Our Best of 2017 series continues….
As you know, last night Disney’s Magic Kingdom debuted their new fireworks spectacular, Happily Ever After. The new show replaced the beloved “Wishes” which ended it’s long run this past Thursday night. So many Disney fans were sad to see Wishes go, and were uncertain how they’d feel about something taking it’s place, myself included. Well, I saw Happily Ever After, and I wasn’t disappointed at all. Lets talk about it!
We arrived at the Magic Kingdom around 6:00 pm. Scott was at the media day over at Pandora at Animal Kingdom, and I had kid duty and school pick ups, so we didn’t get there too early. All worked out fine. The crowds were beginning to gather at that point, and we could see the set up going on as the Disney Parks Blog was getting ready for their live feed. As it got closer to show time, the crowd grew and grew. I was lucky enough to be in a blocked off area for media in the hub, but watching the masses around me was incredible. The Cast Members had quite a job last night with crowd control but they did a great job. (pics below of the crowds and my view from the hub). I thought maybe it wouldn’t be super crowded being that the guest numbers were high all week due to Wishes ending, but wow was I wrong!
There were so many people there, I wasn’t sure if I’d get a signal to do a live feed, but I was able to go live twice and talk to our Main Streeters and let them know what was going on. When the show began, you could feel the excitement in the air. I so badly wanted Happily Ever After to be a suitable replacement for Wishes and I didn’t want to be disappointed. I already cried ugly tears last week seeing Wishes for the last time, but now it was time to see what’s next. The projections on Cinderella Castle are very crisp and clear. Seemingly more so than even Celebrate the Magic, which I also miss. The show started with their original score of music, nothing classic Disney at that point, but it was coming. Happily Ever After consists of projections, laser effects and fireworks combined. The show got better and better as it went on. Classic Disney tunes started up and it just kept coming. They had music and scenes from Moana, The Little Mermaid, Brave, and Tangled just to name a few. I was personally thrilled that they added Tangled back, oh and a Pirates of the Caribbean sequence too, almost a nod to Celebrate the Magic which I loved. Also, as you watch, you actually hear bits of music from Wishes, which made me cry. Disney has taken bits of beloved shows that are now gone, and enrolled them into Happily Ever After. It’s like a tribute somewhat, in my opinion. Disney has old and new combined into one amazing show, it’s absolutely beautiful. Towards the end, I heard the music shift and mention the word “fly” and I knew what was coming next. Tinker Bell took her usual flight, just like in Wishes, but with a flashy new costume. It was the icing on the cake, truly. Tears all around.
I went into seeing Happily Ever After with an open mind, as I had heard great things. Disney fans, myself included, have a hard time letting go of classic attractions and shows that we love because of the memories and feelings they stir up. Wishes has a huge place in my heart and the hearts of my family. It means so much to us, for many different reasons and I’ll always be thankful for that. That being said, even though I’m a Wishes devotee, Happily Ever After is a proper predecessor. As the show went on, my heart melted more and more, and by the end I had tears in my eyes and was cheering. Amazing. It features so many beloved characters, it’s hard to count. I can’t wait to go back and watch it again. Well done, Disney…. very well done. Bravo! If you missed my live feed last night, you can watch the new show on the video below. A big thank you to Walt Disney World for having us out, it’s very much appreciated. I hope you enjoy Happily Ever After as much as I did, it’s truly is magical! ~M
Michele also contributes theme park news for Fox 35 Orlando 11pm news and on the radio on WDBO.
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