News Wishes to be replaced with new 'Happily Ever After' nighttime spectacular

[THEMEPARKPIONEER]

The lack of pyro comments come from the same complainers that can never be pleased. I hate when I accidentally forget to log in and all of the cry me a river folks aren't being ignored.

What's that all about, not only is the show longer, there is more pyro. Even if the pyro was spread thin it would have meant it was stretched not cut back but that's not even the case. They stepped it up to not only increase the ammount of pyro but went back to the larger shells like they used in fantasy in the sky. Some of those shells span double the length of wishes largest shells. That's before the finalize, they haven't launched shells like that nightly in years and I honestly never thought I would see shells like that launched there again.

 

[Disney Analyst]

That is my reaction.

I have no problem with the visuals whatsoever. I loved the projections, and more pyro is always better but I thought there was almost enough of that as well. My only real gripe was I wasn't terribly impressed with the spotlight/laser things - they need some color, they just kind of look too Studios to me.

But the music? I felt like at least half of it was like sitting on a bench having a smoke at (again) the Studios and listening to Radio Disney through an atmosphere speaker. I personally didn't know most of the songs. And I wasn't impressed with what I heard. Thing is, the music/narration is really what makes the show special. I've seen more impressive fireworks before, but I always feel like, "nah, it's just not right, only Disney does it right" and it's the music (along with the Castle itself, of course).

The majority of the music is way too pop ballad-y, over the top, cheesy, fake-heartstrings nonsense. With the vocals, it was almost like some of those Scientology propaganda songs. It's very...late 1980's, and not the fun 1980's - it's reminiscent of the part that started to get bland as we turned into the 90's, and comes across as utterly void of feeling.

You can hear it in the audience reaction. What are the parts they cheered at? The Genie music. Ursula. Pirates. Tink. What do they have in common? The only stuff that had music they somewhat recognized and/or related to Wishes.

As super-fans who want fresh, variety, etc., because we pay way too much attention to this stuff, I see why some like it. It certainly is...different. But if we are gonna be real about it, the one time to give people what they want and serve up the real classic Disney, it's the Castle Fireworks. The one time to pile on all the nostalgia and be unapologetic about it. Most people are only going to see the legendary Magic Kingdom Castle Fireworks once, or maybe a handful of times in their lives.

I agree it was far overdue for an update. Disney should be updating at some of the music yearly. Instead, they just pretty much started over, and in an attempt to get away from Wishes, they took out many of the things that are the very essence of what makes the Castle Fireworks a legendary thing to begin with.

I disagree with you completely.

 

[CnoteBflat]

It's like they put in a proposal moment on purpose! Right after the narrator tells the audience to go and made their "happily ever after" seems like the perfect time to get engaged.

 

[MisterPenguin]

People are actually espousing that this pyro show is a "giant middle finger to UNI"?!?!

Seriously, where do these people crawl out from?

You mean the one person who Tweeted it and the few who may have 'liked' it? But it you want to use this to paint broad strokes of fanboi-ism to rail against... fine.

Of course, every Lifestyler/Blogger/podcaster/known name on the Disney Tweeter was there last night ... it's all about some weird 'cred' you earn by being at the first (or last for that matter) of any event.

Like making sure you post about it the day after on a forum for your fans to see? You are that Lifestyler/Blogger. Just because you aren't promoting the BRAND doesn't mean you aren't living it.

 

[Sir_Cliff]

I'm an old fashioned girl. I appreciate the simplicity of a lovely fireworks show with a heartwarming soundtrack.
Somehow, when I am instructed to be inspired, it doesn't feel super inspirational.

For me, Wishes was more along those lines than HEA.

I really hate it when Disney pours on the syrup with children singing about dreams, magic, and wishes. Much prefer to have a show just based around the songs from the movies which almost always pack more of a punch than the stuff that's written specifically for these extravaganzas.

Today I showed the video to some friends who asked, "Why'd Disney use random songs from lesser movies? Why didn't they use the classics?"

Whereas I appreciate the musical variety, I now wonder if public opinion will miss the recognizable, classic Disney songs.

I was wondering whether this might not be smart considering that the generation that grew up on those films is now having their own children and getting to the stage of taking their first family WDW trips. I'm not much into Disney apparel, but I do have a t-shirt that just has the symbol from Hercules' medal from the film on the front and I almost never wear it when I go to the US as I get kind of tired of people recognising & commenting on it. So, perhaps it is a generational thing?

 

[Bacon]

I am very pleased. An excellent show for a castle park and a sure fire classic for years to come.

No it's amazing heck I can't even say that it's the best firework show I've seen (this and DLF are tied imo) but its life time should be a couple years

 

[Bacon]

Like making sure you post about it the day after on a forum for your fans to see? You are that Lifestyler/Blogger. Just because you aren't promoting the BRAND doesn't mean you aren't living it.

Snap I don't know if he can get his reputation back

 

[Figment82]

One thing I will say; It's going to be a bit more challenging photographing a long exposure shot of the show with the projections constantly changing.

More than anything, that was my initial thought after watching the livestream. And I had the timing of Wishes down pat; now I have a whole new show to learn. I'm glad I'm not the only one who had the same reaction!

 

[Kman101]

They cheered at Hunchback. At Tarzan's "Wrecking the Camp" ... I don't think they're going to change the show. I'm not worried about the general public not caring for the songs. I'm personally tired of the same old songs used.

 

[Kman101]

And everyone who says Fantasmic needs an update ... can't wait to see if they really do update it and include the modern movies ...

