In a shock transfer, the “Rejoice America!” Fourth of July fireworks might be proven over extra dates throughout Independence Day 2026 weekend at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World and Disneyland. Right here dates and particulars, together with an early have a look at what to anticipate from the vacation on each coasts.
This information comes as a part of the “Disney Celebrates America” announcement, which covers the ways in which the corporate is becoming a member of a once-in-a-lifetime celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the USA (or the Semiquincentennial–rolls proper off the tongue!).
“Disney Celebrates America” kicks off on Veterans Day 2025 and continues by means of the Fourth of July 2026 weekend, bringing collectively totally different elements of Disney to honor America’s previous, have a good time the current, and encourage its future. Each Walt Disney World and Disneyland will characteristic closely in “Disney Celebrates America,” and one such method is the fireworks reveals on the parks over Independence Day. Listed below are extra particulars from Disney’s announcement…
As America’s preeminent storyteller, Disney will assist convey the semiquincentennial to life by celebrating the desires, tales, and optimism which have impressed generations. From sports activities and leisure to journey and tourism, Disney encourages households all over the place to discover, study and uncover the various lands, and vibrant communities that make up our shared story. (Coincidence or curious alternative of phrases that “Spaceship Earth: Our Shared Story” was the title of the shelved 2020 experience reimagining?!)
“At its coronary heart, America’s story is considered one of creativeness, ambition, and chance – the identical beliefs which have guided Disney for the reason that starting,” mentioned Robert A. Iger, Chief Govt Officer, The Walt Disney Firm. “This celebration honors each a nation and a spirit that by no means cease dreaming about what’s subsequent.”
To mark the event, Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort will have a good time coast-to-coast, anchored by the Summer time 2026 opening of Soarin’ Throughout America, an immersive flight expertise aboard the beloved Soarin’ points of interest at Disney California Journey park and EPCOT. Soarin’ Throughout America will take company on a wide ranging journey, highlighting among the nation’s pure magnificence and iconic cityscapes.
“Disney Celebrates America” will culminate over the weekend of July 4, 2026 with a 24-hour, multi-platform broadcast that highlights the USA Semiquincentennial occasions nationwide throughout Disney’s linear networks and streaming platforms, together with Disney+, Hulu, ABC, Disney Channel, ESPN, Freeform, FX and Nationwide Geographic, ending with a particular night fireworks broadcast from Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort.
David Muir, anchor and managing editor of “World Information Tonight with David Muir,” will lead the daylong protection and be joined by ABC Information anchors and correspondents, iconic ESPN commentators, and Nationwide Geographic Explorers reporting from throughout the nation for this one-in-a-lifetime presentation that includes high entertainers, athletes, explorers, and historians – all coming collectively to highlight the surprise, achievements, and desires that outline the American spirit.
As a part of the USA Semiquincentennial celebration, the beloved fireworks present “Disney’s Rejoice America! — A Fourth of July Live performance within the Sky,” will play throughout all three nights of the vacation weekend, July 3-5, 2026, at each Disneyland and Magic Kingdom.
There might be different particular occasions and choices as a part of “Disney Celebrates America” with relevance to Walt Disney World and Disneyland followers:
- In June 2026, ABC Information Studios will current a two-hour primetime particular that journeys by means of the guts of our nation – the place the real-life spirit of iconic locales like New Orleans and the American frontier comes alive by means of the beloved lands of Disney Parks, connecting audiences to the extraordinary individuals, locations, histories, and traditions that make America distinctive.
- Disney Shopper Merchandise will as soon as once more honor our nation’s heroes with a brand new particular military-inspired assortment now accessible at choose places throughout Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort, whereas provides final. As well as, debuting in Might 2026, an array of Americana merchandise, together with choose gadgets commemorating America’s milestone anniversary, might be accessible for buy at Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort, and DisneyStore.com.
- In November of this 12 months, Disney will unveil 2026 reductions accessible at Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, and Disney Cruise Line for eligible service members in appreciation of their service and in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.
For these unfamiliar with “Disney’s Rejoice America! A Fourth of July Live performance within the Sky,” the fireworks present is normally carried out on July 3-4 at Magic Kingdom, changing Fortunately Ever After on these evenings. So actually, that is an extension of 1 evening–July 5, 2026.
The fort park fireworks present is actually spectacular–not less than at Walt Disney World. (We have been slightly whelmed our first time seeing it at Disneyland after years of experiencing it at Magic Kingdom; the ‘blessing of dimension’ undoubtedly pays off on pyro!) The Walt Disney World model options perimeter pyro and a simultaneous fireworks show over Seven Seas Lagoon to create the impact of 360-degrees of fireworks. It’s nothing wanting wonderful, and each fan ought to expertise Independence Day at Walt Disney World not less than as soon as.
This really isn’t the primary time that Disney has prolonged the “Rejoice America!” fireworks. As a part of Restricted Time Magic, the fireworks present was carried out for the total week (July 1–7, 2013) at each Magic Kingdom and Disneyland. We visited Walt Disney World for a portion of that week and noticed “Rejoice America!” 4 instances. It was nice to expertise the nighttime spectacular with decrease crowds, however that has since change into the brand new regular.
For reference, EPCOT additionally sometimes has Fourth of July fireworks. The Heartbeat of Freedom tag happens after the Luminous: Symphony of Us fireworks on July 4th.
This options fireworks launched from round World Showcase and barges within the lagoon for a blockbuster, earth-shaking finale providing a Salute to All World Showcase Nations, However Principally America. Luminous adopted by the Heartbeat of Freedom sometimes takes place July 4th at 9 p.m.
Final 12 months, Magic Kingdom has park hours extensions July third (9 am to 11 pm) and July 4th (8 am to 11 pm). There have been no park hours extensions at EPCOT for Independence Day. We’d anticipate a repeat of that for 2026.
Finally, simply wished to convey this all to your consideration when you’re already planning forward for Summer time 2026. Past an added exhibiting of the “Rejoice America!” fireworks, we’d anticipate further Independence Day leisure in 2026. Full particulars have but to be introduced, however we’ll cowl them in our Fourth of July 2025 Survival Information.
At minimal, this could cement dates to go to Magic Kingdom and EPCOT, making the latter the plain alternative for July 4th. As a lot as we take pleasure in “Rejoice America!,” the Heartbeat of Freedom tag fireworks are extra wow-inducing and EPCOT is the higher total expertise. Again after we have been Florida locals, EPCOT was all the time our go-to park for Fourth of July and New 12 months’s Eve. It’s onerous to beat for a patriotic get together!
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YOUR THOUGHTS
Disillusioned that Disney eliminated the shock prolonged hours and unprecedented “Heartbeat of Freedom” tag? Or did you all the time suspect it was a goof-up? Have you ever ever visited Walt Disney World for the Fourth of July? Would you ever do it? Have any extra ideas for making probably the most out of the expertise, or relating to which fireworks reveals to see? Do you agree or disagree with our recommendation? Any questions we will help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even once you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!