Enchantment - what was that?

[Spaceship Ears]

To everyone who I told, "Don't worry about losing HEA, Disney won't lay down a turkey for the 50th anniversary" -- well, I apologize. We got a turkey.

Wow. That managed to make Harmonious look like the best show ever.

Two disappointing nights. Maybe we should just skip ahead to the 51th anniversary?

[OhanaMana]

It was incredibly disappointing to say the least watching that last night. I can't believe this is what they have been working on the last couple years.

I will say, I know the Imagineers that did work on this show put their heart in it - I will never question the passion and talent of that team. This is frankly more of a HUGE issue with WDW leadership that felt they needed a new show. If the new show isn't going to have a LICK of showcasing the 50th celebration, then the answer is NO.

During the 15 minute show, I felt nothing in terms of connection to the story, music, projections or pyro. This is a HUGE gut punch to passionate Disney World and Disney fans alike because I think it's very fair to say, Happily Ever After brought so much emotion to everyone who watched it - it didn't matter if it was your 1st time or 50th time, it always felt like the 1st time watching it and it left you feeling incredibly emotional and positive.

Everyone reading this who sees this show and agrees, I urge you to provide your honest and well thought out **** to Disney in whatever way you feel is appropriate.

It's important to note that within an hour or so of the live stream ending last night, Disney Parks YouTube account REMOVED the stream recording. I'm guessing this action was done in response to the thousands of negative reactions towards to the new show on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. I have to think they are AT LEAST seeing the reaction and if enough **** is given to leadership at WDW, we may get a response.

My only hope is at some point during the 18th month celebration, we get an announcement HEA will come back after the celebration concludes in spring 2023.

[Ace]

It felt to me like trying to cram the sentiment wishes into the style HEA and it was completely underwhelming. Maybe it will be better in person but my initial reaction that a large step back was taken. We are considering skipping fireworks on one of our MK nights because it doesnt seem worth it. Very sad.

The one highlight was that I enjoyed the villians section of the show. I really like the "into the unknown" section but I wish they got Idina to sing it. Other than that I never got excited about any of it.

Was happy that Tink still got to fly.

C execution for what needed to be an A+ show to replace HEA.

[disneydorkx]

here’s my opinions:

it was a good show. it was there. however, it had several problems.

1- for a 50th show, it had NO mention of walt, MICKEY, and roy, who dedicated the resort 50 years ago. this made me a little disappointed, especially no fab five

2- only covers of the songs. i wish they would have the originals performances form the movies. instead, they have some strange covers of the songs.

3- it had very long pauses. sometimes they felt awkward

4- it spent most of the show on the last five years, especially moana. i’m a huge moana fan, but there was too much moana. they could’ve put WAY more of the older movies from 80s and below, especially the classics. and they could’ve spent more time on the new movies, like raya, luca, etc. also, they missed some of disney’s best movies, like the lion king, snow white, pinocchio, etc. and it could’ve had more nostalgia and more old music

honestly, i prefer harmonious more than enchantment and obviously HEA. however, it’s a good show. probably a 7/10.

[BJN]

I thought Enchantment was much better then Harmonious. I give this show a 7/10 but would change a few things:

I would have liked to see more of the older classics at the start of the show and work their way up to today. No mention of the character Walt never wanted to lose sight of and the soundtrack only played the same songs they’ve been using. As much as I love and enjoy these songs, it’s a bit overkill now at this point with all the movies, themes and anthems characters have and to choose from. It’s a little disappointing.

I also think getting an older Disney legend for the host of the show would have been a nice touch. (*clears throat* someone like Julie Andrews or even a few of them.)

And like must are saying and I agree with, some of the acts didn’t end that great before going to the next one and needs a little more build up for Tink.

But overall, I don’t think it’s that bad of a show. I think it’ll get a revision before the year is over 100% It’s not that far off but it’s definitely a first draft.

[AlexisW]

I liked Enchantment a lot more on the second viewing-- honestly, Disney did a kind of terrible job of streaming the show. Weird camera angles; underexposed castle projections (seems like they set exposure for Christina Aguilera and the Chapek/Iger intro and never adjusted them to look good during the show itself); never showed the new main street projections. Josh did a way better job of capturing the show as it was meant to be seen (from street level)... Disney, you're a movie studio and you own one of the Big Three TV stations. You should be able to do a better job of streaming your own fireworks show than some random guy streaming with his cell phone.

