The Magic Kingdom’s nightly fireworks show called, Wishes, is a beautiful display of choreographed pyrotechnics, character narration and music as only Disney can do. The show runs approximately 12 minutes, has 557 fireworks firing cues and 655 individual shells launched by air canons instead of rockets. I photographed Wishes back in December and thought I would share some of the show since I just finished processing the photos this week. Hey, it takes time to cull out 1,200 keepers from some 3,000 photographs. 🙂
Wishes 1. Nikon D70/18-200VR, 4.9 sec., f/29, ISO 400, EV -0.7, 35mm focal length.
Wishes 2. Nikon D70/18-200VR, 3 sec., f/22, ISO 400, EV -0.7, 31mm Focal Length.
Wishes 3. Nikon D70/18-200VR, 7.5 sec., f/25, ISO 400, EV -0.7, 31mm Focal Length.
This summer (2010), Wishes will be temporarily replaced by the Summer Nightastic Fireworks Spectacular and the return of the Main Street Electrical Parade.
Views Infinitum 
Really nicely done, Scott! Bottom shot is my favorite – so dramatic. Q: In the lower right of the second pic…is that a small capture of someone’s LCD panel?
LikeLike
Sure is, Tracy. The castle is clipped on the left by a person’s silhouette as well in that photo. I either need to get taller or find another location to shoot Wishes from.
LikeLike
Didn’t notice the silhouette until you mentioned it. And the LCD screen can be easily fixed with a little cloning of black over it. I’ve had luck shooting Wishes from the bridge to Liberty Square.
LikeLike
That’s a nice location. The trees make a nice frame of the castle. I have photographed Wishes from the Main Street USA train station platform but it’s cutthroat getting a place to stand unless you are there BEFORE the night parade. Also, the flagpole is in the way (unless the Christmas parade is filming that week, in which, they remove the flagpole).
LikeLike
Impressive! This fantastic light really woke me up out of a gray day. You have made some beautiful photos, I like all of them, but if I have to choose one, I´ll take number 2. I´m not as brave as Tracy, who dares choose the very dramatic number 3. This looks like it could attack you at any moment…
LikeLike
This time of year can be a bit gray. Should have warned people to put on sunglasses before viewing. 🙂
LikeLike
Oh fun! I can feel the boom-boom-boom in my solar plexus. I think I like the last one best too. I can always be counted on to go right over the top.
LikeLike
The last one, humm. I am sensing a trend.
LikeLike
Wow Scott! These are spectacular. I’m sorely lacking in night photography skills, which makes these photos seem all the more magical to me.
LikeLike
Good night photography = tripod + remote release + long exposures. Most people don’t like to take the time and effort but, for those who do, the rewards are great.
LikeLike
Nice work Scott. I want to give that a try! I photographed the Fantasia Show down there a couple years ago, but did not turn out as nice as yours.
Moose Blog
LikeLike
Fantasia is much different. It’s not a typical fireworks show like Wishes is. I used my 70-200VR at Walt Disney World’s version with some success last year.
LikeLike
Beautiful Scott, love the second photo.
LikeLike
Ah, another vote for Wishes 2. 🙂
LikeLike
Fantastic, Scott! Now I have the urge.
LikeLike
Oh, really, where does the great state of Montana put on fireworks shows?
LikeLike
There’s one at the county fairgrounds not too far from where I live that’s actually not too bad. It’s good enough to get some experience from.
LikeLike
My town does about three a year which are easy to photograph as you rarely get more than a few shells at a time. Mostly single and doubles until the end. I’ll leave my shutter open for up to 20 seconds to get multiple bursts. With shows like Disney’s, I get nervous when I’ve left the shutter open for longer than 3 seconds they have some many shells going.
It’s challenging and fun.
LikeLike
For the record, I like Wishes 1 the best of the three. I cropped it to only show three bursts with other burst trails coming in from the edges so you know there were more. Flickr seems to favor Wishes 3 as the four bursts and long red trails make the photo pop. Wishes 2 is one I liked because I got the most of the castle in and liked how I caught the bursts right above.
LikeLike
Wow, what amazing shot, Scott. I was trying to pick my favourite but to be honest I think they are all wonderful. I finally got my new DSLR but am struggling with it presently. By next week I’ll have it figured out. 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks, Dave! You’ll get there with the new camera. You are on the right track already.
LikeLike
Fantastic shots Scott, love to shoot fireworks as well, you did a great job with these !!
LikeLike
Thanks, Bernie!
LikeLike
Absolutely stunning shots! You’ve definitely gotten so much better over the years. I can’t do anything like this; then again, my camera only cost $99. lol
LikeLike
🙂 Well, I do work at it. Thanks for keeping me updated on the health care issues via Twitter.
LikeLike