The fireworks shows and nighttime spectaculars in Walt Disney World are one of the things that makes it so magical and keeps us coming back again and again. When the parks first reopened there were no nighttime spectaculars, but now the fireworks are officially back!
There is nothing better than finishing off a long day at the Magic Kingdom or EPCOT than finding a spot to enjoy the fireworks show. So that’s why in a year full of changes, not having firework shows running in the parks might have been the hardest change of all to accept in the parks.
It doesn’t matter if you are going to the Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, or Animal Kingdom, the nighttime spectaculars are one of the main attractions in the theme parks.
When will fireworks shows return to Disney World?
Thankfully, we have some good news as the fireworks came back to Walt Disney World starting July 1!
In this post, we will go over why nighttime spectaculars were stopped in Walt Disney World, and what to expect now that they are back again. We’ll also update you with any info that comes out so you can best plan your next trip.
Before we get started, read our post on Disney World Reopening FAQs to learn about all the new changes in the parks you need to know about.
Also, don’t forget to sign up for our FREE Weekly E-Mail Newsletter. We will update you as soon as we know when the nighttime spectaculars are coming back to the parks, and share the latest vacation planning tips. You can sign up here: Join our E-Mail Newsletter!
Table of Contents
(UPDATE) Fireworks Return to Disney World
After over a year of waiting, fireworks finally returned to Walt Disney World on July 1.
Fireworks shows at two of the Disney World theme parks are currently running with nightly performances of “Happily Ever After” at Disney’s Magic Kingdom and “EPCOT Forever” at EPCOT.
Originally, this news started out as a rumor recently with some cast members claiming that fireworks will be back in the parks by the 4th of July. It turns out those rumors were true and Disney then made the announcement about getting fireworks again.
This was ideal since the 4th of July is one of the biggest days of the year for fireworks and not having them two years in a row would have been almost unthinkable. Disney usually runs a special show for the 4th of July as a tribute to the holiday so it’s something many guests look forward to.
Disney recently made an announcement about ‘Wonderful World of Animation’, one of the nighttime spectaculars returning to Hollywood Studios. There are still no dates for ‘Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular’ or ‘Fantasmic!’
There may not be enough demand right away to support all three shows running at Hollywood Studios. Also, the Magic Kingdom and EPCOT are more known for their fireworks extravaganzas, and Disney wanted to have them going in time for the 4th.
On the 4th both Happily Ever After and EPCOT Forever finished with special holiday endings.
This news really lets guests know that Disney World is back and even with a few safety guidelines still in place, it’s becoming more like the normal vacation experience guests are used to.
We’ll keep you updated on the latest info about fireworks at Disney World as soon as more announcements are made. Stay tuned. In the meantime, you can read our original article below about fireworks coming back.
Which Fireworks and Nighttime Spectaculars are Running in Disney World?
Currently, there are TWO fireworks shows and 3 nighttime spectaculars running in Walt Disney World. Every nighttime spectacular had been canceled, but starting July 1, 2021, they are back.
Here is a list of the shows from all 4 Disney World theme parks that are not running and the dates they are coming back:
Magic Kingdom:
- Happily Ever After (Now Running through September 29)
- Disney Enchantment (Debuting October 1)
- Once Upon a Time Projection Show (Not Currently Running)
- Electrical Water Pageant (Runs Nightly, not really in the Magic Kingdom, but close enough)
EPCOT:
- EPCOT Forever (Permanently Closed)
- Disney Harmonious (Debuting September 29)
Hollywood Studios:
- Disney Movie Magic (Not Currently Running)
- Fantasmic! (Not Currently Running)
- Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular (Not Currently Running)
- Wonderful World of Animation (Runs Nightly)
Animal Kingdom:
- Rivers of Light: We Are One (Closed Permanently)
Fireworks Times
Here are the listed Disney World fireworks scheduled for September/October:
- Disney Enchantment at Disney’s Magic Kingdom – 8:00 pm (9:00 pm for the first few showings)
- Disney Harmonious at EPCOT – 9:45 pm
- Wonderful World of Animation at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – 9:00 pm
- Happily Ever After at Disney’s Magic Kingdom – 8:15 pm
- EPCOT Forever at EPCOT – 9:00 pm (through September 28)
Both fireworks shows will run nightly, seven days a week.
