If you love Disney fireworks like I do, trust me, you want to know about Disney Fireworks Cruises. These exceptional experiences offer some of the best fireworks views around AND you get to avoid the crowds!
I am a Disney fireworks junkie, I admit it. Over the last 20 years, I have seen ever incarnation of Disney fireworks at all of the Florida Disney World parks, from regular shows to limited runs to holiday spectaculars. I LOVE Disney fireworks. If my fellow travelers would allow, we would watch Disney fireworks from SOMEWHERE every night of our Disney vacations.
Magic Kingdom Fireworks (Photo: Brooke Hudson)
Where to watch the show from is just as important as which show on what night. And I have watched from every location I could. In front of the castle, behind the castle. The rooftop at Bay Lake Tower, the catwalk at the Contemporary Resort. The porch at Narcoossee’s. The Beach at the Polynesian.
Magic Kingdom Fireworks from Bay Lake Tower Photo: Brooke Hudson
We’ve watched EPCOT fireworks from every country around the World Showcase and have watched from the spot between Port of Entry and Mexico or Canada. I’ve even watched from parking lots and the Skyliner.
Illuminations Reflections of Earth, Wedding Dessert Party Photo: Vicki and David Arndt
Until last night, I would have told you that the very best fireworks viewing to be had was from Disney fireworks dessert parties. We hosted a fireworks dessert party in the UK after our wedding and it was AMAZING—and offered a wonderful view of the fireworks. We’ve become big fans of the Seats and Sweets Fireworks Dessert Party over at the Magic Kingdom (Click Here to read my blog post about fireworks dessert parties.) While I would still highly recommend Disney fireworks dessert parties, the Disney fireworks cruise is has climbed to the top of the list for me. This is the BEST way to view Disney fireworks—and to have a terrific overall experience as well.
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Disney Fireworks Cruises – The Basics
First off, let me caution you: this is not an economical experience. However, it is also not an exceptionally overpriced extravagant experience. The current price for a Disney Fireworks Cruise is $449 + tax, and you can include up to 10 people on your cruise. This is a private, chartered cruise, and includes the services of a captain. The cruise also includes snacks, as well as pop, juice and water. If you shared the cost over all 10 people, each person would pay less than $60, and that would include the tip for the captain!
Disney Fireworks Cruise Oct 2024 Captain Kayleigh
You are also allowed to bring your own treats and/or alcoholic beverages if you wish.
Disney Fireworks Cruise Family Time Photo: Brooke Hudson
Children under 12 must wear a life jacket—provided by the marina team. Your cruise can also include a birthday or anniversary banner (provided by the Marina team) at no additional charge and may also include balloons for no additional charge if the winds are not too high.
Happy Birthday Banner Disney Pontoon Boats Photo: Deidra Ocampo
EPCOT Fireworks Cruises
EPCOT fireworks, currently “Luminous, a Symphony of Us”, are always at 9 pm. EPCOT fireworks cruises board at the Yacht Club Marina, located near the lighthouse at the Yacht Club on Crescent Lake. Each night, up to five pontoon boats may be chartered for the fireworks cruise. Your group (again, up to a maximum of 10 people) will board your boat at approximately 7:45 pm, with your captain setting sail at 8pm.
Crescent Lake Boat Tour – Swan & Dolphin Photo: Brooke Hudson
Your boat will tour Crescent Lake for approximately 35-40 minutes, traveling past the Swan and Dolphin to Disney’s Hollywood Studios before heading into EPCOT to tie up with the other fireworks cruise boats, just inside the park, between the UK and France.
Crescent Lake Boat Tour Photo: Brooke Hudson
Your group will float happily in this perfect location to watch the entire Luminous show. Once the show is over, the boats will separate and gradually return to their home dock. The entire experience lasts about an hour and a half.
Disney Fireworks Cruise, Boats Tied Together Before Show Starts Photo: Brooke HudsonDisney EPCOT Fireworks Cruise Photo: Brooke HudsonDisney Fireworks Cruises Pontoon Boats Photo: Brooke Hudson
Magic Kingdom Fireworks Cruises
Magic Kingdom fireworks start at different times, depending on sunset and/or holiday parties or special events. So the Magic Kingdom fireworks cruises are not quite as consistently scheduled as the EPCOT fireworks cruises are. The experience is quite similar though. Your experience will last approximately an hour and a half, and your boat will depart approximately one hour before the fireworks are scheduled. Your cruise will board at the Marina at the Contemporary Resort. Your boat captain will tour Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon with your party, making sure that your party has a great view of the fireworks, once they are ready to begin.
Disney Magic Kingdom Fireworks Cruise Boats Photo: Brooke Hudson
The main difference between the two experiences is that the Magic Kingdom fireworks cruise boats do not tie up together like the EPCOT fireworks cruise boats do. The Magic Kingdom fireworks cruise boats continue cruising throughout the fireworks show, albeit at a much slower pace. After the fireworks are over, the captain will return your boat to the Marina.
Note: Some Magic Kingdom fireworks cruises will launch from the Marina at the Grand Floridian resort. Please confirm your launch location when reserving your cruise.
How to Book a Disney Fireworks Cruise
Booking a Disney Fireworks Cruise is relatively easy; however, you cannot book your cruise until 60 days before the date of your cruise. You can book a Disney Fireworks Cruise through the My Disney Experience app, through this link, or by calling (407) WDW-PLAY (407) 939-7529. Alternatively, if you are working with an authorized Disney Vacation Planner like myself, your planner may also reserve your cruise for you.
The cost of your cruise is $449 + tax (and a tip for your captain!).
Disney Fireworks Cruise Family Photo Octo 2024
Rent a Pontoon Boat
Did you know that you can rent a pontoon boat during the day for up to 10 passengers during your Disney vacation? Rentals are available at the Yacht Club Marina, the Contemporary Resort Marina and the Grand Floridian Marina. You can rent the boat as long as you have a valid driver’s license, state ID or Military ID and are over 18 years old.
Things to keep in mind:
Cost $49 + tax for 3o minutes
Children under 12 years old must wear a complimentary life jacket
Reservations are not required
Rentals are available on a first come, first served basis
These boat rentals do NOT include a captain; YOU will be responsible for driving the boat.
Smoking is not allowed on board any Disney boat or watercraft
Only Resort guests or guests with Resort dining reservations will be permitted to park in the Resort parking areas
Final Thoughts
One thing to keep in mind. Once you have done a Disney Fireworks Cruise, you will have a hard time ever going back to standing shoulder to shoulder with 25,000 of your closest friends to watch Disney fireworks in a theme park! My mom and I were joking the other evening that we have been completely spoiled now–between the Seats & Sweets Fireworks Dessert Parties we’ve attended and now this amazing Disney Fireworks Cruise, regular old fireworks standing out in the Magic Kingdom or at EPCOT just isn’t going to feel as good as it used to!
We all had such a wonderful time on our Disney EPCOT Fireworks Cruise!
What do YOU think? Would you like to try a Disney Fireworks Cruise sometime? Comment below.
I have a Magic Kingdom Fireworks Cruise on my Wishlist now. I’m going to see if I can collect a few friends next trip to split the cost with me…
I am a Disney World fireworks junkie, I admit it. Combining desserts WITH Disney fireworks? Sounds like a win to me! This is where Disney Dessert Parties come in. But are they worth it?
For many Disney theme park fans, myself included, Walt Disney World’s nightly fireworks displays can be the highlight of their Disney Day. These amazing displays of pyrotechnics artistically themed and perfectly choreographed to music are beautiful and often emotionally stirring. (And also REALLY expensive and not great for the environment. But that’s a topic for another blog!).
However, finding a great spot to watch the fireworks from can be challenging. Don’t get me wrong–There are LOTS of places to stand (or occasionally, to sit) and watch the fireworks at the Magic Kingdom, EPCOT or Disney’s Hollywood Studios. But a GREAT spot? Where, if you are so inclined, you can capture good pictures or video? Without a child on someone’s shoulders dead center in all your photos? THIS is a nightly challenge! The best spots are often staked out 2-3 hours in advance–and even then, I’ve seen park guests enraged when after two hours of carefully guarding their “spot”, latecomers encroach and crowd into their space. Remember, these shows come at the end of long, very active and often very hot days. I love Disney fireworks shows with all my heart, but standing shoulder to shoulder with thousands of sweaty strangers can, at times, be uncomfortable.
But what options do we have? We all want to watch the fireworks. 60% of us want to photograph or record video of the show. So we suck it up, find a spot as early as we are willing to, and take turns running to the closest Mickey Bar kiosk to get a sugar rush to (hopefully) carry us through.
Disney has an option for you–but it will cost you. Disney offers several different varieties of a Fireworks Dessert Party for some of their shows in some of their parks, depending on the time of year and whether the park is open to regular guests. These Disney Dessert Parties are offered at several price points, but none of them are what we would think of as an “economy” option. Disney Dessert Parties are growing in popularity, and are often sold out. The question is, are Disney Dessert Parties worth the money?
What is a Disney Dessert Party?
Basically, Disney Dessert Parties are a semi private event that you can buy a ticket to for a particular fireworks show at a particular theme park on a particular night. Your Disney Dessert Party ticket includes 45 minutes – 1 hour access to a generous buffet of desserts, cheeses and beverages. Beverages do include an assortment of beer and wine for guests age 21 and over. Your Disney Dessert Party ticket will also include access to a protected viewing area for that evening’s fireworks presentation. This area will ONLY be accessible to Disney Dessert Party guests, and Disney is careful not to oversell these events. This ensures that the Disney Dessert Party protected viewing areas are not crazy crowded. At minimum, your viewing experience will be more comfortable and you’ll have some breathing room.
Disney Dessert Party tickets are a separate purchase from your theme park ticket, but a theme park ticket is required for entry into the park. If you are visiting the park on a one-day ticket during a peak season, your day’s ticket could be as high as $160. If you add on a Disney Dessert Party, you could be adding another $100 – $150 to that day’s ticket costs. It’s important to keep that in mind–this is an additional ticket. You have to have a park ticket to enter the park, and you have to have a paid Disney Dessert Party reservation to attend the Disney Dessert Party and to have access to the protected fireworks viewing area.
