My Personal Review and Diagnosis of Disney World's "HAPPILY EVER AFTER" Fireworks show!! From the view of a music major and Disney fan!

My Reason for doing a review:
I have been a huge fan of Disney World ever since I first visited the parks at 5 years old. Its music, attractions, shows, and animated films have always been a part of my life. The fireworks displays in the Disney World parks are my favorite fireworks in the entire world. Placing some of my favorite shows from most favorite to least is Illuminations - Reflections of Earth, Fantasmic, and Wishes. Though Wishes has been my first fireworks that I've seen in Disney, so it has a huge place in my heart.

But when I heard that Disney was going to replace the old Wishes fireworks show with Happily Ever After, I had to research and look up the show myself. Even though Wishes was my 3rd favorite fireworks show, it happens to be one of the more well coordinated shows out there. The orchestration of the music and the coordination of the fireworks are what made Wishes a memorable fireworks show for all people. I had to hope that Happily Ever After will be a good successor.
This review/diagnosis will cover two assets of the show, the soundtrack as a compositional program, and the fireworks as a coordinated feature of the music. Being a music education major, and also a Disney fan at heart, I will be looking at them pretty closely. I did not see Happily Ever After live and in-person yet, but i did see the show on youtube, so that is where you'll be getting my review from.

REVIEW

Part 1 - The Introduction:
A Disney Show is not a Disney Show without a beautiful beginning that immediately represents the theme of the show. Wishes had such a beginning with the peaceful music and small fireworks start. So when I saw the fireworks show start off with a huge bang with loud "ending" sort of music and lots of lighting everywhere, I thought, "wow this is different". At first, I was critical about that the beginning because it should signify the start of a great show, not signify the immediate end. But then the music went softer, with less instrumentation, and the lighting came to a halt with most of the show now focusing all on Cinderella's Castle. The speaker spoke the prologue speech and I understand why they started it out this way. The firework's title is of course, "Happily Ever After", and the beginning of this huge start signifies everyone's finishing up of their fun day at the Magic Kingdom and ending their day with the fireworks. That I thought was really smart of them. The music is so magical, with its piano solo and background orchestration. The harmonies itself is so spine-chilling! It feels like you're actually in a dream. And then when the music started to rise again and Jordan Fischer started singing, I realized something very magical.

This was just the beginning of a new beginning.

As the music started to rise, the Castle opens up. You can see at the entrance of the castle a key-lock, something you would see at a disney film or inside a door-knob. Out from the hole is magic flying everywhere, illuminating the castle. The music ever so rising more and more. Man that actually gives me chills. For me, the key-lock represents the locked door of a new happy dream starting to magically open and become real. And then I realize that the music has a different orchestration. There are drumsets being played. While this may not seem too shocking, keep in mind that most Disney fireworks show do not use drumsets as their percussion. They use ordinary individual percussion for that. So to hear a drumset is actually really cool, and they performed it really well. It's a good change of pace in the modern world. It connects the music from its magical wonders to the ever favorited pop-sensation of modern culture. This was well put together.

And then finally they get to the chorus of the theme and they start the fireworks. It was a good and necessary small start to the show. You don't want to start off giving everything you got, otherwise you sell out all your goods in the beginning and don't have anything special for the end. So this was smart of them to do. The fireworks themselves at the start of the chorus was amazing and coordinated with the music so wonderfully. The lighting and laser shows actually help enhance the power of the music and the fireworks so well.

Part 2 - Wish
The transition from the big beginning to the next section wish is officially named by Disney Inc. as "Wish" is a good peaceful, but majestic transition. I could not have it any other way to be honest. The lighting and fireworks also dim down as they enter this next story, starting with "Down in New Orleans" from "The Princess And the Frog". It's a good choice of music for this start because of the lyrics that are sung. Its song is a good representation of the following music in this section. The fireworks and lighting is much more peaceful and majestic than the beginning, which fits perfectly for what they are showing in this section. My favorite part though has to be when they ended with the song "Out There" from "The Hunchback of Notre Dame". "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" happens to be one of my favorite animated Disney films. And they fit it perfectly in to the theme.

A lot of people are actually happy like I am that they added this movie into the show, because "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" is one of those early films that doesn't get enough recognition in today's world. The message of putting this song in portrays its uniting of both the modern era and the old Disney era that most veteran fans would only understand. So this is a good throwback. And when they ended with the last chord of the song and the fireworks spewing in every direction, it gave me chills up my spine so much that I jumped up from my seat and started cheering and clapping.

