Walt Disney World's Electrical Water Pageant

The Electrical Water Pageant at Walt Disney World is a little known show that takes place every evening (weather permitting) on the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake.

The Electrical Water Pageant from the Polynesian Village Resort Beach

The Electrical Water Pageant premiered during Disney World’s first month of operation in October 1971! It is a show featuring lights and music displayed on barges floating that are towed around after dark to the different Magic Kingdom Resorts that sit on the shores of the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake.

The Electrical Water Pageant features 14 barges each carrying a 25-foot-tall light wall that depict various images. For the first portion of the show, sea creatures are displayed (a different one on each barge) along with music. The last portion of the show is a patriotic salute to America featuring red, white, and blue lights depicting flags and stars that is set to a patriotic musical medley of You’re a Grand Old Flag, Yankee Doodle, and America the Beautiful.

The Electrical Water Pageant from the Polynesian Village Resort Beach

The images are created with individual lights and they definitely have a 70’s Nintendo pixely feel and the music has the same dated feel, but it is a fun show to watch.

As I mentioned, the pageant is towed around the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake and “parks” off shore from each of the following resorts:

Polynesian Village Resort
Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
Wilderness Lodge
Fort Wilderness Campground
Contemporary Resort
And the Magic Kingdom

You can head out the the water’s edge at any of these resorts to watch the show. At resorts with beaches, like the Polynesian, you can lounge in their beach chairs, or sit on the rock wall or comfy outdoor couches at the Wilderness Lodge’s Geyser Point. It’s a fun time for the family.

You can also see the pageant from some resort rooms with views of the water.

The show is of course weather permitting, they don’t run it if it’s raining as you’d get soaked watching it.

Electrical Water Pageant Schedule

The Electrical Water Pageant from the Wilderness Lodge

The schedule for the pageant varies, so it is always best to check with the Front Desk of the resoer where you’ll be viewing the show for the correct time for that day.

The Pageant takes a route around both lakes pausing at each resort to present the show on a loose schedule and can be viewed from the beach/shore at each resort

Typical Electrical Water Pageant Times:

Polynesian Village Resort – 9 p.m.
Grand Floridian – 9:15 p.m.
Wilderness Lodge – 9:35 p.m.
Fort Wilderness – 9:45 p.m.
Contemporary Resort – 10:05 p.m.
Magic Kingdom Entry Area (near the ferry boat dock) – 10:20 p.m. (only during extended MK park hours)

Note that when the Magic Kingdom Fireworks are scheduled for 10 p.m., the Electrical Water Pageant runs about 7-20 minutes after the fireworks end. ALWAYS check with the resort you’d like to view from for the daily times!

Electrical Water Pageant Show

The show presented by the pageant has varied over the years with different sea creatures being presented and different accompanying music. THe current line up consists of:

Opening: “Electric Fanfare” from Main Street Electrical Parade

Sea Serpent (four barges) “Boo Bop Bopbop Bop (I Love You Too)” from Pete’s Dragon
Whale (one barge) “Whale of a Tale” from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
Turtle (one barge)
Octopus (one barge) “Poor Unfortunate Souls” from The Little Mermaid
Three Jumping Dolphins (three barges)
Brachiosaurus (one barge) “Walk the Dinosaur” by Was (Not Was)
Crocodile (one barge) “Never Smile at a Crocodile” from Peter Pan
Four Seahorses (one barge) “Fanfare” & “Under the Sea” from The Little Mermaid
Neptune (one barge) “Fanfare” & “Under the Sea” from The Little Mermaid

All barges then change to the American Flag & Stars as they have been doing since 1971: (9 Piece) – “The Stars and Stripes Forever”

Closing: “Exit Music” from Fantasmic!

Electrical Water Pageant By Day

You can actually see the Electrical Water Pageant during the day (from a distance) in the location where it is parked. It’s interesting to see what it looks like in the light of day.

Disney parks the pageant in a canal just to the west (left when facing ) the Magic Kingdom.

You can get a peak of the barges when walking on the path between the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa and the Magic Kingdom. There is a special swinging bridge Disney build on the path to allow the pageant to access the parking canal from the Seven Seas Lagoon.

The pageant can also be seen from the the monorails:

On the Resort Monorail Loop – Out the left side windows between the Grand Floridian and the Magic Kingdom Station
On the Express Monorail Loop – Out the Right side windows just after leaving the Magic Kingdom Station

How To See The Electrical Water Pageant at Walt Disney World

The Electrical Water Pageant from the Wilderness Lodge

Where and how to view the Electrical Water Pageant.

You can watch the pageant from viewing spots along the shore at these Disney Resorts:

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa (including Narcoossee’s)
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground
Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Lakeside Chairs at the Wilderness Lodge’s Geyser Point

It is always a good idea to check with the Resort hotel front desk for showtimes on the day of your visit and it never hurts to ask for suggestions of where the best viewing spot may be.

My Tips:

My family loves watching the Water Pageant and we’ve do this many times over the years. here are some of out favorite spots.

We love to watch from the Polynesian Resort’s Beach. There is plenty of room, they have chaise lounges on the beach that you can sit in while watching. It’s a really relaxing time. PRO TIP: Get some drinks, adult or otherwise, from the pool bar to enjoy during the show.

Our other favorite spot is at Geyser Point at the Wilderness Lodge. You can see the show from under the roof in the lounge or they have comfy outdoor couches and chairs outside closer to the water. You can enjoy drinks and snacks from the lounge during the show. You can also stand on the walkway near the water. PRO TIP: Be sure to get there very early if you want to sit in the comfy chairs!!!

