Magic Kingdom Fireworks

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Changes Coming for Wishes Dessert Party

Instead of fighting the crowds to find that perfect viewing spot, wouldn’t you rather Cast Members in the Magic Kingdom® Park reserve a place for you? For years, that’s what many of our clients have done by booking the Tomorrowland® Terrace Fireworks Dessert Party! But starting July 5, 2015, the exclusive party held at the Tomorrowland® Terrace will be getting a new name and enhanced menu.

Wishes Fireworks Dessert Party will feature a delightful menu of sweet treats and a selection of hot and cold beverages. Some of the menu items you can expect include:

  • Chocolate-dipped Strawberries
  • Chocolate Mousse
  • Ice Cream
  • Seasonal Fruit and Cheese
  • Disney Character-themed Cupcakes
  • Hot Drinking Chocolate
  • Signature Lemonade
  • Coffee and tea
  • Sparkling Cider Toast (during Wishes)

Price*:
$49 for Adults
$29 Ages 3 to 9

Reservations are recommended, however, you may be able to walk up without a reservation. The Wishes Fireworks Dessert Party is available most nights. Contact your Magic Maker® to make your reservation.  As always, Guests with dietary restrictions can be accommodated. Just let your Magic Maker® know when making your reservation.

Start planning your trip today and discover that wishes do come true!

*Price and menu options subject to change without notice.  Admission to Magic Kingdom® is required.

Walt Disney World® Resort Lights Up the Sky

Let us be the first to tell you Happy Independence Day, one day early! We say thank you to those of you reading this that have served, or are presently serving our nation. Beyond celebrating our freedom as Americans, one of my favorite things about the 4th of July is the fireworks; big, loud, colorful, booming fireworks. I always feel like a kid again when ‘oohing and ahhing’ the beautiful bursts of color in the sky.

If you are a firework lover as me, then Walt Disney World® Resort doesn’t disappoint. In fact, regularly the sky above Walt Disney World® Resort comes alive with nightly displays from Magic Kingdom® Park and Epcot®.

Epcot® is home to IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth whose stage is the World Showcase Lagoon, a man-made lake in the middle of World Showcase. The current IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth is a 14 minute show whose current format was introduced in 2000. Then titled as IlllumiNations 2000: Reflections of Earth, the ‘2000’ was dropped from the name and the show continues today as it did in 2000 due to its popularity

As with any Walt Disney World® Resort attraction IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth builds up to the main event with a pre-show. About 30 minutes prior to IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, a music loop begins in World Showcase consisting of 9 tracks. Each country plays the same base tracks, with musical accents from each particular nation in World Showcase. If you aren’t already waiting at this point, this is your queue to find the perfect viewing spot!

We don’t want to give too much of the show away; but we will tell you that Illuminations: Reflections of Earth is divided into three different acts, telling the story of our planet. The three acts are chaos, order and meaning. The story unfolds through a remarkable journey of fireworks, laser lights, pyro techniques, and fountains. IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth can be viewed anywhere around World Showcase that you have a view of the World Showcase Lagoon!

Wishes FireworksWishes fireworks show finds its home in Magic Kingdom® Park. Wishes fireworks show replaced Fantasy in the Sky in 2003. Fantasy in the Sky was the opening day show at Magic Kingdom® Park in 1971, and ran consistently through 2003 prior to its replacement.

Wishes fireworks show, which is hosted by Jiminy Cricket together with Blue Fairy, is so much more than a fireworks show. As brilliant colors wash over Cinderella Castle in the foreground, the sky comes alive behind it in the telling of a breathtaking story set to an unforgettable musical score. As Walt Disney World® Resort puts it, ‘it is a spectacular story, so big only the sky can hold it!’

While there are several places to view Wishes fireworks show from, there are few viewing locations that can compare to watching from Main Street, U.S.A.® Area. Sure, it can be crowded and you have to set up ‘early’ to stake your ground, but there is nothing like watching Wishes fireworks show where it was designed to be watch. It is breathtaking.

IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth can be viewed at 9:00pm nightly in Epcot® unless otherwise noted. The time for Wishes fireworks show can vary based upon park hours and is not displayed every night, so be sure to check your times guide or ask your Magic Maker® prior to traveling!

As always, we are eager to help you create a magical, memorable vacation. Contact us today about some of the incredible packages and savings available for your next trip to Walt Disney World® Resort!

Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Walt Disney World® Resort

As we glance into the rear view mirror and see 2012 fading into the distance, we can see the fullness of 2013 looming through our windshield. As the excitement of what 2013 has to offer begins to take shape, so do our plans for celebrating the arrival of the New Year!

Thankfully, Walt Disney World® Resort has some fantastic things in store for guests who will be visiting on New Year’s Eve! Whether you will be visiting one of the theme parks or looking to bring in the New Year in Downtown Disney® or elsewhere, there are plenty of ways to celebrate!

Three of Walt Disney World® Resorts four theme parks will have special celebrations planned for guests on December 31st. The star of the celebration in Magic Kingdom® Park is the Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks, a special holiday treat, which will happen at 11:50pm! Magic Kingdom® Park will be open from 8:00am to 2:00am!

In Disney’s Hollywood Studios™ you’ll find The Mulch, Sweat and Shears New Year’s Eve Spectacular; four concerts sets featuring pyrotechnics and special effects! At 12:00am it will be time for the “Lights, Camera, Happy New Year” fireworks accompanied by Mulch, Sweat and Shears! Disney’s Hollywood Studios™ will be open from 8:00am to 12:00am (with Extra Magic Hours until 3:00am)!

Epcot® will be featuring two performances of IlllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, at 7:00pm and 11:42pm. Throughout the night guests can celebrate and dance to music spun by DJ’s who are at select pavilions throughout World Showcase. Epcot® will be open from 11:00am to 1:00am.

DisneyQuest® Indoor Interactive Theme Park will be holding a party of its own from 8:00pm to 1:00am! The celebration at DisneyQuest® Indoor Interactive Theme Park includes a DJ Dance Party, character meet and greets, access to all of the games and attractions, festive party favors and a special confetti drop at midnight!

Disney’s BoardWalk Entertainment District will even be hosting their annual special-ticket New Year’s Eve party from 8:00pm – 2:00am with a video DJ, countdown and limited viewing of Epcot’s® fireworks.

As you can see, there are plenty of ways around Walt Disney World® Resort to bring in the New Year! If you already have plans to be at Walt Disney World® Resort be sure to check with your Magic Maker® for exact time and ticket requirements. If you are still looking for a way to celebrate the arrival of 2013, we are here to help your magical travel dreams come true!

Making Wishes Sweeter

Tomorrowland Terrace Fireworks Dessert Party
at the Magic Kingdom® Park

By Magic Maker® Steven Dalwig

Wishes Dessert Party Magic KingdomLast April, I surprised my family and instead of watching Wishes® Nighttime Spectacular with the throngs of people in front of Cinderella Castle.  I made reservations for the seven of us for the Tomorrowland Terrace Fireworks Dessert Party.

We checked in at the podium about an hour before Wishes® Nighttime Spectacular was scheduled to begin.  We were greeted and then escorted to our own private table set up on the terrace  with a perfect view of the castle.  Our table was decorated with Mickey confetti and even had a little sign welcoming us with our names printed on it.  Our delightful server, Michelle, invited us at our leisure to help ourselves to the dessert buffet and to ‘eat our fill’.

My boys’ eyes became as large as saucers as they saw a huge buffet table filled with so many wonderful and delightful desserts.  They were all arranged beautifully on the buffet .  The buffet was covered with chocolate covered strawberries, rice krispie treats, pistachio creme brûlée, banana cream tartlets, mini key lime pies,  cannelloni, mini cupcakes, and  white chocolate and milk chocolate cheesecake. There was also coffee, juice, ice tea, hot tea, milk and water available at the beverage station.

The plates they give you just aren’t big enough to try them all, so return trips to the buffet are required.  As our family devoured these wonderful desserts we had a nice view of Disney’s Main Street Electrical Parade moving down Main Street, U.S.A.®.  A Disney PhotoPass photographer set up on the terrace to take pictures of groups and families in front of the castle.

Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert PartyWhen it was time for Wishes® Nighttime Spectacular to begin, the lights dimmed and we turned our chairs toward the castle and had one of the most wonderful views of the fireworks show.  At one point during the fireworks,  Tinker Bell flies from the castle and comes directly toward the Terrace, I think we thought she was going to land in our laps!

After the firework show we were not rushed off of the terrace and into the throngs of departing guests.  Rather we were encouraged to hang out and enjoy the nice views of the castle, finish up our desserts and take some more pictures.  The perfect ending to a magical day at the Walt Disney World® Resort.

This was one of those experiences that my family has not forgotten, we talk about it often and know for sure that we will be enjoying this experience again on our next trip to the Magic Kingdom® Park.

