During the last 20 years, we’ve seen quite a few nighttime spectaculars and fireworks exhibits at Walt Disney World and Disneyland, plus Paris, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. Some are visitor favorites standing the check of time, operating for many years. Others are short-lived, solely lasting a season or two. (Up to date July 4, 2025.)
Very similar to points of interest, not all of those are created equally. Just like Sarah & Tom’s High 15 Favourite Disney Points of interest Across the World, we’ve put collectively an inventory of the very best fireworks exhibits and nighttime spectaculars worldwide. As there are far fewer exhibits and spectaculars than there are points of interest, we opted to incorporate each current and previous choices. We figured that’d make the checklist simpler.
We have been unsuitable. There are a ton of Disney nighttime spectaculars we completely adore. However, it did make placing this checklist collectively much more enjoyable, providing a pleasant stroll down reminiscence lane. It additionally supplied a fantastic reminder that, in some regards, Disney continues to be on the high of its recreation.
Relating to nighttime spectaculars, it’s tough to disclaim that Disney Dwell Leisure has stepped up its recreation within the final decade-plus. Certain, there have been some fairly large missteps (taking a look at you, Disney Enchantment and Harmonious!), however the hits far outnumber the misses. The general high quality and manufacturing worth of Disney nighttime spectaculars is simply bettering.
No offense to Fantasy within the Sky or its loyal followers, however seeing that (with out the added particular pyro) after which seeing a contemporary present is such a stark distinction. After all, many followers undoubtedly have nostalgia for the older and long-running fireworks exhibits…and that undoubtedly performs a job of their celebrated standing. However generally, the grandeur and wow-factor of newer nighttime spectaculars places the outdated fireworks exhibits to disgrace.
Earlier than we get going, we’ve a couple of guidelines for this checklist in order that it doesn’t find yourself with two-dozen entries.
First, no single or two-day seasonal exhibits are eligible. We haven’t seen a number of the extra obscure stuff, just like the Bastille Day fireworks at Disneyland Paris or the one-off ‘Welcome to Our World’ fireworks in Florida. There’s additionally the fact that the Independence Day and New Yr’s Eve exhibits excel by advantage of quantity. Whereas I’m simply impressed by explosions, we need to deal with high quality over amount (of pyro).
Subsequent, onerous ticket occasion exhibits are additionally ineligible. This implies nothing from Magic Kingdom’s Halloween and Christmas Events or Disneyland After Darkish. Something that’s paywalled behind a separate ticket doesn’t rely. Actually, that is partly a cop out as a result of we didn’t have house to incorporate HalloWishes or Vacation Needs. These are the one onerous ticket exhibits that may make the checklist, anyway, they usually’d be tied for #11.
Moreover, night time parades aren’t included. These are their very own factor, distinct from fireworks and different nighttime spectaculars. Frankly, I don’t actually know why, however that appears to be the traditional pondering.
Lastly, there’s no particular scoring standards–that is simply how explicit exhibits transfer us probably the most, plus evaluation of their complexity, scale, and high quality. Yada yada yada.
Even with all of those self-imposed and seemingly arbitrary limitations, we discovered ourselves snubbing a number of nighttime spectaculars we love, together with Symphony within the Stars: A Galactic Spectacular (Star Wars Weekends fireworks), Frozen Fireworks, Disneyland Without end, Magical, and extra.
With that stated, right here’s the checklist in no explicit order!
Fortunately Ever After, Magic Kingdom
Fortunately Ever After is the fireworks present that Magic Kingdom deserves. It takes most of the greatest parts of contemporary fortress park nighttime spectaculars, and integrates them right into a distinctly Magic Kingdom fireworks spectacular. The sharp distinction between Disney Enchantment and Fortunately Ever After underscores simply how totally different in high quality and sentimentality two similarly-styled exhibits will be–and made us recognize Fortunately Ever After much more, by some means.
Fortunately Ever After excels largely due to a implausible association paired with tune and film selections. There’s a thematic development to the present that is smart–it goes from journey to friendship to romance to overcoming adversity to attaining a ‘fortunately ever after.’ In a way, that is the Disney animated movie archetype, however in montage fireworks present type.
Fortunately Ever After’s tune selections are implausible, and the pyro pairings are actually very good. The entire stretch from “Good friend Like Me” to “I See the Mild” is highly effective stuff. “Go the Distance” is a fan favourite for individuals of a sure age within the fandom, and the present’s titular theme tune by Jordan Fisher has already grow to be a contemporary traditional. Disney Dwell Leisure perfected the fortress park fireworks present components with Fortunately Ever After, and it’s uncommon to seize this type of lightning in a bottle twice. Or it was uncommon, till earlier this 12 months when the following entry on the checklist debuted…
Wondrous Journeys, Disneyland
Wondrous Journeys is basically Fortunately Ever After: Disneyland Version. It’s the nighttime spectacular created to pay tribute to legacy of the Walt Disney Animation Studios, that includes nods to each movie launched by the enduring studio over the previous century–from Peter Pan and Sleeping Magnificence to Huge Hero 6 and Encanto.
