I will admit: I was one of those skeptics who felt that Disney’s “Let the Memories Begin!” was destined to really suck as a theme. (For the record, I still think it’s not the best that Disney’s PR machine could have devised.) But the associated Cinderella Castle light show, called “The Magic, the Memories, and You!”, compels me to reconsider—a little.

Walt Disney World invested in a very expensive projection system along with light bulbs costing about $4,000 each to replace! (Don’t drop one of these babies!) I’ve heard that Disney uses more than a dozen projectors in the show. (If you look over your shoulder during the performance, you can spot the sources of the projections: on the roof of The Plaza restaurant, and on the roof between Casey’s Corner and the restrooms/baby care center.) The light show is projected against Cinderella Castle shortly before the “Wishes!” fireworks begin, with a pretty compelling “Let the Memories Begin” theme song. (When I heard the theme song performed online, without the benefit of the accompanying images, it sounded pretty hokey. My opinion has changed; the song is very compelling, IMHO.)

We’ve been told (and told again) to expect 500 images of Disney guests projected against the Castle. I’m sure that number must be accurate, but it certainly seems like far fewer, as these images are actually secondary to the lighting effects. Rather, guest PhotoPass pix complement the lighting effects, rather than take center stage. I really thought the ripple effect across the Castle, as though it was about to disappear into the moat, was very cool. I liked the vines that grew around the turrets. You may have heard, by now, of the largest turret that is transformed into a rocket, and blasts into the sky. Very effective! Walt Disney, welcoming his guests to “this happy place,” also appears, and may bring a small tear to your eye. Images turn into reality when we spot projections of fireworks across the front of the Castle, only to turn into the real McCoy each time—a nice warm-up for the Wishes! Fireworks about to start.  The Castle even seems to be reconstructed right before our eyes, using blocks that evoke "it’s a small world."

So don’t be jaded, as I was. Give it a try, as it’s a high caliber show. I found myself joining other guests as they clapped in appreciation of the show.