Disney DELAYS Start Time for ‘Happily Ever After’

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

After a long day of enjoying the magic of the Disney Parks, many Guests choose to spend their evening watching one of the phenomenal nighttime spectaculars that Disney offers Guests. Walt Disney World truly goes above and beyond to bring Guests incredible entertainment all day long, but for many Guests, the nighttime spectaculars cannot be beaten.

Walt Disney World Resort is currently showing five nighttime spectaculars: EPCOT Forever, Fantasmic!, Wonderful World of Animation, the Electrical Water Pageant, and Happily Ever After. Of all these shows, Happily Ever After, the fireworks show at Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom is the most popular choice amongst fans. That is why it is essential that Guests hoping to see Happily Ever After are aware that Disney has altered the show’s start time.

‘Happily Ever After’ Will Happen a Little After…

Fans were overjoyed when the Walt Disney Company announced the return of the fan-favorite firework show “Happily Ever After” would be returning to Magic Kingdom Park. This 18-minute extravaganza is one of the most beloved shows ever made by Disney, and fans from all over the world are eager to return to the Parks and see it perform once more. Fans are especially excited about the all-new projections down Main Street, U.S.A.

When You Can See ‘Happily Ever After’

While the show will still be performed every night, it is essential to know that the starting time for the show has been pushed from 9:00 p.m. to 9:20 p.m. This pushback is due to the sun setting later in the day. Happily Ever After requires a fully dark night sky. The show will likely return back to its 9:00 p.m. start time once summer is over.

This news is important so that Guests don’t feel like they are wasting time waiting for the fireworks show to begin at Cinderella Castle.

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. 

Happily Ever After Returning to Disney World

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

Last year, Disney Parks shocked fans when it announced the beloved Happily Ever After would “sparkle into Disney history”. Sure, it was known that a new nighttime spectacular would be taking over Cinderella Castle and Main Street, U.S.A. for Magic Kingdom’s 50th anniversary, but a full retirement caught many off guard.

However, after multiple teases, Walt Disney World will officially welcome Happily Ever After back very soon!

The Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Central Florida attracts millions of Guests each year. And each and every Guest will visit the theme parks for a different reason — the food, the merchandise, the attractions –, but one thing that draws the crowds: the nighttime spectaculars.

When Disney Parks announced that Wishes: A Magical Gathering of Disney Dreams would be retiring from its nighttime slot at Magic Kingdom Park, many were distraught and skeptical about the future of the Resort’s premiere fireworks show. Then Happily Ever After debuted. Of course, some were critical — it wasn’t Wishes, and yes, nothing ever will be Wishes — but Happily Ever After successfully combined the nostalgia of its predecessor, the projection-mapping technology of the former pre-show, Celebrate the Magic, and added a distinct Disney flair that brought hundreds to tears.

Happily Ever After

Flashforward to October 1, 2021, and Happily Ever After’s replacement — Disney Enchantment — would get a lukewarm reception when it debuted for The World’s Most Magical Celebration with criticisms at its lack of nostalgia, its use of covers as opposed to the original versions of Disney songs that so many fans adore, and for its less than spectacular fireworks. It has grown on some though, and the recent addition of Walt Disney and Roy Disney during the show softened the edges of what felt like a somewhat cold celebration for the Disney Resort’s half centennial.

As we near a year since the 50th anniversary began, fans of the Disney Park are wondering what Disney will do with Enchantment when the event ends next year. In addition to staying quiet about nighttime events, including those at Disneyland Resort, “Happily Ever After” singer Jordan Fisher started theories when he posted a cryptic video referencing the fan-favorite spectacular, and all signs seemingly pointed to news coming from D23 Expo 2022.

During the Boundless Future: Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products presentation in Hall D23, Chairmain of the division Josh D’Amaro, revealed that upon the end of the 50th celebrations, Happily Ever After will once more take over Cinderella Castle and the Magic Kingdom sky. Happily Ever After will return next year.

The replacement of Happily Ever After was just one of the changes that came for the Park’s celebration. Disney Genie+ and Lightning Lane debuted, as did the announcement that Park Pass reservations were staying until at least 2024. As experiences change, and paywalls become the norm, the return of a familiar favorite may temper some frustrations.

Disney Releases 2 New Exclusive Magic Bands

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Dining, Disney Parks, Disney Resorts, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

If there is one thing that has become synonymous with planning your Walt Disney World vacation, it is MagicBands. Not only do MagicBands act as a Guest’s theme park ticket, but they also act as room keys, and for Guests staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, the MagicBand can be used to charge purchases to their room. MagicBands come in a ton of different styles, so there is truly a design to fit everyone’s style and preferences.

While many MagicBands can be purchased and used by all Guests, there are some MagicBands that are sold exclusively to those who are Annual Passholders, Resort hotel Guests, and even Disney Vacation Club members. Disney has recently revealed 2 new MagicBands that are available for purchase for those staying at a Disney World hotel, as well as Annual Passholders. There are also special “pre-arrival” prices, that give you a discount if you get them before you arrive for your magical vacation.

Here’s what Disney has released!

Happily Ever After

This new MagicBand is perfect for those who are newly engaged or married — or even Guests who just love everything that has to do with Cinderella. This gorgeous white band features the phrase “Happily Ever After” written in gold and also shows Cinderella dancing with her Prince, it even shows some of the popular birds that were there to help Cinderella design her clothes.

What’s also great about this MagicBand is that if you order it before you arrive for your vacation, you can save a ton of money! Instead of paying $34.99 if you purchase in person, you will only pay $20.

UP Travel Buddies

This new MagicBand is an amazing choice for those who can’t get enough of Carl Fredricksen, Russell, Dug, and Kevin! This teal MagicBand feature Carl and Russell and shows a sketch of Kevin. There is also an adorable drawing of Carl’s house floating with all of the balloons with Paradise Falls in the background. The UP Travel Buddies MagicBand is also available for the discounted price of $20 if you order it before your Disney World trip.

Currently, MagicBands are available for pre-order up to 10 days before your vacation. If you do not order before that time, you can always buy your MagicBand at any one of the four Walt Disney World theme parks and add your tickets and information to the Band after you buy it.

Disney Confirms Happily Ever After Will Not Return Following 50th Anniversary Celebration

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

Last month Disney announced details on the two new fireworks shows that will debut on October 1, 2021, to kick off the 18-month 50th Anniversary Celebration – The World’s Most Magical Celebration. After the announcement, there was wild speculation and confusion regarding the future of Happily Ever After. Would it return? Disney has now confirmed that the show will not return and its final performance will be in September 2021. Learn more below.

“We recently announced that all-new nighttime spectaculars “Disney Enchantment” and “Harmonious” would be debuting October 1 as part of The World’s Most Magical Celebration. That means this summer is also your last chance to come out and catch the current fireworks shows before they sparkle into Disney history. “EPCOT Forever” will conclude its limited-time run on September 28, and you have until September 29 to take in the spectacle of “Happily Ever After” at Magic Kingdom Park.”

We already knew that EPCOT Forever would be ending when “Harmonious” debuted. That show was always going to be temporary. It is somewhat surprising that Happily Ever After will end only after running for just over five years.