Why did Disney World Suspend Firework Shows?
It’s important to note that during The Walt Disney World reopening phase, the theme parks are without many of the experiences you are familiar with. This includes not offering a full lineup of attractions, shows, or restaurants. Fireworks and nighttime spectaculars have also not been running until now.
Why did Disney originally decide to not bring them back even though the parks were open? There are two real reasons behind this thinking.
The first is safety-related. Obviously, when guests watch the fireworks, they are huddled together closely either in front of Cinderella Castle, the Chinese Theater or around World Showcase Lagoon.
Because of the current health crisis, Disney implemented many new guidelines including physical distancing between guests while in the parks, and that could not be achieved during a fireworks show.
This is now less of a problem now however since local health authorities have adjusted and eased up on COVID restrictions. Disney has thus followed, relaxing guidelines and no longer requiring 6 feet between guests.
Theoretically, Disney could have marked off sections in front of the castle, for example, to keep groups separate. But would guests have respected those borders? Probably not.
When the restriction was 6 feet you wouldn’t have been able to fit many people in that space. Thankfully that is less of a concern now.
Distancing is the same reason why there are no parades at this time in Disney World, and instead, they have set up the new Character Cavalcades. They don’t want too many people gathering together in one place. Look for this to also change in the coming weeks.
The second reason they weren’t running nighttime spectaculars right away is the cost. Let’s face it, attendance in Walt Disney World has been at an all-time low for the majority of the year. Fireworks shows, in particular, take A LOT of money to put on every night, money that Disney doesn’t want to spend at the moment.
Costs include not only the fireworks themselves, but crews of people needed to run the show, and think of how many cast members they would need to run crowd control.
It’s one thing when the parks are full and the company is flush with cash, but when they are just barely turning a profit, fireworks would be an unnecessary expense. In order to make it worth it for Disney, there needs to be more guests in the parks.
With so many other attractions, restaurants, and experiences already needing modifications to run, Disney just decided it was better to cancel the shows for now instead of trying to figure out some complicated solution.
Thankfully, this is resolving itself. There has been a dramatic increase in guests at Walt Disney World since the spring and the strong attendance has continued into the summer. Future bookings are also up and we expect crowds for the 50th Anniversary to be almost at normal levels.
Disney has not tried to enforce any distancing between guests with the fireworks shows back, and we don’t expect them to moving forward, so if that makes you nervous you may still want to avoid the fireworks shows for now.
When Will Fireworks and Nighttime Shows Come Back to Disney World?
As we stated earlier, Disney is bringing the fireworks back to the parks on July 1, 2021. Guests can expect nightly shows of “Happily Ever After” at Disney’s Magic Kingdom and “EPCOT Forever” at EPCOT.
Guests have started coming back in larger numbers and health restrictions have eased making it possible to have nighttime spectaculars once again.
We should also see a big crowd boost from now through the end of the Summer and then picking up even more in October for the 50th Anniversary and into the holiday season.
More and more people are starting to come around to the idea that Disney World is safe again, and guests who were afraid of traveling, or who didn’t want to spend the money right now are booking trips. With each passing week it is getting back to the normal Disney World vacation experience we all know and love and things are picking up for the second half of the year.
With guests returning to the parks in almost-normal numbers, Disney will be willing to spend the money to put on fireworks shows. Last year was critical as thousands of Cast Members were let go last year, and there were $900 million in budget cuts on new attractions. Disney is still trying to save money, but they aren’t quite as constrained now.
It’s also possible that with this announcement that fireworks shows are coming back to the parks, it will bring in more guests and make them feel like the experience is once again “worth it.”
We’ve had signs that we were close to seeing fireworks coming back for some time now as Disney has been testing them in EPCOT recently, for the new nighttime spectacular ‘Disney Harmonious‘. This new show is debuting October 1 along with a new show at the Magic Kingdom, ‘Disney Enchantment.’
