DIS Daily Recap: Stay informed with all things Disney and Central Florida!
Enter your email address below to receive DIS Updates by email — including News, Blogs, Podcasts, Discounts, and Disney Updates.
The Show specifics
Running time: Approximately 12 minutes
Fireworks firing cues: 665
Individual pieces of pyrotechnics: 681
"Wishes"
is roughly five minutes longer and several times larger
than the long running fireworks show "Fantasy in
the Sky," which was previously being shown at the
Magic Kingdom.
The Storyline.
"Wishes" With the use of classic Disney songs
and well know Disney character voices, guests will be
told a story about making a wish come true, accented by
using timely choreographed fireworks.
The
Cast of "Wishes" features the voices of:
.
Jiminy
Cricket , the Blue Fairy and Pinocchio (from 1940's Pinocchio)
Snow
White and the Evil Queen (from 1937's Snow White
and the Seven Dwarfs)
Cinderella
(from 1950's Cinderella)
Peter
Pan (from 1953's Peter Pan)
Ariel
(from 1989's The Little Mermaid)
Aladdin
and Genie (from 1992's Aladdin)
Tinker
Bell, flies from atop Cinderella Castle during a dramatic
moment in the show.
.
The
Crew that created "Wishes"
.
Creator/show director: Steven Davison - Davison,
creative director with Walt Disney Creative Entertainment,
also developed the "Believe...There's Magic in
the Stars" fireworks spectacular at Disneyland.
Fireworks
designer: Eric Tucker - An award-winning
pyrotechnics designer whose credits span the globe,
Tucker previously designed the fireworks for "IllumiNations:
Reflections of Earth" at Epcot.
Music
director: Steve Skorija - As music director
for Walt Disney Entertainment, Skorija oversees music
production for live entertainment and special events
at Walt Disney World Resort.
Composer/arranger: Gregory Smith - Smith previously worked on
such Walt Disney World productions as "IllumiNations
25" and "Splashtacular" at Epcot, and
the "Mickey Mania" parade at Magic Kingdom.
The
Music used in "Wishes" In
addition to Gregory Smith's original theme, which is based
on the children's nursery rhyme "Starlight, Star
Bright," the score for "Wishes" contains
portions of 12 songs from 10 classic Disney animated features:
.
"Snow
White and the Seven Dwarfs" (1937) ,
"Pinocchio" (1940)
"Fantasia" (1940)
"Cinderella" (1950)
"Peter
Pan" (1953)
"Sleeping
Beauty" (1959)
"The
Little Mermaid" (1989)
"Beauty
and the Beast" (1991)
"Aladdin" (1992)
"Hercules" (1997)
.
The
Fireworks "Wishes" uses several new locations around the Magic Kingdom for
launching fireworks that create brilliant bursts of light
around Cinderella Castle. The show features new pyrotechnic
effects never seen before in a Disney theme park, including
several developed especially for this show:
The show's "wishing star" will crest approximately
100 feet above the castle's bright spires.
The Blue Fairy is represented with a spectacular star-shaped
shell that "paints" each wish high in the sky
with starlight.
.
"Wishes"
was created in honor of the launch of "Magical Gatherings",
a celebration of the magic that occurs when friends and
extended family members gather at the Magic Kingdom at
Walt Disney World Resort in the months to come. The show
is designed for a heart-tugging spectacle in the sky that
will create lasting memories for everyone to take home
with the
It’s no secret that every ‘once upon a time’ story ends with ‘happily ever after.’ Now, Walt Disney World Resort guests can discover just how magical and emotional that fairy tale ending can be with the newest, most breathtaking fireworks show in the history of Magic Kingdom Park – “Happily Ever After.”
In addition to fireworks, the stunning new nighttime extravaganza features more lasers, lights and projections than any show at Magic Kingdom Park before it. “Happily Ever After” is also an entirely new kind of Disney storytelling, one that takes guests on an inspiring journey filled with heart, humor and emotion. Guests become part of the journey themselves as they follow favorite Disney characters on an adventure to seek out their destiny, face adversity and ultimately fulfill their dreams on the road to their happily ever after.
