Disney's Celebrate America: A 4th of July Concert in the Sky

Disney's Celebrate America is a seasonal fireworks show that premiered on July 3, 2008 at theMagic Kingdom theme park in the Walt Disney World outside Orlando, Florida, and on July 4 of that same year at Disneyland in Anaheim, California. The 15-minute show, produced by Walt Disney Creative Entertainment under creative director Steven Davison, celebrates the traditions, spirit and music of the United States of America, and is shown in lieu of the regular fireworks shows on both July 3 and 4 at Walt Disney World and Disneyland. While both parks use the same soundtrack, the fireworks used are different, due to Anaheim's fireworks laws being more strict.

History
Two previews of the show at the Magic Kingdom were held on June 29 and July 1, 2008. The show at Magic Kingdom uses all perimeter firework sites, giving a 360-degree effect from inside the park, with more than 1500 shells are launched in the show. Previously, at Magic Kingdom, a special Independence Day themed version of Fantasy in the Sky was held on July 4.

During its debut on July 4, 2008, the Disneyland version of the show was canceled 11 minutes into the performance due to debris falling on Ball Rd behind Disneyland from winds at high elevation. Starting with the 2009 show, Disneyland has performed four showings of the display. A shortened 9-minute version of the display is shown July 1-3, while the full 15-minute version is shown on July 4.

In 2013, as part of Limited Time Magic, the show was performed July 1-7 at both Magic Kingdom and Disneyland parks. For the Magic Kingdom performances, the 180-degree perimeter effect was used on the July 1-2 and 5-7 shows while the full 360-degree perimeter fireworks were shown on both July 3 and 4. At Disneyland, the full display was shown on July 4, while the remaining performances featured the 9-minute abridged version.

The Show
(Narrated by Corey Burton)

Introduction

As the lights dim, the sounds of animals and Native American drums can be heard. A male voice narrates the show.

Narrator: ''America! A land where eagles soar! Since history began, its people have celebrated the magnificence of this land. Tonight we celebrate America; a land of many people. A country that continues to grow. A nation of courage and independence. America, the beautiful!''

Music: Celebrate America!

Celebrate Freedom and Independence

Narrator: ''To honor Independence Day, we welcome you to our Fourth of July celebration as we commemorate the birthday of this great nation. With joy, we celebrate the United States of America; a vast mosaic of individuality and inspiration. A vibrant pallette of cultures and colors. A country whose pioneering spirit continues to live on in the hearts and minds of people who cherish freedom; in this land and around the globe.''

Music: God Bless America (Irving Berlin), The Yankee Doodle Boy (George M. Cohan) and This is My Country (Don Raye and Al Jacobs).

American Folk Songs*

Narrator: ''The Spirit of America continues to inspire those who believe in their dreams. From sea to shining sea, we are proud to share all this great and beautiful nation has to offer. In the words and melodies of beloved American folk songs, that enduring spirit is found in the music of our land.''

Music: America the Beautiful (Katharine Lee Bates and Samuel A. Ward), This Land is Your Land (Woody Guthrie), Home on the Range, Oh My Darling, Clementine (Percy Montrose), Oh! Susanna (Stephen Foster), She'll Be Coming 'Round the Mountain, Red River Valley and Oh Shenandoah. A Salute to the Red, White and Blue
 * This section is absent in the shorter version of the Disneyland display shown from July 1-3.

Narrator: ''Just as the fifty stars and thirteen stripes are so grandly united upon Old Glory, our nation's flag unites us all. Let us join together to give salute to the red, white and blue. And cheer the hopes and dreams that continue to shine throughout America.''

Music: "You're a Grand Old Flag" (George M. Cohen), "Stars and Stripes Forever" (John Philip Sousa) and "The Star-Spangled Banner" (Francis Scott Key).

Following the "Star-Spangled Banner", the show ends in a massive display of fireworks.