moving lights, fountains and more.

  • Holiday Projection Show Coming to Tower of Terror at Hollywood Studios

    Holiday Projection Show Coming to Tower of Terror at Hollywood Studios

    Disney has announced that you can once again delight in a festive yuletide projection show on The Hollywood Holiday Tower Hotel this holiday season at Hollywood Studios.

    After dark, the iconic Hollywood Tower Hotel on Sunset Boulevard will twinkle with projection effects as magically transforms into the Hollywood Holiday Tower Hotel.

    Get swept up in scenes of the season from November 6 through December 30, 2020, as The Hollywood Tower Hotel comes to holly-jolly life with continuously running, colorful projections.

    Savor 4 delightful Disney holiday scenes:

    • Mickey & Minnie’s Hometown Christmas Tower
    • Toy Story Christmas Toy Tower
    • The Muppets Gingerbread Tower
    • Frozen Winter Wonderland Tower
  • Disney Brings Virtual Viewing of Fourth of July Fireworks at Disney World

    Disney Brings Virtual Viewing of Fourth of July Fireworks at Disney World

    In honor of Independence Day, Disney Parks is revisiting an unforgettable night of magic at the Walt Disney World Resort for a special virtual viewing of their spectacular Fourth of July fireworks.

    For tonight’s viewing, prepare for patriotism at its finest as Disney takes you back to 2018 to experience a night of breathtaking fireworks orchestrated to festive, toe-tapping melodies.

    Take a look at the video below to watch as the sky above the iconic Cinderella Castle illuminates with colorful, bright and sparkling fireworks.

  • Disney World Officially Canceling Their Fireworks & Parades Indefinitely

    Disney World Officially Canceling Their Fireworks & Parades Indefinitely

    Disney World received approval from the state of Florida to reopen its theme parks and to help control the crowds, Disney World has canceled Fireworks Displays and Parades until further notice during their phased reopening.

    “This phased reopening will demonstrate a deliberate approach, with limits on attendance and controlled guest density that aligns with guidance on physical distancing” Disney said. “That means certain experiences we know draw large group gatherings – such as parades and nighttime spectaculars – will return at a later date.”

    In addition, “high-touch” experiences such as makeover opportunities, playgrounds and character meet and greets will remain temporarily unavailable, but characters will still be in our parks to entertain and delight our guests. 

    Walt Disney World received approval from the state of Florida to reopen its four Orlando-based theme parks starting July 11.

  • VIDEO: Show Barges for Epcot’s New Nighttime Spectacular Arrive at Disney World

    VIDEO: Show Barges for Epcot’s New Nighttime Spectacular Arrive at Disney World

    As part of Epcot’s historic, multi-year transformation, “Harmonious” — one of the largest nighttime spectaculars ever created for a Disney Park — is set to debut later this year and several barges for the show have just arrived.

    Walt Disney Imagineering and Disney Parks Live Entertainment teams recently passed a major milestone in the development of the show, with the delivery of several floating platforms that will provide a base for the technology used to create “Harmonious.”

    Take a look at the arrival of the massive barges in the video below:

    “Harmonious” will bring to World Showcase Lagoon an innovative toolkit of massive floating set pieces that house a variety of show effects, including custom-built LED panels, choreographed moving fountains, colorful lights, lasers, pyrotechnics and more.

    The show is a beautifully crafted nighttime dreamscape of Disney music and images, reimagined by diverse cultural musicians and artists from around the world. It’s a transformative experience, where we can discover how Disney music has the power to inspire and unite us all. You can catch an early glimpse of concepts for the show now by visiting Walt Disney Imagineering Presents the Epcot Experience, located in the Odyssey Events Pavilion.

    Over the coming months, with development and infrastructure work for “Harmonious” ramping up both behind the scenes and in the center of the lagoon, we’re pleased to present the limited-time spectacular “Epcot Forever.”

    “Epcot Forever” has been described as a “love letter” to the park. The show tells the story of Epcot, beginning with the first spark of inspiration and the opening day anthem, “We’ve Just Begun to Dream,” and continuing through chapters dedicated to the thematic pillars of innovation, exploration, imagination and celebration. It concludes with an all-new verse of the classic song, “One Little Spark,” leading into a spectacular grand finale promising “A Whole New World” of magical possibilities to come.

  • New ‘Epcot Forever’ Nighttime Spectacular Debuts Today at Epcot

    New ‘Epcot Forever’ Nighttime Spectacular Debuts Today at Epcot

    Across the canvas of a darkened sky, the new “Epcot Forever” nighttime spectacular debuting today at Walt Disney World Resort celebrates the past, present and future of Epcot.

    The new show is a showcase of soaring fireworks, inspiring music, lasers and colorful glowing kites flying above and around the park’s World Showcase Lagoon.

    As the dramatic curtain-closer to each theme park day, the show takes guests on an emotional journey set to stirring renditions of Epcot music that guests will know and love. It will stoke fond memories from the park’s history and spur excitement for the bright future of Epcot – a future filled with new attractions and experiences as part of a multiyear transformation already underway.

    “Epcot Forever” exemplifies the park’s founding principles – innovation, exploration, imagination and celebration. Children sing of “one little spark of inspiration” as guests marvel at fireworks that pinwheel, corkscrew and explode in giant aerial starbursts. As colorful pyrotechnics dance across the heavens, the Epcot story plays out to a grand orchestral soundtrack. Noted conductor and composer Don Harper produced new arrangements of classic Epcot tunes to thread through the show.

    Future World pavilions past and present inspire familiar themes, building to Epcot’s grandest moments. In one sequence, uplifting music from Soarin’ Around the World cues dazzling LED kites to crisscross the sky in a kaleidoscopic effect. Guests also will recognize cherished music from Epcot spectacles of the past, including the “Tapestry of Nations” parade.

    Approaching its dramatic conclusion, the show pivots from the park’s familiar music to a new verse of “One Little Spark” celebrating the future of Epcot yet to come. As the music and fireworks build, “One Little Spark” transitions to a spectacular finale that brightens the sky one last time with fireworks and special effects.

    “Epcot Forever” is set to perform into 2020, leading to the park’s next nighttime spectacular, “HarmonioUS.”