Viewing Locations Dessert Parties Fireworks Cruise Fun Facts
Happily Ever After is a breathtaking nighttime fireworks spectacular at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. Centered around Cinderella Castle, the show features stunning fireworks, lasers, and projection mapping. Guests can enjoy contemporary Disney songs and an exclusive song crafted for the show. Various viewing spots are available both inside and outside the park, enhancing the magical experience.
Projections and lasers help to tell a story on the face of Cinderella Castle and on the buildings of Main Street U.S.A., turning both into a giant, beautiful screens. These projections are animations created by some of the same animators who make the beautiful Disney movies we know and love.
The 18 minute show also features a musical score with contemporary versions of popular Disney songs, and a brand new song created just for Happily Ever After. On top of all of this, are the unforgettable fireworks that light up the night sky! Happily Ever After closes out the day at the Magic Kingdom. Be sure to experience the performance on your visit to the Magic Kingdom. Check MyDisneyExperience or a times guide for daily showtimes.
Movies featured in Happily Ever After include:
- Aladdin
- Big Hero Six
- Brave
- Frozen
- The Hunchback of Notre Dame
- The Incredibles
- The Lion King
- The Little Mermaid
- Moana
- Mulan
- Tarzan
- The Princess and the Frog
- Toy Story
- Up
- WALL-E
- Wreck-It Ralph
- Zootopia
Happily Ever After Viewing Locations
Main Street USA
Most guests watch Happily Ever After from Main Street USA in front of Cinderella Castle. This location centers the castle around the fireworks and provides an excellent view of the projections and lighting effects. Some guests grab a spot an hour before the performance, while others will simply walk up as it is time for the show to begin. If your intention is to be able to get out of the park quickly after Happily Ever After, then it is best to head towards the train station for your viewing location, just be aware that the lights on this end of Main Street are not turned off during the fireworks.
For a view with less hassle, Guests may also want to consider booking a fireworks dessert party.
Locations outside of Magic Kingdom
Happily Ever After can not only be viewed inside the Magic Kingdom, but also outside the park. For guests who do not have park tickets for the day this is an excellent opportunity to take advantage of watching the nighttime fireworks without a park ticket.
Happily Ever After can be viewed from the beaches of the Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. The show can be seen from the Ticket and Transportation Center as well. Oh and if you are able to time it perfectly, you can actually view Happily Ever After while on the Ferryboat between the Ticket and Transportation Center and the Magic Kingdom.
Another popular option is to view Happily Ever After from California Grill or ‘Ohana. By making a dining reservation at one of these locations, you can view the fireworks from the restaurant. The only caveat about viewing the show from outside the park is that most of the lighting effects and projections on and around Cinderella Castle will not be clearly seen, however, fireworks can be seen from all of these locations.
FerryTale Fireworks: A Sparkling Dessert Cruise
The FerryTale Fireworks: A Sparkling Dessert Party allows Guests to board a ferry boat and watch the fireworks. Guests will enjoy specialty desserts and specialty beverages (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) on the ferryboat. The evening’s fireworks soundtrack will play on the boat as guests watch the fireworks.
In addition to desserts and drinks, the Ferrytale Fireworks Dessert Cruise also offers fun activities such as a Glow-in-the-Dark Scavenger Hunt, where you’ll search for Hidden Mickeys throughout the Ferryboat. Then when the fireworks begin, you’ll be able to use a pair of “Mickey Vision” viewing lenses, through which you might just be able to see one of your favorite characters appear in each burst of light!
Sample menu may include:
- “The Grand” Finale Key lime tart
- KABOOM! Cupcakes
- Rocket Burst Popcorn Push Ups
- Red Velvet Wow! Pie
- Build your own Chocolate Mousse
- No sugar added Florida Mango Panna Cotta (Dietary, gluten, NSA, Soy, Eggs, Peanuts, and Dairy free)
- Fruit and Cheese display
- Ice cream novelties
The cruises take place on select Wednesday and Saturday evenings. The cost is $130 per adult and $80 for children ages 3-9 plus tax and gratuity. Discounts do not apply. Reservation times for the FerryTale Fireworks cruise are one hour prior to the scheduled fireworks time. Guests check-in at the Ferryboat launch at the Ticket and Transportation Center. If arriving by car, park in the Magic Kingdom lot. Check-in will begin 15 minutes prior to reservation time.
Guests can book this option online at www.disneyworld.com/dine or at call 407-WDW-DINE. Capacity is limited. Seating is limited but wheelchairs and ECVs can be accommodated. Advance reservations are strongly recommended. Annual Passholders can apply a discount by calling 407 WDW-DINE and Disney Vacation Club Members can apply a discount by calling Member Services.
Happily Ever After Fireworks Dessert Party Information and Options
Enhance your Happily Ever After experience with the Magic Kingdom Dessert Party. Enjoy a selection of delicious desserts before settling into a reserved viewing area for the nighttime fireworks. There are different packages available, each offering unique dining and viewing experiences to suit your preferences. Magic Kingdom park visitors can attend the Happily Ever After Fireworks Dessert Party for an additional fee. This event takes place most nights at the Tomorrowland Terrace and includes reserved viewing for “Happily Ever After,” as well as a self-serve dessert buffet. There are 3 options for this Dessert Party – “Treats and Seats” , the Dessert Pre-Party, or the Dessert After-Party.
