LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL - OCTOBER 10: Fireworks explode over Cinderella Castle during the Happily Ever ... [+] After fireworks show at the Walt Disney World, Magic Kingdom entertainment park on October 10, 2018 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Photo by Gary Hershorn/Getty Images) Show Walt Disney World is known for their nighttime fireworks shows, which have been on hiatus since the theme park resort reopened in July 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Because of the shortened park hours and focus on health and safety Disney has not been blasting off shows like Happily Ever After at Magic Kingdom or EPCOT Forever at EPCOT. But starting July 1, Walt Disney World will have guests looking to the skies over both parks as fireworks return to Walt Disney World. While guests are looking forward to the return of both of the nighttime shows, Disney is looking forward to the financial boost that fireworks bring to the company. The nightly Magic Kingdom fireworks show is estimated to cost Walt Disney World anywhere from $40,000 to $50,000 a night, but what is Disney really getting out of keeping people in the parks later than normal? As people roam both Magic Kingdom and Epcot looking for the perfect spot to view the fireworks, kids are likely to notice the carts filled with character-covered light-up toys and gizmos and ask for one. These toys cost an average of $20. Now imagine thousands of people buying these toys for kids every night as the sun goes down over Cinderella Castle. That alone would be almost enough to pay for the fireworks that shoot off from around Magic Kingdom. Then add in the financial win of buying snacks like Mickey-shaped ice cream or churros which are about $5 each, and the vast amount of merchandise that Disney sells in each of its stores lining Main Street U.S.A. Disney knows that as people get tired and have waited all day to buy merchandise that lining the exit of it’s most popular park will get people in, then adding in the delirium from an exciting park day has people buying more than anticipated. Top that with the smell of fresh corn dogs from the end of Main Street U.S.A. at the recently reopened Casey’s Corner, and Disney is raking in the cash, all because fireworks have come back to the park. The relaunch of Happily Ever After and EPCOT Forever is what many Disney fans around the country have been waiting for with the consensus being that a ticket into the park for over $100 a day per person without any add-ons is not worth the cost without fireworks at the end of the night. Fireworks returning to the parks will surely entice more people to actually make their way to Walt Disney World. Even though fireworks might seem like a simple thing to bring back, it’s one thing that’s a sure way to bring in more money for Disney and in the process increase guest satisfaction as they leave Magic Kingdom and EPCOT having seen a nighttime show with arms full of merchandise bags and Disney’s wallet being a little heavier. Fact: Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida is the highest consumer of fireworks in the world.  This past summer, Disney World slowly brought back two of their famous fireworks shows in 2021, but with major changes. (All firework shows were stopped in March 2020 because of Covid.) The World’s Most Magical Celebration features a brand new nighttime fireworks spectacular at Magic Kingdom called ‘Disney Enchantment’. We got to see it in December 2021 and while it’s good, it’s no ‘Wishes” or “Happily Ever After”. Meanwhile, over at Epcot is “HarmonioUS,” the new nighttime spectacular that “celebrates the role of Disney music in uniting the world”. This replaced the beloved, long running “IllumiNations” fireworks and the temporary “Epcot Forever” shows. We also saw this show last month. That it’s ‘not great’ is about all we can say about it. Much less fireworks, a lot of projections onto water fans, very similar to the failed and canceled “Rivers of Light” show that was over at DAK. We miss IllumiNations. Disney Parks doesn’t disclose the cost of all their firework shows, but just the nightly – and sometimes twice a night – ‘Disney Enchantment’ fireworks show at the Magic Kingdom costs about $25,000 a night. Much less than what “Happily Ever After” cost ($45,000/night) because it features a lot more castle projections, lasers, and surround lighting, including lighting down Main Street USA, than actual fireworks. It’s hard to say for sure because Disney fireworks were always so over-the-top, but it’s now maybe 30% – 40% less fireworks used per show? But, that still means it costs at least $5 – 8 million a year for Magic Kingdom fireworks alone. In 2019, Disney World put on about 2,500 firework shows a year at three of their parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios). No fireworks displays are ever used Disney’s Animal Kingdom – it would scare the animals! And, there were no fireworks shows at Disney Springs. But, the fireworks used now at DHS are very minimum during the nightly show in front of the Chinese Theater. And the nightly “Fantasmic!” show with it’s fireworks hasn’t returned yet. This lower yearly WDW fireworks guesstimate figure doesn’t include any of the special longer fireworks displays that used to happen for 4th of July, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, Villains in the Sky at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, Magic Kingdom New Years Eve Fantasy in the Sky, nor the daytime fireworks that are a part of the stage shows performed in front of the Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom throughout the day. These should return in 2022 depending of Covid. A rough, conservative estimate for all WDW fireworks in 2022: $12 million, way down from 2019’s $45 – $50 million dollars annually. Disney’s budget cutting continues across the board while ticket prices are record high. Rumor has it that Disney uses the revenue from all their parking lots (currently $25/day ) to help cover the cost of the fireworks. So, when you pay for parking, you’re really paying for the evening’s fireworks show. Be sure to stay for the fireworks and not leave early. Your parking pass paid for that show! Star light, star bright, First star I see tonight, I wish I may, I wish I might, I wish I might have my wish tonight. Yes, Tinkerbell has returned with the new fireworks show! ******************* We’ve written two books about our time working – and playing – as Disney Cast Members at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Both are available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle: Two Girls and a Mouse Tale and Adventures in the Animal Kingdom. If you’d like to follow our daily Disney blog, here’s the link: https://collinsrace1.wordpress.com/ Have a magical day! How much is the Happily Ever After fireworks?Admission to the party is $89 for adults and $53 for children (ages 3-9).
How much does Disney spend a night on fireworks?Disney Parks doesn't disclose the cost of all their firework shows, but just the nightly 'Disney Enchantment' fireworks show at the Magic Kingdom costs about $25,000 a night.
How much does it cost to do Happily Ever After?The relaunch of Happily Ever After and EPCOT Forever is what many Disney fans around the country have been waiting for with the consensus being that a ticket into the park for over $100 a day per person without any add-ons is not worth the cost without fireworks at the end of the night.
How much does Disney spend on fireworks in a day?After an expensive, crowded day at Walt Disney World or Universal, the parks spend thousands on nighttime spectacles of fireworks, lasers and digital imagery for a “last kiss good night.” Although the exact cost is confidential, industry estimates range from $30,000 to $50,000 per fireworks show.
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How much does Happily Ever After fireworks cost
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