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Credit: DisneyWhen the Walt Disney World theme parks reopened to the public in the summer of 2020 after being temporarily closed due to the ongoing pandemic, the theme parks implemented changes and health protocols in order to keep Guests and Cast Members safe. One of those changes included the elimination of shows, parades, character meet and greets, and nighttime spectaculars, as these offerings can draw crowds.
But as the world continues to move forward amidst the pandemic, and as more people get vaccinated, could Disney World bring back fireworks sooner rather than later? And if so, will Guests be willing to visit Walt Disney World Resort sooner than initially planned?
Related: Walt Disney World Fans Speak Out, Want To See Fireworks Return Before Anything Else
We recently asked our audience when they plan to visit Walt Disney World Resort next, with almost 42% saying they still will not be visiting until 2022. With that being said, we then asked our audience if Walt Disney World decided to bring back fireworks, would that persuade Guests to consider visiting the Most Magical Place on Earth sooner?
And approximately 66% of Inside the Magic fans who were polled said they would be willing to visit the Disney Parks sooner if fireworks were to come back! It seems as though Guests are really missing the nighttime spectacular shown at Walt Disney World including Fantasmic! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Happily Ever After at Magic Kingdom.
Related: Disney Fans Feel “Different Magic” When Visiting Disney World During Pandemic
At this time, there is no word on when nighttime spectaculars or fireworks will come back to Walt Disney World Resort; however, it has been confirmed that EPCOT’s upcoming nighttime show, HarmonioUS, will debut sometime in 2021.
Related: Disney Says HarmonioUS Is Still in “Very Early Development”
Additionally, Walt Disney World did surprise Guests with smaller pyrotechnics during the holiday season, which you can read more about here. But that only lasted for a few months as it was a little extra pixie dust as part of the holiday projections on Cinderella Castle.
Related: Disney World Releases Park Hours For Fourth of July!
More on Walt Disney World fireworks
Before the pandemic, Guests from all around the world visited the Most Magical Place on Earth to experience the one-of-a-kind nighttime spectaculars, including Happily Ever After, which Disney describes as:
Go on a dazzling journey of color, light and song that captures the heart, humor and heroism of favorite Disney animated films. Watch in awe as Cinderella Castle becomes part of the story by magically transforming through amazing state-of-the art projection technology you have to see to believe.
This astounding 18-minute fireworks extravaganza uses more lights, lasers and special effects than any other fireworks spectacular in the history of Magic Kingdom park, plus a soaring score featuring contemporary versions of beloved Disney songs.
Discover the magic of movies—and be inspired to find your own happily ever after.
Another popular nighttime show that Guests absolutely love is Fantasmic!, located at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Disney describes this show as:
Featuring more than 50 live performers, massive sets, stunning effects, dazzling pyrotechnics and rousing music, this larger-than-life show is painted on a grand canvas of dancing water and light like nothing you’ve ever seen. Overflowing with silly and suspenseful surprises, it will leave your entire family smiling from ear-to-ear!
Fast asleep, Mickey Mouse dreams that he is a mighty sorcerer’s apprentice with the power to control water, color and magic. The Disney Villains—including Maleficent in the form of a towering, 40-foot-tall dragon—turn Mickey’s dream into a nightmare, but don’t underestimate the power of Mickey’s imagination!
The fantastic fantasy includes Disney Characters from some of your favorite animated classics:
- Beauty and the Beast
- Sleeping Beauty
- The Little Mermaid
- Aladdin
- The Lion King
- Pocahontas
- Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Related: Disney Guests, Locals Watch Magic Kingdom Fireworks Testing
And one other nighttime spectacular that Guests are anxiously waiting for — EPCOT’s upcoming HarmonioUS show, which Disney has stated will debut in 2021! Disney Parks Blog describes HarmonioUS as:
“Harmonious” is a global effort, truly embracing the magic of possibility. In recent weeks, Disney Live Entertainment technical designers across the country have been programming various elements of the show, from media and fountains to lighting and pyrotechnics, working in a completely virtual environment. Our music producers at Walt Disney Imagineering have been remotely directing recording sessions with an incredibly diverse array of musical artists, performing in studios around the world.
Once complete, “Harmonious” will be one of the largest nighttime spectaculars we’ve ever produced. We’re busy setting the stage of this innovative toolkit, preparing each of the show’s five floating platforms to take its place on World Showcase Lagoon. Positioned like a compass, these platforms house the primary show equipment for “Harmonious,” and on the recently-placed center platform stands an iconic six-story-tall central ring structure, supporting a high-density water curtain, moving lights, fountains and more.
Planning a Disney World vacation?
Please keep in mind that if you want to visit Walt Disney World in the near future, there are several new protocols in place to keep everyone safe including the requirement of a face mask, social distancing measures, temperature checks, and the Park Pass system.
In case you aren’t familiar, the new reservation system requires those who wish to visit a Walt Disney World theme park — including Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, or Disney’s Animal Kingdom — to have both a valid ticket and a reservation for the park you wish to visit on that day.
At this time, the Disney Park Pass system currently allows Guests to book available theme parks through January 2023, indicating that theme park reservations are not going away anytime soon, so Guests should get familiarized with the system if they are wanting to visit the Most Magical Place on Earth.
If you need help planning a Disney vacation, don’t hesitate to contact our friends at Academy Travel, who will be with you every step of the way when navigating the current operations at the theme parks. Get started with a free quote today.
Related: WATCH: Disney’s Newest Fireworks Show Officially Debuts