In this post, we’ll focus on Magic Kingdom Dessert Parties. We’ll talk about Disney Dessert Party options at the other parks in a future post.
What does a Disney Dessert Party Cost?
Short answer? It depends. Currently, Disney is offering three different Disney Dessert Parties at Disney’s Magic Kingdom theme park for the Happily Ever After evening fireworks shows.
The first Disney Dessert Party option available is the Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Party Pre-Party. A reservation is required for each member of your party to attend this event, and your card will be charged when you make the reservation.
Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant Photo: Brooke HudsonTomorrowland Terrace Restaurant, Magic Kingdom Dessert Party Check In. Photo: Brooke Hudson
You will check in at Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant, where you will be given a wrist band. You will then be directed to the upper area of Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant, where your party will be taken to a seating area. Your dessert buffet, beverage area and bar area will be located on this upper level. Please note that you may be sharing tables with other groups. You can visit the dessert buffet stations and the various beverage stations in your area as often as you want to, during the time you in your designated dessert party area in the Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant. About 30 minutes before the fireworks are due to begin, dessert party cast members will circulate through the seating area and let you know that they will begin leading guests to the designated fireworks viewing area for party goers.
Current pricing is $99 per adult (ages 10+) and $59 per child (ages 3-9). Taxes are included. Per the Walt Disney Company, gratuities are not included or necessary
Fireworks Viewing Area
I’ve done a few of these parties over the years. Usually, a cast member will carry a red flashlight and lead a line of dessert party guests from the Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant to the designated fireworks viewing area in the Plaza Garden. Depending on how crowded the park is that day, this may happen quickly or it may take a while as you are led through the surrounding crowd to the designated area in the Plaza Garden. For the fireworks viewing, the Plaza Garden is blocked off from the rest of the park guests. Only guests with a paid dessert party admission are allowed into this area for approximately 2 hours before the fireworks and including the show itself. It is a standing area, but it won’t be super crowded.
If you aren’t familiar with the Plaza Garden, it is located to the right after The Plaza Restaurant and the seating area across from the Plaza restaurant. During the day, the Plaza Garden usually features a couple of PhotoPass photographers, as this area offers a lovely view of the castle. This is also the spot where, during the day, you can take the PhotoPass photo where you are photographed from a camera located on the roof of The Plaza Restaurant building.
Plaza Garden Photo Spot Photo: Disney PhotoPassPlaza Garden Photo Spot and Magic Kingdom Dessert Parties Fireworks Viewing Area. Photo: Disney PhotoPass
Magic Kingdom Dessert Parties: Post-Party
The next Magic Kingdom Dessert Party option is the Post-Party. This party is very similar to the Pre-party described above; however, in this version, you watch the fireworks FIRST, and attend the Dessert Party itself after the fireworks.
You will still check in at the Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant and get your wristband approximately 45 minutes to one hour before the fireworks. Once you have your wristband, you will be shown to the same fireworks viewing area described above. This area is the viewing area for both the Pre-Party Dessert Party and the Post-Party Dessert Party.
After the fireworks display is over, cast members will lead you back to the Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant for your Post-Party Dessert Party. Your party will be led by a cast member to the upper level of Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant, where you will be shown to a seating area. Depending on the size of your party, you may be sharing a table with other guests.
Once you have your seating area, you have the freedom to visit the dessert buffet or any of the beverage stations as often as you’d like until the end of the party, approximately 45 minutes after the end of the fireworks.
Current pricing for the Magic Kingdom Post-Party Dessert Party: $99 per adult (aged 10 and over) and $59 per child ages 3-9. Tax is included. Gratuity is not included and not necessary per the Walt Disney Company.
The final Magic Kingdom Dessert Party option is my personal favorite: Seats and Sweets. This Magic Kingdom Dessert Party allows you to “keep your seats” during fireworks show itself, not just before the show or after the show, like the previous two parties I’ve described.
Check in for the Seats and Sweets Dessert Party is similar to the other parties. You check in at the Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant and receive a wristband. The entrance for this particular party is actually on the Tomorrowland side of the Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant. Don’t worry if you forget—whichever party you are attending, no matter where you try to check in, the cast members will make sure you get to the right place.
Once you have your wristband for the party, a cast member will show you to your table on the Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant patio area. This is your table until the party is over. Yes, you can sit and watch the fireworks in comfort at this Dessert Party.
Magic Kingdom Seats and Sweets Dessert Party Photo: Brooke Hudson
Once you have your assigned table, you are free to visit the dessert buffet or the various beverage stations as often as you like. There’s no rush to finish your desserts before the show starts though. You don’t have to relocated to watch the show, or scramble to find a good viewing spot. I walked around the patio area quite a bit during our last Seats & Sweets Dessert Party, and I think all the tables offer a good viewing spot!!
Magic Kingdom Seats and Sweets Dessert Party. Photo: Brooke Hudson
There are cast members working throughout the party, busing the tables to clear away your empty plates or glasses. If you attend this party, I recommend arriving at or before the start time, so you have plenty of time to relax and enjoy your desserts and beverages before the fireworks begin.
Current pricing is $114 per adult (ages 10+) and $69 per child (ages 3-9). Taxes are included already. Gratuity is not included and not necessary, per the Walt Disney Company on its website promoting the party. note: this price is about $10 per person less than it was the last time I attended this party. Prices on all three Dessert Party options are subject to change — and they do change—especially during busier seasons.
Magic Kingdom Seats and Sweets Dessert Party Fireworks View. Photo: Brooke Hudson
It depends. $100- $150 (depending on the season) per person for approximately 1 hour’s worth of food, beverages and entertainment is a lot of money for many of us. If money is no object, I would definitely encourage to book a Magic Kingdom Dessert Party for your traveling group on your next trip. Whether you watch from the reserved standing viewing area in the Plaza Garden or you watch from the comfort of your seats on the Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant patio, the fireworks experience is much more enjoyable this way.
For most of us, money is a concern. And if you have a large group or family, this event could cost your group $1,000 or more!! I’ve had people tell me that I’m crazy for spending $100+ for a 15 minute fireworks display that I can watch from all over the park. But I’m not really paying for the fireworks display itself—I’m paying for the comfort before, during and after the fireworks display.
Now, if fireworks aren’t your thing, or if you don’t care one way or the other about watching the show—clearly you are not the target audience for any of these parties. Save your money and get in shorter ride lines during the show.
However, if you are like me and you LOVE Disney fireworks, I recommend you give strong consideration to whether your budget can extend to include a Magic Kingdom Dessert Party for your family or traveling group.
What exactly are you paying for?
Each Magic Kingdom Dessert Party includes the same dessert buffet. I’ve double checked at each party I’ve been to, and the options at the other parties were the same. The dessert buffet will include 8-12 small dessert pastry options. It will also include some cheese and some fruit. Sometimes, there might be a soft serve ice cream machine. At our last party, there was no ice cream, but there was a cookie decorating station and there was someone making fresh dessert crepes while you watched.
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Your Disney Dessert Party ticket also includes unlimited access to the various beverage stations. Coffee, tea, milk, lemonade and water are always included in the beverage options. In addition, there is an assortment of beer and wine available for those guests that are age 21 and over with a valid ID.
The Value Proposition
Let’s do the math: if the average glass of wine on Disney property is $11, and you have two glasses of wine at the party, you would have spent $22 on that wine. Food on Disney property is not economically priced, so if you were to order a dessert at most Disney restaurants, you’d probably spend around $12. So far, we’re at $34. Add in that you can revisit the buffet multiple times and also get a cup of coffee — I think you could round out the food and beverage component at around $40 of comparative value—less if you don’t drink alcohol.
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If your party won’t be drinking alcohol, the beverages will offer much less value for your family. You may find that without alcohol, the Disney Dessert Party ticket may not have enough value for you personally.
Your Disney Dessert Party ticket also includes a seat at a table during the dessert party portion of the party. For the Pre-Party and Post-Party, your ticket also includes access to the Plaza Garden private fireworks viewing area. This area is only open to Dessert Party attendees. Yes, it is a standing area. However, if you weren’t attending the Dessert Party, you’d be standing to watch the show—but for much longer and much more uncomfortably. You are not standing shoulder to shoulder in the Plaza Garden Dessert Party fireworks viewing area. There is usually plenty of space to spread out from your neighbors. It’s a prime viewing location, and the extra breathing room makes for a much more comfortable viewing experience.
If you’re going to the Pre-Party, you are going to be sitting for most of the 45 minutes leading up to the fireworks display. If you are going to the Post-Party, you have a guaranteed spot inside the Plaza Garden viewing area. There is no need to stake out a spot 2 hours before the show. You can access the Plaza Garden as early as 1 hour before the show and as late as 30 minutes before the show. (I wouldn’t personally cut it any closer than that—but I’m sure there are risk takers who would be comfortable arriving a few minutes before the show starts!)
For the Seats and Sweets Dessert Party, you will be sitting for the entirety of your experience. This makes for a much more relaxing and enjoyable experience, in my opinion.
Linda and Brooke at Magic Kingdom Seats and Sweet Dessert Party. Photo: Dessert Party Cast Member
The Bottom Line
Attending a Disney Dessert Party is definitely more of a luxury experience. If you are super budget inclined, a Magic Kingdom Dessert Party may not be for you. However, if you are going to splurge on something during your trip, this is one experience I would strongly consider.
I cannot stress enough how nice it is not to have to stake out a spot to watch the fireworks 1.5 – 2 hours before the show. And of course, if you do arrive early to stake out your spot, you are going to be standing there for a long time. Which, let’s face it—after long day of walking 4-7 miles in the park and standing in various lines—can really put a damper on how much you enjoy the show.
Personally, I think there is a lot of value in being able to sit down and relax for 45+ minutes before the show. Even more value in being able to sit and relax for the hour leading up to the show and to stay seated during the show.
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If the Post-Party is on your menu, there is a lot of value to not having to arrive super early to find your spot. And, as soon as the show is over, you know that you will be able to sit down and enjoy desserts and beverages for 45 minutes to an hour.
