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 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!