Final Performance of Disney Enchantment Nighttime Spectacular at the Magic Kingdom

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

April 2nd marked the last performance ever of “Disney Enchantment” at the Magic Kingdom. The nighttime spectacular debuted on October 1, 2021 with the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World, and now will conclude to make way for its predecessor, “Happily Ever After,” as the celebration concludes.

You can find the video below.

The show debuted when The World’s Most Magical Celebration began on October 1, 2021 to highly mixed reviews. Fans criticized its lack of connection to the history of Walt Disney World, largely focusing on newer Disney films instead. Additionally, the structure of the show itself and its message were also lambasted. Many said it fell flat compared to “Happily Ever After,” which is regarded among Disney’s best nighttime spectaculars at any park.

The first iteration of the show lasted until early May 2022, when additional pyrotechnics and laser effects were quietly added to the show’s finale.

In August, Disney quietly updated the show again, this time overhauling the entire introduction to include a short tribute to Walt and Roy Disney, who were instrumental in the creation of Walt Disney World. Some references to opening day attractions were also added, alleviating some complaints about the show’s lack of historical connection to the park. A few lines of narration from Angela Bassett were also replaced by Mickey Mouse’s voice.

At the D23 Expo 2022 in September, Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products head Josh D’Amaro announced that “Happily Ever After” would return after the 50th Anniversary celebration concluded in March 2023. Its first performance is set to be tonight, April 3. 

Disney Announces Live Streams of New Nighttime Spectaculars

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot, Magic Kingdom

The 50th-anniversary celebration at Walt Disney World is almost here! As part of the celebration, two new nighttime spectaculars are debuting on October 1. However, Disney has announced they will be live streaming early performances of the two shows.

From a Disney Cast Member;

On Oct. 1, two new nighttime spectaculars – “Harmonious” and “Disney Enchantment” – will debut to help kick off our 50th-anniversary festivities during “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” at Walt Disney World Resort. And as a special early 50th surprise, we’re LIVE streaming performances of both ground-breaking shows right on the Disney Parks Blog!

    • Wed, 9/29 – LIVE: “Harmonious” at EPCOT at 9:00 p.m. ET.
    • Thurs, 9/30 – LIVE: “Disney Enchantment” at Magic Kingdom Park at 10:15 p.m. ET.

Beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, join us to see “Harmonious” at EPCOT, one of the largest nighttime spectaculars ever created for a Disney park. The show, which is a key milestone in the transformation of EPCOT, pays tribute to the stories and songs that unite us all featuring new technical magic that includes special pyrotechnics, moving fountains, special lighting and media.

And as we shared earlier, Disney Live Entertainment and Walt Disney Imagineering have created a transformative experience with “Harmonious” that invites you to travel the globe through new interpretations of classic Disney songs as you’ve never heard them before. The songs are reimagined in more than a dozen languages by a diverse group of 240 artists from around the world.

“Harmonious” is a unique experience that could only happen at EPCOT, a place dedicated to possibility, wonder and global community.

Just about 24 hours after the “Harmonious” event, we’re LIVE streaming the new nighttime spectacular, “Disney Enchantment” along with a special celebratory moment, on Thursday at 10:15 p.m. ET from Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort.

In “Disney Enchantment,” you’re inspired to believe in magic, with captivating Disney music, enhanced lighting, and immersive projection effects that extend – for the first time – from Cinderella Castle down Main Street, U.S.A. The evening extravaganza features stunning fireworks as well as an emotional original song, entitled “You Are the Magic,” by eight-time GRAMMY-winner and former Walt Disney World cast member Philip Lawrence.

Today, we’re sharing a new, magical behind-the-scenes look at how everything is coming together to bring “Disney Enchantment” to life at Magic Kingdom Park.

This one-of-a-kind show features characters, moments, and music from dozens of Disney and Pixar animated films. It takes you beyond the ordinary to a land of magic, where we’re swept up in a world of wonder filled with friendship, love and fun. Through it all, we’ll discover we only have to look within to find the power to believe and make dreams come true because the magic was inside us all along!

Be sure to join us on the Disney Parks Blog next week – Wednesday and Thursday – for unprecedented LIVE coverage of both nighttime spectaculars as part of “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” at Walt Disney World Resort.

New Original Song ‘You Are the Magic’ Featured in ‘Disney Enchantment’

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

We’re just over three weeks away from the “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” at Walt Disney World on October 1. Also, debuting on October 1 is the new nighttime spectacular, “Disney Enchantment.” Disney has released new details about the song that will be featured in the new fireworks show.

“Disney Enchantment,” the brand-new nighttime spectacular coming to Magic Kingdom Park as part of “The World’s Most Magical Celebration,” features dazzling fireworks, beloved Disney music and immersive projection effects that extend from Cinderella Castle down Main Street, U.S.A. The show takes you on an emotional journey, empowering you to believe in yourself and make your dreams come true.

Philip Lawrence who wrote the original song for “Disney Enchantment” has certainly pursued his dreams and made them come true. Philip got his start as a cast member at Walt Disney World Resort, performing in shows like “Festival of the Lion King” and “Tarzan Rocks!” Through hard work and determination, he went on to find success as a songwriter and music producer, receiving 18 GRAMMY nominations and winning seven GRAMMY Awards for his collaborations with Bruno Mars on songs like “Uptown Funk” and “24K Magic.” Now, Philip has returned to where the magic began for him.

