Wednesday, September 29, 2021

Farewell Happily Ever After

"... And they all lived happily ever after.  Each of us has a dream, a heart's desire.  It calls to us.  And when we're brave enough to listen, and bold enough to pursue, that dream will lead us on a journey to discover who we're meant to be.  All we have to do is look inside our hearts and unlock the magic within."

Today is a very sad Disney day.  Tonight, the Magic Kingdom's current fireworks show, Happily Ever After, will take it's final curtain call.  I really didn't think the last time I saw it would be for the last time ever.  Oh how I wish I could see it live just one more time.

Happily Ever After debuted on May 12, 2017 when it replaced Wishes.  At the time, I was really upset that Wishes was leaving.  It was the fireworks show that Eliot and I watched during our wedding week and during our honeymoon.  It was the fireworks show running on Eliot's first trip to Walt Disney World in 2009, during our family reunion and it was also the last fireworks show that my Papa ever saw.  However, as upset as I was at the time, it only took one look at the projection mapping the first time I saw Happily Ever After, and I was completely in love with it.

Each time Eliot and I have watched the show, I've been completely dazzled by the projection mapping on Cinderella castle, the lasers, searchlights, and of course the fireworks.  The show had a wonderful mix of new and classic Disney songs, and I always caught myself singing along.  I loved the stained glass projections of all the characters on the castle.  The storyline of the show and song always resonated with me.  And no matter how many times I saw Tinker Bell fly across the hub, I always got a little choked up whenever I heard "You Can Fly".  For me, the show was perfection.


I'm so sad that they aren't bringing Happily Ever After back after the 50th Anniversary celebration ends.  I really thought they would since this show isn't that old.  I'm still holding out hope that Disney will use the same music and update the show with the projections on Main Street, so it wouldn't be the "same" Happily Ever After but maybe a newer version?  But I don't know if Disney would do that.  I guess time will tell.

It's depressing to me that the last time I saw the show was in January of 2020 after I'd spent hours in the first aid station at the Magic Kingdom.  I wasn't feeling well at all, but since it was the last night of our trip, I wanted to push myself.  I did enjoy the show, even though I felt like crap.  I knew that I wouldn't be back to Disney for a while so I wanted to enjoy it... of course, I didn't know how much we'd all soon endure with the pandemic- or that the show would have to go dark during an extended closure.

I wish that Eliot and I had been able to get back one last time to see it in person.  Still, I'm incredibly grateful that I was able to see it the last night of our January 2020 trip.  I would really be upset with myself if I hadn't pushed myself to go see it that last night.


I'm sure the new Disney Enchantment fireworks show for Walt Disney World's 50th Anniversary Celebration will be spectacular in it's own way, and I'll probably love that show too.  But, I'm still a little sad that Happily Ever After has to end.  

"And so, our journey comes to an end.  But yours continues on.  Grab ahold of your dreams and make them come true.  For you are the key to unlocking your own magic. Now go.  Let your dreams guide you.  Reach out and find your Happily Ever After."

Farewell Happily Ever After.  Thank you for all of the memories.  "It's just beginning, feel your heart beat faster.  Reach out and find your happily ever after..."   °o°

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