How much value you place on these things is an individual decision. If you do want to attend a Magic Kingdom Dessert Party during your trip, make sure you are making your reservations at the earliest possible date. If you are staying on Disney property, that’s 60 days prior to the first night of your reservation, and for the length of your reservation. If you are not staying on property, you’ll be able to book 60 days prior to the date of the party you want to attend.
Final Thoughts on Disney Dessert Parties
I definitely recommend Disney Dessert Parties to my clients, family and friends that can budget for it. I recommend planning your party for near the end of your trip. You’ll appreciate the extra time sitting more later in your trip. Earlier in the trip, when everyone’s legs are still fresh, you won’t benefit as much from the extra sitting time.
Also, do not plan a big lunch or dinner on Dessert Party day. Skip your popcorn, churros, and Mickey Bars on Dessert Party day. If you fill up before the party, you won’t get eat or enjoy your desserts as much.
Another suggestion: if your resort room includes a refrigerator, consider bring ziploc baggies or take out boxes and take some extra dessert pastries back to your resort with you.
What are your thoughts? Are any of the Disney Dessert Parties on your wishlist? Please share your thoughts below.
Ready to Plan Your Next Disney Vacation? I’m ready to help! Email brooke@disneycastledreaming.com
It’s time for another Disney Parks News Update. In this week’s report, we discuss Governor Ron DeSantis’ decision to move the State of Florida to Phase 3. This removes capacity restrictions on theme parks, restaurants and bars throughout Florida. We also discuss Disney’s announcement that they are laying off 28,000 employees from their theme parks division.
We also report on changes to entertainment at Walt Disney World in the coming weeks. In addition, there was fireworks testing going on after hours and the ongoing refurbishment at the Polynesian Villages Resort. Finally, we give you an update on runDisney’s virtual race registrations and report a parade sighting on this week’s Dancing With the Stars.
Please check out this weeks Disney Parks News Update below.
For those of you that prefer reading, here’s the written version of this week’s Disney Parks News Update.
Disney Parks News Update
Florida moves to Phase 3
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis officially moved Florida to Phase 3, effectively lifting Covid-19 restrictions on theme parks, restaurants and bars. The state is no longer issuing fines for failure to comply with mask regulations, and is no longer restricting capacity.
Disney released a statement, essentially stating that they will continue to adhere to their reopening plans, and continue to exercise caution and above and beyond safety protocols. As we mentioned last week, Disney has been quietly increasing capacity in its theme parks; however I would not expect any drastic or sudden changes in response to the Governor’s actions.
Disney Lays Off 28,000 Employees
Yesterday, Disney announced upcoming layoffs of 28,000 employees from its theme parks division. While many Disney theme park employees were furloughed following the closure in April due to the Pandemic, this announcement is a major blow to theme park employees both hoping to be brought back to work soon, and those currently working in the parks.
Disney’s official statement cites California’s failure to allow Disneyland to reopen as a major factor; however, the travel industry as a whole has been VERY hard hit this year, and it may take years for it to fully recover. Sea World, Universal and other Florida theme parks have also been announcing layoffs, just not quite this large.
Our hearts go out to all the employees that will soon learn they are among the 28,000. This has been such a difficult year for so many, and this giant layoff by one of the worlds largest corporations is certainly an indicator that no one is immune from the pain, not even the happiest places on Earth.
Fireworks Testing
In the “good news” category, there was some after hours testing of Fireworks over at EPCOT a few nights ago. The testing went on for several hours. Most likely, this is Disney testing the new nighttime show for EPCOT, Harmonious. Harmonious was originally scheduled to be added to EPCOT this summer or fall; however, it is more likely that it will be added in the spring. This new show is supposed to be the biggest and most technical of any of the nighttime Epcot spectaculars, and it is likely that months of testing lie ahead before the show is released to guests.
When fireworks DO return to Disney, I do think EPCOT is a great candidate for the first shows as it is more spread out and will allow for more disbursement of crowds and less congestion. However, fireworks shows like Disney does are very expensive and I highly doubt they will resume until the parks are returned to normal capacity and the hotels are all back open and full of guests.
Magic Kingdom Attraction Closures
Magic Kingdom announced a couple attraction closures this week. The Liberty Square Riverboat and Tom Sawyer island will be closed from October 5 through at least Jan 21 2021 for refurbishment. This may mean that the Rivers of America will be drained during that period, although that is not confirmed.
Liberty Square Riverboat (Photo: Disney Parks)
Polynesian Villages Resort Refurbishment
Last week we discussed that the Polynesian Villages Resort will be closed until next year as it is getting refurbishment. At that time Disney had not released any concept art.
Disney has now released this concept art for the new entrance and Port Cochere for the Polynesian Villages Resort. Further, Disney stated the resort will reopen in Summer 2021. The Polynesian’s 50th anniversary is October 1 2021, and it seems the refurbishment is designed to coincide with that anniversary as well as with Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary, also October 2021.
Concept Art: Polynesian Villages Resort (Concept Art: Disney Parks and Resorts)
The statement released by Disney with the new art stated that the new entrance will feature a bold new facade that will complement the longhouses throughout the resort. Disney also stated that the gardens and fountains are getting refurbished as well, with new dramatic lighting elements, and new chandeliers, inspired by glass floats, fishing nets and bamboo. The new outdoor chandeliers will match the existing chandelier in the resort lobby and bridge the two spaces.
Disney World guests can still access the Grand Ceremonial House and its operating retail and dining venues during the refurbishment project.
I think this is preliminary art is a good sign. The Polynesian’s ground entrance has always been a little underwhelming, and it looks like Disney is finally fixing that, and making it more worth of this beautiful resort.
The Grand Floridian Orchestra
After 32 years, Disney has ended the run of the Grand Floridian Orchestra. This six piece orchestra has entertained guests at the Grand Floridian from high above the lobby for years, and is beloved by many.
Grand Floridian Orchestra (Photo: Disney Parks)
While the Grand Floridian remained closed to guests when the parks reopened, the Grand Floridian Orchestra was performing several times per day over at Hollywood Studios in the Beauty and the Beast theater as the Disney Society Orchestra.
The Grand Floridian Orchestra announced a few days ago that their final Walt Disney World performance will be at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Saturday October 3, 2020. Disney’s official statement was pretty brief and vague, but seemed to indicate that it was time for a change at the Grand Floridian.
Grand Floridian Orchestra (Photo: Disney Parks)
More likely, the cut is budget related, and is a troubling indicator of things to come. In March, many of the entertainment acts featured throughout EPCOT World Showcase found their contracts canceled. I am very concerned that we are losing, perhaps permanently, that “extra” entertainment that is part of what makes Disney parks so very special.
Entertainment Coming to Hollywood Studios
However, there is some good news on the entertainment front. At Hollywood Studios, we have some entertainment coming back very soon. For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing A Long Celebration is returning to Hollywood Studios on October 5, 2020.
For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-a-long Celebration (Photo: Disney Parks)
Disney has stated that there are no changes to the show, other than minor staging and audience seating to allow for social distancing.
Also coming soon to the animation courtyard is Disney Junior Play and Dance. These dance parties will feature a DJ playing songs and encouraging kids to dance. Disney Junior stars like Mickey Mouse and Vampirina will appear on stage during the dance party.
Pop Up Motorcades at Hollywood Studios
Pop up motorcades are coming to Hollywood Studios. These motorcades will allow guests to see their favorite characters safely, and provide photo opportunities. Much like the character cavalcades we’ve been seeing at Magic Kingdom, these themed motorcades will not appear on the daily schedule. This will discourage crowds from gathering to see a motorcade. These motorcades will pop up throughout the day.
Pixar Pals Character Motorcade (Photo: Disney Parks)
There are three different motorcades, all featuring custom colorful convertibles, powered by Chevrolet. Gotta love those sponsorships. The Mickey and Friends motorcade will feature Minnie, Mickey, Pluto and Chip and Dale. The Pixar Pals Motorcade will feature the Incredibles, Woody, Buzz lightyear and others. The Disney junior stars motorcade will feature Fancy Nancy, Doc McStuffins and Vampirina.
Disney Junior Character Motorcade (Photo: Disney Parks)
runDisney Virtual Race Registration Update
Last week we shared runDisney’s announcement that the 2021 Marathon Weekend and 2021 Princess Half Marathon weekend were both transitioning to virtual races, and that registration for the races was opening up for those races for a limited time.
Registration is currently still open for all the virtual races for both weekends, if you are interested. I don’t know how long registration will remain open, so I wouldn’t wait too long.
If you’re not familiar with a “virtual” race, basically you will run the race on the scheduled date, but you will run it in a location of your choosing, not on Disney property and without the porta-potties and water stations we rely on for major races. For marathon weekend, prices range from $40-79 for the 5K, $49-$99 for the 10k, $59-$118 for the half, and $65-$120 for the full marathon. The lower price includes a digital bib, digital race tool kit including mile markers, digital goody bag, virtual playlist. The higher price adds an event tech shirt.
The challenges are also available: Goofy (the half and full completed on consecutive days) is $129 – $275, and Dopey (all four races completed on consecutive days) is $225 – $480.
Pricing for the Princess half marathon weekend is very similar. We are posting a more detailed post about the runDisney virtual races tomorrow. Please check back to visit that post.
Disney and Dancing with the Stars
Finally, loosely tied to Parks news, it was Disney week on Dancing with the Stars. Host Tyra Banks sported Minnie ears and a Minnie inspired dress throughout the show, and every dance featured Disney songs.
Disney Week on Dancing with the Stars. Host Tyra Banks (Screenshot: Hulu)
The highlight for me was the inclusion of elements from the Main Street Electrical Parade during the beginning segment of the show. The “floats” were displayed and the little snail even drove around the dance floor.
The Main Street Electrical Parade Visits Disney Week on Dancing with the Stars (Screenshot: Hulu)
I’ve always loved this little parade, and was happy to see the floats and elements still exist. Hopefully we will all get a chance to see this beloved nighttime parade at a Disney park sometime soon!
Tune in Next Week for More Disney Parks News Updates!
We hope you have enjoyed this week’s Disney Parks News Update. Please join us next Wednesday for next week’s news!
Happy Dreaming!