Wondrous Journeys is completely paced, has a coherent thematic through-line and semblance of story, and is brimming with highly effective moments. In contrast to so many latest nighttime spectaculars, it doesn’t drag anyplace. Wondrous Journeys is phenomenal from begin to end, and masterfully pairs pyro with projections, music and extra.
All the pieces about Wondrous Journeys is wonderful, from the unique tune to the best way the film songs are weaved collectively to the present’s arc–every thing. Suffice to say, Wondrous Journeys is to Disneyland what Fortunately Ever After is to Magic Kingdom. Besides with Baymax, Blue Fairy, and arguably even a extra cohesive narrative thread. (However minus the large ‘ole fortress!)
Momentous, Hong Kong Disneyland
The ultimate entry within the trifecta of contemporary fortress fireworks exhibits is Momentous at Hong Kong Disneyland. That is within the Fortunately Ever After lineage, however with messaging extra consistent with Luminous at EPCOT. That’s trigger each revolve across the odyssey of life’s cherished moments as instructed via the lens of traditional Disney tales and tune.
The present lights up the sky of Hong Kong Disneyland within the night, inspiring friends and touching their hearts because it follows the lives of various characters with traditional Disney music in new preparations together with a brand-new multimedia expertise. Momentous options spectacular projection mapping, lighting, lasers, choreographed water fountains, flames, pyrotechnics, and firework results. Relying upon the seasonal occasion, it might probably additionally start with a drone-based pre-show.
Momentous makes this checklist whereas Luminous doesn’t as a result of this present feels extra cohesive and seamless, with none of the pacing or puzzling tune selections of Luminous. That’s additionally glorious, however it stumbles barely and misses the very best of checklist in consequence. High quality and emotion-wise, Momentous is in the identical league as Fortunately Ever After and Wondrous Journeys. All three are rousing in numerous methods, however roughly equally glorious.
Needs! A Magical Gathering of Disney Goals, Magic Kingdom
They are saying Tom Brokaw is the ‘voice of a era,’ however for these of us who spent evenings in Magic Kingdom throughout a sure period, Jiminy Cricket was the voice of our era…a minimum of because it associated to Walt Disney World visits. The omnipresence of Jiminy’s voice, setting the temper in Magic Kingdom at night time is one thing I nonetheless miss.
For our first a number of years visiting Walt Disney World collectively, the one-two punch of Needs and SpectroMagic have been the defining nighttime expertise in Magic Kingdom. The 2 mirrored each other of their orchestral type, and felt like two halves of a complete, even when they debuted at totally different instances and are, ostensibly, dissimilar.
Needs was the icing on the (fortress) cake that may be a day in Magic Kingdom for a whole era of friends. Needs differed from earlier fortress parks fireworks exhibits that predated it in that it used a story thread to weave songs collectively, tugging on the heartstrings of friends within the course of.
It wasn’t simply pyro and music. Needs resonated emotionally by itself phrases, beginning with a younger lady singing the strains “star mild, star vivid,” adopted by Jiminy Cricket’s opening narration about needs coming true and Tinker Bell flying down. By the point the character ‘montage’ of Needs strains finishes within the opening scenes, you’re hooked. Needs was a bit schmaltzy, however it had coronary heart and was oozing with nostalgia worth. It’s no marvel so many Walt Disney World followers nonetheless miss it.
Magic, Music & Mayhem Fireworks, Magic Kingdom
For us, one of many many “golden ages” at Walt Disney World was 2007 to 2010. Admittedly, an enormous a part of that is private nostalgia. We have been actually stepping into the parks as adults, and even honeymooned at Walt Disney World. Certain, there was stagnation when it got here to new additions, however it was additionally a time of unprecedented reductions, Further Magic Hours at Magic Kingdom till 3 am, Pirate & Princess Events and Summer season Nightastic.
With these final two occasions got here the Magic, Music & Mayhem Fireworks (subsequently renamed to the Summer season Nightastic Fireworks throughout that free festivity). Relating to this bombastic nighttime spectacular, our glasses usually are not rose-colored. This was actually and unquestionably one of many best fireworks exhibits that Walt Disney World has ever produced, that includes perimeter bursts and different nice results.