Dessert Pre-Party
This dessert party begins 90 minutes prior to the nightly fireworks. There will be plenty of time to enjoy unlimited desserts and beverages at the buffet. Then guests will travel to a reserved Plaza Gardens viewing area to stand and watch the fireworks with an unobstructed view. This viewing area provides a nice view of the show.
Dessert After-Party
With the After Fireworks Dessert Party, Guests will be able to experience the Happily Ever After fireworks from a special viewing area in the Plaza Garden. Afterwards, Guests will head to the Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant to enjoy delicious desserts.
“Treats and Seats” with Tomorrowland Terrace Priority Seating View
This Fireworks Dessert Party begins nightly one hour prior to “Happily Ever After“ (or other seasonal fireworks) and continues through the fireworks display with staggered seating times. Those who reserve the earliest get the best seating. Tables are assigned with name tags. Once checked in, a Cast Member will escort your party to your table. The area seats approximately 170 people. When checked in, Guests are provided with a wristband. This allows them to leave the area should they need to and then be allowed to return. Overall, the view is no-hassle, above average, and provides the perfect vantage point to see Tinker Bell fly from the castle and glide directly overhead.
The Desserts
The buffet is all you care to eat and drink and offers the following items below. There are also items for guests with special dietary needs–just ask a cast member for assistance. Guests should include dietary restrictions when making the reservation.
Food options might include:
- Oreo Cheesecake Mousse
- Chocolate Silk Pie
- Chocolate Covered Strawberries
- Chilling Chamber Pop
- Tres Leches Cake
- Devil’s Chocolate Pudding
- Butterscotch Pudding with Caramel Popcorn
- Firehouse Donuts with Strawberry Sauce
- Assorted Fruit
- Cheese and Crackers
- Beverages include: Sparkling Cider, Hot Chocolate, Signature Lemonades, Coffee, and Tea
Beverage options might include:
- Sparkling Cider
- Water
- Tea
- Milk
- Lemonade
- POG Juice
- Assorted Wine and Beer
Pricing
Reservations for all three of these options are highly recommended. To make an advance reservation call (407) WDW-DINE or make Advance Dining Reservations online. This event is scheduled no more than than 30 to 60 days out. Recently, however, Disney has begun making it available up to 6 months out. When dates do open, it’s generally an entire month at a time. The Fireworks Dessert Party can also be reserved through any Guest Relations, Resort Concierge or Table Service dining location.
Prices for “Treats and Seats” with Tomorrowland Terrace Priority Seating:
- $119-$129, tax-included (ages 10 and above)
- $59, tax-included (ages 3-9)
Price does not include park admission.
Pricing for Plaza Gardens View and the Pre-Dessert Party:
- $99-$109, tax-included (ages 10 and above)
- $75, tax-included (ages 3-9)
Price does not include park admission.
Pricing for Plaza Gardens View and the After Fireworks Dessert Party:
- $99-$109, tax-included (ages 10 and above)
- $59, tax-included (ages 3-9)
Price does not include park admission.
Note: On occasion, Happily Ever After may be replaced with another fireworks display in honor of a holiday or hard ticket event. If this is to occur, the Fireworks Dessert Party, if it will be offered, will take place as scheduled one hour prior to its replacement show.
Pre-payment is required for advance reservation. There is a 24-hour advance cancellation. If the fireworks are canceled due to inclement weather, there are no refunds. Seating is limited (160 people maximum). Walk-ups will be accept on a first-come, first-serve basis in the event that advance reservations are not sold out. Separate park admission to Magic Kingdom Park is required. Payment Methods Accepted: Visa, American Express, Disney Rewards Card, Master Card, Diners Club Card, Gift Card, Disney’s Visa Credit Card, Discover, JCB, Disney Gift Card, Dreams Reward Card.
Happily Ever After Fun Facts and Historical Information
- Happily Ever After originally debuted May 12, 2017.
- The show was initially retired to make way for Disney Enchantment. However, due to the show’s popularity, Happily Ever After returned following Disney Enchantment’s run.
- The show features more lighting and projection effects than any other fireworks show the Magic Kingdom has ever had before.
- Happily Ever After replaced the nighttime spectacular, Wishes, after 14 years of nightly performances.
- Wishes debuted on October 9, 2003 replacing Fantasy in the Sky.
- Wishes featured 683 individual fireworks.
- Wishes was narrated by Jiminy Crickett and featured references to 10 classic Disney films.
- Wishes featured fireworks set to music with a story line about the Disney heroes battling the Disney villains.
- A high point of the Wishes show occurred when Tinkerbell flew from Cinderella Castle to land in Tomorrowland.
- The Wishes fireworks show lasted approximately 12 minutes.