Brooke
Ready to Plan Your Next Disney Vacation? I’m ready to help! Email brooke@disneycastledreaming.com
P.S. Looking for last week’s Disney Parks News Updates? Please visit our YouTube video here.
Disney has released more information about the reopening of Walt Disney World. The big news today? Disney cancels ALL dining reservations through the end of the year.
Disney has also cancelled all Fast Pass reservations. For more information about Disney’s reopening plans, please check out this post. The plans submitted to Orange County have been approved, and Disney is on track to reopen on July 11, 2020.
Disney Cancels Dining Reservations
Disney has officially cancelled all dining reservations through the end of this year. This is a pretty significant indication that Disney does NOT expect theme park operations and capacity to return to normalcy any time this year.
For those of us planning to visit Disney later this year, the canceling of dining reservations may have a big impact on our trip plans.
In their statement, Disney has told us that the cancellations are due to social distancing requirements. They have said that when they reopen, restaurants will be limited in capacity.
Disney plans to reopen dining reservations with limited numbers “closer to when the parks reopen”. They are also shrinking the Advance Dining Reservations window from 180 days to 60 days. This seems to be an “until further notice” change.
Fast Pass+ Reservations Suspended
In addition, Disney has suspended the Fast Pass+ reservation system. Fast Passes will not be available for any attractions when the parks reopen on July 11, 2020. Any existing Fast Pass+ reservations will be automatically cancelled. Disney will use additional queue space to manage capacity and social distancing. Disney has not provided any information as to if and when the Fast Pass+ reservation system will be reinstated. Fast Pass+ information has already been removed from the My Disney Experience.
Extra Magic Hours Suspended
Disney has also decided to suspend Extra Magic Hours temporarily as the parks reopen. Again, we don’t know how long this will last. It may end up that Extra Magic Hours will be suspended briefly, and will return quickly. It’s also possible that Extra Magic Hours will be suspended through the end of the year.
Reservations for Tours and Other Experiences
Disney has also cancelled reservations for all behind the scenes tours and other experience that require reservations. Disney has indicated that some experiences will remain closed for the time being. Other experiences will be available with limited capacity. Reservations for these experiences will likely become available closer to the parks reopening. As with everything else, the situation is fluid and frequent changes are likely.
Ticket Sales and Hotel Reservations
All NEW ticket sales and Disney Resort hotel reservations are temporarily paused. The priority right now for Disney is Guests with existing tickets and reservations. Guests that already have tickets and Annual Passholders will be able to make theme park reservations before new tickets are sold. There are no specific instructions yet on how those guests will be able to make their reservations. Disney has said they are going to be reaching out to those Guests soon to provide details.
New ticket sales and Disney Resort hotel reservations will resume at some point. Disney has stated their initial priority is taking care of existing ticket holders and Annual Passholders. The parks will be reopening with limited capacity, so I’m not sure when exactly when new reservations will be available. I will update you as soon as I have more information.
Masks ARE Required
As we mentioned in our previous post about the parks reopening, face masks or coverings WILL be required for all theme park guests and Cast Members. They will also be required for all Guests and Cast Members in Resort public areas.
Disney themed face masks? Let’s go! Click the picture above.
Summary of All Changes
So, in short, visiting Walt Disney World this summer (and potentially, for the rest of the year) is going to look VERY different.
No character greetings–at least for now!
Face masks required
No Extra Magic Hours
Fast Pass+ system suspended
No fireworks
Nighttime spectaculars canceled
Social distancing
All dining reservations have been canceled
New reservation window of sixty days instead of 180 days
All reservations for tours and other experiences have been canceled
No character greetings
Playgrounds closed
No water play areas
“Makeover” experiences (Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo Boutique, for example) are canceled
Character greetings have been canceled. Character meals are most likely canceled, too. (Unconfirmed)
Disney is working with the CDC (Center for Disease Control) and other health experts to do everything they can to protect the health and safety of both Guests and Cast Members.
Should You Visit Disney This Year?
Of course, many of these changes are disappointing. If you’ve been looking forward to your trip all year (or longer!), canceling or postponing can be really sad. However, if you have a “first” trip planned during this time, I highly recommend you reschedule. So many of the experiences are going to be limited, I think you will be disappointed. If you are a frequent visitor, and know you’ll be visiting again next year, you may not be as disappointed by some of the “missing” features during this phased reopening time. Canceling or postponing can be a very difficult decision. If you need advice, or would like to talk it through with someone, please feel free to reach out. I’m here, and I understand. brooke@disneycastledreaming.com.
All nighttime fireworks and spectaculars are canceled due to social distancing requirements
It is important to keep in mind that Disney is trying to keep everyone safe. If you have a trip booked, and want to cancel as a result of these changes, Disney is working with everyone to reschedule or offer refunds. Contact your travel agent or Disney to learn more.
Personally, I think with the reduced capacity and all the other changes, the best visitors during these early phases are going to be local Florida residents and Disney Annual Passholders. Likely to be frequent visitors, I think locals and Passholders will be less impacted by all the changes. They’ll also be less likely to feel disappointed or that they’re “missing out” on experiences that have been canceled for the time being.
What Can We Expect in 2021?
Information about next year and the impact of this pandemic on the theme parks in 2021 is pretty sparse. I suspect we will learn more as the theme parks reopen, and we see how Guests respond. In China, Guests have been very cooperative with Disney. Chinese Guests have responded well to new rules and restrictions. This has resulted in Shanghai Disneyland expanding capacity.
However, it is important to recognize that visitors to Disney World in Florida come from all over the world and from many different cultures. We don’t yet know if Guests in Florida will be as cooperative as those in China. We hope so, and we hope that we don’t see an increase in new Covid-19 cases as the parks reopen. This is going to be a “wait and see” situation.
Other Florida Theme Parks
Universal Theme Parks open next week, as does Legoland. Gatorland has already reopened. Sea World is reopening June 11, followed by Disney World on July 11. Busch Gardens in Tampa has submitted plans for reopening, which have been approved. No reopening date has been announced yet.
Hopefully, by mid August we will have more information on how the reopening plans are succeeding for all the Florida theme parks.
The good news is that all the theme parks ARE reopening. It will be different, but it is happening. Hopefully, as the months pass, things will return to something closer to normal for theme park visitors. It is time, I believe, to start planning our vacations for next year. If you need help, I am available! Email brooke@disneycastledreaming.com.
Great news today, everyone! Walt Disney World has presented their plan for reopening the parks in Florida to the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force for approval. Pending that approval as well as state approval, Disney World is reopening July 11, 2020.
Disney World is NOT opening all at once, however. Like everything else, Disney World is going to reopen in phases.
Disney World’s Phased Reopening Approach
Initially, the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom will open on July 11, 2020. A few days later, July 15, 2020, EPCOT and Hollywood Studios will open.
Disney’s Magic Kingdom (Photo: Brooke Hudson)
Disney is very focused on managing this reopening very carefully and more importantly, very responsibly. They’re going to significantly limit attendance and guest density throughout the parks, once they reopen.
A Very Different Theme Park Experience
It’s important that we adjust our expectations to a new theme park experience. Covid-19 unfortunately has not been eradicated, nor do we (yet) have a vaccine. So it is very important that we continue to be careful and prioritize our health and safety. Social distancing, washing your hands, and wearing face masks are going to continue to be very important–at least for the foreseeable future.
Cinderella Castle from Bay Lake Tower at Night (Photo: Brooke Hudson)
Some of Disney’s trademark experiences that draw large crowds are NOT returning to normal operations until further notice. This means there will be no fireworks, parades, or nighttime spectaculars. This also means that experiences that are considered “high touch” experiences are also not returning at this time. This includes “makeover” experiences (think Bibbidi Bobbidi Doo), character meet and greets, water play areas and playgrounds.
To summarize, while the parks ARE reopening, the following experiences are NOT reopening during these early phases.
Parades
Character Meet and Greets
Fireworks and Nighttime Spectaculars
Makeover Experiences
Water Play Areas
Playgrounds
Linda & Brooke with Mickey & Minnie at Animal Kingdom (Photo: Disney PhotoPass)
Disney has not specifically mentioned popular stage shows that also draw crowds, like the Indiana Jones Stunt Show or Beauty and the Beast. I suspect those will either be limited or cancelled as well. It’s possible Disney is holding off decisions on these types of attractions until they get closer to opening the parks. I also think they may do limited seating to accommodate social distancing. Similar to ideas that have been floated for reopening movie theaters, Disney could close alternate rows, and suggest distance between families or groups. At this point we just don’t know.
Reservations for Park Entry
During this phased reopening of Disney World, Disney is going to require guest to make advance reservations to enter the park. This is how they intend to limit attendance at each park. They have not specifically stated how many guests will be allowed to enter each park once they are reopen; I suspect this is so they can test a variety of crowds as they see how things go. Initially, Shanghai Disney reopened with a capacity of 24,000 versus their normal capacity of 80,000.
While we don’t have official numbers, the Magic Kingdom has a max capacity of 100,000 people. (Personally, I find it pretty unpleasant any where NEAR that crowd level but different strokes for different folks!) I’m expecting that Disney will limit attendance at MK to 30,000 OR LESS during this first phase of reopening. Keep in mind, there are also THOUSANDS of cast members to support guests at the same time.
How to Make Reservations
Disney has not shared exactly HOW we are going to be able to make reservations for park entry. They HAVE indicated that guests with existing tickets and annual passholders will be able to make reservations for park entrance before the system will be opened up for new ticket sales.
Disney has temporarily halted new ticket sales and new resort reservations until they work through the existing and rescheduled reservations. Note: Disney Vacation Club members are the exception to this: they can still make resort reservations. Disney has indicated that they will be reaching out to existing ticket holders and annual passholders “soon” to discuss the process for making park reservations with them. The official statement says “more details about this new reservation system will be available soon”.
What Resorts are Reopening and When?
Disney has announced that Disney Vacation Club resorts in Orlando and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground are opening to guests June 22, 2020. In addition, Disney Vacation Club resorts in Vero Beach, Florida and Hilton Head, South Carolina are opening to guests beginning June 15, 2020. These resorts are reopening with new safety and cleanliness protocols in place. In addition, plans to support social distancing and enhanced cleaning measures are in place, according to Disney.
