“Magic of Memories” is a brand new nighttime spectacular coming to the Magic Kingdom. A celebration of the sight, sounds, and memories of the Magic Kingdom, this show employs some of the latest technologies, including projection mapping (on both Cinderella Castle, and Main Street USA) and drones, to create an unforgettable experience like no other.

At 9pm the lights dim on Main Street USA. Golden spotlights rise from either side of the castle, pointed straight into the sky. A lush red curtain is projected over the castle. A short fanfare begins to play as a voice can be heard.

“Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, get ready for a dazzling celebration of 50 years of magic here at Walt Disney World resort. Experience some of your favorite experiences at Magic Kingdom, and rediscover some of the most beloved attractions of the past. Learn that there truly is wonder in remembering the past and looking towards the future in 'Disney’s Magic of Memory.'"

The lights on Main Street and the castle go out completely. It’s completely pitch black except for the curtain on the castle. Rustling can be seen through the curtain as the sounds of an orchestra warming up are heard. A tapping sound can be heard, bringing the orchestra to attention. Suddenly, the orchestra jumps into a powerful rendition of Mickey Mouse March as the curtain flies open to reveal Mickey Mouse, who is conducting an orchestra of Disney characters. A few small fireworks shoot from the perimeter of the castle as the song comes to a climax. A slower, subdued version of A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes plays as Mickey turns towards guests.

“Hiya folks. Y’know, we’ve been here a long time. I’ve been thinkin’ a lot about how to give you all the celebration you deserve, but I just couldn’t figure it out. Then it got me thinkin’ about all the wonderful memories we’ve had here over the years. Y’see, memory is a powerful thing. Sometimes they’re the sorta thing that pop into our heads to brighten our day, or remind us of a happier time. But sometimes, there are those special memories that can really inspire us. Those kinda magical memories that fill our hearts and inspire us to take wing and follow our dreams.”

With that, the music transitions into Married Life from “Up” as Carl’s house, held aloft by a large crowd of balloons, rises from behind the castle. Large multicolored LED balloons also rise around the castle and Main Street USA (both of these effects are achieved through use of drones.) A blue cloud-filled sky full of balloons is now projected on the castle. As the house floats around the back of the castle, Russell can be heard speaking to Carl:

“C’mon, Mr. Frederickson. We’re almost there.”

“Oh, I think we’ll make it just fine,” replies Carl.

Mickey Mouse continues.

“Y’see, sometimes memories can inspire us to do some amazing things. If we wish hard enough, sometimes we’re able to relive some of our best memories.”

Married Life transitions directly into a barbershop rendition of Makin’ Memories. Various black and white photos are projected onto a now-black and white castle and Main Street USA. Sharp-eyed guests may notice that some of these pictures are actually photopass photos taken during the day. As Makin’ Memories reaches a head, a car horn blares, marking the start of an orchestral rendition of The Entertainer. The black and white fades from both the castle and Main Street, replaced now by various vehicles which rush down the length of Main Street in either direction. Much of the castle has been replaced by a collage of Main Street windows. Some of the citizens of Main Street can be seen peeking out of these windows, looking down at the bustle of the vehicles. The madness is suddenly halted by two large mortars booming from either side of the castle.

“Ye come seekin’ adventure and salty old pirates, eh? Sure, you come to the proper place.”

He’s a Pirate begins as rough seas are projected down Main Street. The song continues as two ships sail into view on either side of Main Street - The Black Pearl, and the Flying Dutchman.

As the song continues, both ships begin to fire at each other, as confetti cannons explode down Main Street. As quickly as it began, the battle ends as Yo Ho! Yo Ho! begins to play. The castle is now projected to look like Castillo Del Sol, accompanied by an old friend - the Barker Bird.

“Ye come seekin’ adventure and salty old pirates, aye? Salty old pirates! Salty old pirates! This be the place! This be the place!”

The song quickly fades as the Castillo begins to weather. An ethereal voice echoes around main Street.

“Dead men tell no tales!”

As the voice fades, a slow organ rendition of Grim Grinning Ghosts begins to play.

“Welcome, foolish mortals, to the Haunted Mansion. I am your host. Your ghost host.”