Part 3 - Adventure
This next part was called "Adventure" and it started with "Touch the Sky" from the movie "Brave". I gotta say it was a good choice of music, but they could've done the transition a bit better. It sorted of switched the type of the music almost immediately without any background transition. In the eye of the common man, it may have seem like a seemless transition, but for those who are closely looking at each detail, this was a minor mistake that I thought they could've corrected. Especially when introducing a new section of the show, they gotta be making those transitions worthwhile. But after that ranting, I actually love this part. The fireworks and laser show actually help enhance the music and the lighting of the castle more in this scene. It's a balanced complimentary of both audio and visual translations in the choreography of this particular section. Not to mention that it has sooo many throwbacks of film scenes that makes my heart go back in time. I may have missed some characters, but I vividly saw characters from "Cars", "Brave", "Up", all in one song. It was a good snapshot of these Disney films that were a part of way Disney modernized their movies to the 20th century.
And then they added the newest movie right now, "Moana". I'm surprised they were able to fit Moana into the music so soon when the film just came out. They do react fast to the public's demands after all. The choreograph for Moana's arc was a fine one. It has touched the heart of those who have seen Moana. Though those veterans out there who only like the older movies wouldn't appreciate this as much. But it is a good connection between these timelines.

Part 4 - Friendship
And then they switched to some of the more famous songs in the Disney realm. Various songs from old and new really spiced things up in this fast, danceable and light-bringing section. This ultimately connects everyone together. At one point in the video, I can hear one side of the castle singing all together, which just shows how amazing this feature is. And then they ended this section of the show with arguably the most recognizable hit song in all of Disney World, "Friend Like Me" from the movie "Aladdin". And it was well written too. Especially at the end when the rocket spewed up from the castle tower and the huge chords in the music and the fireworks that compliment it all. And just like a magic genie would, he disappears in a "dust of magic" or the fireworks coming from the castle itself. I thought that was pretty smart of them to do, and it's funny.

Part 5 - Love
The transition to this section was a bit awkward for me, but in the overall mood of this particular section, it worked fine. At first when they introduced the blue lighting on the castle and I heard Olaf's voice from "Frozen", I immediately thought "not again!". And you gotta understand why. Everyone was someone anxious to again hear the song "Let It Go" because it was the most favorite song from that movie. And yet, it also happened to be the most overly played song and most irritable after the popularity of the film died down. But instead, the producers chose to use "Love is an Open Door" as their starting song. And you know it, it worked. It's less popular, but it's still memorable of the film, and it fits with the theme of this section, which is love. At the chord "Door", the fireworks again started to spew everywhere, which was really beautiful, as if opening up the heart to someone special and letting all your emotions out at once. And then they transitioned to more memorable and emotion-riling songs. I'll be honest, I started to cry a bit when the song "You'll Be In My Heart" came up and I saw all the snapshots of films that featured love and compassion. The most I cried during was when a scene from the movie "Up" was shown on the castle. It touched my heart completely. The fireworks and lighting during this section was a bit more peaceful than the rest, and it suited the theme greatly. During this part, all the exciting reaction and emotion from the crowd magically hushed down, as if everyone was quietly crying in the inside. And I can see why.

And then they ended with "I See the Light" from the movie "Tangled". Which was a very fitting end to this part of the show. The scene where all the lighted air balloons were as if everyone's emotions were being lifted up into the air together. And the light fireworks fit it so majestically. It was so mystical and pretty.

Part 6 - Adversity
No true Disney fireworks Show is without a little bit of dark fighting. And that's what this section is. It completes the Disney enigma of true adversity. And it starts with a scene from Mulan. Which I thought was pretty cool that they added this scene from Mulan. Though I wish they could've added more scenes from this movie, just because I was such a huge fan of Mulan. This section is where they began to put all their efforts into the extravagant fireworks, laser show, and lighting display. Scenes from several movies that depict fighting, such as Aladdin, The Lion King, Sleeping Beauty, and many others help with the effect that not all stories are all happy-go-lucky. There was even a bit of fire spewing in this section, which I thought was really amazing. It added to the flavor of the fireworks show that hasn't really been done in the Magic Kingdom until now. And the orchestration of the music in this section was particularly really good. The transitions from each theme from each of the movie was really well composed, as if it was all from one movie. I really appreciated the work the orchestra did in this section.

Part 7 - Heroes Fight Back
This part is the answer to that adversity section. Like most Disney Movies, there's always a hero to fight back. And this show is no exception. I love though how they started off with Pirates of the Caribbean. The music itself is naturally a "fight back" kind of heroic song. And the fireworks, lasers, and fire all help with that mood. During this section, they were showing many characters that vividly "fought back" against oppression and adversity. The family from "The Incredibles", Captain Jack Sparrow, Mulan. All of them were featured in this. And the continuous fiery color helps portray that fighting, ending in a huge bang and sprinkling magic all over, as if the fighting has died down instantly and the results have come in. That sword sheathing at the very end gave me cold-hard chills.

Part 8 - Peace Restored
Just as the title of this section is portrayed, this part is the end-all and know-all of all Disney films. The part of the film where the heroes learns of their true purpose, their true compassion, and their true inner peace. Starting off with the scene from The Lion King, but also starting with the music from "Hercules" is such a beautiful combination. And when the words "Remember" continued to echo and echo, I started crying again and thinking of where I am personally in my life, and how I can find inner peace with myself. I think that's what the producers were aiming to go for: inner sanctum and peace of mind that you are, yourself, a hero in your own way, and to never forget that. This was ultimately confirmed when the entire song "Go The Distance" was sung. The entire castle lit up in the transition and each character from the Disney films started magically appearing on the castle walls. I thought this beautiful, magnificent, majestic.