Old Key West Resort (Photo: Brooke Hudson)
At this time, Disney has not announced when additional resorts will be opening. My prediction is that they will roll out additional resorts as they gradually increase attendance thresholds at the parks. I’m sure there will be a lot of training for cast members at each resort as they prepare for reopening.
Will I Have to Wear a Mask?
Disney is putting various measures in place to protect health and safety of both guests and cast members as Disney World prepares to reopen July 11, 2020.
All guests over the age of three and all cast members will be required to wear face coverings inside the theme parks and in public areas of the resorts. On the upside, Disney is selling really cute face masks (of course!) at shopDisney.com now for pre-order. Check them out below. I mean, if you have to wear one, they might as well be adorable, right?
Disney themed face masks? Let’s go! Click the picture above.Star Wars themed face masks! Click the image above!Toy Story themed face masks at shopdisney.com. Please click the picture above!
In addition, both guests and cast members will be required to undergo temperature checks prior to entering a theme park. Disney already has the temperature check system in place for guests entering Disney Springs.
Disney is also recommending cashless transactions whenever possible, encouraging guests to plan on using their magic bands or credit cards to minimize the handling or exchange of (potentially bacteria carrying) cash.
High traffic areas will get additional cleaning and disinfection procedures with higher frequency than other areas. Disney has also stated that procedures will be reviewed and updated frequently as we all get used to the new normal.
What Does it All Mean?
So, the good news: Disney World is reopening July 11, 2020. The not-as-good news is that things are going to be different. But let’s face it. There are a LOT of things in our lives that are going to be different going forward. Perhaps permanently different.
Disney has stated that the phased opening at Shanghai Disneyland has been going very well, and that they are encouraged by the guest response there. Let’s hope guests in Orlando will be as cooperative and understanding.
Disney continues to work with the CDC and other health officials to implement best practices for reopening. I suspect this will be an evolving situation as time goes on, and we all have a chance to see the impact that reopening has on our citizenry. Hopefully, we are going to continue the number of new cases shrink as life gradually returns to normal. However, it is important to recognize that public safety is critical, and should we see a surge in new cases, it is entirely possible that Disney will have to close again.
We’re All in This Together
It is vital that any guests intending to visit the parks in the next couple of months (and perhaps longer still) are prepared to wear masks, practice social distancing, wash their hands frequently and get their temperatures checked.
It is also important that guests weigh their desire to visit the parks against the potential risks to their own health, and the health of others. Finally, it is critical to understand that some experiences will NOT be happening for the first few weeks and months the parks are open. If those changes are going to make you unhappy, or cause you to question the expense, I recommend you reschedule your trip for later in the year or even to next year.
We must all work together to help this phased reopening of Disney and the rest of our country be successful. We must be respectful of the new safety protocols in place for the protection of EVERYONE. Wearing a mask in the Florida heat this summer may not be fun, but it may also help to save lives. I, for one, think that’s a small price to prevent other people getting sick, or even worse.
What We Don’t Know
There’s still a lot we DON’T know, and I expect information will become available in the weeks to come. I know I still have questions about dining and transportation. Are you wondering about Fast Passes and the virtual queue for Rise of the Resistance? I’d like to know about shows and the stretching room at the Haunted Mansion. I bet you are wondering about the new Space 220 restaurant at EPCOT and all the other construction projects in progress.
Lots of questions, and very few answers. I’m excited Disney is opening, and I’m anxious to see what’s to come!
Happy Dreaming,
Brooke
Ready to Plan Your Disney Vacation!
P.S. ShopDisney.com is having a great summer sale right now. If you’re jonesing for a little Disney magic, check it out!
Full disclosure: I am a shopDisney.com affiliate. If you visit shopDisney.com using one of my links, and your purchase results in a purchase, I will earn a small commission. This does NOT cost you anything. Thank you!
In preparation for next year’s big 50th Anniversary celebration, construction projects are ongoing throughout Walt Disney World. I’ve been wondering what Disney had in store for my beloved Cinderella Castle. Honestly, I’ve been worried. In previous years, they have done some questionable things to the castle. But now the mystery is over. Disney has officially announced that Cinderella Castle is getting a makeover.
25th Anniversary: Cinderella Castle Becomes a Giant Birthday Cake
Here’s one of the reasons I was worried. Does anyone else remember (with horror) the “birthday cake” Cinderella Castle that Disney did for the 25th Anniversary? If they’d done if for a day or a week, I probably wouldn’t cry every time I think about it, but it stayed like this for more than a year!!! They painted the castle bright PINK. Now I like pink as much as the next girl, but not on Cinderella Castle for goodness sake! As if the pink wasn’t bad enough, they attached all these inflatable things. It was AWFUL. I mean, the concept was cute I guess. But the beautiful Cinderella Castle looked like this for more than a year. 1996 was NOT a good year for Cinderella. I think maybe she let her Fairy Godmother decorate after a few too many nightcaps!
Cinderella Castle as a giant birthday cake for the 25th Anniversary of the Magic Kingdom (Photo: Disney Parks)
50th Anniversary: Cinderella Castle is Getting a Makeover
Fortunately, it looks like I didn’t need to worry. For this anniversary, Disney has decided to go classy instead of tacky. Disney announced this week that Cinderella Castle is getting a makeover. The castle is going to be repainted and additional gold accents are being added. I’m assuming all the gold is in recognition of the golden anniversary. If you aren’t already familiar, a 50th anniversary is the golden anniversary. Magic Kingdom opened in October 1971. October 2021 will be the 50th (golden) Anniversary for the Magic Kingdom, and by extension, Walt Disney World. Magic Kingdom was the only park at Walt Disney World until Epcot opened in 1982.
Here’s the concept art that Disney has released showing what Cinderella Castle will look like after its makeover.
Concept Art – Disney Parks
What do you think? I think it looks pretty good. This is pink, but it is not the hideous BRIGHT pink of the 25th anniversary. I think the gold accents and trip pieces look pretty, and will likely be sparkly in the Florida sunshine. There are a lot of scary things Disney could have done to the Castle for the big anniversary. I am relieved that they have chosen to go classy.
The Downside of Cinderella Castle Getting a Makeover
Unfortunately, there is a downside to Cinderella Castle getting a makeover. In all likelihood, this repair work is will last all summer and possibly into the fall. This will mean scaffolding around the castle. It could mean crane work. I’m not sure exactly what will be involved, or how dramatic the equipment and workers around the Castle will be.
I know everybody always complains when the crane is out for a couple of weeks in the fall to put the icicle lights on the castle for Christmas. People often get upset about the crane being in their pictures. I know I have a series of crane Castle pictures that I don’t love.
Nonetheless, I expected Disney was going to do something with Cinderella Castle for the big 50th Anniversary. If they’re going to do something, this is about the least offensive thing they could do. I also don’t think it’s gonna take a super long time to complete. Hopefully by the end of the summer, this will be a completed project. It’s likely they will do the work in phases. For example, they will have scaffolding on one area of the Castle at a time, so the whole Castle won’t be covered. This way, guests will be able to get pictures from certain angles without scaffolding in their photos.
It’s All About the Attitude
I recommend that if you are visiting Walt Disney World this summer, know that you are likely to see scaffolding on the castle. I understand that is disappointing. Cinderella Castle is a beautiful icon and I completely understand that you want great pictures from your vacation. Mostly likely, you were not planning to have scaffolding or other construction equipment or workers in your photos. I get it. However, keep in mind there are a TON of other locations around the parks where you will get fabulous pictures that won’t feature scaffolding.
Additionally, I suspect there will be some angles of the Castle that will still be lovely and without scaffolding. Perhaps from the rear of the Castle. The Castle is actually very lovely from the back. The Castle is also very lovely from each side. I believe there will be angles for photos where the scaffolding won’t be an issue. However, I don’t know that for sure. Disney hasn’t shared how they’re going to approach this project. They also haven’t given us a firm end date for the project. So far, they’ve just indicated the work will begin soon, and will continue throughout the summer. So, if you are visiting this summer, you are going to probably going to see the Castle in process of being painted.
Cinderella Castle at Dawn (Photo: Disney Parks)
Look on the Bright Side
On the other hand, if you have Castle scaffolding in your pictures, you are getting a very unique picture. This isn’t a common occurrence, and not many guests will see this project while its underway. So if you ARE visiting this summer, try to have as positive an attitude as possible about the project, and manage your expectations. If you expect there to be a lot of scaffolding, and when you arrive, there’s only a small amount, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. I’m a big believer in your attitude determining how terrific (or not) your vacation is. Read this post for more on this topic.
The Good News
There is some good news here. Of course, first and foremost, Cinderella Castle is going to look beautiful when it’s finished. The popular daytime show, Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire, that takes place multiple times each day on the Castle Forecourt Stage, will not be disrupted according to Disney. It’s a cute show that features the Fab 5 and has a little fireworks at the end. This show will go on, which I think implies Disney is not doing major construction. They’re just putting up scaffolding and painting, primarily. This will be a relatively minor incursion into the public Castle spaces.
Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire (Photo: Disney Parks)
Disney also stated that Cinderella’s Royal Table and the Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo Boutique will not be affected. This should mean you will still be able to walk through the Castle throughout the day to access Cinderella’s Royal Table and the Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo Boutique.
Happily Ever After
Disney has also promised that Happily Ever After will not be affected by the makeover for Cinderella Castle. Happily Ever After is the nighttime fireworks spectacular choreographed to music. The show is filled with lots of intensely colorful projections of scenes and animation onto Cinderella Castle. I interpret this statement from Disney to mean that all of the projections currently shown on the Castle during the show will continue to be shown. I’m guessing that we won’t even notice any scaffolding during the show. The projections are so bright and so detailed and play such clever tricks on our eyes, I suspect they will obscure any actual construction materials. The nightly fireworks show is an integral part of any visit to the Magic Kingdom for many guests, so I am happy that the show will not be affected by the makeover project.