With a show like this, they aren't going to please everyone. They needed to put on the best show possible and I believe they did. They nailed it.

As I said in the night parade thread, some just are used to a pure fireworks show. That's no more. This is how the night shows will be like. Why WOULDN'T they focus on newer classics? I love the older classics as well, it's not like they're totally ignored. It was a VERY good mixture. Not sure what some want?

How can you NOT like 18 minutes of fireworks? Just watch from behind the castle, or on the beach or at the TT&C ... or from your overpriced room. Imo, you don't NEED to see the projections to enjoy the show.

You aren't going to feel the same emotional connection you felt with Wishes and I think some need to understand that.

 

[21stamps]

Same here. We went last weekend to see Wishes one last time. Hopefully will go next week to see this new show. I try to avoid the videos at all costs.

I still have not seen the Star Wars Fireworks show, or RoL... impatiently waiting...but determined to wait to see them in person.

 

[marni1971]

Yes it is subtly sprinkled throughout the show. But, as usual, that IS NOT ENOUGH for the high and mighty around these parts that whine and moan for Disney to be creative yet act like the world is ending because they neglect to make an overrated song, that was used for 14 years in the last show, the centerpiece of this new spectacle.

Really now?

I believe now it's you trying to make your opinion into fact. What matters to others may not matter to you. It's called opinion.

 

[wdwfan22]

Really now?

I believe now it's you trying to make your opinion into fact. What matters to others may not matter to you. It's called opinion.

Yeah the whiners on here will never be happy with anything Disney does. In my opinion some of them should stop visiting the parks all together.

 

[mergatroid]

Think it looks great personally. Quite a few moments that made me go "Wow" too which is always good. There seem to be more pyros used both from the far launch site and also within the park, it's like they've upped their game there. As for the songs, I'll admit I don't know them all. I tend not to watch all the Disney cartoons unless they happen to be on as we don't have kids, I didn't see Frozen for ages but thoroughly enjoyed it when I did. However I have to admit the songs used I didn't know all seemed rather catchy, I'll probably grow to enjoy them even more after a few viewings.

The thing with the songs is they're always evolving and we can't expect Disney to just keep the ones we personally like and never replace them with newer ones. I started going over 40 years ago so it would be rather selfish to demand only songs from back then be used, times move on and others would be upset if newer songs were never added. Over time we get used to the more modern songs as they become part of Disney just like 'The Lion King', 'The Little Mermaid' and 'Frozen' have, long since I started visiting.

 

[dreamscometrue]

I still have not seen the Star Wars Fireworks show, or RoL... impatiently waiting...but determined to wait to see them in person.

I waited to see them live (in March) and then watched them online when back home to see how they came off on video. Like all live shows, video online did not do either of them justice. Both had sounds around you, and subtle effects that cannot transfer to video. Also, one person's POV, even with a wide lens, can't replace what you see with your peripheral vision and when looking around as random things catch your attention.
Also, those two shows are very different from each other, but that was welcomed by me (and our group). RoL is so different than all the other nighttime shows because of no pyro or IP, I just found it so refreshing. That's not to say I'm not a huge fan of all the others, but RoL was a nice change of pace and perfect for the serenity I feel at DAK.
I hope you enjoy them both.

 

[21stamps]

It IS a fact this show is better off not being polluted with the same songs over and over again. Whether YOU chose to accept that is an entirely different story. But like I said, you purists will hate everything which is why I don't even know why I bother. Lol.

I have to admit, I was at my parent's house last night, and my mom, me, and my son watched the final wishes on YouTube. I didn't out right cry but I did tear up, and she said she was a little sad too. Those songs are the Disney that I grew up with, and they hold so many memories.. I think that's why wishes was so emotional for me the first time I saw it with my child. It was just such a full circle moment.
But, I Think the new show looks incredible from the advert that I saw from Disney, I know it will blow me away, and change has to happen. You can have a bittersweet moment and still realize that things don't always have to remain the same.

 

[21stamps]

I waited to see them live (in March) and then watched them online when back home to see how they came off on video. Like all live shows, video online did not do either of them justice. Both had sounds around you, and subtle effects that cannot transfer to video. Also, one person's POV, even with a wide lens, can't replace what you see with your peripheral vision and when looking around as random things catch your attention.
Also, those two shows are very different from each other, but that was welcomed by me (and our group). RoL is so different than all the other nighttime shows because of no pyro or IP, I just found it so refreshing. That's not to say I'm not a huge fan of all the others, but RoL was a nice change of pace and perfect for the serenity I feel at DAK.
I hope you enjoy them both.

Thanks!

I did watch this..

 

[Disney Analyst]

This is how I see it:

Wishes was designed to be an emotional, sappy show. (I don't mean that in a bad way)

HEA is designed to be a triumphant, powerful show.

They are different. They both make you feel things, but no one show is better because the other was more emotional and made you cry or one didn't. They are designed to evoke different responses, and that's okay! Keep your loving memories of Wishes, and make new ones with HEA. Both amazing shows.

 

[marni1971]

It IS a fact this show is better off not being polluted with the same songs over and over again..

If it's a fact then you have evidence to back your quote up. That's why it's called a fact.

Otherwise it's called personal opinion. So, about that evidence?

 

[marni1971]

And everyone who says Fantasmic needs an update ... can't wait to see if they really do update it and include the modern movies ....

DLs will be able for all to see very soon. At this time there's no plans for Orlando to receive the updates.