Words cannot describe how I felt when I saw the characters slowly appearing one by one; as if the Disney family tree was emerging. Characters from beginning to end, showing the never-ending history of Disney production: where Disney started, and where Disney is now, and where Disney is going. It's such a wonderful combination of the old Disney era and the new Disney era characters, complimented with the victorious music of "Go The Distance" and the wonderful fireworks that enhances it all. I was standing from my chair the entire time this was happening, crying and smiling all at once.

Part 9 - Reprise of "Happily Ever After"
As the music died down and the fireworks and lighting dim down, we come to the end of this show. But like the speaker says, it's just the beginning. I love the epilogue speech here because it can be relatable to all people of how we should keep dreaming and searching for our happily ever after. The music comes up again with a reprise of the theme song. And just when you think they have put out their all, they've given us a surprise. They kept Tinkerbell in the show! I'm going to be completely honest, when Tinkerbell appeared from the castle tower, I jumped up again from my seat and yelled with my whole heart "THEY KEPT HER!!!". I was extremely happy. This has made all Wishes fans very satisfied. That they kept her at least in the show. And when they did feature her, it was at the perfect spot in the show. How they featured her was extremely well put: The big and magnificent chord from the choir signifying her appearance, the popping fireworks as if she magically appeared from the tower, and the stop of all the fireworks, laser shows, and lighting for a bit, right after she appeared, helped everyone focus on her feature for such a good time.
And the big finale IS a BIG finale. They truly put out all their last shots of disney magic. BIG THOUGHT!! Have you noticed that the choir has never truly appeared in the show until the very end of the show? It was all really just solo singing until Hercules. That's a big change from the Wishes soundtrack where most of their singing is choir singing. Now that may not sound good at first thought, but bear in mind, today's modern music calls for solo singing and individual melodic structure. So to change it again to the old Wishes way of choir singing is a massive feature. It's that true "Thank You" calling to all Disney fans out there for sticking with them through thick and thin. The musical progression, chords, stylistic flavor of the winds and brass, and singing from the choir and orchestra, complimented by the solo singing echoing from Angie Keilhauer and Jordan Fisher captivated the fireworks display and truly enhanced it tenfold here. This huge chordal progression is a extravagant way of making an ending magical. I gotta give props to the Orchestra and Choir here, they did a really great job in this section. The way the choir and orchestra sung in this particular section is highly praised as a beautiful mixture of both gospel-music style, classical-Disney style, modern-pop style into one. You can hear it in the singing. It's the perfect combination of airy, full, and high-pitch voicing that gives me chills up my spine every time I hear this part. The fireworks, laser show, and lighting of the castle at each phrase change of "reach out and find your" was a really smart idea. It's as if the dream is finally closing in on itself, ending spectacularly in a fluctuating change of color. And then the very ending with the lyrics "Happily Ever After" was well put together. The brass fanfare at that chord and the low brass triumphant blow is a very good way to end it. I have to give props to all the teams who put this fireworks show together, they did it extremely well. I was crying from the big finale to the end.

My Opinion:
Many people in the Disney fan world were very concerned that this show would not be a fitting successor to Wishes. But once they truly understand the concept of the music, the fireworks, and the true meaning behind the show, they will say, "Yes it is". For me, this show kept my attention much more than Wishes ever will. It has so much detail that it makes you want to stay focus. This show gave me genuine goosebumps, so much that I can't wait to go back to Magic Kingdom first than any other park in Disney World. Other people will say that they put too much detail into this, too much technology that focused less on the fireworks. I could not disagree more. Reports say that Happily Ever After had much more fireworks than Wishes, by a significant amount as well. And Walt was a huge advocate for technology. So I think Walt would be pretty satisfied with where this is going. The only problem I could see this as a potential underway is the lighting and show-telling on the castle itself. People that are close to the castle can see the show clearly, but those who are watching from perhaps the monorail or the steamboat may not be able to see it, and thus cannot appreciate it more. So I hope Disney would solve that problem somehow. One suggestion is by putting tv screens on the monorail and steamboat so that they can see the livestream of it as well as see the fireworks themselves from afar.

In short, I truly believe "Happily Ever After" is the perfect transition to the modern world, and a perfect successor to "Wishes". For those from the old Disney Era and for those from the new Disney Era, this is a show that will truly bring back your childhood smile, as it did mine. And to those fans who only want to keep "Wishes", I say this. Keep an open mind. Because though the childhood you had may be gone, there is still more memories to be made. I didn't see the show myself in person. So to bring me to tears from just a video? I can't wait to go in person. This show is a spectacular way to end the night at the Magic Kingdom. And it will truly bring out the child in you, to reach out and find your Happily Ever After.

For those who haven't seen the show yet and want to see it online, check it out!

Thanks for reading and listening! If you like what you hear and see, please let me know in the comments below! Also, please upvote if you like it! I'm currently using the steemit platform as a side-way to making money for my college expenses! Thank you so much!
~ Joshua A. I.

Photos Sources: Disney Parks Live, The Dis youtube channel.