Attraction queues are getting back to normal again, and park capacity too. All of this makes sense financially to bring back the fireworks shows.
With the latest announcement of fireworks coming back in July, this is one of the best things we’ve heard in months. At least now if you visit sometime in 2021 you will get to see them and they will be in time for Disney World’s 50th Anniversary celebration. This is going to get you a better bang for your buck, something that hasn’t been true since last year.
For more information on planning your vacation to Walt Disney World here are two of our most useful posts:
- Disney World Crowd Calendar
- When Is the Best Time to Visit Disney World?
Your Thoughts
I want to know what you think about the Disney World fireworks returning…
- Does this change your mind about visiting Walt Disney World?
- What do you think of the new fireworks shows?
Let us know in the comments section below!
If you enjoyed this article, as always I appreciate it if you’d share it with others via social media. I work hard at making this website into a useful resource for you and your family to plan your visit to the Disney Parks and I hope it can help you! Thanks 🙂
Ziggy Oskwarek
My name is Ziggy and I love Disney, everything Disney! I grew up on Disney and it has and continues to be a huge part of my life. I started young when my parents took me to Disney World when I was 18 months old. Little did they know that would be the first of an uncountable number of trips we would take. I have so many amazing memories going to Disney with my family and friends and it has been interwoven into my DNA.
Greetings, Disney enthusiasts! I'm Ziggy, a passionate Disney aficionado with a deep well of knowledge about all things magical in Walt Disney World. My love for Disney extends beyond mere fandom; it's a lifelong connection that began when I took my first enchanting steps into the realm of Disney World at the tender age of 18 months.
Now, let's delve into the captivating world of Disney's fireworks shows and nighttime spectaculars, a hallmark of the enchanting experience that keeps us returning to the parks. As of July 1, 2021, the long-awaited return of fireworks to Walt Disney World has brought a burst of joy and spectacle to the night skies. Allow me to shed light on some key concepts from the provided article.
1. The Return of Fireworks:
- After over a year of anticipation, fireworks officially returned to Walt Disney World on July 1, 2021.
- Nightly performances of "Happily Ever After" at Disney's Magic Kingdom and "EPCOT Forever" at EPCOT have resumed.
2. Nighttime Spectaculars Currently Running:
- "Happily Ever After" at Disney's Magic Kingdom is running through September 29.
- "EPCOT Forever" at EPCOT is also part of the nightly lineup.
- "Wonderful World of Animation" is back at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
3. Additional Updates:
- Rumors of the return of fireworks started circulating, with cast members suggesting a comeback by the 4th of July, and indeed, those rumors proved true.
- Special shows were featured on the 4th of July, contributing to the celebration.
4. Shows Yet to Resume:
- Not all nighttime spectaculars have made a comeback; shows like "Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular" and "Fantasmic!" at Hollywood Studios are still on hold.
- "Rivers of Light: We Are One" at Animal Kingdom has been permanently closed.
5. Fireworks Schedule:
- Detailed information on the scheduled fireworks at Disney World for September/October is provided, including timings for "Disney Enchantment" and "Disney Harmonious."
6. Why Fireworks Were Suspended:
- The article sheds light on two primary reasons for the suspension of nighttime spectaculars during the reopening phase.
- Safety Concerns: Due to the close proximity of guests during fireworks, safety guidelines, including physical distancing, were challenging to enforce. This concern has lessened with adjusted health restrictions.
- Cost Considerations: With attendance at an all-time low, the financial burden of nightly fireworks shows, including crew expenses and crowd control, made it an impractical expense.
7. Anticipated Return and Future Outlook:
- The return of fireworks aligns with the gradual increase in park attendance and the easing of health restrictions.
- The article anticipates a boost in crowd numbers through the summer and into October for the 50th Anniversary celebration.
In conclusion, the return of fireworks to Walt Disney World symbolizes not just a spectacular display but a rekindling of the magical experiences that define the essence of Disney. As we look forward to more updates and the debut of new shows, the enchantment of Disney World continues to capture the hearts of visitors, making each trip a truly unforgettable adventure. Stay tuned for more magical moments in the world of Disney!
