Donald Trump's New Policy Effectively Removes Fireworks from Disney World

In the latest wave of political and economic maneuvering, former President Donald Trump’s newly proposed tariff policies have begun to ripple through multiple sectors of the American economy. And now, even the skies over Walt Disney World are starting to look a little different.

With China being a major supplier of fireworks to the United States for decades, the former president’s renewed push to impose steep tariffs on Chinese imports—ranging from 10% to as much as 60% on certain goods—has left companies that rely on imported explosives scrambling to adjust. Among those impacted: The Walt Disney Company.

While the global entertainment juggernaut may seem immune to such changes on the surface, Disney’s long-standing tradition of nightly fireworks displays has proven to be unexpectedly vulnerable. According to Disney historians and industry insiders, Walt Disney World is the second-largest purchaser of explosives in the United States, following only the U.S. military.

That includes massive stockpiles of pyrotechnics for use across its four theme parks in Orlando—Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

And now, with supply lines from China being disrupted or made cost-prohibitive due to the latest round of tariffs, guests are beginning to notice changes.

Fireworks Supply Chain: A Hidden Reliance on Chinese Manufacturers

Disney does not manufacture its own fireworks. Instead, the company sources its pyrotechnics from a variety of specialized vendors, many of whom operate manufacturing facilities in China—where firework production is a long-established, heavily refined industry.

According to a 2023 thread on the WDWMagic Forums, guests with insider knowledge noted that Walt Disney World stores its fireworks in at least two offsite compounds—one behind the China Pavilion at EPCOT, and another out near the Orlando International Airport.

Each week, fireworks are transported from these compounds to be used in that week’s nighttime spectaculars, such as Happily Ever After at Magic Kingdom and Luminous: The Symphony of Us at EPCOT.

“They don’t make their own. They buy them from various sources,” one WDWMagic user explained. “Each week they drive out there and pick up enough for the next week’s performances.”

But now that supply chain has hit a major roadblock.

With Trump’s tariffs sharply increasing the cost of importing fireworks from Chinese manufacturers, Disney has reportedly begun turning to alternate vendors—many of them domestic or based in countries not subject to the same economic restrictions. The result? A shift in the look, feel, and even sound of the nightly fireworks displays.

Guest Reactions: “We Will Never Get the Original Flower Burst Back”

This subtle but significant shift was recently spotted by X (formerly Twitter) user Belle (@FiBelleFi), a regular Disney parks attendee and fireworks enthusiast. In a post shared earlier this month, she noted changes in Happily Ever After, the beloved fireworks and projection show that has become a nightly ritual for many Magic Kingdom visitors.

With the current tariff situation, I fear we will never get the original flower burst back. This is the replacement.

It was breathtaking and seemed to continue to burst forever.

There’s a number of HEA updates that have occurred. pic.twitter.com/IKgDrj3oCn

— Belle (@FiBelleFi) August 2, 2025

“With the current tariff situation, I fear we will never get the original flower burst back,” Belle wrote. “This is the replacement.
It was breathtaking and seemed to continue to burst forever.
There’s a number of HEA updates that have occurred.”

Her video comparison showcases the new fireworks in action: vibrant, yes—but noticeably different from the original. The timing of the bursts, their coloration, and their patterning appear altered, likely a result of the new supplier’s unique manufacturing specifications.

While most casual guests may not notice the change, long-time fans and frequent parkgoers have picked up on the differences quickly. And for those who hold Happily Ever After close to their hearts, the updates may feel like a symbolic shift—less about the show and more about what it means when politics begin altering the Disney experience.

The Larger Ramifications for Disney Parks

The situation highlights just how global Disney’s operation truly is. Though Disney Parks might be celebrated as quintessentially American institutions—symbols of nostalgia, family, and fantasy—they are deeply intertwined with international trade networks and political realities.

If these tariffs continue to rise or expand under another Trump administration, Disney may be forced to invest more in domestic fireworks vendors or even consider a long-term pivot to digital projection and drone shows.

In fact, some fans speculate that Disney’s recent experimentation with drone technology—like the Disney Electrical Sky Parade in Disneyland Paris—is not merely for innovation’s sake, but rather a preview of a future less reliant on physical explosives.

Fireworks aren’t the only element at risk, either. Other imported goods—such as merchandise, decor, show props, and lighting systems—could all be impacted by tariff increases, leading to cost increases for both Disney and its guests.

Is the Magic in Jeopardy?

While Disney has not made any official statement regarding the shift in fireworks sourcing or the impact of tariffs, fans and insiders continue to speculate. The changes may be subtle for now, but they represent a growing intersection between politics and pop culture that even Mickey Mouse can’t avoid.

Still, Disney is no stranger to adapting under pressure. Whether it’s COVID-era crowd control measures, theatrical strikes, or geopolitical supply challenges, the company has always found a way to maintain its brand of magic—even if it means a few less flower bursts in the sky.

For now, the fireworks continue to dazzle. But as trade tensions heat up, the question becomes: How much longer can Disney maintain the magic under mounting economic pressure?

Have you noticed changes in the fireworks at Walt Disney World? Let us know your experience.