Happily Ever After (Photo: Disney Parks)
Final Thoughts
Overall, I think Cinderella Castle getting a makeover is a good thing. I’m very happy that Disney is taking the 50th Anniversary so seriously. They’ve been sprucing up all over the parks and throughout Walt Disney World property in preparation. Epcot is getting a major update, some of which has been needed for a very long time. A number of new attractions are coming over the next year, too. The new Tron coaster at Magic Kingdom, the Guardians of the Galaxy Coaster at Epcot. We getting the Ratatouille attraction in Epcot this summer, as well as a new quick service restaurant in France. Almost every country in Epcot that has a film in their pavilion has gotten or is getting a new film. Hollywood Studios is practically bursting at the seams now with all the new stuff that has come on line in the last year!
There are a lot of really positive things going on right now. There have been some years that pretty big anniversaries were not recognized or celebrated at all. I’m happy that the 50th is a really big deal for Disney. I think the park next year, 2021, especially in the fall is going to be amazing. I really think if you can come in the fall of 2021 you’re going to see all four parks and in general Disney property in the most beautiful condition it’s ever been in. It’s all very exciting.
What Do YOU Think?
Please comment below with your thoughts. What do you think? Are are you looking forward to this makeover? Do you think the project is necessary? Were you hoping they were going to do another birthday cake? (I know there are some of you out there!)
If you haven’t started planning or 2021 trip yet, it’s time! I’d love to help you have a magical Disney vacation. Please reach out to brooke@disneycastledreaming.com.
We knew it was coming. Disney has announced the final show date for Epcot’s long running nighttime entertainment spectacular, IllumiNations Reflections of Earth. Knowing this announcement was coming didn’t make hearing the actual date of the final show any easier.
The final show of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth will be September 30, 2019.
IllumiNations Reflections of Earth to End September 30, 2019
An Important Part of Epcot History
IllumiNations Reflections of Earth premiered in October 1999 as part of the Walt Disney World Millennium Celebration. Airing nightly for almost 20 years, IllumiNations has been an integral component of hundreds of thousands of family vacations. (And probably MILLIONS of photographs–in my collection alone!)
IllumiNations starts every night at 9 pm, and takes place on the World Showcase Lagoon. One of the great things about the show is that there are great viewing spots for the show all the way around the Lagoon. The show is filled with fireworks, lasers, pyrotechnics, beautiful music, screen projections, and dancing water. IllumiNations is a 14 minute show that never fails to move me, no matter how many times I have seen it.
Frank and I love IllumiNations so much, we even included it as part of our wedding day for our guests! At the end of our wedding day, we hosted a private dessert party in the United Kingdom pavilion for our guests because we wanted to make sure everyone had an opportunity to see this wonderful show.
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It was a wonderful way to end our wedding day, but IllumiNations has been a beautiful way to end countless Epcot days over the years. Many families watch from the same spot every time, while others try to watch from different countries each time. I’ve found the show looks different from the Fast Pass viewing area than it does from the UK or Germany, for example, at least to me. Even the way the torches light in front of each country’s pavilion, and each pavilion lights up near the end of the show touches my heart. It just feels like the whole world coming together in that moment.
I’m really going to miss you, IllumiNations Reflections of Earth!
Inside Disney Parks “Live” Stream of IllumiNations
Inside Disney Parks live streamed last night’s showing of IllumiNations Reflections of Earth. While there is other “stuff” included in the stream, the entire show is included here in all it’s high definition video glory. It’s not quite as good as being there, of course, but if you won’t get a chance to get down to Epcot to see it one last time before it closes, this might help.
IllumiNations starts at about 6:40.
What’s Next?
On October 1, 2019, Epcot’s new show will debut. It’s called Epcot Forever, and promises to include music from favorite Epcot attractions from the entire history of Epcot. Imagineers are promising the new show will include many of the elements we have loved from Illuminations–fireworks, lasers, dancing water, pyrotechnics–and more, new technologies that we haven’t seen before. They’ve promised dancing kites in the sky, and tell us the new show is going to be a kind of “fusion” of all the things we’ve loved in the past and a celebration of the new things that are coming to Epcot in the future.
I guess we will have to wait and see. I’m sure the new show will be spectacular.
Twenty years has been a good long run for IllumiNations Reflections of Earth, but I’m still sad to see it go. I know, I know. Change is GOOD. Right? Really, I know. Change is good. I’ll just keep telling myself that….
Are You Ready for Epcot Forever?
So are you ready for the new show? Or are you sad the old show is leaving? Did you know this was coming, or did this announcement of an IllumiNations Reflections of Earth final show date catch you off guard?
What are your favorite memories from IllumiNations Reflections of Earth? Any magic moments that you’ll never forget?
If you are a fan of Epcot nighttime entertainment, please click “Like” below and share if you are excited about the new show.
Happy Dreaming!
Brooke
Ready to Plan Your Disney Vacation!
P.S. If you’d like to plan a visit to Disney this summer to catch Illuminations Reflections of Earth, I would love to help plan your trip. Disney has select Resort Hotels at 25%, and other offers are available. Email brooke@disneycastledreaming.com today!
Here we are in October….Fall is here and it’s Halloween time. Of course, at Disney, Halloween time is starting earlier and earlier every year. This year, it began in AUGUST. They decorated for fall and Halloween early in the 2nd week of August and the first Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween party was August 17th this year! I’m sorry, I just can’t get in the mood for Halloween when I’m still hoping for beach and pool time, Disney or no Disney!
This is one of my favorite videos: it shows Walt Disney World getting ready for Halloween VERY quickly. This particular transformation is from last year, but they follow pretty much the same process every year. It’s short, but I think it’s kind of amazing how quickly Disney can make magic overnight….Take a look….
The video HELPS with the Halloween mood, but I still just couldn’t get in the mood until the weather here in the Midwest started to cool off and October showed up. I realize that it’s still in the 80’s and 90’s in Florida, and that will continue for a few more weeks (or more)–but for us here in Chicago, October means cooler temperatures, leaves changing color, windy and often rainy days…so I tend to associate those things with Halloween.
So even though a few weeks of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween parties (MNSSHP) have already taken place, I just couldn’t bring myself to post about this year’s party until now.
And really, many of you are starting to think about next year’s vacation plans, and you may be considering a trip for next fall. September and October can be a wonderful time to visit Walt Disney World–kids have gone back to school, and while there are a couple three day weekends here and there, any family vacations planned during this time will require pulling kids out of school, at least for a day or two, and many families can’t make that work. This CAN translate to lighter crowds than you might see at other times of the year.
If the fall is an option for your family, you could be considering MNSSHP. With ticket prices starting at $85 and climbing as high as $125 for parties at the end of October, you may be asking yourself….$100+????? Is it worth it???
That’s the big question, right? And unfortunately, as ticket prices keep climbing every year, and the number of tickets they sell for the parties appears to keep climbing as well, that question is getting harder and harder to answer.
A few years ago, I would have told you, ABSOLUTELY, YES! I would not have even thought twice. I would have said, “If you have the time and the funds, plan on attending the party.” In those days, the tickets maxed out around $70…and Disney carefully capped the crowds to keep the parties feeling very much like a special “privileged” VIP event. Don’t get me wrong; there were definitely lots of people, especially for “sold out” parties; however, these days, “sold out” is much closer to peak park attendance and borders on unpleasant, at least in my opinion.
What this means is that it’s not the automatic ABSOLUTELY YES that it used to be. Now, it’s more important to really think about whether this is a value for you and your travel group. Does this make sense for you?
Let’s take a look at the basics first.
What are you getting for the price of your ticket?
Access to the Magic Kingdom with your party ticket as early as 4 p.m., until the party ends at Midnight. Note: the party doesn’t actually begin until 7 p.m.–however, if you really want to maximize the value of your party ticket, do NOT use a park pass day to visit any parks on party day. Make it a relaxing day. Enjoy the resort, or plan the party for your travel day. Get to the Magic Kingdom in time to enter the park at 4 p.m., so you can play a little and perhaps eat dinner before the party begins. Bonus: If you’ve managed to have a restful day, you’re much more likely to have energy to enjoy the whole party–right through until the end–Midnight. If you’re likely to be wiped out by 9:30 p.m., most likely you won’t feel like you got a good value for your $100.
Boo to You Parade: The Boo to You Parade is ONLY offered during MNSSHP. It’s offered twice a night, and a lot of people with little kids tend to clear out after the first parade. I usually recommend hitting the second parade…While lots of people are watching the first parade, you will likely find shorter lines for attractions and character greetings. In my opinion, the Boo to You Parade is a really great parade. If the weather is good, you usually get to see the Headless Horseman riding along the parade route shortly before the parade begins…it’s eerie and awesome. The parade is fun, and there are lots of things you don’t normally get to see. Having said that–if you have been to these parties a couple of times, the parade doesn’t change. It doesn’t get updated, it hasn’t changed in several years. I love it, but it alone is not worth the price of the ticket, especially if you’ve seen it before.
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Characters in Costume: One of my favorite things about MNSSHP is that you get to see the characters in their Halloween costumes. I really enjoy seeing Minnie in her Witch outfit or Daisy as a princess and Donald as her knight….Some years there is some variety in the costumes, but reviewing pictures from the last few years, it seems that many character costumes get repeated. Regardless, it’s still a lot of fun.
Picture Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog
Special Character Greetings: MNSSHP is especially fun if you love character greetings, because often, there are characters available for character greetings during the Halloween party that you would never get to see otherwise. For example, this year’s party features Anastasia and Drizella (Cinderella’s stepsisters), Cruella DeVil, Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee, the Queen of Hearts, Jack Skellington and Sally, the Gravediggers, Brer Rabit, Brer Fox and Brer Bear, Moana, Jafar, Tarzan, Jane, Terk, Elvis Stitch, Lotso (Toy Story 3), the Seven Dwarfs, Alice and the Mad Hatter, among others. You’ll also find a lot of your regular favorites in their Halloween costumes, like Goofy, Minnie, Daisy, Donald, Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, and Tigger. And of course you can still find all your favorite princesses at Princess Fairy Tale Hall.
