A Star Wars fireworks show at Disneyland that turns a strangely quiet corner of Galaxy’s Edge into a vibrant stage full of storytelling and music tells the tale of heroes, villains and the battle between light and darkness.
The new “Fire of the Rising Moons” fireworks show debuted in Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland as part of the two-month-long Season of the Force seasonal event that continues through June 2.
ALSO SEE: Trio of Mexican restaurants coming to Downtown Disney in May
Ever-changing versions of the Star Wars fireworks show will continue in Galaxy’s Edge after Season of the Force comes to an end.
“I don’t think any of us ever assumed people would want to see the side of fireworks if you will — or the backside of fireworks,” Disney Live Entertainment Executive Creative Director Michael Serna said. “But they do and it is super exciting. It’s a whole different experience.”
The Galaxy’s Edge pyrotechnics displays synched to a Star Wars soundtrack will vary depending on which Disneyland fireworks show is playing on any particular night — either “Wondrous Journeys,” “Mickey’s Mix Magic” or “Together Forever.”
“If you don’t hear what you like in the first one, come back because you might hear it in the second one,” Serna said during a media preview for Season of the Force.
Galaxy’s Edge has long been a dead zone during Disneyland fireworks shows as the Star Wars themed land forgoes the soundtrack associated with the nighttime spectaculars.
Now, a galactic soundtrack featuring music by composer John Williams can be heard throughout Galaxy’s Edge during fireworks shows — with viewing areas in front of the Millennium Falcon, TIE Echelon and the speeder garage.
“It was completely complex,” Serna said. “This was a very challenging project. Many people said we were crazy for trying it.”
ALSO SEE: Disneyland steakhouse makes a comeback — this time in Downtown Disney
Disney Live Entertainment worked closely with Lucasfilm to arrange the orchestral scores to work with the various fireworks shows without cutting or changing any of the music.
“We’ve never actually ever done that before in Live Entertainment. We always program the fireworks to the music,” Serna said. “Going backwards and reverse engineering that was a huge effort for my music team.”
“Fire of the Rising Moons” lights up the skies above Batuu in celebration of the outer rim village’s freedom and in honor of the heroes and legends who have walked through the streets of Black Spire Outpost, according to a newly created backstory for the fireworks show.
A Lore Weaver sets up the story with a prologue inviting smugglers, scoundrels, pirates and rogues to banish the darkness and bring light to Black Spire Outpost.
“Black Spire Outpost has a long and colorful history of heroes and legends, Jedi and Sith, royalty and resistance,” the Lore Weaver says during the prologue. “Those who would rule and those who refuse to bow. Here we celebrate that fiery spirit tonight.”
ALSO SEE: Din Tai Fung coming to Downtown Disney this summer
The assembled visitors are urged to raise their lightsabers as the music swells and the sky explodes.
“The great thing about the music is it hits an emotional core. Everybody has some connection whether you started like I did in ’77 or whether 1999 was the first time you got into Star Wars,” Serna said. “You do half the work for us. The fireworks are the accent to your emotional connection to the music.”
The 15-minute Star Wars soundtrack opens with the familiar “Main Title” and closes with the equally recognizable “End Title” with a musical suite of lesser-known songs sprinkled in between.
“There’s a lot of unique suites and different takes on this music that some fans haven’t heard in years or ever,” Serna said.
LED lighting on the rockwork spires above Batuu slowly transition from blue to purple to red and orange throughout the show. The show drags at times when prolonged gaps in the fireworks occur when video projections on Main Street U.S.A. are driving the storytelling.
Disney Live Entertainment created three versions of “Fire of the Rising Moon” that will each feature slight changes with different music and songs — depending on whether “Wondrous Journeys,” “Mickey’s Mix Magic” or “Together Forever” is serving as the base show.
Related Articles
Disneyland threatens lifetime ban for disability cheats
Disneyland cracks down on Disability Access Service misuses and abuses
Disneyland closes 4 attractions during busy spring season
First look at Avatar themed land proposed for Disneyland
What to expect at Disneyland’s Pixar Fest 2024
The current version of “Fire of the Rising Moons” in Galaxy’s Edge is paired with the “Wondrous Journeys” nighttime spectacular playing in the rest of the park through Sunday, April 14.
The second take of the Star Wars fireworks will be paired with “Mickey’s Mix Magic” on April 15-25.
“Currently, it’s just Star Wars music playing, but not fully synched up,” according to MiceChat. “The real effort was put into syncing the music to the upcoming Pixar Fest fireworks.”
The “Together Forever” nighttime spectacular kicks off on April 26 with the start of Pixar Fest and runs through June 2.
