fireworks shows

August is right around the corner and if you are heading to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida during August this year, you might want to check out the special events in the various parks.  With concerts, pin trading, fireworks and parades, there’s bound to be something that will make your trip extra special.

Walt Disney World Parks Special Events:  August 2010

• “Sounds Like Summer” Concert Series

  Disney’s Epcot,  June 15 – August 9, 2009
  These fun & rockin’ mini-concerts take place in Epcot’s American Gardens Theatre at the far end of the park.   Shows are three times a day at 5:15, 6:30 & 7:45PM.    Performances are subject to change but here’s the remaining current schedule for August 2010:

• July 27 – August 8:  2U – The World’s 2^nd Best U2 Show
• August 3-9:  Petty Theft – A Tribute to Tom Petty

• Disney Pin Celebration 2010 – Trade City USA

  Epcot: World Showplace – August 27-29, 2010
  This is an exclusive ticketed event that guests who attend the Disney Pin Event will enjoy all the fun trading activities, the also having the opportunity to purchase specially designed pins, and meet Disney pin traders from around the globe. Pin traders & enthusiasts will find themselves in a special place, Trade City, a cute little, eclectic town nestled in Trading Valley. Trade Valley is home to the world’s biggest ear hat and the world’s longest lanyard.

• Bay Lake Tower Grand Opening

  The newest Disney Vacation Club (DVC) resort is scheduled to have its grand opening on August 4^th, 2009.   It is located in the Magic Kingdom resort area near the Contemporary Resort.

• Last Tour to Endor

  August 14, 2010, 8:00 pm – 1:00 am, Disney’s Hollywood Studios
  Bring along your best Star Wars costume for this event (no really costumes are encouraged)!   This unique celebration is highlighting the original Star Wars ride in Disney.  The event will allow guests a last chance to ride the original Star Wars attraction before it closes for a yearlong refurbishment. Last Tour to Endor will be held on August 14 during Orlando’s Star Wars Celebration V. The special event costs $75 and will include themed party zones, fireworks and a Death Star Disco.

• Summer Nightastic!

  Magic Kingdom: June 6 through August 14
  Shimmering shining Disney magic lights up the parks until August 14, 2010. The wonderful sights and sounds of the Main Street Electrical Parade return to the Magic Kingdom again with a parade led by Tinker Bell, who travels on a brand new float.

  Summer Nightastic Fireworks Spectacular also lights the night sky with wondrous vivid colors and exciting visual effects set to a backdrop of whimsical fairytale like music. Finally there’s also a dance party featuring high-energy music played by popular DJs.

• Summer Nightastic!

  Disney’s Hollywood Studios: June 6 through August 14, 2010
  Just like at Magic Kingdom, the park lights up with shimmering shining Disney magic lights here, too! In addition to that:

  • The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror will have a few unexpected surprises with new lighting effects created just for Summer Nightastic!
  • At the courtyard of the Aerosmith Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster popular DJs will pumping out your favorite summertime tunes at the “Rock N’ Glow Dance Party.”

• ENCORE!: DREAM OUR DREAMS

  Epcot’s World Showplace -August 6, 7, and 8
  The popular cast choir & orchestra, formed in 2002 by a group of Disney Cast Members, will be performing a musical tribute to the legacy of Disney. Over the past eight years ENCORE! has raised more than $110,000 for a variety of Central Florida charitable organizations. Pas performances included concerts featuring the music of Broadway, patriotic songs, gospel hymns, rock anthems, movie themes, and pop favorites. ENCORE!’s designated charity for this year’s performances is Make-A-Wish.

Walt Disney World Parks:  Special Notices

• Fantasmic!:  Limited Showings
  Disney’s Hollywood Studios

  This really cool light show is no longer presented every night.  It will be offered August 2, 4,  6, 9, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 27, 31.  It’s a hugely popular show so make plans to arrive at least 60 minutes early .  Keep in Mind: When the shows are limited performances, you know the park, in this case Disney’s Hollywood Studios park is going to be busier on days featuring a Fantasmic! show.  Warning: If you have small children you might want to take into consideration that while the show is excellent it does feature Disney Villains for about 10 minutes of the show and can be pretty intense & frightening for young children.

• SpectroMagic Nighttime Parade: Limited Showings
  Magic Kingdom

  This delightful nighttime parade will only be offered every night through August 15^th, .   SpectroMagic parade is only offered a few times a week in the second half of August on the before mentioned 1 – 15, and then on  August 18, 21, 22, 23, 27, 29, 31.  Keep In Mind: Magic Kingdom will be a lot more crowded on days featuring a SpectroMagic Parade.