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Happily Ever After

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(@Zippy 1)
Posts: 799
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Topic starter
 

When Disney announced WISHES would be ending I was very sad. I have loved that show since it started. I did no think I could possibly like a new show. Well I was wrong! The premier of Happily Ever After was fantastic! I can not wait to see it again and again:mickey:


 
Posted : May 13, 2017 1:26 am
(@DonaldDuck1117)
Posts: 233
Cast Member
 

I did not enjoy Happily Ever After and it pails in comparison to Wishes. The fireworks were great as were the castle projection. Visually stunning. But it was disjointed, it lacked heart, soul, emotion, and didn't make me feel anything. Why? It didn't tell me a story. And I found myself getting bored before it was over and that is crazy bc fireworks are my favorite part of my Disney day.

It seemed like it was just fireworks set to Disney music and they tried to jam every Disney movie made into the show which led to the lack of cohesion.

For a company that says storytelling is what they do they forget to tell one with their new MK firework show and it made s difference. Bring back Wishes.


 
Posted : May 13, 2017 8:16 am
 eam
(@eam)
Posts: 102
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Just watched it on Youtube. It was truly AMAZING!


 
Posted : May 13, 2017 8:18 am
P0pPhan
(@p0pphan)
Posts: 1540
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For what it was, I enjoyed the show, but it is a 'one and done' show for me. On my next 7 (park) day trip, I will make sure I see it in person once; I will see Rivers of Light once; then the rest of my nights will be at Illuminations or Fantasmic (or the Star Wars fireworks, if they are still around).


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Posted : May 13, 2017 9:22 am
(@vwl-mom)
Posts: 2541
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DonaldDuck1117;2501420 wrote: I did not enjoy Happily Ever After and it pails in comparison to Wishes. The fireworks were great as were the castle projection. Visually stunning. But it was disjointed, it lacked heart, soul, emotion, and didn't make me feel anything. Why? It didn't tell me a story. And I found myself getting bored before it was over and that is crazy bc fireworks are my favorite part of my Disney day.

It seemed like it was just fireworks set to Disney music and they tried to jam every Disney movie made into the show which led to the lack of cohesion.

For a company that says storytelling is what they do they forget to tell one with their new MK firework show and it made s difference.

:exactly:


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INTERCOT Staff: Theme Parks, DVC

 
Posted : May 13, 2017 12:50 pm
(@Dulcee)
Posts: 233
Senior Cast Member
 

DonaldDuck1117;2501420 wrote: I did not enjoy Happily Ever After and it pails in comparison to Wishes. The fireworks were great as were the castle projection. Visually stunning. But it was disjointed, it lacked heart, soul, emotion, and didn't make me feel anything. Why? It didn't tell me a story. And I found myself getting bored before it was over and that is crazy bc fireworks are my favorite part of my Disney day.

It seemed like it was just fireworks set to Disney music and they tried to jam every Disney movie made into the show which led to the lack of cohesion.

For a company that says storytelling is what they do they forget to tell one with their new MK firework show and it made s difference. Bring back Wishes.

I feel like we saw different shows. I've had it playing on repeat on youtube while cleaning today. I felt like it hit all the swell up, hug your kid, make your dream come true emotions.


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Posted : May 13, 2017 1:25 pm
(@mnnhfltx)
Posts: 586
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I am looking forward to seeing Happily Ever After at some point. Wishes was great, but got kind of old to me after a while. Personally I don't care if it tells a story as much as it has a message that touches my heart.


Beth
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Posted : May 13, 2017 1:36 pm
(@11290)
Posts: 51
Cast Member Trainee
 

DonaldDuck1117;2501420 wrote: I did not enjoy Happily Ever After and it pails in comparison to Wishes. The fireworks were great as were the castle projection. Visually stunning. But it was disjointed, it lacked heart, soul, emotion, and didn't make me feel anything. Why? It didn't tell me a story. And I found myself getting bored before it was over and that is crazy bc fireworks are my favorite part of my Disney day.

It seemed like it was just fireworks set to Disney music and they tried to jam every Disney movie made into the show which led to the lack of cohesion.

For a company that says storytelling is what they do they forget to tell one with their new MK firework show and it made s difference. Bring back Wishes.

A lot of my same feelings. I didn't think the fireworks were "themed" to either the audio track or the projection. I also got bored about 10 minutes in so really need to watch it again but for me, it seemed to remind me of CTM, which I thought was just a commercial for Disney movies.

As a "replacement" projection show for the earlier versions, I was saddened to see no visual or even mention of Walt, Mickey or Cinderella as was present in earlier projection offerings. Maybe I was just so bored I just missed it. Will need to watch again.

In the prelude to the live stream it was said that the theme was to follow your dreams to a "happily ever after" conclusion. Nowhere could that have been better exemplified than the history of Walt Disney.

All above is only my opinion. If others liked the show, so be it. I'm happy for them but for me, not so thrilled with the offering. I feel they could have done a LOT better.


 
Posted : May 13, 2017 2:24 pm
Steve
(@brownie)
Posts: 475
Staff Member Moderator
 

I really enjoyed seeing the live stream. Looking forward to seeing it in person.


