Previously on Sam’s Disney Diary, I covered one of the final performances of The Magic, The Memories, and You. Just a few months after that show’s retirement, Celebrate the Magic picked up where it left off, using advanced projection mapping to transform Cinderella Castle into a living canvas.
Celebrate the Magic: A Stunning Castle Projection Show
The beauty of Celebrate the Magic lies in its flexibility. Disney Imagineers created a seamless way to insert and remove clips, allowing the show to evolve based on current trends and seasonal themes. For example, after Frozen premiered, “Let It Go” quickly became part of the show. A new Jungle Book sequence coincided with the movie’s Diamond DVD release.
Seasonal themes included Valentine’s Day, Halloween, and Christmas, providing something new for guests on every visit.
Disney Stories Come to Life
The show opens with Tinker Bell spreading pixie dust, transforming Cinderella Castle into a paper canvas where Walt Disney sketches Mickey Mouse as Steamboat Willie. From there, we see beloved Disney characters like Mickey, Donald, and Goofy, followed by scenes from Alice in Wonderland, The Lion King, Tangled, and Pirates of the Caribbean.
In February 2014, these were the featured sections:
- Alice in Wonderland, Dumbo, Wreck-It Ralph
- The Lion King, Tarzan
- Lady & The Tramp; Princess Melody, Tangled
- The Jungle Book
- Frozen
Each section could be easily swapped, making every version of Celebrate the Magic unique.
Tips for the Best Viewing Experience
Celebrate the Magic runs twice a night, and the best viewing spot is in The Hub near Cinderella Castle. The first show follows the parade and ends just five minutes before Wishes fireworks begin. In addition, there’s usually a second showing after Wishes, just before the second parade. Be sure to check the Times Guide during your visit!
A Few Observations
During my February 2014 trip, Disney promoted the Glow with the Show ears for Celebrate the Magic. However, there were no Glow with the Show hats available at the park—does anyone know what happened to them?
