Tag Archives: fireworks

Nighttime Shows at Walt Disney World

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Disney has three nighttime shows in its regular rotation. Wishes at Magic Kingdom, Illumination at Epcot, and Fantasmic! at Hollywood Studios. On my most recent vacation I watched each of them and in true Disney fashion they are all fantastic.

Illuminations is the story of Earth displayed around the World Showcase Lagoon. It starts with Earth’s fiery beginnings, then moves to the history of humanity showing projections on a spinning Earth. Lastly is the hope for future that ends in fireworks. The entire show is accompanied by awesome music and the pavilions light up all around.

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If you have never seen Illuminations I would highly suggest you make the time for it. World Showcase it beautiful to stroll at night and there are plenty of spots to view all around!

Fantasmic! is a show that takes you into the imagination of Mickey Mouse as the Sorcerer’s Apprentice. The show has projections on water, laser lights, music, dancing, characters, and fireworks! This is a very exciting show. The story is a little mixed bag but that is part of the charm. There are parts form Lion King, Sleeping Beauty and Fantasia. It is also

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You can get wet at this show as the water does splash up in some areas. If you don’t want to be wet make sure you don’t sit in the lower 1/3 of the theatre. If there is a second show you should try to make that one since it will be a lot less crowded, you can have your choice of seats no matter when you arrive.

wishes

Wishes Nighttime Spectacular is probably the most well-known and popular nighttime show. It is narrated by Jiminy Cricket with music, projections on the castle, lighting effects, and fireworks. If the weather is right you can see Tinker Bell fly from the castle overhead! You will love to ooh and ahh over the show and I promise the soundtrack will be stuck in your head when you leave.  However there is a reason it is so popular it is not to be missed, it is a classic!

If I had to rate them I would say Wishes, Fantasmic! and Illuminations in that order. I think adults will enjoy Illuminations more so than kids but it is absolutely enjoyable for everyone. If you only had the time to do one I would have to say make sure it is Wishes.

Do you have a favorite? Let us know below!

Disney News September 2015

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Here is your September 2015 Disney news round up!

The biggest news this week is that this will be the final year for The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. While it will be very sad to see them go the best part is that Disney is giving notice. So if you had wanted to see them one last time or for the first time this will be your last chance. The Osborne Lights start in early November and will conclude on January 3, 2016. This change is due to the upcoming Toy Story Land and Star Wars themed land coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

nnnoojjj382012Photo via Disney Parks Blog.

If you are coming to see the lights there are two new seasonal offerings. The first is the Merry & Bright Dessert Party from November 6 to December 30. This will include holiday themed desserts. Next is the Merry & Bright Dinner Reception which is January 1-3, 2016. It will feature a selection of small bites like beef, shrimp, and turkey as well as beer, wine, and specialty beverages.  Reservations can be made starting September 16.

Let’s hop over to the west coast with news of a new Frozen inspired stage musical for Disney’s California Adventure Park. This show it due out in summer 2016 at the Hyperion Theater. Which means this show will be replacing the current Disney’s Aladdin- A Musical Spectacular” much to the sadness of many Disney fans. Aladdin will be finished on January 10, 2016.

dad930344Photo via Disney Parks Blog.

If you have ever been to Walt Disney World for Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival and enjoy cooking, I have the thing for you!  A cookbook for the last 20 years of Food and Wine Festival.  Disney has even posted some of the recipes on their blog if you would like to try out a few of them before buying!  http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2015/09/new-cookbook-celebrates-20-years-of-epcot-international-food-wine-festival/

Lastly, there is a new special event at Walt Disney World, Ferrytale Wishes: A Fireworks Dessert Cruise.  This cruise will take in the Wishes fireworks from a ferry on the Seven Seas Lagoon and feature plenty of sweat treats taken from resorts and the parks with the music piped into the ferry.  It finishes with a toast of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages in a souvenir glow glass.  Prices are $99 for adults and $69 for children 3-9 and reservations are available.

FTWDC79731Photo via Disney Parks Blog.

 

Hollywood Studios Tips

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Arrive early, at least 30 minutes. As with Epcot sometimes the park will open early so if you are there early you will be one of the first ones in the gates! Of course you can always make a reservation for Hollywood and Vine for a pre-park opening breakfast.

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Go right! If you want to check out the headliners most of them are to the right side of the park.

In Disney Jr Live on Stage don’t sit in the front. The view is not going to be great but if you sit towards the middle/back then you will have a much better view of the show.

If you plan to sign your child or children up for Jedi Training Academy this will be one of the first stops you want to make. You will get a show time and make sure to show up with plenty of time to spare.

Get the Fantasmic! Dinner Package. This costs nothing extra. You can use your dining plan credits and get reserved seating and save your FastPass+ for something else. Plus the seating for Fantasmic! is in a really great spot!

Check out The Magic of Disney Animation, you can meet characters, take an animation class and see some really neat Disney memorabilia.

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Make a plan, this is important for Hollywood Studios if you want to see more than two shows. In a park that is show heavy you have to make sure you are in the correct place at the time the shows start or you will be waiting a while for the next one.

