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Here’s What’s Changed With Disney’s Happily Ever After Fireworks

Disney's Happily Ever After Fireworks
Credit: Disney

Have you been missing Disney’s Happily Ever After fireworks? It may be difficult to believe, but it has been nearly two years since the show’s last performance on and above Cinderella Castle, but thankfully, this nighttime spectacular is about to return (with new changes).

disney-fireworks-castle

Credit: Disney Photo Snapper

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The last performance of Disney’s Happily Ever After fireworks took place in September 2021, ahead of the debut of Disney Enchantment. While unclear if Happily Ever After would return at the time, Disney Enchantment debuted in October 2021 as the new nighttime fireworks spectacular in the Magic Kingdom for the 50th-anniversary celebration of the Walt Disney World Resort.

Disney Enchantment featured new pyrotechnics, soundtrack with an original song, and updated projection mapping both on Cinderella Castle and on the buildings extending down Main Street, U.S.A. The new show has been beloved by some fans, but largely received mixed reviews with many Disney fans preferring Happily Ever After over the new show. One update first seen at Disney World in Disney Enchantment, however, that most Guests have enjoyed has been the projections on Main Street, U.S.A.

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Credit: Disney Tips

RELATED: Showtimes Confirmed for the Return of Disney’s ‘Happily Ever After’ Fireworks

Disney confirmed that Happily Ever After would return during last year’s D23 Expo, much to the excitement of fans; however, the initial announcement was rather vague. As a result, it was unclear whether the original show would be returning or a reimagined show with the same soundtrack, or…something else altogether.

On March 14, 2023, following a media preview of TRON Lightcycle / Run, Disney allowed press and Cast Members in attendance to see an early showing of Happily Ever After ahead of the show’s official return on April 3, 2023. During the event, and in a subsequent press release, Disney shared that Happily Ever After has been enhanced with new projections along Main Street, U.S.A.

Disney's Happily Ever After Fireworks

Credit: Disney

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The new projections on Main Street, U.S.A. will feature characters from several Disney films not included in the show’s original images on Cinderella Castle, including Coco (2017) and Encanto (2021). The latter has been popping up in more locations around Walt Disney World than ever before with Encanto experiences added to Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, and a new character meet and greet featuring Mirabel Madrigal coming to the Magic Kingdom later this year.

Disney’s Happily Ever After fireworks will take place nightly at 9:00 p.m. upon its return this April, and you can always find current showtimes during your next vacation in the My Disney Experience app. Get ready to see the return of this heartwarming nighttime spectacular in person, with the same memorable soundtrack and fireworks with the exciting additions on Main Street, U.S.A.!

About Brittany DiCologero

Brittany is a New England-based writer focused on the history of the Walt Disney World Resort. She is the author of "Red, White, and Disney: The Myths and Reality of American History at the Walt Disney World Resort," and "Brittany Earns Her Ears."