‘Together Forever’ fireworks return to Disneyland with new and familiar touches

The “Together Forever” fireworks show returning to Disneyland for Pixar Fest has been plussed-up just enough to seem somewhat new for hard-core fans paying attention to the details and somewhat familiar for casual fans looking for a nostalgic warm hug from the past.

Pixar Fest kicks off on Friday, April 26 and runs through Aug. 4 with the returning “Together Forever” fireworks show at Disneyland, the new Better Together parade and Club Pixar dance party at Disney California Adventure and host of new themed food and drinks at both parks.

Disneyland hosted a media preview on Wednesday night of the “Together Forever” fireworks show that has been in soft opening mode for a week.

Disneylanders last saw “Together Forever” in 2018 during the first Pixar Fest that celebrated the opening of the reimagined Pixar Pier.

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The somewhat new, mostly familiar fireworks show with a friendship theme adds some pyrotechnic flare, tweaks a little of the music, improves the projection mapping and introduces a few new Pixar friends to the mix.

Pixar has put out a handful of new animated movies since 2018 — including “Onward,” “Soul,” “Luca,” “Turning Red” and “Elemental” — that all get a moment in the spotlight during the updated version of “Together Forever.”

Old favorites are still there like the balloon-powered “Up” house floating over Sleeping Beauty Castle with new surprises sprinkled in like the massive “Coco” characters popping up on the rooftops of Main Street U.S.A.

The greatest hits are largely still in place with scenes dedicated to “Toy Story,” “Monsters Inc.,” “Finding Nemo,” “Incredibles,” “Coco,” “Up” and “Inside Out.”

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For those who might not remember, “Together Forever” starts off with a bang with Buzz Lightyear soaring through the sky above Sleeping Beauty Castle amid a big blast of fireworks. There’s no messing around with this show. I had a smile plastered on my face right from the start.

Watching the fireworks from mid-block on Main Street U.S.A. lets you take in all the projection mapping on the building facades — which has improved by leaps and bounds since 2018. The one downside is you can’t quite make out the castle from that vantage point, but you have a perfect view of the fireworks. It’s a great spot to appreciate the true spectacle and scale of the show.

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The show tugs at your heartstrings during the poignant and emotional “Up” scene, tickles your funny bone during the goofy and silly “Turning Red” segment and gets your motor running during the exciting and energetic “Incredibles” montage. The beautiful and peaceful Wall-E segment paints the walls of Main Street with an ethereal sea of stars.

The “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” finale segment has been reworked a bit both musically and visually.

The outro scenes have been updated as well with Barbie still encouraging us to head for the exits at the end of the show while characters from the post-2018 Pixar films make comedic cameo appearances on the Main Street U.S.A. facades.

“Together Forever” is a little shorter than some Disneyland fireworks shows and a notch or so below Disney’s best efforts. But that’s measuring “Together Forever” against an impossibly high bar set by Disneyland itself.

Nobody does nighttime spectaculars better than Disney — which means a plussed-up rerun is still better than anything you’ll see anyplace else. Except maybe another Disney park.

“Together Forever” is a kiss goodnight from a long-time love. Familiar and comforting like a quick smooch rather than thrilling and electrifying like a first kiss. But nonetheless welcome and appreciated.