The party begins one hour prior to the start of Wishes® Nighttime Spectacular.  Due to the popularity of this experience, Guests are encouraged to make advance reservations.  Contact your Magic Maker for additional information on pricing, availability and to make your reservation.  Admission to Magic Kingdom® theme park is required for this Fireworks Dessert Party.

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Special Dining Options Available

Did you know that there are several experiences to make dining even more magical while visiting the Walt Disney World® Resort?  From preferred viewing for fireworks to enjoying a meal with a Disney Imagineer, check out some of the options you can add to your next vacation:

Dine with an Imagineer
Have you wondered how the magic all happens behind the scenes?  Dine with an Imagineer at Walt Disney World® Resort offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to enjoy engaging conversation with a Disney Imagineer as you savor a delectable lunch at the Hollywood Brown Derby restaurant in Disney’s Hollywood Studios™ theme park.  Or choose a delicious dinner at the Flying Fish Café at Disney’s Boardwalk Resort.

Up to 10 Guests join in stimulating discussion with one of the incredibly creative artists who bring the magic of Disney to Walt Disney World® Resort attractions and entertainment. Feast on a 4-course meal and will receive a souvenir plate designed exclusively for this experience that can be personalized by the Imagineer!

Flying Fish Cafe Chef’s Tasting Wine Dinner
The Chef’s Tasting Wine Dinner at the Flying Fish Café is a unique opportunity to taste savory selections from a 6-course prix fixe menu with a focus on simplicity, true tastes and seasonal freshness, along with expertly chosen wines.

Take your seat at our chef’s counter, directly in front of the onstage kitchen, and watch as the evening’s special dishes are prepared right before your eyes. Displaying the culinary expertise for which they’re well-known, the Flying Fish chefs create 6 delectable courses using the freshest ingredients of the season, and the manager selects wines that perfectly complement each course. As you enjoy your sumptuous feast, be sure to take advantage of the opportunity to interact with the chef.

(This experience is designed for Guests ages 14 and older and may not appeal to younger children.)

Tomorrowland Terrace Fireworks Dessert Party
Make your evening extra sweet at a special dessert party that provides a wonderful vantage point for Wishes® Nighttime Spectacular, the biggest, most dazzling fireworks show to grace the skies above Magic Kingdom® theme park!

Held at the Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant most nights, the Tomorrowland Terrace Fireworks Dessert Party includes a self-service buffet offering an array of tempting sweets and beverages. The party begins one hour prior to the start of Wishes® Nighttime Spectacular.

Fantasmic! Dining Package
The Fantasmic! Dining Package combines dinner at one of three restaurants in Disney’s Hollywood Studios™ theme park with designated seating for the Fantasmic! fireworks show. The Fantasmic! Dining Package gives you an unforgettable dining and entertainment experience. With the convenience of choosing lunch or dinner at The Hollywood Brown Derby or Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano, or dinner at Hollywood & Vine in Disney’s Hollywood Studios™ theme park, you’ll also enjoy designated seating for the Fantasmic! fireworks show.

With 3 restaurants to choose from, you can decide between buffet service, casual dining or fine dining. After your meal, be dazzled by the dramatic spectacular, Fantasmic! Follow Mickey Mouse into a dream world as he and his friends battle Disney Villains in an action-packed conflict of good versus evil. Fantasmic! is performed on select nights only and runs approximately 30 minutes.  The Dining Package is only available on days that Fantasmic! is scheduled.

Contact your Magic Maker® to find out more about these special experiences and to make a reservation.

*Reservations required for the above dining events.  Entertainment and package offerings subject to change at any time without prior notice.

Walt Disney World Resort Nighttime Shows

From Magic Maker® Dawn CrowderWishes Fireworks Show

Although I love pretty much every aspect of a Walt Disney World® vacation, I have to say that my favorite part are the NIGHTTIME SHOWS! They are breathtakingly beautiful, full of great music and there’s always a good lesson behind the storyline. And who doesn’t enjoy a great fireworks show? It’s the perfect end to any day at the Walt Disney World® Resort!

