Disney Electrical Water Pageant
The Disney Electrical Water Pageant is a colorful eye-catching nightly event that has been capturing the hearts of Disney guests for decades. This water spectacular first appeared at Walt Disney World on October 25, 1971. This was “Dedication Day” at Walt Disney World, a special day in park history as it was the last day of the three weekend Grand Opening event. This makes the Electrical Water Pageant truly one of the resort’s original and most long-lasting entertainment offerings. For over 50 years, this nighttime water show has delighted guests with its simple but magical charm. Unlike many Disney attractions that have come and gone, the Electrical Water Pageant continues to light up the Seven Seas Lagoon every night, just as it did during Disney World’s first weeks of operation.
Disney World Electric Water Pageant Items
Shirts
Show off your love for the Electrical Water Pageant with a fun, stylish shirt that nods to this classic Disney spectacle! at Etsy
Postcards
Disney Transport Cards are collectible souvenirs from Disney transportation. Find one with the iconic Electrical Water Pageant on eBay!
Classic Vinyl
Relive the magic of the Electrical Water Pageant with this 7″ record, featuring the iconic tunes of this beloved Disney nighttime show!
Pageant Pins
Celebrate the Electrical Water Pageant with this Disney Pin featuring Flounder, a perfect collectible for fans of this classic attraction!
Baseball Cap
Show your love for the Electrical Water Pageant with a stylish embroidered hat—a perfect nod to Disney’s classic nighttime spectacle!
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What Is the Disney World Electrical Water Pageant?
The Disney World Electrical Water Pageant features a parade of 14 floating barges that slowly move across the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake. Each barge carries a 25-foot-tall screen decorated with over 50,000 lights that switch on and off creating the illusion of the sea creatures moving as they slowly pass by. It is simply delightful whether you view from the Polynesian Resort beach after a long day at the parks or capture by chance near the Magic Kingdom boat launch. We have had the opportunity to see in several places by chance and by design and it never fails to bring touch of Disney magic to the end of our day!
What You’ll See During the Disney World Electrical Water Pageant
The water parade includes several beautiful images of sea creatures:
- A giant sea serpent leads the way
- A massive whale spraying water
- A friendly turtle whose head looks to be dropping and dipping into the water
- A very bright octopus that appears to be dancing with a smile on its face
- Playful dolphins jumping through the water
- A very tall dinosaur munching on some grass
- A crocodile showing off its teeth as its mouth appears to be opening and closing
- Ending with Neptune, the mighty king of the sea being pulled by 4 large sea horses
The show ends with a patriotic finale, during which all the sea creatures are replaced with bright stars and the American flags as the music changes to patriotic songs.
Where to Watch the Electrical Water Pageant
You can catch the show from several locations around the Walt Disney World Resorts
Resort Viewing Locations
- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Beach
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa waterfront
- Disney’s Wilderness Lodge shoreline
- Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground marina
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort observation deck
Special Viewing Spots
- Magic Kingdom Park entrance
- Narcoossee’s restaurant at Grand Floridian (reservation required)
Disney World Electrical Water Pageant Viewing Times
Here is an estimated nightly schedule for the electrical parade to pass by specific places in Walt Disney World:
- 9:00 PM – Polynesian Resort
- 9:15 PM – Grand Floridian Resort
- 9:30 PM – Wilderness Lodge
- 9:45 PM – Fort Wilderness
- 10:00 PM – Contemporary Resort
- 10:35 PM – Magic Kingdom entrance
Nana T Tip: Times may vary slightly and could be impacted by weather. We recommend arriving at least 15 minutes early to find the perfect viewing spot!
Interesting Facts about the Electrical Water Pageant
- The show inspired the creation of the famous Main Street Electrical Pageant. The parade first opened at Disneyland in California in 1972, just one year after the Water Pageant’s debut. It later made its way to Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom in 1977. This makes the Electrical Water Pageant the grandfather of all Disney nighttime parades!
- All 14 barges are stored in a canal between the Magic Kingdom and the Grand Floridian which you can see when you take the boat ride from the Magic Kingdom.
- The show runs every night, weather permitting
- Each viewing location gets about 10 minutes of showtime
- Music accompaniment is synced to each sea creature and the finale can be heard from speakers along the shore
- The show floats through the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake
- You don’t need any tickets or special passes to watch
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Disney World Electrical Water Pageant?
Each viewing location enjoys about 10 minutes of the show.
Can I see it from Magic Kingdom?
Yes, you can watch it from the Magic Kingdom entrance area at 10:35 PM.
Is the show free?
Yes! There’s no charge to watch this magical nighttime display.
Does it run every night?
The pageant runs nightly, weather permitting
Our Favorite Disney World Electrical Water Pageant Souvenirs
Stay cozy and show your love for Disney’s Electrical Water Pageant with this long sleeve shirt—a perfect tribute to a classic nighttime favorite!
Collect the magic of the Electrical Water Pageant with Disney’s Water Transportation Cards! A perfect memento for fans of this classic nighttime show
Own a piece of Disney history with the 1973 Electrical Water Pageant Picture Disc! This vintage 7” record brings the magic of the show to life.
Add a splash of Disney magic to your pin collection with Walt Disney World Water Pageant pins—perfect for fans of this classic nighttime show!
Top off your look with the Electrical Water Pageant embroidered baseball cap—a stylish nod to Disney’s timeless nighttime spectacle!
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