IMO, Happily Ever After was still a better show, but, from what I saw tonight, Enchantment's a solid show, and I really like how immersive it looked once the main street projections started (why do these only start midway through the show?). Looking forward to seeing this one in person (probably a couple times) when I'm there in January.

[ADantuono]

The beginning was a little slow. I admit that. But I did think that it started to pick up when the projections started to be shown along Main Street. And I did really like that Tink flew!

Is it better than Wishes? No

Is it better than Happily Ever After? God, No!

But was it completely terrible? No.

Does it possibly need a little retooling? Yes

Personally, I thought it was better than Harmonious. We'll have to see what happens

[randyf79]

I must say that I, too, was disappointed...with both the MK and the EPCOT performances. It seems to me that Disney violated one of its most important practices....they didn't write the story before they story-boarded it with images and then added musical performances. The monologues at the beginning and endings were strained...and almost seemed an afterthought.

As far as the MK show...the opening should have been Walt's (actual) voice...reminding us that 'it all started with a mouse'....scenes from steam boat willy...and then a chronological extravaganza of every major disney milestone film...with the actual voices and music (remastered)....and then Julie Andrews at the end reminding the audience that all of us have the capacity to dream...and to do....and that this place, this magical place, will always be here to remind us...

For the EPCOT show...many of the same sentiments...story, etc. This could have been a review of the history of EPCOT, the coming together of nations from around the world, (please bring back the cast members from the countries!) Songs that are clearly tied to each of the pavilions, including songs from past attractions (Canada Oh Canada)....lighting the pavilion when it plays...leading to the Someday ending...the only song that fit the EPCOT theme...

One technical point....Disney replaced a a globe that could be seen by everyone from any point of the compass of the World Showcase and replaced it with a ring-screen that can only be well-viewed from the front and back...leaving 50% of the showcase with a limited experience. The final monologue would have been much better if it had ended with the words "until we meet once more"...rather than "goodbye".

I think the choices were made based on songs that represented other cultures (in Disney films) ...and used singers other than the original performers. This meant that many of the classics were going to end up being unused. Again...Walt's voice was unheard.

[cocomonk22]

Thankfully Clifflix did an 8K multi-angle recording of Happily Ever After. It even has the 50th overlay on the castle.

[CH-GenX]

I got the chance to see Harmonious live last week. It is better in person-and the Main Street projections are great.

[doggokiraz]

I wish to share with others how blown away and impressive I think Enchantment is.

Wishes pushed the limits of synchronization and interplay between soundtrack and fireworks - especially the timing of particular types of fireworks, and the sound they produce. A tight show, it really is special.

Happily Ever After introduces on-castle projections and the soundtrack fits it perfectly! Every moment is magic as Disney characters swing, splash and dance across the iconic castle. It's a tour deforce of frenetic pacing that never lets off the gas. It aims to show off what this new projection can do in a big way - individual elements like the genie rocket taking off, really sell the concept, and leave little wonder if Disney will stick to using this technology.
Not only that but it proudly shows off two massive blockbusters at the heat of the show - the new Frozen and Moana. Fireworks add bright color and emphasize moments - there's also a lot of neat ones mounted on the castle itself.


Enchanted then, primarily uses the same technologies found in Happily Ever After but to a dramatically different effect.
No longer needing to sell people on a projection technology that's used all over the parks now, this show really focuses on creating some of the most fascinating and technical syncopation between music, projection and fireworks yet in a Disney show.
I really think this is the first time we experience diegetic fireworks in a show. By that I mean, explosives that originate with animation from the castle, and extend into the sky as fiery, booming embodiment of the enchanting powers of Disney cinema.
I think the greatest example of this is the absolutely spellbinding transition and buildup into the fiery crescendo of the....
The frozen part.

Oh yeah there's a moana part too.

Which draws immediate comparisons to Happily Ever After.

And I think that's the largest shortcoming of Enchantment. It invites far too much comparison to Happily Ever After, without putting what it does do better front and center. To throw a bone to everyone disparaging the show. It does feel like it's identity is much too close to HEA.
There's also a few moments where non-diegetic fireworks (ones for accenting) could use some tighter syncopation, I think. And hopefully they dial that in a little bit more with time.



I got to see the show down main street, and straight ahead of the walt statue with the fountain to my left.
I have to say, I didn't find that the main street projections added to my enjoyment? It was just a little overwhelming from a sensory level, and I couldn't process it all in-time. Moving up closer to the castle really made my jaw drop. I couldn't get enough.