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Posted : May 13, 2017 3:46 pm
(@figment-2)
Posts: 2460
Staff Member Admin
 

Here's the official replay of the Live Stream Debut:

[video=youtube;JCteM1wqHCE]

The actual show starts at about 14:54.


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Posted : May 13, 2017 4:41 pm
(@buzznwoodysmom)
Posts: 766
Team INTERCOT Cast Member
 

DonaldDuck1117;2501420 wrote: I did not enjoy Happily Ever After and it pails in comparison to Wishes. The fireworks were great as were the castle projection. Visually stunning. But it was disjointed, it lacked heart, soul, emotion, and didn't make me feel anything. Why? It didn't tell me a story. And I found myself getting bored before it was over and that is crazy bc fireworks are my favorite part of my Disney day.

It seemed like it was just fireworks set to Disney music and they tried to jam every Disney movie made into the show which led to the lack of cohesion.

For a company that says storytelling is what they do they forget to tell one with their new MK firework show and it made s difference. Bring back Wishes.

You took the words right out of my mouth! Couldn't agree with you more! I was also hoping to see something, anything, about Walt in the new show.

We watched it on YouTube on our TV and even my 15 year old son said it was just OK. We thought it was visually stunning, but the music, fireworks and projections came off like a chaotic , jumbled mess in our opinion! My son said "well I guess we can ride rides during the fireworks now". We will surely watch it in person, but I didn't feel the emotional tug that I feel when watching Wishes. Maybe it will grow on me.

Really wish WDW had something like world of color. Saw it once in DL and it is one of my all time favorite Disney nighttime shows.


Denise

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Posted : May 13, 2017 7:16 pm
(@brad192)
Posts: 250
Cast Member
 

Just watched the video, and I have to say that it didn't "flip my switch", as it were. The projections & pyro were great, but there wasn't any cohesiveness. No real story or clear message. The narration spoke of a journey, but what journey? A journey of random Disney songs (most of which I didn't even recognize) coupled with over-the-top castle projections & fireworks designed to elicit oohs and ahhs from the crowd?

I expected better from Disney. Wishes pressed all my buttons & I ended up teary-eyed each time I viewed it. Granted, it was a bit stale after its long tenure, but you'd think the Imagineers could have come up with something a bit more engaging, given the quality of the program they were assigned to replace.

As for me, I think this will be a one-and-done. Perhaps once each trip, but I'll reserve final judgement until I see it live (Intercot 20!).


First trip, Christmas 1971.
Last Trip, Oct. 2017 - ICOT20!
Next Trip: Planning...Always Planning

 
Posted : May 13, 2017 8:30 pm
(@DonaldDuck1117)
Posts: 233
Cast Member
 

Like I said before I think visually it is superior to Wishes but severely lacking in story and heart. Wishes was a must for my wife and I. We would see it several times during our weeklong trips, and it was always, always how we spent our last night. I think our last night will be at Illuminations now.

And I don't want any one to think that I wouldn't of been happy with any Wishes replacement. When the castle projection show was announced I was determined to hate it. Then I saw it for the first time and my heart melted. That original song was amazing and made me fight back tears. And I think that's another reason why Happily Ever After struggles the original song is not very good.

Just very disappointed. If you are going to replace a classic like Wishes you better nail it and I don't feel like they did.


 
Posted : May 13, 2017 11:46 pm
(@11290)
Posts: 51
Cast Member Trainee
 

DonaldDuck1117;2501461 wrote:

When the castle projection show was announced I was determined to hate it. Then I saw it for the first time and my heart melted. That original song was amazing and made me fight back tears.

Assuming you are talking about the first projection show, The Magic The Memories & You, the audio track and the lyrics were just awesome and inspiring. I play the audio track at least 3 times a week. Love the song and the "storyline" lyrics.

A twinkle of light
A tower so tall
A princess prepares to have her big night at the ball
Wish on a star, wherever you are
You can make a favorite memory
You sail 'round the world
You fly through the air
So high in the sky that you can see most anywhere
The wind in your face
You feel your heart race
Every time you make a memory
There's the place to be
Look around and see
Memories are forever here and now
Millions of them, too
Dancing next to you
Go as far as dreaming will allow
The pictures we make are dreams that come true
They open a window to a memory made by you
They shine like a friend and won't ever end
Open up your heart and let the memories begin!

The pictures we make are dreams that come true
They open a window to a memory made by you
They shine like a friend and won't ever end
Every day a favorite memory
Share another perfect memory
Open up your heart and let the memories begin!
(To all who come to this happy place... welcome!)
Begin!


 
Posted : May 14, 2017 12:08 am
(@Polynesian Dweller)
Posts: 241
Cast Member
 

The Disney Parks livestream didn't do it justice. They focussed so closely on the castle projections that they missed most of the pyro. If that's all you watched search out another video. The pyro is constant and very impressive. The whole show is much better and more cohesive than Disney's own stream made it appear. Don't know why Disney's one people would put on such a bad stream because the show is amazing if shown or seen correctly.


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Next trip: October 2018

 
Posted : May 14, 2017 11:13 am
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