At 8:30 pm on a warm summer night, I am sitting on the curb of Main Street USA across from the Cinderella Castle for what has now been at least an hour. As the night sky forms, the assortment of colors that take turns illuminating the castle become more vibrant and as I watch the castle change colors I’m thinking that purple is my favorite. I look around to find that crowds of people have filled in the spaces all around me and together we are anxiously awaiting the Spectromagic Parade, to be followed by Wishes Nighttime Spectacular. Years ago it was the Main Street Electrical Parade and Fantasy in the Sky that I would have been sitting here on the curb waiting for and at times I wish it still was. Perhaps they were less sophisticated events from a simpler time. Nevertheless, they were just as magical and for me are completely irreplaceable.
Suddenly, the enchanting voice of Jiminy Cricket reveals to us that in just 10 minutes, the Magic Kingdom will present the Spectromagic Parade! The anticipation grows stronger with each minute and as the clock ticks closer to 9:00 pm, a minute suddenly feels like forever. Magically the lights of the Magic Kingdom are turned down and we are finally about to view this spectacular parade that is unlike any other because each float is covered with thousands of sparkling, shimmering lights. The infectious music of Spectromagic begins to play. We watch as the first float arrives in front of us carrying none other than Mickey Mouse himself, Walt Disney’s ambassador of hopes and dreams for whom we always cheer and applaud with endless excitement and enthusiasm. At 36 years old I will admit that I still can’t help, but wave to the characters as they pass by and when they wave back to me as they always do I feel that same sense of wonder that I felt when I was a child. As I watch the faces of children when the characters come up and shake their hands during the parade, I remember what an ultimate thrill of a lifetime that was for me when I was a child. As the parade begins to roll toward the end, we continue to clap our hands to the familiar music, applaud for our favorite characters and enjoy every last minute of this glorious parade.
Yes, we did wait almost two hours to earn this most perfect view, sitting on a curb, struggling to save spots for each other so that we can take turns getting ice cream or popcorn and soda, but once that parade begins we are taken away to another place and there is no doubt that it was well worth the wait. Afterwards, we stand up, stretch our legs and move back towards the “Partners” statue of Walt Disney holding hands with Mickey Mouse that proudly stands in what is referred to as “the hub” of the Magic Kingdom. Directly behind this statue facing toward the Cinderella Castle is the perfect spot to view Wishes. Standing too close to the castle will block the view of some of the fireworks that go off a bit lower in the sky. As Wishes is about to begin, the remaining parade crowd rises to their feet and others join in to watch as well. Jiminy Cricket’s voice returns to guide us through the show, first introducing Tinkerbell as she makes her fantastic flight from the top of the castle. The fireworks continue blasting away one after another accompanied by our favorite Disney music and occasionally the voices of many of our beloved characters. The crowd applauds thunderously as we reach the dramatic climax; an incredible explosion of fireworks all around the castle lighting up every inch of the night sky with a blend of the honorary Magic Kingdom anthem “When You Wish upon a Star” and “Star Light, Star Bright” playing in perfect time. As with everything at Disney, the end of these wonderful events always leaves us wanting more.
How extraordinary and marvelous that the crowd for these events is so massive, yet I have never seen a trace of conflict between anyone. Only pure harmony and joy seem to exist among the thousands of people who stand or sit closely together mesmerized by this stunning grand finale of lights and music that captures our hearts and doesn’t let go until the end. This simply couldn’t happen anywhere else on earth. To truly experience the power of the human spirit touched by Disney magic at its best, you must see the nighttime parade and fireworks at the Magic Kingdom. If thoughts of, “It’s just another parade” or “Fireworks are just fireworks”, have kept you from seeing these exquisite events, then next time remind yourself that this is after all Disney.

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At 8:30 pm on a warm summer night, I am sitting on the curb of Main Street USA across from the Cinderella Castle for what has now been at least an hour. As the night sky forms, the assortment of colors that take turns illuminating the castle become more vibrant and as I watch the castle change colors I’m thinking that purple is my favorite. I look around to find that crowds of people have filled in the spaces all around me and together we are anxiously awaiting the Spectromagic Parade, to be followed by Wishes Nighttime Spectacular. Years ago it was the Main Street Electrical Parade and Fantasy in the Sky that I would have been sitting here on the curb waiting for and at times I wish it still was. Perhaps they were less sophisticated events from a simpler time. Nevertheless, they were just as magical and for me are completely irreplaceable.
Suddenly, the enchanting voice of Jiminy Cricket reveals to us that in just 10 minutes, the Magic Kingdom will present the Spectromagic Parade! The anticipation grows stronger with each minute and as the clock ticks closer to 9:00 pm, a minute suddenly feels like forever. Magically the lights of the Magic Kingdom are turned down and we are finally about to view this spectacular parade that is unlike any other because each float is covered with thousands of sparkling, shimmering lights. The infectious music of Spectromagic begins to play. We watch as the first float arrives in front of us carrying none other than Mickey Mouse himself, Walt Disney’s ambassador of hopes and dreams for whom we always cheer and applaud with endless excitement and enthusiasm. At 36 years old I will admit that I still can’t help, but wave to the characters as they pass by and when they wave back to me as they always do I feel that same sense of wonder that I felt when I was a child. As I watch the faces of children when the characters come up and shake their hands during the parade, I remember what an ultimate thrill of a lifetime that was for me when I was a child. As the parade begins to roll toward the end, we continue to clap our hands to the familiar music, applaud for our favorite characters and enjoy every last minute of this glorious parade.
Yes, we did wait almost two hours to earn this most perfect view, sitting on a curb, struggling to save spots for each other so that we can take turns getting ice cream or popcorn and soda, but once that parade begins we are taken away to another place and there is no doubt that it was well worth the wait. Afterwards, we stand up, stretch our legs and move back towards the “Partners” statue of Walt Disney holding hands with Mickey Mouse that proudly stands in what is referred to as “the hub” of the Magic Kingdom. Directly behind this statue facing toward the Cinderella Castle is the perfect spot to view Wishes. Standing too close to the castle will block the view of some of the fireworks that go off a bit lower in the sky. As Wishes is about to begin, the remaining parade crowd rises to their feet and others join in to watch as well. Jiminy Cricket’s voice returns to guide us through the show, first introducing Tinkerbell as she makes her fantastic flight from the top of the castle. The fireworks continue blasting away one after another accompanied by our favorite Disney music and occasionally the voices of many of our beloved characters. The crowd applauds thunderously as we reach the dramatic climax; an incredible explosion of fireworks all around the castle lighting up every inch of the night sky with a blend of the honorary Magic Kingdom anthem “When You Wish upon a Star” and “Star Light, Star Bright” playing in perfect time. As with everything at Disney, the end of these wonderful events always leaves us wanting more.
How extraordinary and marvelous that the crowd for these events is so massive, yet I have never seen a trace of conflict between anyone. Only pure harmony and joy seem to exist among the thousands of people who stand or sit closely together mesmerized by this stunning grand finale of lights and music that captures our hearts and doesn’t let go until the end. This simply couldn’t happen anywhere else on earth. To truly experience the power of the human spirit touched by Disney magic at its best, you must see the nighttime parade and fireworks at the Magic Kingdom. If thoughts of, “It’s just another parade” or “Fireworks are just fireworks”, have kept you from seeing these exquisite events, then next time remind yourself that this is after all Disney.

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