Walt Disney World Hacks

The History of Walt Disney World’s Fireworks Spectaculars

If you’ve ever been to Disney World, chances are you’ve been a witness to one of their amazing fireworks shows. They are explosive (obviously), amazing and quite the spectacle.

Walt originally wanted a fireworks spectacular to bookend the night for his original park, Disneyland in California. A way to give the finale the visitor’s day needed, insure that they guests stayed longer than a few hours and accentuated the center of Disneyland, Sleeping Beauty’s Castle.

Inevitably, the fireworks show was copied to the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World and it became a staple of the theme park experience. Soon, fireworks were exploding all over Walt Disney World across three parks.

Through the years, Walt Disney World has offered a number of different fireworks shows, discontinuing some and adding others. This post chronicles each of them. If I miss out on any, be sure to let me know in the comments.

Fantasy in the Sky – Magic Kingdom

Fantasy in the sky was the original fireworks showcase of the Magic Kingdom. Like Wishes, it took its cue from classic Disney films. The show was a staple of the Magic Kingdom nightly from 1976-2003 until it was replaced by Wishes, the current fireworks display at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom.

Fantasy in the Sky – 4th of July Edition

This particular edition of the trademark Cinderella Castle show is no more. But thanks to video, we can always remember it fondly.

American Idol Live Opens at Disney Hollywood Studios on 2/14/09

The much anticipated American Idol Live attraction will finally have its grand opening at Disney Hollywood Studios on February 14, 2009. The American Idol Live attraction will have one serious advantage for serious American Idol potential contestants. Taken from the official press release:

Guest performers with the highest votes will compete in an end-of-day Grand Finale show at Walt Disney World, and the winner of the Grand Finale show will receive a guaranteed reservation for a future regional stadium audition -- to ensure no waiting in long lines -- for the "American Idol" TV show. But when it comes down to the television show auditions, everyone is treated equal.

Since I am not a big Idol fan and have never been to an audition, I’m not sure exactly if this will be as great as it sounds, but it should at least guarantee against getting turned away without an audition. Which seems like a pretty big deal to me.

Also, I imagine that lines for this attraction will be fairly long for spectators, not to mention those who wish to try out, so make sure if this is on your “must-do” list for WDW, you get to the park early and get your name in the pot quickly. First thing.

Good luck!

Where To Find the Villains - Maleficent, The Evil Queen, Cruella and More

Maleficent greets the crowd at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party

Some of my favorite Disney characters are the Villains and it was years before I could finally hunt down my favorite villains in order to get a snapshot. Yes. I wanted a picture with The Evil Queen and Maleficent. Sue me.

It's understandable why so many people want to find the Villains once they get to Walt Disney World. They're the epitome of cool. Here are a few ways to find your favorite villain so you too can take a photo with your favorite.

• Obviously, the best time to find the villains is during the Halloween season and particularly during Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom. They even have their own show, The Villains Mix and Mingle, which takes place on the stage in front of Cinderella's Castle. After the show, the villains come down to mingle with the crowd and take photos.
• Disney Hollywood Studios is a hotspot for the villains. During the day, you're very likely to see them hanging out in the courtyard in front of the Chinese Theatre. Um, that's where the big Mickey's Sorcerer's hat resides.
• Cruella can sometimes be found hanging out near Tony's Restaurant just near the entrance at the Magic Kingdom. There are *always* characters around this area and, if you can catch a Character Assistant (they'll be the cast member in the yellow, red and black shirt assisting the character), ask them if they know when Cruella, or any of the other villains, will be making her next appearance.
• The really "hot" villains seem to make random appearances near the Castle. I've heard of impromptu appearances taking place in Fantasyland, near the castle, during nightly Extra Magic Hours.
• Captain Hook is the easiest villain to find. He and Mr. Smee make scheduled appearances near Pirates of the Caribbean throughout the day.
• If you simply want to see the villains, you can find them in a number of shows. Currently, Maleficent and her ilk can be see in the Dream Along With Mickey show at Cinderella Castle's forecourt. You can also see them:
• During the Magic Kingdom's Disney Dreams Come True parade.
• The Evil Queen, Captain Hook and even Ursula make appearances during the nightly Spectromagic parade. This parade doesn't take place all nights, so check the daily schedule. Also, this parade *will* be canceled if weather is inclement.
• Fantasmic at Disney Hollywood Studios is a show centered around the villains and the havoc they can cause within Mickey's dreams.
• The Boo To You parade during Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom is a villains fan's dream come true. You'll even see a couple of villains you don't normally see such as Captain Barbossa from The Pirates of the Caribbean.

