Disney World Shines After Dark
By: Rebecca Jones6.26.18For most guests, they are up early to be at park opening when they are at Disney World. However, there is something to be said for sleeping in and tackling the parks after the sun goes down. Each of the four theme parks has a special nighttime show for guests to enjoy, and I’d like to share a bit about each of them. 
The newest of the shows is “Rivers of Light” in Animal Kingdom. This celebration of light, water, and nature runs for approximately 15 minutes, and is often shown twice nightly. Arrive early for the show. There are images projected onto the nearby trees, and the storytellers make an entrance through the audience on their way to the boats used in the show. Rivers of Light features floating, glowing animals, water effects with visual images, and an original musical score that will inspire you. There are surprises throughout the event, and you will have an opportunity to take photos at the end. There are Rivers of Light dining packages available at Tiffin’s and Tusker House that will give you tickets for seating. You can also Fastpass this show. If you choose to wait in the standby line, arrive at least 30 minutes early. If all the seats are taken, there is a standing-room-only area, as well. 
“Happily Ever After” is the latest fireworks show in Magic Kingdom. Shown nightly, this show utilizes much more projection technology than any offering in the past, and thus, is best viewed from the center of the castle, rather than to one of the sides. It features images from 17 beloved Disney animated features, including some that are hard to find anywhere else: The Hunchback of Notre Dame and WALL-E. Happily Ever After has fireworks, projection, lasers, and music, and is truly worth staying up for. As there is no reserved seating , guests start lining up and reserving their seats up to 2 hours before. I recommend getting a snack, or even dinner, and finding a spot along Main Street USA about 45-60 minutes before the show and relaxing while you wait.Magic Kingdom is also home to another projection show called Once Upon A Time. This is purely a projection show on the castle, and is often shown either before, or after, Happily Ever After. Often, when it’s after the fireworks, guests will leave, allowing you to secure a better viewpoint if you’d like.Hollywood Studios has several nighttime offerings. The most famous is their beloved “Fantasmic,” a battle between good and evil. It’s fought via a stage show, pyrotechnics, floats, music, and water images. You can secure seating through a dining reservation package or a Fastpass. The stadium that holds it is large enough, though, that you shouldn’t have a problem seeing the show if you arrive 30 minutes early to find a seat. 
The Chinese Theater façade in Hollywood Studios is home to the other two offerings at Hollywood Studios, “Disney Movie Magic” and “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular.” Each features highlights of movies and laser lights in the sky. Disney Movie Magic is a 10-minute show that reminds you of the entire Disney movie catalog with images, film clips, and music.Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular runs about 14 minutes. There are special effects and fireworks that bring the saga of Star Wars to life in front of you. You can only get reserved seating by purchasing a dessert package for this show, and those are not offered each night. Otherwise, you can arrive 30-45 minutes early and find a seat. In my opinion, the show is best viewed from a little farther back from the Chinese Theater. 
The final night show that Disney World offers is “Illuminations: Reflections of Earth” at Epcot. This 12-minute show can be seen from just about anywhere around the World Showcase Lagoon. You will see fireworks and a grand display of earthly and human history on a 350,000-pound globe in the middle of the water. You can reserve a Fastpass to see this show, and there is a “Frozen”-themed dessert party with reserved seating, as well.As you can see, Disney World can be better after dark. Be sure to take time to see each of these offerings during your next vacation. If you have questions about a dining package or Fastpass reservations to take advantage of reserved seating, please contact your Wishes Family Travel Agent. If you don’t have an agent, Rebecca Jones can be reached at Rebecca@wishesfamilytravel.com or (325) 733-8399.Photos are courtesy Rebecca Jones and Juli Russ.