New Halloween Fireworks show HUGE letdown - music GONE.

Disneyliscious

DIS Veteran
Joined
Feb 15, 2009
Possible spoilers ahead in this thread.


I am legit disappointed in the new fireworks show. It’s awful. Completely butchered. The music is gone. No songs with vocals except a little at the beginning and end with a butchered version of This is Halloween. They projections are cute. Fireworks were great. But the MUSIC is what ties it all together. Now it’s just a narrated story time. No fun singing. No grim grinning ghosts. Just random instrumental music occasionally placed between a narrative story telling. It’s nothing at all like HalloWishes. Not even fun and upbeat anymore.
 
I just watched the video and am also disappointed. Totally agree with everything you said. I was so bored several times that I almost fast forwarded the video. And I watch Hallowishes on a regular basis haha!

I’m really glad I got to see Hallowishes last year... I’ve been debating a last minute trip next month to catch the MNSSHP but this makes me way less excited.

Did you feel there are less fireworks than Hallowishes? (That can be hard to tell on the video v. in person). Maybe the storytelling/instrumental music makes the fireworks less compelling so it just feels like less. I actually love instrumental music but the instrumentals in the new show are very weak.
 
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Possible spoilers ahead in this thread.


I am legit disappointed in the new fireworks show. It’s awful. Completely butchered. The music is gone. No songs with vocals except a little at the beginning and end with a butchered version of This is Halloween. They projections are cute. Fireworks were great. But the MUSIC is what ties it all together. Now it’s just a narrated story time. No fun singing. No grim grinning ghosts. Just random instrumental music occasionally placed between a narrative story telling. It’s nothing at all like HalloWishes. Not even fun and upbeat anymore.
We were there last night and couldn’t disagree more. Thought the show was amazing. Really thought they did an amazing job.
 


I am trying not to pass judgement until next month when I can see it in person as I feel that sitting at home is not the same as being there in person. But two things that struck me were 1) how the start of the show just starts with very little warning. Normally the park lights dim well before the show starts but it looked like they dimmed a second or two before the first burst of fireworks. 2) the finale was lackluster for me. Hopefully things will be better in person in 6 weeks.
 


From what I've read it's based on Mickey and Friends going through a haunted house and not really heavily based on many of the Disney films, except NBC and a few Disney villains of course, which I kind of appreciate. Something a bit more original. Too many shows based on the same premise is not very creative and lazy IMO. It's a simple theme but that's okay, at least it's different. I love "This is Halloween" but it's been done before for so long. I will have to wait to reserve judgement of whether I find it better than Hallowishes until I see it live. I did like the way it looked though.
 
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I’m fine with the fireworks. I’m fine with the projections and story. I just feel it could have been done MUCH better with songs - vocals people can get revved up about. Music affects our moods, that’s a scientific fact. The prior music in HalloWishes got people excited. The music now, what little there is, isn’t upbeat at all. There are no vocals. It’s not familiar in any way. Disney is a Master at coming up with great new songs and music (look how they did with HEA) but they dropped the ball here. There is no “feeling” associated with this. It’s pretty to look at but there is no “experience”.
 
I am withholding my judgement until i actually see the show in Oct. But i will say that where hallowishes was 50% songs 50% fireworks, its clear that some might not like it since this show is 50% fireworks 25% show and 25% music. All i have known since going to MNSSHP was Hallowishes and even have the soundtrack on my phone, but i will personally always take fireworks + story over music
 
Looks like the trick or treat sound was based on an old donald duck cartoon - I like he idea of it but the main medley, like he new happily ever after show, is unremarkable. it's like Fantasy in the sky - but without the emotional oomph and tie-in that the music SHOULD be.

 
lol this thread reminds me of when HEA first debuted and so many people had so many harsh opinions on it despite it being quite obviously superior to Wishes. I'll reserve judgement until I see it next month. It looked fine to me, though I am not really a big fan of any of the holiday shows.

To be fair though that’s a personal opinion - you may think it’s superior to Wishes and others don’t. Both view points are fine to have. Same with this new show.
 
If I love it half as much in person as I did on live stream, it will be a success for me. I thought it was technically impressive and I love the twist on the classics. In fact, the music may have been my favorite part. I loved Hallowishes too, but I accept that things change and judge the new on what it is, not compare it. The fireworks were what were going to determine whether I went to the party. I don't care about tot, rides or character meets. I want to see the parade, show and fireworks along with buying some of the party exclusive merchandise and treats. It was good enough that we'll go.
 
To be fair though that’s a personal opinion - you may think it’s superior to Wishes and others don’t. Both view points are fine to have. Same with this new show.
Sorry, my main point got a bit clouded. You are correct. My point was that the majority of the comments back in May 2017 were negative towards HEA. Nowadays, it's quite the opposite.
 
Watched it last night from the west garden, not crowded, unobstructed view, and tbh I need another viewing which I'll get next Friday. I agree, the music was off putting, I mean "step in time" at Halloween? I loved the fireworks and thought the projections went nicely without taking away from the fireworks. But not sure about the music, yet
 
Sorry, my main point got a bit clouded. You are correct. My point was that the majority of the comments back in May 2017 were negative towards HEA. Nowadays, it's quite the opposite.

Most definitely! I hear nothing but good things about HEA. I suppose we have to remember that things like Wishes can’t stay around forever and after a while of the new thing we forget how upset we were.

Watched it last night from the west garden, not crowded, unobstructed view, and tbh I need another viewing which I'll get next Friday. I agree, the music was off putting, I mean "step in time" at Halloween? I loved the fireworks and thought the projections went nicely without taking away from the fireworks. But not sure about the music, yet

Thanks for a ‘in the thick of it’ point of view! So hard to judge when you just see it via a YouTube video. Yes I was a bit surprised at the use of Step in Time and still not sure about it at all. I won’t see this new show until our trip for the 50th in 2021 so wanted to watch it but not fussed about it already! I will be there for the new MVMCP fireworks and this doesn’t bode well for that.
 
Most definitely! I hear nothing but good things about HEA. I suppose we have to remember that things like Wishes can’t stay around forever and after a while of the new thing we forget how upset we were.
I still disagree with many that Wishes was outdated. I still think it serves a place. HEA is such an 'event' now. Front and center. Better get there early to get a spot! Watch the time...

I love HEA and think it is one of the best shows they've created.

BUT - Wishes was beautiful, simple, and so Disney. You could watch it anywhere in the park, it didn't matter. Eat ice cream while walking around listening to the show at the end of a long day with the family. Maybe ride Splash during it. There was nothing like walking around Magic Kingdom after a long day to that soundtrack and I still think it was a mistake to remove it entirely (would be perfect for a 10:15 pm show during After Hours events).

Sorry for all the Wishes talk everyone!
 

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