Entitled “You Are the Magic,” the song’s powerful lyrics inspire us for the journey ahead and touch our hearts and minds. And they soar to emotional high points during the climactic moments of “Disney Enchantment,” as we discover we only have to look within to ignite the magic that was inside us all along.

Philip Lawrence not only wrote “You Are the Magic” but also performs the song in “Disney Enchantment” along with actor and singer Kayla Alvarez, another former Walt Disney World cast member. Here’s a look at the recording of this incredible new song, as Philip and Kayla’s vocals come together with the sound of a full orchestra and chorus:

You’ll get to hear the complete version of “You Are the Magic” when “Disney Enchantment” Presented by Pandora Jewelry debuts October 1 at Magic Kingdom Park with the launch of the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Celebration.

Backstage Fire Puts Magic Kingdom Fireworks on Hold

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

The stunning nighttime spectacular lighting up the sky above Cinderella Castle of course! While fireworks have returned to Magic Kingdom since the Park’s phased reopening, Guests visiting the Park last night, August 31, were not able to see Happily Ever After fireworks. Walt Disney World put out an announcement and push notification via the My Disney Experience App yesterday for Magic Kingdom Guests stating that while Happily Ever After projections would still take place, any of the fireworks involved would not be part of the show. The reason was unknown at the time, but now we’re learning there was a backstage fire that caused the hold-up of fireworks for the Disney Park.

We previously shared the news that Disney announced they would be testing new fireworks on August 30 and September 1. The new show firework show replacing Happily Ever After on October 1, 2021, for the 50th Anniversary Celebration is “Disney Enchantment“. It seems like during the August 30 testing of Disney fireworks for “Disney Enchantment”, one of the fireworks launching areas caught fire.

Reporter Scott Gustin shares, “A fire backstage at a fireworks launch site last night is why there will be no fireworks during Happily Ever After at Magic Kingdom tonight. The projections will happen – but no pyro tonight.” With the shared video of the noticeable smoke as shown below:

Gustin goes on to share, “I don’t have any information about any possible damage to the fireworks launch site or the exact location of the fire near the launch site – but it is the reason fireworks were canceled tonight.”

Magic Kingdom’s new fireworks display, “Disney Enchantment” isn’t the only set of fireworks that are undergoing testing. EPCOT’s “EPCOT Forever” is being replaced by “Harmonious“. Each theme Park is scheduled to debut the new fireworks shows on October 1.

Our hope is that all those visiting Magic Kingdom today (September 1) will have the opportunity to see Magic Kingdom’s Happily Ever After WITH fireworks tonight! We’re curious to see if Disney will be testing “Disney Enchantment” fireworks once again tonight, September 1 as previously noted.

Details Revealed for Magic Kingdom’s New Nighttime Spectacular, “Disney Enchantment”

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

This week has been FULL of Walt Disney World Resort news! Earlier this week we learned about the new Disney Genie and paid “Fastpass” program coming to Walt Disney World and Disneyland. Today, Disney has been sharing loads of Disney food news including the reopening of Boma – Flavors of Africa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge (the first Disney buffet to open since the pandemic), the return of two more buffets at Magic Kingdom and EPCOT, an announcement about a new restaurant coming to Disney’s Contemporary Resort, and even new breakfast options arriving soon. Now the theme Park is sharing one of the most exciting pieces of news from today by revealing details about the new Magic Kingdom fireworks and nighttime spectacular called “Disney Enchantment”.

Disney has revealed new details about the previously announced “Disney Enchantment“! Soon enough we will be saying goodbye to “Happily Ever After”, as Magic Kingdom’s newest nighttime spectacular “Disney Enchantment” takes center stage above Cinderalla Castle and throughout Main Street, U.S.A. Check out the latest details below as shared by Disney.

“This all-new spectacular inspires everyone to believe in magic, with captivating Disney music, enhanced lighting, immersive projection effects that extend for the first time down Main Street, U.S.A., and an emotional original song, entitled “You Are the Magic”.

“In “Disney Enchantment,” we join dreamers like Tiana, Miguel, Rapunzel, and brothers Ian & Barley from “Onward,” and we set out on an incredible journey with adventurers such as Moana, Raya, and Judy Hopps. Joe Gardner from Disney and Pixar’s “Soul” takes us into “the zone,” where we discover a whimsical world inspired by the style of legendary Disney artist Mary Blair and filled with beloved characters from classic stories like “Beauty and the Beast” and “Alice in Wonderland” to contemporary tales including “Luca” and “Wreck-It Ralph.” Everything builds to a climactic moment, as Tinker Bell takes flight, spreading shimmering gold pixie dust and empowering us all to believe in ourselves and the magic all around us.”

We’re loving the lineup of Disney films involved! It seems like Disney has kept several classics but will really be integrating some of the newer Disney films as well. And yes, it sounds like Tinker Bell will continue to fly through the sky!

Having fireworks back at Magic Kingdom has been fantastic, but “Disney Enchantment” isn’t the only nighttime spectacular we are looking forward to. Another Disney Park is preparing for the big debut of “Harmonious”. That’s right – EPCOT is saying goodbye to EPCOT Forever and preparing for their new nighttime spectacular to light up the World Showcase lagoon. Harmonious is scheduled to debut on October 1.