Electric Water Pageant at Walt Disney World Resort celebrates 50 years

Electric Water Pageant at Walt Disney World Resort. We were lucky to be over at Seven Seas Lagoon the night the new Intro and outro made its debut. What blew us away first was the updated lights, which look fantastic, but the biggest gasp came at the end, for the “Most Magical Place on Earth” song. It was played old-school synth-pop sound, which was the exact same audio as used for the rest of the show. Little things, like keeping that magic alive was so important to our enjoyment.

Few things make me feel more nostalgic than the sight of the Electrical Water Pageant at Walt Disney World Resort lighting up the waterways outside of Magic Kingdom Park. From the moment that synthesized music kicks in, I’m immediately taken back to evenings with my family on the beach of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, waiting for the fireworks to begin.

Related: New 50th Anniversary treats now available at Disney Springs

Debuting 50 years ago today as part of “Dedication Day,” this nightly tradition has dazzled guests since the opening of Walt Disney World Resort. Disney Live Entertainment Production Assistant and resident historian, Nathan Eick, shared that the nautical novelty was born when Disney Legend Bob Jani, Vice President of Disney Live Entertainment at the time, fantasized about what he could do with the pitch-black skies of Bay Lake – which had no horizon or city lights due to the sheer size and remoteness of the new property. Electric Water Pageant at Walt Disney World Resort

As a test, late one evening, Bob’s team lit up a large mock-up of a whale over the water, a spark that would not only become the Electric Water Pageant at Walt Disney World Resort but go on to inspire “The Main Street Electrical Parade” at Disneyland park less than a year later.

This unique, Electric Water Pageant at Walt Disney World Resort show became an immediate hit and is still entertaining guests to this day. That’s not to say there haven’t been a few updates over time. If you were watching the pageant 50 years ago, you would have heard a custom version of “Baroque Hoedown,” a song that would later grace the soundtracks of several nighttime offerings at Disney parks around the world. Today, you may catch music from classics such as “The Little Mermaid,” “Pete’s Dragon” and“Peter Pan” – along with some of your favorite patriotic tunes. 

Related: Say Aloha to the Disney World 50th Anniversary Cupcake at Disney’s Polynesian Resort

On your next visit, you may notice another special update to the show. When we were planning The World’s Most Magical Celebration, we knew we had to find a way for the Electrical Water Pageant to join in on the fun. To mark the occasion, we’ve created a whimsical addition featuring a towering castle, swirling pixie dust, and a version of the celebration anthem, “The Magic is Calling,” recorded in the iconic electro-synthe-magnetic sound of the show. The Electrical Water Pageant you know and love continues to be presented in its entirety each evening, with this celebratory scene bookending each stop on its procession.

The World’s Most Magical Celebration is happening now at Walt Disney World Resort! Electric Water Pageant at Walt Disney World Resort. Check back here on Disney Parks Blog and follow #DisneyWorld50 on social media for regular updates on all the ways we are celebrating!

Electric Water Pageant at Walt Disney World Resort

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