One of the best ways to end the night in Disney World is with fireworks.
Whether you’re watching Luminous — the Symphony of Us in EPCOT, Fantasmic and Wonderful World of Animation in Hollywood Studios, or Happily Ever After in Magic Kingdom, you’ll be treated to a display of Disney music and pyrotechnic prowess, usually topped with some general nostalgia and a heartwarming storyline. But Magic Kingdom perhaps takes the cake for the most emotional show, and nowadays, those fireworks just hit different.
Happily Ever After in Magic Kingdom is a fan-favorite when it comes to nighttime shows, with a spectacular theme song, stunning projections, and a moving storyline. It features not only some showstopping fireworks but also lots of projections with clips from classic and new Disney movies.
There are multiple sections to the show. Some feature Disney heroes, while others highlight villains. Some include clips from Disney love stories or movies about families. But as the show winds down a bit for the finale, there’s one clip that always stands out.
Right after the heroes seemingly lose the battle to the villains, Cinderella Castle darkens and a solitary figure gets projected on the front. It’s Mufasa from The Lion King, here with the same message he gave Simba in the film, reminding us to “remember who you are.”
This section of Happily Ever After hits a little different now. ? pic.twitter.com/V89S8w6m5t
— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) September 16, 2024
This section often earns the cheers of the crowd and much general enthusiasm, but it’s really been hitting hard as of late. That’s because on Monday, September 9th, James Earl Jones passed away. Jones was known for many iconic roles, but to Disney fans, he was commonly known as the voice of Darth Vader and Mufasa.
So now, every time we hear his voice in Happily Ever After, we’ll salute James Earl Jones and thank him for the incredible work he accomplished for movie fans for many decades. If you catch us with a few extra tears rolling down our cheeks during the next show, you’ll know why.
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