The present was hosted by the Fairy Godmother of Cinderella with the three good fairies from Sleeping Magnificence ‘preventing’ over the colours of the fireworks. Magic, Music & Mayhem additionally had plenty of instrumental music medleys from these motion pictures, plus Magnificence and the Beast and The Little Mermaid, with dialogue to weave a story collectively.
The spotlight was when pirates stormed the Magic Kingdom, with characters from Peter Pan, music from Pirates of the Caribbean, and what appeared like a New Yr’s Eve degree of pyro because the pirates attacked Cinderella Citadel. That single scene is perhaps the very best within the historical past of Magic Kingdom fireworks.
Have a good time Tokyo Disneyland
Have a good time Tokyo Disneyland is my favourite fortress park nighttime spectacular of all-time. This nighttime spectacular was an excellent love letter to the park, beginning with an look by Mickey Mouse in Cinderella Citadel’s balcony to conduct Tokyo Disneyland is Your Land in opposition to a gap montage of park points of interest. It was a strong begin to the present, and becoming for Japan. Each time we noticed it, there was a collective gasp from the viewers when seeing the precise Mickey Mouse in that balcony, and never a projection. Slightly contact, however one which had a big effect.
From there, Have a good time Tokyo Disneyland hit the bottom operating. The present began in Adventureland with a powerful scene from the Tiki Room earlier than persevering with to Jungle Cruise and constructing in depth to Pirates of the Caribbean. Have a good time Tokyo Disneyland then moved on to Westernland, and the place the very best scene of the present occurred: a goat and the Nation Bears, driving round in a Huge Thunder Mountain Railroad practice helmed by Mickey Mouse.
I don’t recall what occurred after, as a result of I used to be at all times too busy selecting up my jaw from the ground. Have a good time Tokyo Disneyland was a nighttime spectacular for theme park followers with nice tributes to the park, its characters, and points of interest–it was the right anniversary present. I want that U.S. Disney Parks management had the great sense to do a nighttime spectacular like this for Walt Disney World’s fiftieth Anniversary, as an alternative of a glorified Disney+ sizzle reel.
Disney Goals, Disneyland Paris
Disney Goals is like Fortunately Ever After plus World of Shade, plus another stuff thrown in for good measure. The present concurrently has fireplace, fireworks, projections, lasers, and fountains–all of which make it one of many largest attracts at Disneyland Paris, and extra substantial than fireworks exhibits at Magic Kingdom or Disneyland in California.
Guided by Peter Pan’s shadow, friends take a unprecedented journey throughout Disney Goals as scenes are projected on Sleeping Magnificence Citadel and iconic iconic songs play from Disney and Pixar fan favorites Magnificence and the Beast, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Lion King, Tangled, and plenty of others. Disney Goals leans closely on Parisian-influenced Disney movies, which suggests motion pictures that usually don’t obtain a lot consideration are extra outstanding, and the usual ‘go-to’ movies play second fiddle.
Disney Goals was the primary fireworks montage present of the fashionable period (additionally together with Fortunately Ever After and Wondrous Journeys) and, like Fortunately Ever After, it has returned by widespread demand following a subpar substitute that didn’t garner the identical stratospheric visitor satisfaction scores.
World of Shade, Disney California Journey
That includes projections, fireplace, and different wonderful results, the dancing fountains of Paradise Bay current a jaw-droppingly stunning montage presentation of Disney animated classics in World of Shade. There’s no story to talk of and the vignettes arguably drag on a bit too lengthy, however you may be so blown away and entranced by the colourful fountains, projections, and different visuals that you just’re unlikely to note.
My favourite approach to watch World of Shade is from the very entrance row, useless heart within the moist zone. This spot is surprisingly straightforward to acquire through the second displaying, particularly on chilly evenings in Southern California (extra typically than you would possibly anticipate for individuals who haven’t visited).
From the entrance, World of Shade is a sensory overload in the absolute best method, a veritable feast of fountains, lights, colours, and music. From that perspective, the shortage of story and narrative cohesiveness don’t a lot matter. Vibe-wise, World of Shade is the right approach to finish a day at Disney California Journey.
Fantasmic, Disneyland & Hollywood Studios
The king is useless, lengthy reside the king. Though the model at Disneyland has seen a critical downgrade (RIP Murphy the Dragon), a brand new model of Fantasmic has debuted at Disney’s Hollywood Studios to interchange Pocahontasmic! The brand new heroes sequence with an Aladdin chase, Elsa’s “Present Your self” tune, and stirring moments with Pocahontas, Moana, and Mulan is now the very best section of the present, and much superior to what it changed (“the boring half”).
