Disney's 4th Of July Fireworks Salute To America
7/6/2006


By: Bill and Donna

It is 10:30pm, I have just returned from the Magic Kingdom. Today and Tomorrow, Walt Disney World, famous for it's fireworks displays and shows has replaced WISHES, it's normal day ending fireworks extravaganza for a special show to salute our nations independence. I have been looking forward to seeing just how Disney could top Wishes, and as Walt said himself "If you can dream it, you can do it", Disney certainly did it! I have never witnessed a more beautiful and moving pyrotechnic display in my life. I have see literally hundreds of fireworks spectacles in my life, and this one tops them all. Even the Macy's fireworks display in New York seemed to pale in comparison.

This show brought out all the pride and love for our country, and I'm sure even people visiting WDW from foreign countries this night had to feel proud to be here! The park was extremely crowded, this being the long 4th of July weekend. My wife and I usually gravitate towards the Tomorrowland Noodle Station, for there is one of the best seats to observe the nightly shows. There are plenty of chairs and tables, but on this night, an hour and half before the show, there was not a seat or hardly a place to stand. So it was back to Main Street, still a great place to see everything. But Disney had a fantastic surprise for us tonight.

To start, the castle was painted red, white and blue with stars, just like old Glory. It was magnificent! The bottom half of the castle was blue with the stars, the middle was white and several of the towers were red, it was just an awesome sight. As the show began, Tinker Bell made her flight across the Kingdom and the show began. What the crowd did not know was that Disney had fireworks not only over the Castle, but in the rear of the park also, an exact mirror display of each other! In perfect sync with the music, the displays were as one. Another treat was that around the perimeter of the park, also in sync with the music were shell bursts which lit up the whole sky on cue with the primary display. I can only guess how many hours the Imagineers and technicians spend on the timing, music and the type of shells used. The music, all patriotic, like "God bless America" and there was also a salute to our men in uniform, and judging by the applause and cheers, this show delivered everything it promised and more!

The show will be on tomorrow night again for the 4th of July. I will be there again, for this is a show that should be see again by any proud American. I'm sure that anyone after seeing this display cannot help but feel a renewed pride and respect for these United States of America. Walt Disney, one of the country's proudest citizens, looked down with approval tonight.