By: Brenda Tackett, a Marvelous Mouse Travels agent
July 1st , 2021 is a day I will never forget. A day Disney fans all over the country will never forget. A day that was 1 year, 3 months, and 16 days in the making. Yes, after 473 days, fireworks were back at Magic Kingdom and EPCOT.
Many lucky guests already had park reservations set up for Magic Kingdom on July 1 st before the announcement that fireworks were coming back was made. Of course, park reservations sold out not long after the announcement was made! I feel so honored to have been chosen by Kari, our agency owner, to attend the reopening events with her for two days. I felt elated, like a kid in a candy shop.
I got to Magic Kingdom at about 9:30am on July 1st . I noticed right away that it was pretty crowded. People had already started setting up their cameras in the perfect viewing area in front of Cinderella’s Castle. Dads and grandpas were already being forced to stand guard over their spot for the next 12 hours. There was a definite excitement in the air. It already felt so different to me because the last time. I was in Magic Kingdom in early May, I still had to wear a mask everywhere. Now, I could see the smiling
faces of kids and families having a magical day.
Our special event with other travel agency owners started with a dessert party at Tomorrowland Terrace. While dessert parties for the public aren’t back yet, I’m hoping this is a good sign that they will return soon. Our desserts consisted of chocolate covered strawberries with “Disney Happily Ever After” stamped on them and a brownie with a white chocolate castle on top, just to name a few. Of course, there were Mickey ice cream bars present as well!
And then it happened. 9:15pm. The lights were dimmed and you could hear the crowd scream and shout with joy. The narrator begins, “And they all lived happily ever after. Each of us has a dream, a heart’s desire.” The music starts a few seconds later. Disney fans around the country can hear Jordan Fisher’s voice sing “Ready to begin? Let the wonder take hold.” Of course, tears start streaming down my face and I cannot stop smiling. 473 days is a really long time to wait to hear and see this beautiful show. It was better than I remembered it. The fireworks were amazing. And even though Tink didn’t fly because of the rain, the entire night was a dream come true.
I was extremely lucky to experience another dessert party at EPCOT the following night as well as an amazing viewing area in Italy to watch EPCOT Forever. For those that remember the show before Covid, they did not have people on jet skis with kites. I think it may be due to the new structures in the water that are getting ready for the new Disney Harmonious show debuting on October 1st to kick off the 50th Anniversary celebration.
So, if you are someone like me who cries every time they watch Happily Ever After, it’s time for you to head back to Disney to experience this absolutely magical show. You will not be disappointed. As Angie Keilhau sings, “Feel it draw you in. Watch the moment unfold.” It’s time for you to reach out and find YOUR happily ever after!
Please reach out to Brenda, an agent with Marvelous Mouse Travels to plan your next vacation or you may contact Marvelous Mouse Travels.
