RUMOR: New Show to Replace “Celebrate the Magic” Nighttime Spectacular

WDWNT on October 31, 2016

The Celebrate the Magic projection show that takes place on Cinderella Castle nightly at the Magic Kingdom is rumored to be replaced soon.

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The recent projection system upgrades that took place late in the Summer and some work surrounding the Castle point to the show’s replacement. Note that this replacement would be another projection-only show, not a replacement for the larger Wishes! nighttime spectacular, which is still heavily rumored as well.

We expect an announcement from Disney very soon on this change.

CONFIRMED: “Once Upon a Time” Replaces “Celebrate the Magic” Nighttime Show on November 4th

WDWNT on October 31, 2016

As we reported yesterday, “Celebrate the Magic” at the Magic Kingdom is on its way out, and “Once Upon a Time” from Tokyo Disneyland is on its way in.

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In this new-to-the-U.S. show, Mrs. Potts from “Beauty and the Beast” shares bedtime stories with Chip, taking them on a magical trip through the most adventurous scenes from favorite Disney films like “Cinderella,” “Peter Pan,” “Alice in Wonderland” and “The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.”

Scenes include a flight with Peter Pan from London to Never Land, the Mad Hatter’s whimsical tea party, and a daring duel between Gaston and Beast. Mrs. Potts and Chip end their bedtime story with a grand finale that includes appearances by characters from even more Disney films.

The show, which is a version of what currently operates at Tokyo Disneyland Park (minus a lot of pyro as the Tokyo show is essentially the park’s nightly fireworks show), uses projection mapping technology to cover every nook and cranny of Cinderella Castle in vibrant images that appear almost three-dimensional.

“Once Upon A Time: Where Stories Take You Anywhere” will replace the 4-year-old “Celebrate the Magic” projection show, which will end its run on November 3. “Once Upon a Time” debuts November 4th.

“Frozen” Characters Anna & Elsa Meet-And-Greet & New Art Exhibit Coming to Norway at Epcot in November

WDWNT on October 29, 2013

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Anna and Elsa from the upcoming Disney Animated film “Frozen” will be appearing at Walt Disney World, in the Norway pavilion at Epcot. Disney also announced today that the long-standing cultural exhibit in the stave church at the pavilion will be receiving a face-lift. The new exhibit opening in November will explore how the culture and beauty of Norway inspired the makers of Frozen.

“Celebrate the Magic” at the Magic Kingdom will ale be adding a scene representing Frozen in November.

Stay tuned to WDW News Today as more becomes available on these new offerings!

“Celebrate The Magic” Adding Disney Villains To The Mix Starting Sunday

WDWNT on September 13, 2013

Just in time for Halloween, some of the Disney Villains are coming to Celebrate the Magic on Sunday, September 1st:

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This new segment of “Celebrate the Magic” places the Disney villains center stage. From the sea witch Ursula, lording over the poor unfortunate souls trapped in her underwater lair, to the demon Chernabog from Walt Disney’s “Fantasia,” spreading his wings across the face of Cinderella Castle, it promises to be a particularly dark and foreboding chapter.

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Things heat up as Maleficent casts a forest of thorns around the base of the castle, and then transforms into a wicked, fire-breathing dragon who threatens to destroy the very magic we’ve come to celebrate. Fear not, though. As with all great Disney stories, this one is sure to have a happy ending.

Stay tuned to WDWNT.com as we will have coverage of the debut of this new segment over the weekend.

VIDEO: Disappointing Disney Villains Segment Invades “Celebrate the Magic” Show

WDWNT on September 13, 2013

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Short and sweet, and perhaps a bit underwhelming, the Villains segment debuted in “Celebrate the Magic” on Sunday evening at the Magic Kingdom. The new segment of the show is included to celebrate Halloween and does so in a very short run time under 1.5 minutes. See the segment for yourself:

Removed from the show is the seasonal summer segment, as well as the segment featuring Buzz Lightyear, Pirates of the Caribbean and Brave.

