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The new Epcot fireworks show to live up to its predecessor

 rblanding, Flickr (license)

Image: rblanding, Flickr (license)

Illuminations: Reflections of Earth is, arguably, the greatest nighttime spectacular Walt Disney World ever produced. Every piece of it, from the music to the fireworks to the lasers to the pavilions, is as close to theme park perfection as you will ever find.

Yet, in 2019, Illuminations: Reflections of Earth will close.

We don’t yet know much about the show that will replace it. Only that it will include an ode to Disney’s characters and stories rather than only an expression of belief in the kindness and perseverance of humanity. While that’s disappointing, it’s not a guaranteed failure either.

Disney has told incredible stories using its characters before, as any loyal Fantasmic fan can attest to. And so, to write off Epcot’s new nighttime spectacular before seeing it would be a foolish error.

However, it has very large shoes to fill. And we can only wish that it does its best.

A nighttime parade for the Magic Kingdom

 tjung, Flickr (license)

Image: tjung, Flickr (license)

On October 9, 2016, the Main Street Electrical Parade strode down Main Street USA at the Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Fla. for the very last time. In the two years since (and counting), Walt Disney World has not had a non-special event nighttime parade at its centerpiece theme park.

Disneyland, on the other hand, got its very own brand-new parade to honor the legacy of the Main Street Electrical Parade. Paint the Night, as it was called, was an homage to that classic nighttime festival — but, it has not made its way to Walt Disney World as of this writing.

If I had only one Christmas wish to use on Walt Disney World, it would be this: Bring back the nighttime parade. Bring over Paint the Night for a year or two, or bring back the Main Street Electrical Parade itself. Or, if you’re feeling daring, give Walt Disney World its own technological homage with an updated version of the beloved classic SpectroMagic.

The nighttime parade is one of the great Disney traditions. It is the stunning end to a day full of magic, and a celebration of the beauty and simple joy of a spectacle. It’s heartbreaking that Disney’s Magic Kingdom is without one at the moment. Here’s hoping 2019 brings an end to the most depressing drought in Disney history.

 
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