The faded castillo is replaced by the interior of the Stretching Room. The four unstretched portraits are projected on the castle’s main spires. The voice of the Ghost Host returns.

“There’s no turning back now.”

He laughs as the four portraits very quickly stretch with a crash and the sound of thunder. The castle, and Main Street, again fade into black.

Small fireworks begin to fire, creating a heartbeat-like sound. A red heart is projected over the castle. A dissonant piano rendition of Here Comes the Bride begins to play. The heart begins to beat with the sound of the fireworks, as the image of a strange cloaked figure with pointed red eyes materialized around it. The figure fades into the darkness behind it as Madame Leota fades onto the castle. She begins her incantation.

“Creepies and crawlies, toads in a pond. Let there be music from regions beyond.”

Various instruments and tarot cards are projected down Main Street as she finishes her spell. Through the blackness on the castle, large gravestones begin to shoot up the castle’s towers. A large wrought-iron gate sprouts up around the castle’s main entrance, with four large busts around it. Suddenly, blue cartoonish ghosts begin to materialize all across the castle and Main Street as Grim Grinning Ghosts begins again, this time accompanied by lyrics. The ghosts fade, leaving the graveyard empty. The graves and gate morphs into the orange rocks of Big Thunder Mountain. The sounds of an earthquake can be heard as the rocks begin to shake.

“Hang on to your hats and glasses, for this here’s the wildest ride in the wilderness.”

With that, Big Thunder Mountain crumbles to reveal the stunning vistas of the Sierra Mountains. Old Western-styled buildings are projected over Main Street as Aaron Copland’s Hoe Down begins to play. Stagecoaches make their way across the Main Street buildings. Behind the music, guests can hear mumbling and the occasional sounds of a banjo tuning. Suddenly, a voice can be heard

“Hey, gang. Hit it!”

With that, Ole Slew Foot begins as the Country Bears are projected over the castle, bordered by paintings of each character.

The song climaxes, as bubbles can be heard once again plunging the Main Street USA underwater. The sting from the Main Theme of 20,000 League Under the Sea begins to play as the voice of Captain Nemo can be heard through a distorted radio.

“This is Captain Nemo speaking. Welcome aboard The Nautilus. We are proceeding on a course that will take us on a voyage 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.”

The castle takes on features of The Nautilus, with the castle’s clock taking on the features of its large yellow windows, and the tallest spire taking on the features of the submarine’s pointed nose. A jaunty rendition of Whale of a Tale begins as squid tentacles slowly begin to wrap around the spires of the Nautilus-castle. On Main Street, a sea monster slinks around accompanied by a trio of mermaids.

As the song reaches a head, the water projected on Main Street bursts upward, transitioning into a starfield, accompanied by the occasional familiar-looking rocket zooming by with excited passengers in tow.

The castle transitions into a starfield as well. The tops of a few of the spires now look like Space Mountain, propelled through space by thrusters underneath. Space Mountain’s Lobby Theme begins to play, accompanied by a display of smaller, quieter fireworks. The tranquility soon ends as the castle is bathed in blue light. The blue light overtakes the castle words appear in large plain typeface:

WELCOME TO THE GAME GRID

Main Street and the castle are both covered in connected squares. Each square is zapped away, being replaced by a sleek futuristic version of itself. Derezzed begins. Recognizers fly across the castle, and Lightcycles speed down Main Street.

The music stops, as the images of The Game Grid fade away, leaving the castle and Main Street USA, lit only by soft gold and blue lights. Mickey Mouse can again be heard.

“Oh, haha. Looks like we got carried away. Y’see, memory is a powerful tool that can unlock dreams and inspire us to keep wishing.”

A collage of old Magic Kingdom videos, Walt Disney soundclips, and even attraction posters is projected down Main Street. Mickey Mouse and his orchestra also appear once more on the castle as A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes begins to play. As the chorus reaches a head, the music briefly stops as Mickey turns again to the audience.

“Thanks so much for joining me on this journey through 50 years of magic and memories. See ya real soon!”

The music begins to build once more, leading to a spectacular finale. The curtain falls over Cinderella Castle once more. The lights on Main Street begin to brighten.