Happily Ever After ending permanently Sept 29

[kwdw]

Have you seen the HEA from outside of the magic kingdom? In my opinion its much much better from contemporary, the resorts, etc with the music piped in. Fireworks are much more than wishes, and you get to really see them. From inside the part, it doesn't seem like so much

This below however, is the BEST firework show they have ever done, and they should have never changed it to its current format of barely any fireworks. It's terrible now ( the updated version )

That original SW one was awesome!

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

Was this the shortest show? Honestly if they were smart they would bring back all of the old shows for the next year in celebration of the 50th.

 

[luv2cheer92]

This is good news to me. Between the projections being hard to see, too few actual fireworks, and the fact it didn’t move me emotionally, I hope what is next is better. And expands the viewing area around the park so you don’t have to be packed in. The crowding after the show to get out is actually a bit terrifying to me, so I always had to find a more distant place which meant the show was subpar because of its reliance on projections. The music and fireworks told the story in Wishes, projections were secondary. I hope they return to something like that.

Too few fireworks? Which show were you watching? You know it had a whole lot more pyro than Wishes did right?

The music of HEA tells an absolutely beautiful story, the projections certainly enhance the show, but they are 100% definitely not needed to enjoy the story of the show.

 

[Upatnoon]

I speculate they want to use the projection equipment they are adding for Enchantment to the show that comes after it.

I also think it's great they are updating these shows more frequently instead of letting them get stale.

 

[DisneyFive]

People were losing their minds when Wishes was going away. Now people have fallen in love with Happily Ever After. I would be surprised if the next show at Magic Kingdom isn’t fantastic as well. Disney knows how meaningful the nighttime show is at Magic Kingdom.

Dan

 

[SealedSeven]

I speculate they want to use the projection equipment they are adding for Enchantment to the show that comes after it.

I also think it's great they are updating these shows more frequently instead of letting them get stale.

Enchantment is the show from here on out, it's not a 50th Celebration show. It just happens to start on the 50th anniversary.

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

I had typed up a long response but my computer randomly refreshed so I'll just say, I only caught HEA once, on our last trip, in the rain. We were outside the main hub having just finished dinner at Crystal Palace and could barely catch glimpses of the projections through the trees. IMO, all the trees around the hub should be relocated. It will expand the viewing area and make nighttime shows safer by spreading out the audience. I really liked the music in HEA but the show overall ranked below Hallowishes (pre 2019 with the 180 degree bursts) and Holiday Wishes for me. Projections on the other side of the castle would also really help to spread out crowds. The surge of people by Casey's after the show felt unsafe.

 

[jennyq87]

Complete honesty...I was so underwhelmed with HEA the first time I saw it. It was a crappy night, kid were in a bad mood, I was in a bad mood, and I was seriously pissed they took away Wishes.

A few years later, I get a little sentimental when Friend Like Me plays as it was my daughters floor routine music for 2 years and then full out ugly cry when Mufasa speaks and says "You are more than what you have become." I can not imagine ANYTHING topping HEA...and so many memories tied into it.

Yes! I loved Wishes and was not excited about HEA. But it grew on me after a few times of watching it, and now I love it. The song immediately gives me all the feels, and you're so right -- that Mufasa line makes me cry every time. I'm so so sad I won't get to see it again -- our next trip isn't until December

 

[SansComic]

Does this mean no more fireworks at magic kingdom?

 

[cindyfan]

As others have stated.... HEA is flawed.... there is too much that can only be seen from up close.
This alone forces them to change it up. ..... so this is a great chance for them to do that. They already had the 50th Disney Enchantment planned.
I also feel that HEA was just too much.... it was a hot mess of way too many songs/characters crammed into the projection show. (I know so many disagree with me and I don't want it to get into a huge debate.... ) but it really need some major clean up and tweaking ..... so Disney needs to just start over and come up with something new!
I have faith that Disney will either have a BIG WIN with the Enchantment and keep it after the 50th... or they will come up with an even better show than HEA.

ps.... I still miss Wishes too!!! If they brought that back I'd be happy... but I know they can do even better!!

 

[Upatnoon]

Does this mean no more fireworks at magic kingdom?

No, it just means there will be a show with a new name.

 

[gharter]

Too few fireworks? Which show were you watching? You know it had a whole lot more pyro than Wishes did right?

Immediately after it opened, people were complaining that it had fewer fireworks.
I don't recall where I heard it, maybe one of the Dis podcasts, but they confirmed that HEA actually had more fireworks than Wishes.

 

[disneydreamer781]

Happily Ever After has one massive flaw, you have to be in the hub to see it properly. The crowds are just too much.
I think Disney is trying to spread the crowds with a different approach to MK fireworks, hopefully they will make it so you need to be in different areas to see different effects. I think they are doing projections down main street?
I'm pro-spread the crowds.

I totally feel the same. I can't "Like" this enough!

 

[Ariel620]

That original SW one was awesome!

Yes, the original SW one was my favorite fireworks show at WDW, and fireworks are my favorite part of a WDW trip. I loved it, really like a war in the sky, it told a good Star Wars story and got emotional! Loved it!

 

[moesy4]

Yes, the original SW one was my favorite fireworks show at WDW, and fireworks are my favorite part of a WDW trip. I loved it, really like a war in the sky, it told a good Star Wars story and got emotional! Loved it!

I don’t know if this is the one you are referring to, but my husband and I saw the Star Wars fireworks and they literally gave me chills! They were way better than the other shows we saw.

 

[DisneyFive]

Yes, the original SW one was my favorite fireworks show at WDW, and fireworks are my favorite part of a WDW trip. I loved it, really like a war in the sky, it told a good Star Wars story and got emotional! Loved it!

Don’t forget the huge flames that they shot from the buildings. You can really feel that heat. Very cool

Dan

 

[luv2cheer92]

I don’t know if this is the one you are referring to, but my husband and I saw the Star Wars fireworks and they literally gave me chills! They were way better than the other shows we saw.

There have been 2 Star Wars fireworks shows. The original was Symphony in the Stars and ended in mid-June 2016. That one was absolutely bananas, just non-stop huge pyro to intense SW music. The newer show, Galactic Spectacular, has the projections and fireworks.

 

[luv2cheer92]

Originally had my trip planned for 9/30-10/4. Thought for sure 9/30 would be the last night. Spent my day today requesting an additional day off, changing my flight, adding an additional hotel stay for one night, adding a day to my tickets, moving my park reservations around some, all just to catch this last show on the 29th! Will be bittersweet for sure.

 

[DisneyOma]

So glad to hear HEA is going. It was nothing more than an advertisement, IMO. My fear is that the next thing will be even worse. Seems there's very little creativity or effort at WDW anymore.

 

[MrWreckless]

I dont believe for a second that Disney spent all that time and money projection mapping the castle and now Main Street for them to not use that tech in their next fireworks show. If the next show has aspects that can only be seen from Main Street, then Main Street is where the crowd will be.