I will start with my favorite regularly-scheduled nighttime show at the Walt Disney World® Resort, Wishes fireworks show at the Magic Kingdom® Park! This fireworks spectacular is shown nightly at the Magic Kingdom® Park unless there is inclement weather or another scheduled event (i.e., Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party). My favorite spot to watch the Wishes fireworks show is on the Main Street U.S.A. side of the “Hub” (the area around the Walt Disney & Mickey “Partners” statue) and near a trash can. but really anywhere near the “Hub” area and into the Main Street U.S.A. area is fine. Try not to get too close to the castle as you won’t be able to see all of the fireworks. I absolutely love taking as many pictures as I can of the fireworks shows to see how they turn out. When shooting fireworks, you have to be sure that your camera is held perfectly still. That’s where the trash can comes in. I have a twelve-inch tripod that I sit on top of the trash can. I also put my camera on the setting that will allow my shutter speed to slow down. This will allow the picture to display trails of light as the fireworks light up the sky! Watch for Tinker Bell to fly from Cinderella Castle to the Tomorrowland® area just after Jiminy Cricket says, “And it all starts with a wish!” (Although on windy or rainy nights she may not fly – Tinker Bell is not a fan of storms!) I always try to get a spot about 45 minutes before the show starts, then send my husband to get some yummy popcorn while we wait!

Next we have Illuminations: Reflections of Earth at Epcot®. This is shown every night at park closing from the middle of World Showcase Lagoon. It’s a beautiful show, bringing about a message of world peace and unity. The music is moving and inspirational. My favorite place to watch Illuminations is either from the France pavilion while sitting at the little tables near the water or in the area between the Germany and Italy pavilions. Just make sure you can see the center of World Showcase Lagoon and that the wind is not blowing in your face; otherwise, you will be fighting smoke the entire show! To get good fireworks pictures just be sure to utilized the tips given above for Wishes. I would recommend getting your spot for the show at least 30 minutes before it starts.

Fantasmic!Lastly, there is the Fantasmic! show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios™. This is another favorite of mine. This is shown on select nights (usually about 3-4 times a week) near closing time at the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater. Because it is not shown every night, I recommend participating in the Fantasmic! Dining Package so you will be guaranteed a seat. Basically, you enjoy a delicious dinner at either Hollywood & Vine, Mama Melrose Restaurante Italiano, or The Hollywood Brown Derby and pay a set price for dinner.  You are then are given a pass for the reserved seating area. Reservations for this MUST be made in advance. If you are on the Disney Dining Plan, you can use 1 table service credit for the first two restaurants listed and 2 table service credits for The Hollywood Brown Derby. If you don’t want to do the Fantasmic! Dining Package, I would get to the amphitheater about an hour before show time, earlier if you are there during busier times. Any seat is good in this amphitheater. If you sit near the front you might get slightly wet. The theme of the show is about the power of your imagination. Mickey Mouse is the hero and the finale includes Sorcerer Mickey conquering the villains and creating a beautiful fireworks display from on top of the mountain! The villains are featured quite a bit in this show, including Jafar from Disney’s Aladdin turns into a giant snake and Maleficent from Disney’s Sleeping Beauty becomes a huge dragon. All of this takes place a good distance away from the crowd, across the water on the stage, but it’s good to be aware of these features in case you have a child who you think may not enjoy the show. Have your camera ready when you see a big white boat heading your way from the right!

A couple of other tips I would like to share for all the nighttime shows is to bring ear plugs for the little ones who may not like the loud noises of the fireworks. Also, buying a few tubes of glow jewelry before you arrive is a good idea. It will entertain the kids (and the adults!) and may save you some money as they sell various glow toys and jewelry at the shows. As I said before, these shows are my favorite part of our Walt Disney World® vacations. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

What tips do you have about seeing the nighttime shows at the Walt Disney World® Resort?
Share with them with us below in the comments.

Tomorrowland Terrace Dessert Party Adds More Dates

The Tomorrowland Terrace private dessert party, the prime location for watching the Magic Kingdom® fireworks, has been extended until Dec. 29. What better way to relax with an abundance of sweets while the sky fills with spectacular fireworks after a fun day of playing in the parks!

The party happens most nights.  Head over to the lower level of the terrace (across from Tomorrowland Noodle Station) an hour ahead of scheduled fireworks for plenty of time for the sweet buffet and beverages (no alcohol).

Contact your Magic Maker™ for reservations or at any resort front desk, concierge, Guest Relations or restaurant table-service location. If you don’t have reservations, you can walk up and try for a coveted spot, but it’s first come, first served. A Magic Kingdom® park ticket is required. Disney Dining Plan credits cannot be used.

Don’t have a reservation yet for this year?  Contact your Magic Maker® or request a quote for more information on three specials available right now.

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