Tag: Fireworks

Walt Disney World Announces End Date for Illuminations: Reflections of Earth

A while ago Disney had announced that “Illuinations: Reflections of Earth” would be ending sometime this fall.  Today Walt Disney World finally announced that the final performance of the long running Epcot nighttime show would be September 30, 2019.

The show “Epcot Forever” will be replacing “Illuminations: Reflections of Earth” and will debut on October 1, 2019.

According to Disney –

“Epcot Forever” will be an all-new, limited-time spectacle of fireworks, music, lighting, lasers and choreographed, special effects kites. The show will take us on a journey through the past, present and future of Epcot. Featuring a stirring collection of songs that paint a colorful picture of the park, this nighttime extravaganza will offer both a trip down memory lane and a look towards the future and all the magical possibilities still to come.”

“Illuminations: Reflections of Earth” has been a long time fan favorite.  I personally loved the show.  I’m sad to see it finally end, but it’s had a good run.  It’s been going for twenty years!  Can you believe it?

“Epcot Forever” will continue into 2020, when the next epic nighttime extravaganza makes its debut.  So, this new show is just a placeholder until the “real” replacement takes over sometime in 2020.

While I’m sad to see the show finally end, I’m really excited to see the new show that will debut in 2020.  Based on what Disney has done with “Happily Ever After” at the Magic Kingdom, I’m excited to see what they come up with.

Disney Helps Blind ‘Feel’ Fireworks

Disney says it is creating a way for the blind to “feel” fireworks, allowing them to have a unique experience.

A Disney Research Lab in Zurich has developed a new technology that might give the blind a tactile fireworks show so they can share in the signature experience that others enjoy nightly at Disney parks.

Water pulses timed to spray on high-tech fabrics in unison with fireworks will mimic the colorful bursts overhead, creating a new way to feel fireworks.

“This would at least give them a tactile way to explore and find out what is going on. How big it is,” Chelsea Bridges said.

“At this point in my life, it would definitely help me relive those moments and help me recapture those exciting times that I’d been able to share with my kids,” said Gary Watson, who can no longer see.

“I lost my eyesight in a car accident in 1993. I went from everything to nothing after the accident,” Scott Greenblat said. “(This is) extraordinarily forward thinking of them and inclusive of them.”

Disney Research ‘Feeling Fireworks’ Video

DisneyParksLIVE To Live Stream Walt Disney World Fourth of July Fireworks

Every year, many, many families gather at the Magic Kingdom to celebrate the Fourth of July by watching one of the best fireworks shows anywhere – “Disney’s Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky.” Today, Walt Disney World will be sharing this magnificent display with guests around the country (and around the world!), through their next #DisneyParksLIVE stream.

The live stream of the park’s special “Disney’s Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky” fireworks will be held July 4 at 8:55 p.m. ET.

How can you catch the live stream? Visit the Disney Parks Blog on July 4 and a fresh blog post containing the live stream feed will be ready and waiting at the top.

Disney Parks LIVE Will Stream ‘Happily Ever After’ Debut May 12 at 8:55 PM ET

This Friday, May 12, “Happily Ever After” presented by Pandora Jewelry will take its place in Disney theme park history by becoming the third nighttime fireworks spectacular to ever blast off at the Magic Kingdom. And we want you to tune in to see the show’s grand debut performance!

The Disney Parks Blog will host a #DisneyParksLIVE stream of the show’s debut right here for all of you to watch this Friday, starting at 8:55 PM ET. Be sure to join a few minutes early, as we’ll kick off the broadcast with a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of “Happily Ever After.”

A fresh blog post will appear at the top of the blog on that day/time for viewing.
To follow along on Twitter, use the hashtags #DisneyParksLIVE and #HappilyEverAfter.

‘Happily Ever After’ Nighttime Spectacular Will Debut at Magic Kingdom May 12th

“Happily Ever After,” a new nighttime spectacular that will combine the magic of Disney storytelling, beloved Disney characters, fireworks and so much more, will debut at Magic Kingdom Park on May 12.

The spectacular will inspire guests to seek out and find their own “Happily Ever After” by showcasing some of the greatest adventures Disney characters have taken to achieve their dreams. The show will feature the latest fireworks and pyrotechnics and original animation, plus a heart-tugging original score. And thanks to the inclusion of state-of-the-art projection mapping technology, more Disney characters than ever before will be featured in the show, including moments from “Moana,” “Brave,” “Big Hero 6,” “Zootopia,” “The Princess & The Frog,” “Aladdin” and many others.

The Fireworks Dessert Party at Tomorrowland Terrace will continue to offer up a scrumptious way to view the nighttime fun as “Happily Ever After” makes its debut.

‘Remember … Dreams Come True’ Returns to Disneyland on February 3

With the classic Main Street Electrical Parade coming home to Disneyland park on Jan. 20, spring 2017 is already shaping up to be a great blast to the past for Disneyland fans. Now there’s even more excitement in the air with the return of the beloved fireworks spectacular “Remember… Dreams Come True.”