Unlike previous additions to the show, the Villains portion does little to use the castle for any novel effects. While we always appreciate seasonal updates to the show, this one seems somewhat ill-concieved

So, what do you think of this new segment?

“Celebrate the Magic” Set to Replace “The Magic, The Memories, and You!” in November

WDWNT on December 21, 2012

Say goodbye to “The Magic, The Memories, and You!” on September 3rd as Disney prepares for a new nighttime projection show called “Celebrate the Magic”, debuting in November. As the “Let The Memories Begin” campaign draws to a close, the show is expected to be shedding the guest photos in turn of a “storytelling” show like Wishes! or Illuminations: Reflections of Earth.

“‘Celebrate the Magic’ takes us on a journey to the heart of the most beloved Disney stories and characters,” said Show Director Katy Harris. “This amazing show will magically transform Cinderella Castle with spectacular projection effects, choreographed to a new music soundtrack. The show will be full of emotion and storytelling, proving that, with imagination and magic in our hearts, anything is possible.”

Some of the more popular elements from “The Magic, the Memories, and You!” will remain in the show, meaning this is simply a re-packaged version of the spectacle meant to hold over guests for a while. I suspect that the original plan was for there to be no replacement show, but the current program just proved to be too popular at the Magic Kingdom. At Disneyland, they are not replacing “The Magic, The Memories, and You!” after it ends on September 3rd based on the lighter crowds it usually has there. However, I expect this show to go away at Walt Disney World once a new nighttime spectacular is designed to replace Wishes!; one that will combine the projection technology of “Celebrate the Magic” with the pyrotechnic displays of a nighttime foreworkls extravaganza.

So, what do you think of this?

New Concept Art Released for “Celebrate the Magic”, 1000 Seats Being Added for Fantasmic!

WDWNT on December 21, 2012

At a small media event this evening, Disney shared a few new pieces of concept art for the upcoming “Celebrate the Magic” show coming to the Magic Kingdom:

Disney also announced that due to popularity, they are adding 1000 seats to the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, home of Fantasmic!. Work has already begun building the seating in what was formerly standing-room-only space for the show.

So, what do you think?

“Celebrate the Magic” Castle Projection Show Debuts Tonight!

WDWNT on May 31, 2012

The new Cinderella Castle projection show entitled “Celebrate The Magic” finally debuts tonight at the Magic Kingdom! The Disney Parks Blog provided more information today:

As the show begins, Tinker Bell appears to fly around Cinderella Castle, weaving in and out of the turrets. She splashes pixie dust on the castle, transforming it into a spectacular piece of living art. As the pixie dust subsides, we are taken back to the beginnings of pencil animation, and we see Walt Disney, the original magic maker, drawing Mickey Mouse. With a little magic from Tinker Bell, Walt’s paintbrush flies off the page and comes to life, creating imagery that carries us away on a fantastic journey.

We travel down the rabbit hole with Alice, soar high above the Big Top with Dumbo and visit the African savanna with Simba. Our adventure takes us into the worlds of “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “Brave,” and at one point, Cinderella Castle is even reimagined as the 8-bit video game home of the Nicelanders in Disney’s newest smash, “Wreck-It Ralph.” The whole show comes full circle for a magical finale filled with wonder and emotion.

“’Celebrate the Magic’ draws its inspiration from the love we all share for Disney’s memorable characters, their stories and the imagination that brought them to life,” says Show Director Katy Harris. “The team has been able to combine advances in technology with spectacular imagery and a stirring musical score to create a stunning and immersive way of storytelling. ‘Celebrate the Magic’ takes us on a journey full of wonderful moments our guests will never forget.”

As a special treat, “Celebrate the Magic” debuts with a segment of the show created just for the holiday season, featuring the return of the gingerbread castle seen during our original projection show, “The Magic, The Memories and You!”

Fans of the seasonal updates to that show will also be pleased to learn the tradition will continue with “Celebrate the Magic.” Look for the arrival of favorite Disney couples in January, a trip to the beach with “Lilo & Stitch” and“The Little Mermaid” during the summer months, and an influx of Disney villains in time for next Halloween.