Wishes to be replaced with new 'Happily Ever After' nighttime spectacular

Feb 09, 2017 in "Wishes"

Forum Forums Tweet Share Tweet Share

Posted: Thursday February 9, 2017 10:19am EST by WDWMAGIC Staff

Wishes at the Magic Kingdom will have its final performance on May 11 2017, to be replaced with a brand new nighttime spectacular.

Happily Ever After concept art

Debuting May 12, the new 18 minute show is titled "Happily Ever After," and will feature fireworks, projections and lasers.

Like the recently opened "Once Upon A Time," the show will draw on Disney films, including "Pirates of the Caribbean," The Jungle Book," "Beauty and the Beast," "Moana," "Brave," "Big Hero 6," "Zootopia," "The Princess & The Frog," "Aladdin," The Little Mermaid," "The Lion King," "Frozen," "Toy Story," "Peter Pan," "Sleeping Beauty," and "Hunchback of Notre Dame."

The crowd favorite moment,Tinker Bell's flight, will continue to be a part of the new show.

The score for “Happily Ever After” was recorded by a 75-piece orchestra in London under the supervision of Senior Music Producer Roger Butterly and Music Arranger Tim Heintz. James Silson of Disney Creative Entertainment serves at the Show Director. His previous work includes A Frozen Holiday Wish at the Magic Kingdom, Disney Junior Live on Stage and Olaf's Summer Cool Down - both at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

The Happily Ever After song comes from a Hong Kong Disneyland show "Mickey And The Wondrous Book." The score used in the upcoming Magic Kingdom show is orchestral, but check out the video below to hear a pop version for an idea of what to expect.

Wishes debuted in October 2003 at the Magic Kingdom, bringing an extensive upgrade to the park's nightly firework spectacular. Rooftop launch locations were added, bringing more depth and precision to the show.

In recent times, the park has been upgrading the lighting package around the castle, culminating in the new lighting show, "Once Upon A Time." The new "Happily Ever After" show will make extensive use of those new lighting systems.

Holiday Wishes and Happy HalloWishes are expected to continue to be shown at the Christmas and Halloween parties.

New lighting as part of Once Upon A Time

Discuss on the Forums

Follow WDWMAGIC on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube for more Walt Disney World news and updates

jrhwdwSep 30, 2021

So Sorry!!!!!

ToTBellHopSep 30, 2021

I mean…I watched it with my mom 6 months before she died. But, sure.

wtyy21Sep 30, 2021

Same as Disneyland since 2019, rooftop fireworks were reduced or modified in older firework shows predating Mickey's Mix Magic in order to accompaning more small-sized firework shells behind the IASW and utilizing fountain equippment at the Rivers of America. Disneyland Forever (with reduced rooftop pyro) Halloween Screams (with reduced rooftop pyro) Believe... In Holiday Magic (with reduced rooftop pyro) 4th of July fireworks in 2019 (with modified pyro/fireworks)

DisoneSep 30, 2021

Lasers. Rooftop fireworks are reduced.

maxgoofSep 30, 2021

Hi gang, I know I don't post here often, but I was at MK tonight and was heading to the haunted mansion during the final showing tonight. When I arrived at the mansion, all the location, almost all the caretakers of the mansion were outside watching the show, and totally enjoying it. Even to the point of smiling and dancing along. I know how hard this is for CM's, but I jokingly said, they were breaking character ( not in those words, but CM lingo) I told them to enjoy the show, as I went to ride. (I've see the show many times) when I came out, some were heading back in crying, and I totally sympathized with them... and I actually had a long talk with a couple of CM's saying how glad I was that they were able to enjoy the show.... In fact, alot of CM's were outside their attractions watching the show an I told them how thankful I was for them, and to enjoy the final show!! I am glad to always thank the CM's for doing an awesome job, and making that magic happen!!

MisterPenguinSep 30, 2021

And the converse: A show with a 20-year run is fawned over and hysterically defended like it was one's own 3 year old child.

gerararSep 30, 2021

Lots of castle/FL pyro had been reduced over the years and especially after the closure. Lasers are MIA. Spotlights have been on and off since the closure, but they were fully working tonight (yay!). The one plus that did happen post-closure were updated projections to coincide with the 50th decorations. It was predicted long ago, even in this thread, that Disney wouldn’t decorate the castle since it would “mess” up the projections; but alas they did anyways!

Figments FriendSep 30, 2021

So what was missing...? There seemed to be a lot happening tonight. Rooftop spotlights, lots of pyro, rooftop pyro launches, the projections, Tinkerbell flew... I've watched video presentations through the years but haven't seen it enough times to likely notice the changes. -

DisoneSep 30, 2021

I'm glad you saw it in person. I wish you had the opportunity to have seen it in person prior to the covid shutdown. The current post covid version, while still great, was watered down. Let's see if they can get lightning in a bottle twice in a row.....

Figments FriendSep 30, 2021

I was at the 'final' showing tonight at MK. Great showing, great crowd....and there was indeed a crowd packed tightly on Main Street. Great reactions from the audience, and yes, the 'journey coming to a end' line near the conclusion had people wiping tears. Nice to finally see this in person. Never wanted to deal with the crowd situation...so often missed it in the Park but figured this was the time. Much more impressive in person...and being in a good audience primed for it helped make it more of a event and a more memorable expereince. Glad I made the effort to see it live. -

brb1006Sep 30, 2021

And one of the final times we got to hear Tom Kane's voice.

MatthewSep 30, 2021

I never thought I would prefer a show to Wishes… but HEA is my all time favourite… my son was born in January 2020 and ever since he was one year old whenever he won’t settle at night we’ve sat and watched HEA on YouTube and he’s loved it and as he’s got older he claps and cheers like the audience on the video…. Tonight he woke up upset at around 1am which was the time HEA was starting so we watched the Disney parks YouTube video and he settled straight away after it… I’ll always be gutted that I was never able to view it live with him.

gerararSep 30, 2021

Flawless finale tonight for the last time ever (unless otherwise). Tink flew and everything was on point. “And so our journey comes to an end” hit especially different tonight..