Initially presented as the evening highlight of the 50th anniversary of Disneyland Resort in 2005, “Remember… Dreams Come True” features Tinker Bell’s flight, brilliant fireworks, soaring music, dazzling special effects and an amazing journey through the various lands of Disneyland with archival audio tracks, favorite songs and familiar phrases from some of the park’s most popular attractions, past and present. I’m partial to seeing flame effects erupt from Sleeping Beauty Castleduring the Indiana Jones Adventure sequence and the feeling of being in a virtual stretching room as fireworks launch straight into the sky to welcome the Haunted Mansion’s “Grim, Grinning Ghosts.”

You’ll have a chance to relive all those moments and more, when “Remember… Dreams Come True” once again begins regular weekend performances on February 3rd.

Disneyland and Walt Disney World May Use Up to 50 Drones in their Fireworks Shows

Disneyland Fireworks

In the not-too-distant future, when Cinderella looks out her castle window she may spot a drone flying by.

The Walt Disney Co. has taken the next step in integrating drones into its fireworks shows at Disneyland and Walt Disney World: it has applied to the Federal Aviation Administration for what’s called a Section 333 exemption, which allows a company to legally operate drones commercially. Currently, it is illegal to operate a drone for commercial purposes, though that’s expected to change in 2016.

The drones would fly preprogrammed flight paths and emit LED lights at various intervals, lighting up the sky. Up to 50 drones at one time might be used for nightly firework shows, according to details included in the Section 333 exemption request.

But no need to worry about a drone crashing down and ruining your vacation — Disney also said in the paperwork filed with the FAA that these drones will only fly in the theme park’s “pyrotechnic clear zone,” meaning areas that are inaccessible to visitors.

MarketWatch first broke news that Disney was considering using drones in its theme park entertainment back in August of 2014, after the company filed three patents for drone and UAV-related designs. Disney intends to call its drones “Flixels.”

The company currently is using drones manufactured through 3D Robotics, a Berkeley, Calif.-based drone startup that has raised $99 million over four funding rounds from investors including Qualcomm Inc. and Richard Branson.

Disney Parks Blog to Live Stream ‘Disney’s Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky’

WDW July 4th Fireworks

So you’re not able to be at Walt Disney World Resort for the Fourth of July but you want to celebrate the holiday in Disney style? Well, the Disney Parks Blog has you covered. We are excited to announce that the Magic Kingdom Park July 4th fireworks show will stream ‘live’ at 9 p.m. right here on the Disney Parks Blog.

Join the Disney Parks Blog as “Disney’s Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert In The Sky” paints the sky red, white and blue and fills the air with patriotic music. This special show features perimeter fireworks launched from around Magic Kingdom Park and an island in Seven Seas Lagoon.

To make sure you have the best view in the house we are providing two live cameras for you to choose from. One camera in front of Cinderella Castle and the other near Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort to take in the entire perimeter spectacular. Guests viewing from their desktop will be able to switch between the two cameras during the show. Those ‘on the go’ and joining us on mobile devices, will be able to take in the live view from the castle location.

The live feed starts at 8:50 p.m. on the Disney Parks Blog, with the fireworks show beginning at 9 p.m.

New Magic Kingdom Fast Pass+ Parade & Fireworks Viewing Locations Opening Soon

Courtesy of Disney Tourist Blog
Courtesy of Disney Tourist Blog

Th new FastPass+ parade and fireworks viewing areas will soon be in use at the Magic Kingdom as construction work on the hub area progresses.

Beginning today the FastPass+ parade viewing location for both daytime and nighttime parades will move from the hub area to Town Square by the flagpole.

Starting on February 27th, the fireworks FastPass+ viewing area will move from the Rose Garden to the new Main Street Plaza Gardens that are currently under construction. One is located in-front of Casey’s Corner, and the other is in-front of the Plaza restaurant. FastPass+ reservation for this area will give guests a choice of which side to view from, based on availability on arrival.

Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks Return to Disneyland for a Limited Time

Disneyland Fireworks

Beginning January 9th, Disneyland park guests will have the chance to stroll down memory lane when “Fantasy in the Sky” fireworks returns. This classic Disney Parks nighttime spectacular began lighting up the sky above Sleeping Beauty Castle in 1958, and was last seen in regular performances 2004 – later to be seen in special showings on New Year’s Eve. It has also been featured at Disneyland Paris and Magic Kingdom Park at the Walt Disney World Resort.
“Fantasy in the Sky” returns tomorrow night with its familiar soundtrack, featuring classic Disney tunes, and an all-new fireworks program. Come see this Disney Parks favorite soon, because it will only be presented for a limited time. We’re very excited about everything to come in 2015 … stay tuned for more updates!

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