Disneyland Forever is Disneyland Park’s newest fireworks shows. It brings together the magic of Disney story telling, your favorite Disney movies and characters and an immersive projection system to create a truly extraordinary entertainment experience.
The show offers unique viewing locations throughout Disneyland Park making it easy for families to have several different experiences. After watching the premiere of the show I had the opportunity to speak with John Addis, Disneyland Resort show director, to talk about the unique viewing experiences throughout the park. Our video has special insider tips you won’t find anywhere else, so don’t just skip to the rest of this post, because you have to watch to learn!
With four fantastic viewing locations, each with their very own unique elements, it’s easy to see how families can have many special experiences. Here is how you can customize your fireworks experience:
- If you have little ones who want to experience “snow,” you need to watch the show on Main Street or at Fantasmic!. (If you are on Main Street, do not opt for Town Square by City Hall. You will not be able to see the fireworks well and you will get stuck in the throngs of people exiting the park after the show.
- If you are a huge Finding Nemo or Frozen fan, you need to be up by Sleeping Beauty Castle where you can see both the castle and the Matterhorn.
- If you want to feel like the fireworks are larger than life see the fireworks in the “it’s a small world” mall area.
- If you don’t like to “camp out” for a spot, you can always get FASTPASSES or book a dining package for the first Fantasmic! show of the night and then sit and watch the special version of Disneyland Forever presented along the Rivers of America. (Dining packages can be booked by calling the Disney Dining Line.)
- If you go to the first showing Paint the Night, on Main Street (or “it’s a small world” mall), you will be able to basically stay in the same spot for firework. (You will be sitting along side of the parade route and will just want to move into where the parade just was–from the curb into the street if you are on Main Street).
The show is a celebration of the imagery, music and history of Disneyland. Here are just some of the incredible scenes found on Main Street:
Playful music and warm-hearted colors reveal the enchanted world of the honey-loving Winnie the Pooh. Pooh takes us into his kaleidoscopic dream of Heffalumps and Woozles.
Lightning, thunder and waves take guests “Under the Sea,” with Sebastian and Ariel’s world of frolicking fish and singing crustaceans. Bubbles float us upward to find Nemo who is about to embark on a new challenge.
The blazing sun of the African pride lands summons the wild creatures of “The Lion King” and Simba’s colorful world. Marching elephants and swinging monkeys lead us into the frenzy of a scene from “The Jungle Book.”
Dick Van Dyke recorded new voice over for the Mary Poppins segment of the show.
The Music and Technology of Disneyland Forever
Disney Legend Richard Sherman composed the beautiful song, “A Kiss Goodnight,” which plays at the conclusion of “Disneyland Forever.” (You can hear part of the song at the end of my video above.) The title is a reference to Walt Disney’s feeling that nighttime fireworks provided guests with, as Sherman recalls, “a little kiss goodnight” after a day in the park.
The show’s anthem, “Live The Magic,” was created by composers Adam Watts and Andy Dodd. Their collaborative credits include work on Disney’s smash “High School Musical,” along with songs for other top artists.
The score was recorded by an orchestra in London, England, at Abbey Road Studios.
Disneyland Forever features many special effects, including fog, lasers, computerized laser-mapping, inflatables and spotlights.
17 projectors help immerse audiences into imaginative surroundings on Main Street, U.S.A. More than 25 video projectors are used parkwide.
30 inflatable units and multiple moving window actuators help create an immersive environment on Main Street, U.S.A.
The diamonds in the sky lights mentioned in my video are formed with the spotlights seen in the photo below. If you watch the show on Main Street or at Sleeping Beauty Castle, be sure to look up after the show is over to see the amazing lights for a huge faceted diamond in the sky
The “diamond in the sky” after it all ends is cementing my plan to watch the fireworks from Main Street. Thank you! This is the only place I have seen that tip.