There are more than wishing stars lighting up the night sky over Disney World this summer.

“Summer Nightastic,” was recently unveiled at the Magic Kingdom, and features a new fireworks show and a revamped Main Street Electrical Parade.

It’s tough to improve on your basic fireworks display, but Disney has elevated the experience with the “Summer Nightastic! Fireworks Spectacular” by not only synchronizing the show with a narrated story and music, but increasing the viewing perimeter by 25 per cent so no matter where you are in the park, you will be surrounded by the display on all sides.

I’m not usually a parade watcher--I generally see this time as the perfect opportunity to ride Space Mountain while the tourists are busy saving seats along the route--but I really enjoyed the Main Street Electrical Parade. The famed show premiered in Disneyland in 1972, and has resurfaced sporadically over the years but not in the Magic Kingdom since 2001. Featuring almost a half a million LED lights, the floats, music and costumes are brilliant. You’ll appreciate the old school characters like Pinocchio, Pete’s Dragon and a Depp-less Alice in Wonderland, even if your kids don’t recognize them. And of course there is that familiar theme song that is the only recorded score that can replace “It’s a Small World,” playing in your head.


There are a smattering of other summer surprises around Disney World at the other parks as well. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror has a new look and Captain E O featuring Michael Jackson returns to Epcot on July 2.

Florida residents have a few different discount options, so be sure to check those out on their website.

Summer Nightastic runs through August 14, 2010.