A familiar glow will soon light up the skies above Cinderella Castle, though not from the show many guests might expect.
Following its celebrated 2023 return, Happily Ever After has been enchanting guests once again with its stirring music, dazzling projections, and breathtaking fireworks. The show, first introduced in 2017, came back to Magic Kingdom after a hiatus during Walt Disney World Resort’s 50th anniversary celebration, which featured Disney Enchantment. Many fans welcomed the beloved spectacular’s return after missing it during that milestone event.
Typically performed on most nights at Magic Kingdom Park, Happily Ever After pauses during special ticketed events like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. However, Disney has now confirmed that guests will see a temporary change in the nightly entertainment lineup this holiday season.
After the conclusion of this year’s Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks will take over the skies above Magic Kingdom for all guests, continuing through the holidays—just as it did last year. According to the official Disney World website, “Get in the Christmas spirit as your host—Minnie Mouse—invites you to take in a sparkling, yuletide fireworks display. Watch as the sky becomes alight with festive colors to the tune of some of your favorite carols like Deck the Halls and We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”
While the festive offering brings seasonal magic to many, some visitors may be disappointed to miss Happily Ever After during their holiday trip. Disney has not yet confirmed when the fan-favorite nighttime spectacular will resume, though it’s expected to return in early January, following the New Year’s Eve celebrations.
In addition to these holiday updates, Magic Kingdom will also take part in a patriotic expansion next summer. As part of the Disney Celebrates America initiative—honoring 250 years of the United States—Walt Disney World Resort will present Disney’s Celebrate America!—A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky over three nights, July 3, 4, and 5. The event adds an extra evening of fireworks to the holiday weekend, but means one fewer performance of Happily Ever After during that time.
Even with a few schedule shifts, the heart of Happily Ever After—and its message of dreaming big—remains a cherished part of the Magic Kingdom experience.
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