Credit: Inside the MagicThe beloved fireworks spectacular will not play to thousands of Disney World guests.
After being canceled in 2021 to make way for the Walt Disney World Resort’s 50th anniversary celebration show, Disney Enchantment, Happily Ever After made its climactic return to Cinderella Castle in 2023. Beloved by millions, the show was greatly missed when it was replaced by Enchantment–a show that many described as being a step down from Happily Ever After.
Playing most nights in Magic Kingdom Park, Happily Ever After is a celebration of Disney magic, featuring projects, lights, music, and, of course, fireworks. While it does not play every night, thanks to hard-ticketed events like the current Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and the upcoming Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, it is a staple at Disney World’s flagship theme park, and many hope to see it when they vacation to the resort.
And while guests usually only have to avoid party nights to catch the nighttime spectacular, Disney just announced the replacement for Happily Ever After on multiple nights outside of these hard-ticketed events. The shakeup was revealed this week, with the confirmation that, following the showings at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, the Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks would continue to play for all Magic Kingdom guests through the holidays, as they did last year.
“Get in the Christmas spirit as your host—Minnie Mouse—invites you to take in a sparkling, yuletide fireworks display,” the official Disney World website reads. “Watch as the sky becomes alight with festive colors to the tune of some of your favorite carols like Deck the Halls and We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”
While this may be exciting for those who have not purchased holiday party tickets, it could also strike disappointment in other guests hoping to catch Happily Ever After on their Christmas vacation. Disney has yet to confirm the return date for the nighttime spectacular. Still, it can be expected to arrive in early January after the usual New Year’s Eve spectacular takes place.
And that’s not all.
As part of the company-wide Disney Celebrates America initiative, marking 250 years of the United States of America, the Walt Disney World Resort has confirmed it will expand its nighttime show, Disney’s Celebrate America!–A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky, across all three nights of the Fourth of July weekend: July 3, 4, and 5.
This addition marks an additional night of the celebratory fireworks show, but also one less night that Happily Ever After will be performed at Magic Kingdom.
How do you feel about this classic Magic Kingdom staple being replaced multiple times at Disney World? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!