I hate to break it to you, but if you’ve never seen the spectacular “Happily Ever After” fireworks show at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, then you’re definitely missing out because it is something .
The 18-minute display of perfectly-timed lights, color, and festive music is a must-see for any devoted Disney fan. But if you aren’t able to make the trek to a Disney park any time soon, you may be stuck with simply watching footage of the magnificent show online.
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Or, if you happen to live in the El Paso, Texas area, you can just take a short drive to a home that’s turned the fireworks spectacle into a stunning Christmas lights display. Whichever one’s more convenient.
Local resident Rick Carillo recently debuted his magical Christmas lights that I’m sure would make Clark Griswold green with envy.
According to Good Morning America , Carillo decided to make his home stand out big time this year by using Disney’s “Happily Ever After” fireworks as his source for inspiration.
Using specially timed lights, music, and a projection of classic Disney movie clips, this dad was able to turn his front yard into an absolute masterpiece for the world to gawk at.
The El Paso nurse told GMA that Disney has a very special place in his heart.
“As a kid, we didn’t have a lot of money, and my dad was able to take us to Disneyland any chance he could, so we have a lot of memories with Disney shows,” he said. “You just get this feeling that anything is possible, your dreams can come true.”
It took this devoted dad three months to string the intricate lights across his home and trees.
That doesn’t even include the additional 70 to 100 hours he spent sitting at his computer, painstakingly editing the video and choreographing the lights and music to work in perfect synchronization together.
But that labor of love truly paid off the minute Carillo presented his elaborate display to some 40 to 50 of his fascinated neighbors.
As it turns out, this is actually his second year of making a grand house display out of Christmas lights.
He told GMA his home was just as dazzling last year to celebrate his daughter, Susana’s first Christmas.
Of course, he certainly outdid himself with this year’s display. Despite the grueling man hours, he said it’s all been worth it: “It takes time to build something like this, and I think the results speak for themselves.”
Carillo said he hopes his beautiful light show can bring some happiness to the city of El Paso following its devastating year.
Last August, a shooting at a local Walmart left 22 dead and many others injured.
“This is a way for [the community] to enjoy Christmas and get their minds off of things for awhile,” Carillo said.
Watch the full video of his house display below.
He says he hopes to keep the elaborate lights up and running until January 6.
But don’t worry if you can’t get out to see the display for yourself — Carillo plans to continue this new family tradition for many years to come.
“It’s going to be a lot of work,” he admitted, “but we’re going to do our best to keep this going.”
h/t: Good Morning America
