The theme parks in the day time are spectacular, but at night they really come into their own.
Magic Kingdom
As soon as it gets dark in the Magic Kingdom, the park comes alive with lights and trolleys selling illuminated novelties such as necklaces, bracelets and wands. Then, at set times (shown in their brochures) the magic happens.
The Electric Parade is the same parade as in the daytime, but this time the characters are all lit up with thousands of lights; on their costumes and on their floats. Fire flies float by and butterflies too, all lit up. This display is stunning, Cinderella and Prince Charming are all lit up in pale blue and white and the finale has Mickey Mouse on a float with him and the float all lit up in gold and white. . (You will have to check what nights they have the electric parade as in some months out of season they only show it on special nights).
Following this is Tinkerbell’s flight. This is when the Cinderella’s Castle lights up and Tinkerbell flies down from the top to the bottom. This is a real person with a great head for heights, who flies down a zip wire! This heralds the start of the fireworks set off from the castle, a brilliant show lasting around fifteen minutes. At Christmas time the castle has a special light display of changing colours and a special sparkle which is like the sparkle from a diamond, quite breathtaking.
Epcot
At Epcot every night they have their Illum:Nations, Reflections of Earth. This takes place on the lake which is the centre-piece of the World Showcase. The fireworks and laser show is synchronised to dramatic music and all the countries around the lake light up in silhouette. As the fireworks continue, an enormous globe floats into the centre of the lake and once there, it opens up to show all people of the earth. This is indeed a very dramatic and spectacular display and lasts around 20 – 25 minutes. At Christmas time it is a longer show with more music and special Christmas messages from around the world. This is one not to be missed experience. Also at Christmas time the illuminations around the park are very special indeed and at the centre of the entrance to the World Showcase stands a huge Christmas Tree probably, at a guess around 50 feet high.
Magic Kingdom
As soon as it gets dark in the Magic Kingdom, the park comes alive with lights and trolleys selling illuminated novelties such as necklaces, bracelets and wands. Then, at set times (shown in their brochures) the magic happens.
The Electric Parade is the same parade as in the daytime, but this time the characters are all lit up with thousands of lights; on their costumes and on their floats. Fire flies float by and butterflies too, all lit up. This display is stunning, Cinderella and Prince Charming are all lit up in pale blue and white and the finale has Mickey Mouse on a float with him and the float all lit up in gold and white. . (You will have to check what nights they have the electric parade as in some months out of season they only show it on special nights).
Following this is Tinkerbell’s flight. This is when the Cinderella’s Castle lights up and Tinkerbell flies down from the top to the bottom. This is a real person with a great head for heights, who flies down a zip wire! This heralds the start of the fireworks set off from the castle, a brilliant show lasting around fifteen minutes. At Christmas time the castle has a special light display of changing colours and a special sparkle which is like the sparkle from a diamond, quite breathtaking.
Epcot
At Epcot every night they have their Illum:Nations, Reflections of Earth. This takes place on the lake which is the centre-piece of the World Showcase. The fireworks and laser show is synchronised to dramatic music and all the countries around the lake light up in silhouette. As the fireworks continue, an enormous globe floats into the centre of the lake and once there, it opens up to show all people of the earth. This is indeed a very dramatic and spectacular display and lasts around 20 – 25 minutes. At Christmas time it is a longer show with more music and special Christmas messages from around the world. This is one not to be missed experience. Also at Christmas time the illuminations around the park are very special indeed and at the centre of the entrance to the World Showcase stands a huge Christmas Tree probably, at a guess around 50 feet high.