Electrical Water Pageant History

On Monday October 25, 1971, the Electrical Water Pageant premiered on the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake for “Dedication Day” at Walt Disney World.

In addition to the 14 floats, its opening night included fireworks and pyrotechnics launched from the 14 floats and an additional float behind the Electrical Water Pageant.

The addition of the Stars and Stripes Salute was not added until 1977.

The original lineup of barges for the Electrical Water Pageant were:

Sea Serpent (three barges)
Whale (one barge)
Two Sea Lions Playing With a Ball (one barge)
Clamshell Opening and Closing revealing a mermaid (one barge)
Three Mermaids (one barge)
Three Jumping Dolphins (three barges)
Octopus (one barge)
Three Flying Fish (one barge)
Four Seahorses (one barge)
Neptune (one barge)

Over the years the lineup and music changed several times. Sometimes with new characters and other times just a shuffling of the barges.

The 1972 to 1976 lineup of barges for the Electrical Water Pageant were:

Sea Serpent (three barges)
Two Sea Lions Playing With a Ball (one barge)
Whale (one barge)
Turtle (one barge)
Red Squid (one barge)
Three Jumping Dolphins (three barges)
Three Flying Fish (one barge)
Octopus (one barge)
Four Seahorses (one barge)
Neptune (one barge)

The 1977 to 1995 lineup of barges and music for the Electrical Water Pageant were:

Sea Serpent (four barges) “That Certain Serpent”- J. Christensen
Whale (one barge) “Whale Of A Tale” N. Gimbel/A Hoffman
Turtle (one barge) (An updated version of the 1972 Turtle) “I’m A Turtle” D. Dorsey
Octopus (one barge) “Up In Arms” D. Dorsey
Three Jumping Dolphins (three barges) “Waltz Almost” – J. Christensen
Brachiosaurus (one barge) “Up In Arms” Reprise – D. Dorsey
Sea Monster (one barge) (Later became a Crocodile in 1982) Bay-Sea Monster -J. Christensen
Four Seahorses (one barge) (An updated version of the 1971 Four Seahorses)
Neptune (one barge) (An updated version of the 1971 Neptune) “Hornpipe” (Reprise) mixed w/ all other themes
Stars & Stripes Patriotic Medley

The 1996 to 2021 lineup of barges and music were:

Opening: “Fanfare” from The Little Mermaid

Sea Serpent (four floats) “Boo Bop Bopbop Bop (I Love You Too)” from Pete’s Dragon
Whale (one float) (Updated later in 1997) “Whale of a Tale” from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
Turtle (one float)
Octopus (one float) “Poor Unfortunate Souls” from The Little Mermaid
Three Jumping Dolphins (three floats)
Brachiosaurus (one float) “Walk the Dinosaur” by Was (Not Was)
Crocodile (one float) “Never Smile at a Crocodile” from Peter Pan
Four Seahorses (one float) “Fanfare” & “Under the Sea” from The Little Mermaid
Neptune (one float) “Fanfare” & “Under the Sea” from The Little Mermaid

All floats then change to the American Flag & Stars as they have been doing since 1971: (9 Piece) – “You’re a Grand Old Flag”, “Yankee Doodle”, & “America the Beautiful”

Closing: “Fireworks” & “Jig” from The Little Mermaid

The 2021 to 2023 lineup of barges and music for the 50th Anniversary were:

Opening: “The Magic is Calling” from Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary with male announcer voice welcoming viewers of the show at their respective resorts and celebrating 50 years of Walt Disney World. All floats start with Walt Disney World 50th anniversary logos (two floats) and magic trails (twelve floats)

Sea Serpent (four barges) “Boo Bop Bopbop Bop (I Love You Too)” from Pete’s Dragon
Whale (one barge) “Whale of a Tale” from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
Turtle (one barge)
Octopus (one barge) “Poor Unfortunate Souls” from The Little Mermaid
Three Jumping Dolphins (three barges)
Brachiosaurus (one barge) “Walk the Dinosaur” by Was (Not Was)
Crocodile (one barge) “Never Smile at a Crocodile” from Peter Pan
Four Seahorses (one barge) “Fanfare” & “Under the Sea” from The Little Mermaid
Neptune (one barge) “Fanfare” & “Under the Sea” from The Little Mermaid

All floats then change to the American Flag & Stars as they have been doing since 1971: (9 Piece) – “You’re a Grand Old Flag”, “Yankee Doodle”, & “America the Beautiful”

All floats then change back to Walt Disney World 50th anniversary floats (two floats) and magic trails (twelve floats) with male announcer voice wishing viewers of the show at their respective resorts a good night – Reprise of “The Magic is Calling”

Which brings us to today’s lineup mentioned above.

Have you seen the Electrical Water Pageant?

Let us know in the comment section below.

Please share your viewing tips!!!

This MDT Post By: Steve Bell

Steve is the the Military Disney Tips Founder. He a retired U.S. Military Member who's been touring the Disney Parks since 1971! Steve's mission is to help military families with their Disney vacations in every way. Check out Steve's Bio.

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Comments

JMC says

31 August 2023 at 11:26

We love the electric water pageant. Our family tradition on arrival day is to activate our tickets at MK ticket office, then ride the monorail (or boat) to the Polynesian. We grab a dole whip to enjoy as we sit on the beach and enjoy the show. We’ll have to figure out some logistics now that the walkway to the Polynesian is closed :(.

- Steve says
  
  31 August 2023 at 11:29
  
  Thanks,
  
  A great start to your trip, right?
  
  And true with the Poly walk gone. FYI, you can still commando through the golf course and bypass the road… (if you don’t have strollers or scooters)