Disney at a Distance: Parades and Fireworks
Every week while Walt Disney World has been closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been taking a virtual look at Walt Disney World in our Disney at a Distance series. We hope that this is the last in that series and that Walt Disney World begins a phased reopening on July 11 as planned. To be honest, though, we're turning blue from holding our breath because this might come down to the wire.
This weekend being July 4th weekend, we thought it was appropriate to celebrate with parades and fireworks... You know, those things that not many of us in the United States are going to get to do this year... AND those things that are going to take just a BIT longer to come back to your Walt Disney World visits when the parks do reopen because, initially, Disney is avoiding any crowd draws like parades and fireworks.
So instead of going to one specific land in one specific park, we are going to wrap up this series with a big bang (pun intended) and explore what we think are some of the best parades and fireworks at Walt Disney World from both the present AND the past.
Before we get started, let's get those magical extras ready!
Pop some popcorn
Dig out your glow in the dark bracelets and toys
If your grocery store carries them, get some Mickey's Premium ice cream bars (Target and Hy-Vee carry them near me...)
If you have Mickey ears from trips past, put them on!
We're going to take a grand loop of the parks showcasing parades and nighttime shows at each, culminating in our favorite parade and nighttime show. Remember, any parade or show, present OR past is going to be fair game, so we're going to choose what we think have been the best of the best because when you're virtual, you can time travel! Don't like our picks and have a better one in mind? Let us know on our Facebook page!
Disney's Animal Kingdom
Although it's our personal favorite park, we have to admit, Animal Kingdom's crowd entertainment game is weak. This is surely partly because the park was never originally designed to have a large crowd in one place, but rather was designed as a dispersed adventure with guests discovering things at their own pace.
When it comes to real parades (not a street party, not a live performance, not puppets appearing at random), there really is only one option that has since retired, and that is the Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade.
For our favorite nighttime show, we are torn. While Animal Kingdom has no fireworks, there is one true, crowd-draw option at Disney's Animal Kingdom, and that is Rivers of Light. But we have to be honest, we'd much rather gather around the Tree of Life and watch a Tree of Life Awakening, like this one from the holiday season.
Disney Hollywood Studios
Disney Hollywood Studios has harnessed the power of movies to have some truly great parades. And still there is only one that I have gone out of my way to see at Disney's Hollywood Studios. And that was almost 30 years ago.
Make way for Prince Ali...
For fireworks, I know I go against popular opinion here, but I'm not a super fan of Fantasmic. Give me some fireworks to the tune of Star Wars, though, and I'm all for it.
Magic Kingdom
Wait, what? We're saying the Magic Kingdom is second best to EPCOT? Well, when considering all fireworks and parades over the entire course of time, in our opinion, yes. Barely.
Don't get us wrong. Currently, Magic Kingdom is where it's at for both fireworks and parades. But we'll explain our choices shortly.
For now, let's talk parades. There are so many fantastic parades at the Magic Kingdom to choose from. From the Festival of Fantasy, to the Boo To You Spooktacular, to the Christmas Parade, it's downright difficult to choose! So we're going to go with our hearts here and choose the Main Street Electrical Parade.
Unlike your 3:00 parade, the Main Street Electrical Parade happens at night and is a unique experience and therefore, it makes our list as our favorite.
For fireworks, there is no better fireworks show on Disney property currently than the one at the Magic Kingdom. We loved Wishes dearly and cried when it ended, but Happily Ever After takes things to a whole new level.
I shared this video previously, but it's worth another share. This Magical Moment from DisneyParks is the perfect way to view this show.
EPCOT
Yes, despite that last video that turns us into a puddle every time we view it, we saved EPCOT for last because we believe that over time, it has hosted the best parade and the best fireworks. In fact, there was a magical time period where the best parade and best fireworks were both running, and that was in late 1999 to early 2000 during the Millennium Celebration.
Now, you might think EPCOT - parade? What? And you would be right because usually there is no parade at EPCOT. But there was a very brief time period when the BEST parade was at EPCOT and it was called Tapestry of Nations. It was a long parade and it had no real beginning and no real end because performers entered the World Showcase area from three different entrances to eventually form a complete loop around World Showcase.
And if you read this blog at all, you know we're a big fan of the recently retired Illuminations: Reflections of Earth. So here is what we think is the best fireworks Walt Disney World has seen so far.
"We go on through the joy and through the tears."
On that hopeful note, we conclude our tour of parades and fireworks.
One last thing before we sign off this week:
What happens next in regards to Walt Disney World is up to us. It depends on our behavior and our adherence to rules set by the CDC, our public health departments, and Walt Disney World itself. If people can't social distance or wear masks at Walt Disney World, I would not put it past Disney to close the parks once more. They are not messing around when it comes to safety. Likewise, if this outbreak gets much worse, the parks remaining open could be in jeopardy.
The good news is the power to control this outbreak is in the hands of each of us. If we do our part to the best of our ability to curb the spread, we will all get back to enjoying our beloved parks that much sooner. So please, stay six feet away from those outside of your household, wear a mask when in public, wash your hands frequently, and do not go out if you feel even the slightest bit sick.
If you have enjoyed Disney at a Distance, let us know on our Facebook page, where you can follow us and be the first to know when a new blog is posted. We hope for good news next week, and until then, we'll see you...
