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

Feb 09, 2017 in "Wishes"

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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

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gerararApr 04, 2023

Jordan Fisher & Angie Keilhauer were spotted watching HEA's return together last night.

thundermtnGOATApr 04, 2023

Actually they are correct – when you projection map onto a surface, the projections have to account for the color of the surface they are being projected onto. The colors you see on the castle may not be the actual colors that are being projected, for example. HEA’s projections had to be entirely color-corrected when the castle was repainted. That process as far as we know has not happened or may never happen for OUAT.

TouchdownApr 04, 2023

No idea just pointing out unlike HEA OUAT never returned post Covid.

jrhwdwApr 04, 2023

Is MK planning an OUAT Return???

Cmdr_CrimsonApr 04, 2023

Both shows were projected during the same time before the closings even before the 50th...That's on odd excuse that a paint job is the reason for it as HoE is showing fine right now...

brb1006Apr 04, 2023

Looks like they added new ambient sound effects around Main Street when Tinker Bell shows up.

TouchdownApr 04, 2023

That can’t until the 50th stuff comes down, also it would need to be modified to fit the new paint job.

Cmdr_CrimsonApr 04, 2023

Seems strange That "Once Upon a Time" projection show never came back as well...

gerararApr 04, 2023

Bumping this because it has returned. April 3, 2023. Welcome home HEA.

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!!