There’s a reason that Disney’s nighttime shows are called “spectaculars”, and it’s because they truly are spectacular! But, do you know how much work, time, and money goes into these shows? Below we share five facts about nighttime entertainment at Walt Disney World!

1. Mickey Firework

The perfect Mickey firework…doesn’t exist, yet! But, it’s something imagineers have been working on for years. The firework has to explode at the right angle, speed, and time, amongst many more factors that cause this project to be so difficult. But, with all of the advancements Disney has made with their nighttime spectaculars, we can’t wait to see what it will look like one day when they finally perfect it!

2. Amount of Fireworks

Fireworks are one of the things that Disney is most known for! Did you know that the Walt Disney Company is the largest consumer of fireworks in the world and the second largest purchaser of explosive devices, right behind the U.S. Department of Defense? If you quickly run through the numbers, it makes sense! There are 4 sets of fireworks every night at WDW (Happily ever after, Illuminations, Star Wars Galactic Nights, and Fantasmic). These shows run 365 days a year, and use hundreds of fireworks each, totaling hundreds of thousands of fireworks annually.

3. Cost

Did you know that each firework show costs approximately $33,000 to put on? Do the math, and that’s about $40,000,000 per year! 💰 But, that’s not that high if you put it into perspective. With attendance at Walt Disney World in 2017 at 55 million visitors, only $1 from each ticket cost would hypothetically go to fireworks.

4. Castle Projections

Ever wonder how Disney does the castle projections? They use a technology called projection mapping. Projection mapping is a type of technology that allows Disney to project images onto a three-dimensional surface with many different edges and facets. Doing so, Disney can completely transform the look of the exterior!

5. IllumiNations

The name of this show is IllumiNations. Did you ever wonder why the N is capitalized? The show first showcased in 1998, then as part of the Millennium Celebration in 1999 and 2000. This celebration showcased the many cultures that exist in the world, and bringing them together. IllumiNations has the guests circle around the fire, “as people of all lands have gathered for thousands and thousands of years before us” to share a story and “bring them all together as one”. That’s why the title highlights the word “Nations”!