Unfortunately, one of the best parades in which to see the villains was Disney Hollywood Studios now retired Disney Stars and Motorcar Parade. It was replaced by Pixar's Block Party Bash (grumble). Rumor has it that the parade will resume its "route" at Disneyland Paris (weep!).

Good luck with your villains hunt! Feel free to send me links to your photos.

And if you've had any great villains experiences, post them in the comments below.

Walt Disney World's American Idol Attraction

It appears that Walt Disney World has Idol fever. Taking up residence in the old Superstar Television theatre in Disney's Hollywood Studios, guests will be allowed to live out their Idol dreams at Disney's movie-based theme park.

According to an article in the Orlando Sentinel, Walt Disney World visitors will be allowed to try out for the show during the day. Then, they will be allowed to compete before a real studio audience in the new American Idol theater. Winners of the competition will then be allowed to try out for the American Idol tv show.

Alright, so I admit to being a little disappointed by this announcement. But that's because I'm not an American Idol fan. However, no doubt Idol fans will be eating this up and I daresay it will bring even more business into the park. So, on that front, it's a VERY smart move on Disney's part.

Here's the artist's conceptual rendering of the new theater:

Obviously, unless they move Echo Lake, there's not going to be nearly that much room in front of the theater.

Of course, WDWHacks is going to do everything it can to find out the best ways for you to enjoy and to compete in the upcoming attraction, so if you haven't subscribed yet, DO!

No word yet on who the judges will be, but there WILL be judges.

Narnia Photo-Op Removed at Walt Disney World's Hollywood Studios

Looks like the light post is gone.

If you'll remember, once upon a time, there was a photo op just outside Hollywood Studio's Narnia exhibit which allowed guests to have their photo taken in "Narnia."

As it's assumed that the Narnia exhibit is being refitted for the upcoming Prince Caspian movie, it wasn't going to be long before the photo op would be removed as well.

I only hope that it remains somewhat similar inside. Going into the wardrobe and right into Narnia was awesome for those who have been fans of the books for years.

Walt Disney World Attraction Closures - February

In order to keep Walt Disney World working like the well-oiled machine that it is, sometimes, attractions have to close down for repair and refurbishments. Here are the attractions that will be out of commission this February - 2008:

Magic Kingdom

• Liberty Belle - The Liberty Belle, which circles Tom Sawyer's Island, will be closed beginning on February 24. The attraction will reopen in late March.
• Snow White's Scary Adventures - Will reopen February 15.
• Splash Mountain - Will reopen February 17.

Epcot

• The American Adventure - This attraction will only be closed through February 3.
• Journey Into Imagination With Figment - Will reopen on February 24.
• Spaceship Earth - As you may know, Spaceship Earth has been undergoing a facelift. It has been open for awhile but will close again on February 9 and reopen on February 14.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

• Journey Into Narnia: Creating The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - This attraction will reopen on May 23. As you may know, the next installment of the series will be out this year, Prince Caspian. Expect an update reflecting this. I'm going to miss The White Witch.

That's it, Folks!

Pixar Block Party Bash Comes to Disney Hollywood Studios

Starting in Spring 2008, Disney Hollywood Studios (formerly Disney-MGM Studios) will be featuring the Pixar Block Party Bash that debuted at Disney's California Adventure at the Disneyland Resort.

This parade will replace the the Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade.

I, for one, am a little sad to see the other parade go. What I liked about the Disney Stars and Motor Cars Parade was that it was a combination of all the things that made MGM/Hollywood great. There were the Disney/Pixar characters combined with characters from other areas of the park such as Star Wars and The Muppets.

For those wondering about the actual parade, the parade is more mobile entertainment than parade. It encourages guest participation and features a number of dancers, acrobatic artists, etc.

The parade, as you gathered, features the characters familiar to the Pixar name. Characters from Toy Story, A Bug's Life, The Incredibles and Monsters, Inc. all make appearances.