Disney's Magic Kingdom unveiled its newest nighttime fireworks show, "Happily Ever After," to a sold-out park audience this weekend. The pyrotechnic extravaganza, only the third regular fireworks show to appear at the Magic Kingdom, was also live streamed for internet audiences around the world.
The 18-minute show, one of Disney's longest fireworks programs, incorporates more lasers, lights and projections than any other show in the history of the park. It also introduces a brand-new theme song and new hand-drawn animations.
While stunning pyrotechnics and fireworks illuminate the Cinderella Castle from above, the castle is also used as a canvas to display clips and snippets from such Disney favorites as Aladdin, Big Hero Six, Brave, Frozen, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Incredibles, The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Moana, Mulan, Tarzan, The Princess and the Frog, Toy Story, Up, WALL-E, Wreck-It Ralph and Zootopia.
The show carries with it the very Disney-esque theme about the importance of chasing your dreams and features favorite characters as they battle obstacles and villains in search of their own "happily ever after."
The video of the live stream can be viewed below. If you'd prefer to skip the pre-show commentary, jump ahead to the 15:15 timecode.
The stunning visuals projected on the castle are partially attributable to a next generation version of projection mapping technology, according to Show Director James Silson.
"With projection mapping technology, you can create an immersive environment for guests, taking them inside the films of Disney," said Silson. "It enables us to flood the palate and give our guests an opportunity to experience many of our characters' worlds in the same show."
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Just using the Cinderella Castle as a canvas for the show is a dream come true for Ryan Kravetz, a Disney art director.
"It's not paper, it's not a cell," said Kravetz. "The physical structure of this castle as our starting point is a really powerful medium to be using."
"Happily Ever After" will be staged, weather permitting, over Cinderella's Castle every night at 9 p.m.
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