A Timeless Tradition: Seeing the Electrical Water Pageant at Walt Disney World
Each evening, a magical light display floats across Seven Seas Lagoon in the Magic Kingdom Resorts area. This unique offering is the Electrical Water Pageant, which has delighted guests since Walt Disney World opened in 1971. We recently stopped by Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort to take a few photos of the pageant.
Since this is a resort-related activity, I thought I would put together this guide to provide an overview of how, when, and where to see the Electrical Water Pageant. I’m sure that seeing the pageant is a family tradition for some. But during my travels, I often overhear guests inquiring about it when leaving the Magic Kingdom after the fireworks. They usually have no idea it’s a thing or seem to have some vague memory of it from childhood.
What Time is the Electrical Water Pageant?
The Electrical Water Pageant is held each evening at Walt Disney World except for inclement weather. Since this is a nighttime entertainment offering, the showtimes vary. Showtimes are scheduled based on the sunset and nightly fireworks. For example, on a summer evening in August, the Electrical Water Pageant’s routes and showtimes are as follows:
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa (8:30 p.m.)
- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort (8:45 p.m.)
- Disney’s Wilderness Lodge (9:30 p.m.)
- Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort (9:45 p.m.)
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort (10:05 p.m.)
After leaving the Contemporary, the Electrical Water Pageant faces the front of the Contemporary and Magic Kingdom. So you might see it if you’re leaving the park as it sails back across the lagoon to the area where it’s stored.
*On this evening, Happily Ever After is performed at 9:20 p.m. So, the Electrical Water Pageant will begin at the Wilderness Lodge almost immediately after the fireworks. Happily Ever After is approximately 18 minutes long, so the showtimes above will be slightly skewed after the pageant leaves the Polynesian to accommodate the fireworks. Most guests staying at (or visiting) one of the resorts usually try to incorporate seeing both the evening fireworks and the Electrical Water Pageant since they are usually scheduled around the same time.
Most importantly, you’ll want to check the My Disney Experience app for the exact showtimes on the day or week of your visit. You’ll select the pin drop at the bottom of the screen and then select “Entertainment” from the drop-down list at the top of the screen. I prefer to select “Show List” on the right to get a list of entertainment offerings. Then scroll down the list until you find the Electrical Water Pageant. There is one main listing for the pageant and individual listings for showtimes specific to each resort. Below are a few screenshots of what to look for in the app.
*If you prefer a different method, you can also use the “search” feature and type in Electrical Water Pageant. The same options will appear.
Electrical Water Pageant Viewing Locations
Depending on your location, you’ll want to get a spot ahead of time to see the Electrical Water Pageant. Here are a few suggestions:
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort: We like seeing fireworks and water pageants from the resort’s boat dock. You can also see them from the wrap-around deck at Narcoossee’s if you’re dining there. You can also watch them from the resort’s beach near the Beach Pool.
- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort: The Polynesian’s beach is one of the best places to watch the fireworks and Electrical Water Pageant. It has several rows of Adirondack chairs where guests who arrive early enough can sit. You can also watch from the resort’s boat dock, which is nearby. (This beach area is often restricted to resort guests on major holidays like the 4th of July and New Year’s Eve.)
- Disney’s Wilderness Lodge: Guests usually watch the fireworks and water pageant from a strip behind Geyser Point Bar and Grill. A few lounge chairs are provided, but there is standing room only for the majority of guests. This is not a great viewing location for the fireworks, but it’s okay for a casual evening.
- Disney’s Fort Wilderness: Guests watch the fireworks and water pageant from the beach near the boat dock at Fort Wilderness. Like the Wilderness Lodge, this location isn’t the best place to see the fireworks.
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort: Guests can watch the Electrical Water Pageant (only) from the resort’s beach. You would want to watch the fireworks from the Skyway bridge or the public viewing area on the resort’s 4th floor.
Float Lineup and Accompanying Music
Before we wrap things up, here are the floats and the digitalized music performed during the 15-minute show.
- Sea Serpent Float: Boo Bop Bop Bop Bop (I Love You, Too) from Pete’s Dragon
- Whale Float: A Whale of a Tale from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
- Turtle Float
- Octopus Float: Poor Unfortunate Souls from The Little Mermaid
- Dolphin Float
- Dinosaur Float: Walk the Dinosaur song by Was (Not Was)
- Crocodile Float: Never Smile at a Crocodile from Peter Pan (Tick Tock’s theme)
- Seahorses Float: Fanfare and Under the Sea from The Little Mermaid
- King Triton Float: Fanfare and Under the Sea from The Little Mermaid
When the melody ends after King Triton, the lights on each float switch to a scene featuring American flags. Red, white, and blue stars are displayed on the floats between the flags. A tribute to America is then performed with the following songs:
- You’re a Grand Old Flag
- Yankee Doodle
- America the Beautiful
Credit: Thanks to Disney Wiki’s Electrical Water Pageant History for help with verifying a few of the songs.
Overall, we enjoy seeing the Electrical Water Pageant. It’s a timeless tradition that always brings a smile to my face. We hope it does yours! For more on nighttime entertainment offerings at Walt Disney World, you might enjoy:
- The Swan and Dolphin Dancing Light Show
- Our Favorite Places to Watch Luminous: The Symphony of Us
- Fantasmic! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (with Characters)
In the Comments
Have you ever seen the Electrical Water Pageant at Disney World? Let us know below in the comments.