At each Walt Disney World and Disneyland, Fantasmic is a night extravaganza not like fireworks exhibits or different nighttime spectaculars. It combines numerous parts–fireplace, water projections, lasers, and fireworks–for a present that makes use of dreaming and the facility of creativeness as a leaping off level for montage scenes with numerous heroes and villains.
The latter characters flip Mickey’s dream right into a nightmare, and the little mouse makes use of the facility of his creativeness to beat them. Alongside the best way, Fantasmic races via quite a few Disney tales and the flowery manufacturing options dozens of reside performers, large units, and rousing music to inform its larger-than-life story.
Disneyland’s Fantasmic advantages closely from its virtually natural location on Tom Sawyer Island alongside the Rivers of America. That Fantasmic feels prefer it comes out of nowhere, and places friends in the midst of the motion. It may be a nightmare for crowd circulation and a lot of the greatest views are reserved for eating packages.
Fantasmic at DHS is in a colossal amphitheater, making for a extra impersonal manufacturing that doesn’t pack fairly as a lot punch. However it’s a lot simpler to see at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and doesn’t lead to the identical bottlenecks. Ultimately, each variations of Fantasmic are implausible–they usually undoubtedly have been not equals previous to the reimagining of the DHS model.
Illuminations, EPCOT
I knew its days have been numbered for years, however I nonetheless haven’t come utterly to phrases with shedding IllumiNations. We noticed it so many instances that I can nonetheless play the soundtrack and be immediately transported proper again to these summer time nights at EPCOT when IllumiNations supplied such a satisfying finish to the day. It’s prefer it by no means left. For me, the retirement of IllumiNations closed the guide on traditional EPCOT Middle and likewise on that period of leisure from after we’d began visiting Walt Disney World.
If you happen to by no means noticed IllumiNations, it’s inconceivable to elucidate. Images, works, and even video don’t do it justice. You merely needed to be there. However even then, loads of individuals discovered IllumiNations to be boring. IllumiNations could be very a lot an if you already know, you already know sort of factor. It was timeless, summary, formidable, highly effective…and likewise utterly missing in Disney characters.
The progress of mankind instructed symbolically via fireworks and a wonderful soundtrack, Illuminations was my favourite nighttime spectacular anyplace, ever. You would say that it didn’t “really feel” like a Walt Disney World present as a result of it didn’t have any character IP. Nonetheless, those that have been going to Walt Disney World for many years know that that is precisely what made IllumiNations a distinctly Disney present. The excessive caliber of the present, the orchestration of the music, and the optimistic feeling it leaves you with as soon as it’s over. IllumiNations was quintessential Disney from a unique era.
Bear in mind… Goals Come True, Disneyland
“Good night, that is Julie Andrews. As soon as upon a time, there was a magic kingdom product of hopes and childhood fantasies. A timeless place, the place each land was crammed with marvel. A spot the place everybody who entered its gates could be given the present of the younger at coronary heart: the facility to want upon a star and unlock its magic. Are you able to want upon a star? Then it’s time to open your coronary heart and bear in mind… goals come true.”
I nonetheless get goosebumps when listening to the above opening for Bear in mind… Goals Come True. Identical goes for the following section, lifted from Needs, and the one after that with Walt Disney’s 1955 Disneyland dedication speech. Oh, and the one after that, boarding the Disneyland Railroad for a grand circle tour of the unique magic kingdom. And the one after that, and so forth and so forth.
Bear in mind… Goals Come True combines two issues that I like: fireworks and Disney theme park historical past. (RDCT additionally options plenty of nice results, such because the Haunted Mansion Stretching Room and Star Excursions lasers.) The present is a tribute to the visionary man and the monumental place he constructed, which modified the course of historical past…and all of our lives. These issues are exponentially extra significant to me than any animated motion pictures.
What makes Disney fireworks spectaculars particular is how they make the most of fireworks in emotive exhibits. For this theme park nut, nothing accomplishes this higher than Bear in mind… Goals Come True or Have a good time Tokyo Disneyland. Because the park-centric fandom grows with every passing 12 months due to Disney Trip Membership, Annual Passholders, and fanbases domestically and unfold out throughout the globe, I hope we begin to see extra exhibits like this sooner or later at Walt Disney World and Disneyland.
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Your Ideas
What are your high 10 Disney theme park nighttime spectaculars and fireworks exhibits? It doesn’t matter what number of parks you’ve been to, I’m nonetheless fascinated about realizing another favorites. Do you suppose we missed any exhibits that ought to have made the checklist, or made any poor picks? Any questions? Listening to suggestions about your experiences is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