Meet characters! This is a great park for hard to find characters like the Disney Junior gang or Phineas and Ferb. It is usually home to the newest characters, previous to Hiro and Baymax from Big Hero 6 there was Wreck it Ralph and Vanellope so always check for new character meets!

A and S with Vanellope

Try a cupcake! Hollywood Studios always seems to have always changing cupcakes with some great standbys too. Well worth a snack credit!

See fireworks. If there are fireworks going on at Hollywood Studios do not miss them! They are by far the best of all the parks. Plus it will be less crowded than the Magic Kingdom.

Have a missed a great tip? Share it here I would love to add it to my list!

Frozen Summer Fun 2015

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Photo via Disney Parks Blog

Photo via Disney Parks Blog

Frozen Summer Fun Live is back again for 2015. Last summer it was such a huge hit that Disney has decided to do it again. It starts June 17 and runs through September 7, 2015 in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Calling it the “Coolest Summer Ever” the highlights include: Frozen Royal Welcome- located in the Hyperion Theater with the Royal Historians of Arendelle who retell the story of their kingdom with appearance by Elsa, Anna, and Kristoff.

Olaf’s Summer Cool Down- Olaf and friends come to the Event stage and he shares a burst of his personal snow cloud to cool things off.

“Coolest Summer Ever” Dance Party- once the sun is down near the Event stage there will be dance part featuring Disney characters and you can use a special hashtag to request songs over social media.

Frozen Fireworks- At the end of the night a fantastic fireworks display set to the music of Frozen.

The fireworks were a huge hit last year so we fully expect them to live up to the high standards Disney has set. If you are planning a visit this summer tell us what you are looking forward to most!

Podcast Episode 34: WDW Holiday To Do List

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Join us this week as we discuss some of the great things you can do at Walt Disney World during the holidays!  We talk about fireworks shows, the Candlelight Processional, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, and more!  If you’re thinking of a Disney trip during the holiday season you don’t want to miss this!

Happy listening

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Pirate and Princess Summer- Part 1

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Disney’s Pirate and Princess Summer has returned again! And if you all are reading this blog you probably have a Disney addiction like us. So here is some fun Pirate things you can find in the Walt Disney World Resort Parks. Pirates of the Caribbean- this one is pretty obvious but it is a classic inside the Magic Kingdom.

A Pirate’s Adventure –Treasures of the Seven Seas- an interactive game in the Magic Kingdom that is a lot of fun for all ages and gives you a break from being in a queue.

Captain Jack Sparrow’s Pirate Tutorial-located near Pirates of the Caribbean this short stage show is sure to delight.

Pirates League- If you are lucky you can walk up but you might want to plan to have an appointment ahead of time if you have your heart set on it. You can find this gem near Pirates of the Caribbean and be made over into a pirate, mermaid and many others. This is also for the whole family if you so choose.

Peter Pan’s Flight- you won’t want to miss this if you are a fan of Captain Hook and Mr. Smee or the rest of the crew!

You can also see Peter, Wendy, Captain Hook and Mr. Smee during the parades, particularly the Festival of Fantasy Parade.

Pirates and Pals Firework Voyage-fun for the whole family. This leaves from the Contemporary Resort and will be an additional cost, but you get cool character meets, lots of fun and a great view of Wishes.

Pirate Adventure Cruises- There are 4 to choose from and all are located at various Disney resorts. This is for kids 4-12 only and is an additional cost. They will love the adventure and search for treasure with Disney Cast Members and snacks.

Meet Jake from Jake and the Neverland Pirates- inside of Disney’s Hollywood Studios in the Animation Courtyard, the youngest pirate crew members can meet a favorite, Jake! Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow- located inside of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, this

If you want to keep the pirate mood for your entire trip there are Pirate rooms at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort.

What is your favorite pirate adventure? And don’t forget to look for our Princess adventures article next!

Welcome Show at Magic Kingdom

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Mayor Train Staion
The Welcome Show is probably one of the best lesser known shows at the Magic Kingdom. It is a short show featuring the Mayor of Main Street USA (or sometimes other Main Street characters), dancers, and some Disney characters including Mickey himself and ends with some fireworks.
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The Mayor of Main Street USA is a lovely character who greets visitors to the Magic Kingdom and gets people excited about the opening of the park. He is joined by some dancers in turn of the century costumes as they dance and sing in front of the Main Street USA Train Station.
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When they are done the spectators are treated to the sight of the steam train pulling into the station with a whole cast of characters like Peter Pan and Wendy, Alice and the White Rabbit, Mary Poppins, Chip and Dale, Pluto and Minnie, and of course Mickey. You can also see the Family of the Day. That is right, if you get there early enough and the stars align you could have the chance to be the ones waving back at the crowd.Welcome Show

The music that accompanies the show is catchy (and possibly familiar if you have seen some musicals) and you will find yourself singing or humming along. And it is so much fun to count down to the opening of the Magic Kingdom.
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It won’t take a large part of your day but it is the best way to start off right and you may even leave with a tear in your eye.