The 18-minute spectacle features moments from classic Disney films such as The Little Mermaid and Aladdin to modern blockbusters Moana and Zootopia. Cinderella Castle becomes part of the story itself, with dazzling projections bringing heartfelt Disney stories to life on and around the iconic 18-story-tall castle. Quasimodo from Hunchback of Notre Dame swings from the turrets. Woody and his pals from Disney Pixar’s Toy Story recreate the castle entirely out of toys. And Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty envelops the castle in her signature green flames.
The story begins with scenes of fantastic dreams full of hope, wonder, magic and light. Disney villains soon become part of the story, attempting to quash those beautiful dreams and forcing the heroes to fight for what they believe in. Overcoming their fears, the heroes triumph and are celebrated with spectacular fireworks.
Because no Magic Kingdom Park fireworks display is complete without this little bit of magic, Tinker Bell flies across the night sky, reminding guests that with a little faith, trust and pixie dust, everyone can find their own happily ever after.
Characters and scenes from more than 25 Disney films are featured through state-of-the-art projections, enhanced by more than 50 choreographed spotlights, brilliant lasers and plenty of awe-inspiring fireworks. Paired with an emotional score, the new spectacular drives the message home that anyone can grab hold of their dreams and make them come true as long as they are brave enough to listen to what guides them and bold enough to pursue their destiny.
The score for “Happily Ever After” was recorded by a 75-piece orchestra in London and includes tunes from a multitude of Disney movies, including Aladdin, Brave, Tarzan, The Lion King, and The Princess and the Frog.
Article: Why the Message of ‘Happily Ever After’ Is So Important
NOTE: Happliy Ever After fireworks replaced WISHES on May 12, 2017.
This event is subject to availability. The Dessert Party begins one hour before nighttime fireworks, so the time will change depending on the night. You may want to double check your reservation time a couple of weeks before your trip.
The party includes a self-service buffet at the Tomorrowland Terrace with sweets, beverages and exclusive viewing of Wishes, the nightly fireworks. Guests will be able to enjoy a selection of desserts, such as
chocolate marshmallow tarts, macarons, the signature 'Happily Ever After' cupcake which is red velvet cake with yellow buttercream icing and a special chocolate garnish, and more. A sparkling cider toast will take place as the
fireworks begin. Other beverages include hot drinking chocolate,
signature lemonades, coffee and tea.
Reservations are highly recommended as space is limited. To reserve a space, prepayment is necessary.
Guests who book same day reservations for
the dessert party will have their viewing area reserved in the Plaza
Gardens, which was the former FastPass+ viewing area for Wishes. Guests
with advanced dining reservations will have their choice of watching
the fireworks from either the Tomorrowland Terrace viewing area or the
Plaza Gardens.
Cost is $59 for Plaza Garden viewing ($35 ages 3 to 9); Tomorrowland Terrace is $79; $47 ages 3 to 9. Both include tax but not gratuity. Gratuity isn't required, but is an option if you so desire. Separate Magic Kingdom Park admission is required but not included in the cost. The fireworks experience may be changed or canceled without prior notice. The Disney Dining Plan is not accepted for this party.
Reservations can be made online or by calling (407) WDW-DINE.
After Fireworks Dessert Party
Magic Kingdom has extended their very popular fireworks dessert party options with a brand new After Fireworks Dessert Party. Attending guests will be treated to a reserved viewing space in the Plaza Garden to watch the nighttime spectacular, followed by an exclusive dessert party at Tomorrowland Terrace after the show’s finale.
An ehanced menu including savory snacks such as spinach dip and house-made mini eggrolls will be added, as well as the popular Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake from Liberty Tree Tavern.
Admission to the party is $69 for adults and $41 for children.
Guests interested in the After Fireworks Dessert Party can call (407) WDW-DINE to book reservations for this offering.
If you’re planning to celebrate a honeymoon or romantic getaway at the Walt Disney World Resort, make it even more special with one of these limited-time Enchanted Evening Honeymoon or Romance package options now featuring the Happily Ever After Fireworks.
These additional options for the Walt Disney World package include:
Two exclusive honeymoon or romance-themed MagicBands
Two exclusive romance-themed keepsake luggage tags
These Enchanted Evening options are available to book through December 19, 2018 for travel through December 31, 2018. Contact your travel agent to book either of these packages! Click here for more information.