Photo Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog
One caveat to consider: As both parties and character greetings have become more popular, the lines have gotten longer and longer for many of the more popular “unique” characters at these parties. If that picture with the Seven Dwarfs or Jack & Sally is your holy grail, you may need to plan your entire party experience around it, getting in line extra early, and being prepared to WAIT. Last time I went to MNSSHP, we saw lines for some of the most popular characters that exceeded 90 minutes. These parties are only five hours long, and that if you stay until midnight, so you do have to prioritize what you REALLY want to do.
HalloWishes: What would an evening at the Magic Kingdom be without fireworks? MNSSHP is no exception. Usually at 9 or 9:30 p.m. (check the schedule for the night of your party), Disney will present HalloWishes, a spectacular Villains themed fireworks spectacular…and it is really terrific. And again, it is something you can only see if you’re at the party. Or having dinner at Narcoosee’s at the Grand Floridian during a party. Or at the California Grill at the Contemporary Resort. Or on the beach at the Polynesian Resort. Or on your Magic Kingdom facing balcony at Bay Lake Tower. But I digress. Honestly, while all those locations outside the park are great ways to watch Disney fireworks and get a different perspective, there is nothing like BEING in the park during one of the shows to really be WOWED. And HalloWishes is a WOW show. At least for me personally. But I’m a big fan of Disney fireworks shows, especially all the incarnations that have been at Magic Kingdom. This is another show that has remained the same for many years. I still love it, I still think it adds a lot of value to the party, but I know there are those that say that if you’ve seen it a few times, it might not be worth the ticket price anymore. Or that it might be wiser to squeeze in another character greeting or attraction instead of watching HalloWishes.
Hallowishes fireworks Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party (Photo: Disney Parks)
Pictures Courtesy of Disney Photopass Gallery
Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular:This is a very popular stage show that was new for the 2015 MNSSHP, based on the very popular Disney “cult classic” 1993 film staring Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy. While the movie basically bombed when it originally came out, it has become a revered Halloween seasonal favorite for many as the years have gone on, thanks to frequent cable and network airings. The Castle Mainstage productions are always very popular at these parties; the shows are usually 20 – 25 minutes long, and generally fairly crowded. This one has been more positively received that the two Villain themed shows that preceded it…but it has the same idea at it’s heart…bring as many favorite villains on to the stage as possible as Halloween is the time when the villains get to rule the night…It’s a great chance to get pictures of villains you may not see very often.
Picture Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog
Scream-o-Ween Dance Party: These dance parties are fairly hilarious…this one is in Tomorrowland, and includes Mike, Sully and Boo. They try to get everyone dancing and usually, it’s the littlest kids that are the most fun to watch.
Trick or Treating: There are several candy stations set up throughout the park, so you can take you trick or treat bag to each station (wait in line) and get your “free” candy. For me personally, these are kind of a waste of time. The candy is usually not great–it’s whoever donated it that year–there’s almost never any chocolate (probably smart in the Florida heat and humidity…but come on! Halloween without Hershey kisses or mini-candy bars??? It’s a crime!!) Anyways, it’s usually odd flavored hard candy or other strange things–I don’t know, I haven’t been too impressed with this element of the parties. I think if you have little kids that LOVE to trick or treat, they might get a kick out of it, but the lines were so long at the last party we went to, it just was not any fun.
Cadaver Dans Barbershop Quartet: Sure you can see the “Dapper” Dans any old day at the Magic Kingdom, and they are terrific….but you can only find the “Cadaver Dans” at MNSSHP. These guys perform in Frontierland try to kill you with laughter…or something like that. They’re pretty fun if you catch them.
Picture Courtesy Disney Parks Blog
Special Treats: There are special food items and treats that are only for sale during MNSSHP. Note: If any of these items turn out to be REALLY popular, you may see them show up on a regular menu or kiosk in the future…sometimes the parties are a bit of a testing ground for new items. Or a “special” themed cupcake that’s only for the party will end up being sold during the day throughout October. So take the “only for sale during the party” idea with a grain of salt. This year’s “special treats” include: Pumpkin Cheesecake (Main Street Bakery), Hades Nachos (Pecos Bill’s), Worms and Dirt (Pecos Bill’s), Zero Waffle Sundae (Sleepy Hollow), Jack Skellington Cake Push Pop (Sleepy Hollow), Madame Leota Dessert (Liberty Square Market), Hitchhiking Ghost Dessert (Aloha Isle), Oogie Boogie Meringue (Gaston’s Tavern), and the Muenster Smash Burger (Cosmic Ray’s).
Pictures Courtesy Disney Parks Blog
Special Party Only Merchandise:There is special merchandise that is only available during MNSSHP. And they are NOT kidding with this one. The stuff comes out at 7 p.m. (or a little before) and you cannot buy it without a party ticket. AND once it’s gone, apparently, it’s gone. I have been disappointed a few times by having my heart set on a particular pin or shirt, only to find it was sold out by the time I got to a party (or was ready to buy at the end of the night). This year’s special party only merchandise includes a limited edition Magic Band, party themed pins, special passholder only pins, and a villains themed pin set; party themed shirts and an ear ornament, themed to the party. There is also a line of products themed to the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular, including a mug, tote bag, shirt and collectibles. Some items are special for passholders only. There’s also a line of “Hocus Pocus Costume” t-shirts designed to “sub” for a costume–and again, only available at the Party. The “party only” merchandise has always been a big draw for me for these events I’m not gonna lie. I’m a shopper. There’s no getting around it. If the party’s at the beginning of your trip, take advantage of package delivery, and have your purchases delivered to your resort for free. Then you don’t have to lug them around the party all night. A word of warning: Buy it when you see if the first time if you want it….or risk dragging your poor husband through every shop in the park as the park is closing to find that exact special party only item you HAVE to have that you didn’t buy when you saw it earlier in the evening…not that I know anything about that, of course.
Pictures Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog
Shorter lines for popular attractions due to smaller crowds: This one is getting a little more questionable as Disney is selling more tickets for these parties, and the parties are becoming more crowded. Generally, the idea is that because the park is closed to day guests, and the number of party attendees is “much less” than a typical “crowded” park day, the attraction lines are shorter. However, the same thing happens during the party that happens during the day: people gravitate to the most popular attractions, so some queues for less popular rides are walk ons, and there will be long lines at popular attractions. The line might be 60 minutes instead of the 150 minutes you might see during a typical crowded afternoon, but during a short 5 hour party….you have to decide how much time you are willing to wait in line, especially if you know you may be able to ride these same attractions later in your trip. It does get better later in the evening, especially after the first Boo to You parade is over, and even more so after the fireworks. The last two hours are usually pretty good for both character greetings and attractions, unless the party is VERY crowded, with obvious exceptions being VERY popular character greetings (like Jack & Sally) and attractions (like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train).
Exclusive Photopass “Magic Shots”: there are special magic shots that Photopass photographers can only do during MNSSHP. If you’ve been reading my blog for long, you probably already know that I am a NUT for photos, so the special magic shots are a real seller for me, especially because they really weren’t doing these a few years ago…this is one of the areas where the parties have started offering MORE, instead of less. This year, there are a number of special magic shot opportunities, according to the Disney Parks Blog. There are a couple shots on Main Streets where your party will be joined by some mysterious “ghostly” visitors. At the entrance of the Magic Kingdom, you can get a great shot where the headless horseman joins your family. There’s a scary glowing pumpkin shot that mimics the traditional “Tinkerbell” in your palm photo…that one looks pretty cool. Over near the Haunted Mansion, you can hitchhike with some friends, take a ride in a ghost driven hearse, and perhaps meet a very famous HatBox Ghost. The ghostly ones are my favorites, and I’m excited to see so many new ones have popped up.
Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party (Photo: Disney Parks)
Pictures Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog
And there’s one more “hidden” benefit, that’s not TECHNICALLY included in your party ticket, but tends to be one of the BEST parts of attending a MNSSHP: seeing all the guests that come to the party in costume! Costume regulations and rules have gotten a lot more strict in the last couple of years due to safety concerns, so this isn’t QUITE as much fun as it used to be, but it is still a heck of a lot of fun. I’ve been surprised at how many guests dress up in costume. Some go VERY elaborate–others go pretty casual and easy with it, but it’s so much fun to see what everyone has thought of! And it’s even more fun to plan a costume for yourself or a group theme for your whole family or travel group….Just keep in mind the warm temperatures. You do NOT want to spend the evening melting in your costume…and be sure to review Disney’s costume guidelines here.
I wish I had a better picture of this, I know it’s a little blurry, but I had to share. One of the cutest costume ideas I saw at the last MNSSHP I attended.
Picture Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog
So we come back to the original question: Is it worth it?
Some things I suggest you consider:
Have you ever been to a Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party before? If not, I think you should probably put a point in the YES column. It’s definitely something everyone should do at least once, if they have the opportunity and means.
Do you like Halloween? Let’s face it, if you are NOT a Halloween person, don’t like it when people dress up, don’t see the point of trick or treating and don’t enjoy scary movies (even funny/scary)…You probably should just give MNSSHP a pass. It’s just not your cup of tea. However, if you LOVE Halloween, love getting dressed up, LOVE all things ghostly and pumpkin related…you may want to put another point in the YES column.
Can you plan the party attendance into your trip so that a) you don’t spend the whole day in another park and get worn out b) you are able to be in costume, ready to start your evening, at Magic Kingdom, at 4 p.m. (or 5 at the latest?) c) feel like you are likely to be able to enjoy the whole party, all the way through until Midnight? and d) deal with the impact that late night will have on the NEXT day–can that day be a rest day? Or a water park day that starts at 10 instead of 7? If all these answers are yes, that’s another point for the Yes column. If all are NO, then you may want to pass on the party. If you come down more mixed up, you probably need to do some careful thinking.
Do things like special merchandise, special food, special photopass magic shots ONLY available tat the party matter to you? If they’re important, put a point in the YES column. If you could care less, that’s a point in the No column.
How do you feel about parades? If you love the idea of a unique, nighttime parade featuring characters you don’t often get to seem, put a point in the YES column. If you really don’t enjoy parades, hate having to find a place to sit or stand to watch the parade, get annoyed with the crowds, etc., that’s a point for the NO column.
How do you feel about fireworks? If you are a fireworks fiend, put a point in the Yes column. If you don’t care about them, or strongly prefer to avoid them, that’s another check in the NO column.
