The ‘Happily Ever After’ Fireworks Change You Need to Know Before You Go

For most Guests, seeing the fireworks in the skies above Cinderella Castle is a must-do during any trip to “The Most Magical Place on Earth.” If seeing Disney’s Happily Ever After fireworks is at the top of your Magic Kingdom list, there’s been a slight change to the show that you’ll want to be aware of.

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Since 2017, Happily Ever After has been the mainstay fireworks show in Magic Kingdom Park. This iconic nighttime fireworks spectacular uses a mix of pyrotechnics, lighting, and projection to take Guests on a magical journey featuring scenes from beloved Disney films all to the tune of one of Disney World’s best soundtracks.

With projections being a major part of the show, many Guests prefer to get a spot in front of Cinderella Castle or down Main Street, U.S.A., but if you happen to arrive last-minute, behind the castle in Fantasyland also offers some incredible views.

What else do you need to know before you go? There’s been a small schedule change that you’ll want to note ahead of your next Disney trip.

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Disney’s official website and the My Disney Experience app note that the start time for Happily Ever After has been pushed back from 9:00 p.m. to 9:20 p.m.

The 20-minute change might not seem like much, but it is certainly something to be aware of as you plan your trip to the Magic Kingdom. While we still recommend arriving early if you want a specific spot to see the fireworks from, most Guests begin waiting it out about an hour before showtime, so that extra 20 minutes could add some flexibility to your night in the Park depending on how your day is going.

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Tips for Seeing Happily Ever After in the Magic Kingdom

When Happily Ever After (finally) returned to the Magic Kingdom after a lengthy hiatus due to the pandemic, the show was enhanced with new projections that run down Main Street, U.S.A. As such, it is now less important to get a spot for the show in front of Cinderella Castle (though the change may make you want to see the show multiple times from different vantage points.)

The new projections include characters and stories from some of Disney’s more recent animated films like Coco (2017), Encanto (2021), and Turning Red (2022), just to name a few, joining the likes of Moana (2017), Tangled (2010), The Princess and the Frog (2009), The Lion King (1994), Toy Story (1995), Aladdin (1992), Brave (2012), and so many more on Cinderella Castle.

Happily Ever After will return to its 9:00 a.m. showtime after the summer months. The 20-minute difference ensures that the skies will be dark enough for the show to look its best throughout the summer. As always, we will be back with the latest updates from Walt Disney World here on Disney Tips, and showtimes for Happily Ever After and other Disney Park entertainment can be found in the My Disney Experience app.