Picture Courtesy of Disney Photopass Gallery
Where do you land on special Character greetings? Are they important to you? If so, that’s another Yes vote. If you can’t be bothered, that’s a big NO.
How many people in your group? What are their ages? There are a couple of reasons to look at this. For two adults, it’s a lot easier to move around the party and avoid crowds, moving quickly and adapting the plan as needed. For two adults and two kids in strollers, it gets more difficult to move through crowds, and the priorities are doing things that will make the kids happy. Skipping the trick or treat stations may not be an option. Staying until midnight may not be something you want to do. You need to plan ahead for parade and show seating, which will eat up some of your time from attractions, character greetings or trick or treating, so you’ll need to consider your priorities. For three adults, a six year old and two teens, there are still more things to consider. Do you want to stay together the whole time? Split up for part of it? Does everyone have the same interests? Do you want to focus on the shows and parade, or rides and character greetings? Think about the group you would bring to the party. Consider whether they would enjoy it, and whether you would enjoy it with them. If the answer is yes, then that’s more points in the YES column. If you’re not sure, you’ve got some more thinking to do.
Can you afford it? This is REALLY the big question. A Disney vacation is an investment. For many of us, it’s something we have budgeted for, and planned for and saved for. You have to consider your budget. Realistically, can you afford the tickets for the party for your group? Will it put a dent in your food budget or your souvenir budget? Or, since you are doing the party one day, could you buy 1 day less on your Magic Your Way tickets, and make up some savings that way? Could that make it work for you? I know not everyone needs to worry about these matters. For some people, budget it not a concern. If money is no object, and you want to go to the party for 2-5 hours, go for it. It’s a fun time, with lots of unique experiences. But for those of us who are more budget conscious, it usually means a trade off. What do I have to give up, if I buy these tickets? So give that some thought, and make sure you are comfortable with your choice.
Consider the value: If you pay $100 for your party ticket (less if you go in August or September, more if you go closer to Halloween), and you attend the party from 7 p.m. – 12 p.m., you’re spending $20 per hour for the party. Think about all the things available at the party, and recognize you will not be able to do all of them. Think about the things that would be most important to you and your travel group, and imagine that with proper planning you’ll be able to do at least most of them. Would you feel like you got $20 per hour worth of value for each person? Would you feel good about your investment? If you enter the park at 4 pm, you’ve added a couple hours to your park time, and now you’re spending $12.50 an hour. Conversely, if you leave at 10 p.m. and arrived at 7 p.m., you’ve spent $33.33 an hour. You are the only one that can determine the right value for you and your family or travel group.
Do I still think the parties are worth it? Mostly. It’s hard, because I struggle a little bit with that “good old days” thing. They used to not be so crowded. They used to be more affordable. They used to have this. They sometimes had that. Blah blah blah. But time marches on, and we live in the here and now.
Picture Courtesy of Disney Photopass Gallery
Today, given what we are hearing about the crowds and the lines, is it still worth it? For me personally, it’s probably still yes. It’s not as strong a yes as it used to be, and I’d try to stay a lot closer to that $80 than the $100. If I really wanted to attend, I would spend some extra time planning and try and choose a night that would hopefully not be sold out or super crowded. I would choose a night earlier in the season when prices are lower, and I would take advantage of whatever discounts I could. I would probably plan my night pretty carefully to make sure I could maximize the things that are important to me and my group. But gosh…when you sit down and think about all that you can see and do in 5 hours, all the options available…it’s hard to imagine NOT finding $20 per hour worth of value in that….for me personally. But that’s me.
I love the parade, I love the fireworks, I love the shows, and the silly dance parties and seeing everyone all dressed up. I love the special merchandise and the silly special food items, and the Haunted Horseman. I love the characters that wander around, talking to guests, that you don’t have to wait in line for, that you might just bump into. I love the different lighting and music that plays during the parties. I love the festive mood of the parties. I love watching little kids’ faces when they see the gravediggers making sparks on the street with their shovels during the parade, or when they see Mickey and Minnie in their Halloween finery.
You have to think about what you love. And what’s important for your vacation. Your group. And your budget. And then of course you have to think about the magic and the memories you want to bring home from your trip. And if it makes sense for you and your group, go for it.
The bottom line: you’ll have lots of amazing moments throughout your trip, whether you go to the party or not. Come on, it’s DISNEY! You KNOW it will be magical!
For many years, I was obsessed with the nighttime fireworks display at the Magic Kingdom, Wishes. My husband and I tried to make sure to catch it at least twice every trip, sometimes more often. We watched it from the front of the castle, from the rear of the castle, from the top of the Contemporary Resort, from the porch at Narcoosee’s at the Grand Floridian, from the beach at the Polynesian…you name it, we tried to watch it from there. And I cried…Every single time. The first time I told him I loved him….was during Wishes. He proposed to me one night in front of the Castle…just after Wishes had ended…I have the soundtrack for Wishes, and probably about a million pictures of it. Needless to say, I was very ATTACHED to Wishes.
Here’s a favorite “Wishes” picture from the Disney PhotoPass gallery:
When Disney announced that they were ending Wishes and would be introducing a new show, I was really sad. But I know that Disney isn’t a time capsule, it’s something that has to keep changing and growing to keep from getting stale. So even though I loved Wishes with great passion, I knew I had to let it go, and be open to the new show. Based on the press releases Disney released as they were developing the new shows, I had very high hopes for Happily Ever After.
I was crushed that we weren’t able to see Wishes one last time though. The last time we watched it was the night after we got married–we caught the tail end from the rail station at the front of Magic Kingdom. We had no idea then that we would never get to watch it again. {sigh}
Luckily, there are tons of really great videos of the show still on YouTube. Here’s a link to a great video of the very last show, posted by the Dis.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTO1RlF12ZU No matter how good the videos are (and the videos from the Dis are always TERRIFIC!), they just can’t compare to the real thing.
Wishes had it’s final show on May 11, 2017, and the new, very high tech Happily Ever After premiered on May 12, 2018. In honor of it’s one anniversary, Disney Parks Blog posted a video of a couple of minutes from Happily Ever After, included here below:
Frank and I saw Happily Ever After for the first time during our November trip. I wanted to be sure we had a great spot to view it from, so I had reserved the Fireworks Dessert Party–Garden View for the two of us. I’m so glad we did! The park was PACKED that night, and the crowds around the hub to view the show were CRAZY! The special Garden View area wasn’t even there last time we’d visited; it was put in as part of the hub construction project that finished last year. They put in two of these; one in front of the Crystal Palace/Casey’s area and one in front of the Plaza Restaurant area. The Plaza area one is used for the Fireworks Dessert Party, Garden View. The Dessert Party area was NOT super crowded; we had a spot at the back where we could sit on the ground while we waited for the show to start, and even standing, it didn’t feel crowded and we had a fairly good view of the castle. We liked the area so much, we stayed put and waited for the Once Upon A Time projection show that happened about 45 minutes after the fireworks ended.
Here’s a couple of shots we took of Happily Ever After from our spot.
So the big question is: As a Wishes lover that was so SAD that Wishes went away, what did I think of Happily Ever After?
The short answer? I liked it. I liked it a lot. It’s very visually impressive, and the music is really terrific. I downloaded the song on Itunes as soon the show was over.
I didn’t LOVE it though, and I’ve been trying to put my finger on WHY I didn’t love it ever since.
We watched the show again from our balcony at Bay Lake Tower on the last night of our trip. One of the channels on the TV will play the audio so you’re synced up with the show. I really liked watching it from that angle; it’s fun to get the different perspective on those shows from different viewpoints. Of course, from that angle and distance you cannot see most of the projections on the castle–and that’s where a LOT of the action is with this particular show. When you are in front of the castle, it looks like all the fireworks are being shot off from RIGHT behind the castle, doesn’t it? Interestingly, when you watch the show from Bay Lake Tower or the Contemporary, you can see that most of the fireworks are shot off from quite a distance away.
Here’s a couple of the pictures we took from our balcony:
Keep in mind, we could see much better with our naked eyes than the camera lens can…it’s really pretty spectacular, but the camera REALLY didn’t like this distance combined with trying to absorb all the light…
During my May trip with Mom, we chose NOT to stay in the Magic Kingdom for the show. Mom isn’t as enamored with the fireworks shows as I am, and it was the end of our trip and we were both pretty worn out, so we decided to head over to Bay Lake Tower and watch the show from the Top of the World lounge. Mom watched from her seat at the bar; I headed outside to watch from the deck.
Here’s a couple of shots from that show. Very similar view to the balcony view; just a few floors higher!
I’ve also watched a couple excellent video recordings of the show, so at this point, I’ve seen it five or six times. And I still really like it.
It doesn’t make me cry…which makes me a little sad (but not enough to cry😉) . But it’s a very good show, absolutely. I think I’ve finally figured out why it doesn’t get me emotionally like Wishes did…
Happily Ever After is a VERY busy show. There is a LOT going on…there is music and fireworks, of course, but beyond that, there is tons of very detailed computerized, animated projections on the castle throughout the show, and many of them are quite beautiful…some are DAZZLING. There are lasers and pyrotechnics…there is so much going on, you actually miss a LOT of what is happening–it can be challenging to take it all in. Every time I watch the show, I notice different things. I think this will be GREAT for repeat viewings; not to mention that Disney can change and add content quickly to promote new projects or to take advantage of sudden bursts of popularity for old favorites…I think this will make this show very versatile and flexible for Disney.
The disadvantage, though, at least for me, is that there is SO much going on, I don’t really get a chance to CONNECT with the show the way I did with Wishes. My heart doesn’t get involved because my brain is so focused on all the visual stimulation. As much as I like the music, it doesn’t connect in me personally with the visuals–in part because so many of the visuals invoke their own soundtracks in my heart, and in part because the visuals are just so strong and moving so fast, I can’t keep up.
Perhaps after dozens of viewings, it won’t be quite so overwhelming, and I WILL find myself connecting with it emotionally. I hope so. Because it really is a beautiful show. It’s just….a LOT to absorb.
Have you seen Happily Ever After? What did you think? Were you a Wishes fan? How do you think Happily Ever After compares?
