Five years ago, World of Color debuted at Disney California Adventure Park, immersing guests in a never-before-seen storytelling experience that merged creativity with technology. From its inception, the show sought to infuse Walt Disney’s gift for “classic storytelling and innovative artistry” and its unique aquatic backdrop. Over the years, World of Color has incorporated encore scenes, and 2 years ago with the debut of Frozen, World of Color: Winter Dreams was born. In honor of Disneyland’s Diamond Celebration, which commemorates 60 years of magical memories, it seems fitting that World of Color would pay tribute to the one who started it all…Walt Disney!
Last week, World of Color – Celebrate! The Wonderful World of Walt Disney wowed, inspired, and touched the hearts of invited guests in this breathtaking new nighttime spectacular. Originally conceived as a “living ‘Fantasia,” the show weaves music, animation, color, light and water to tell Disney’s most cherished stories in a way that is altogether magnificent, intimate and nostalgic. The newest nighttime spectacular, World of Color – Celebrate! takes guests on a brand new journey, reflective of Walt Disney’s passion to make Disneyland a place that would “grow and innovate for many generations” (Sayre Wiseman).
Photo: The Disneyland Resort
*This contemporary celebration of the wonderful, colorful world of Walt Disney unfolds in 5 brand new sequences. Hosted by Neil Patrick Harris and Mickey Mouse, World of Color – Celebrate! begins with the World of Color overture as Tinker Bell’s pixie dust opens the show. What ensues is a majestic cinematic tribute to Walt’s journey from original black and white cartoons to Technicolor innovation. The show celebrates some of Walt’s most treasured animated features. As the show culminates, we get a glimpse of Disneyland’s iconic opening day and a moving finale inspiring us to hold on to our dreams.
The show is a beautiful, poignant tribute to the creativity and ingenuity of Walt Disney’s life and weaves beautifully into the Disneyland Resort’s 60th anniversary celebration. I appreciate that this particular show has been fluid, evolving with the vision Walt had that Disneyland would “continue to grow as long as their is imagination left in the world.” The weaving of Walt’s classic style with 21st century artistry and innovation elevates the show and continues to demonstrate that their truly is nothing like it. What strikes me most about this particular show at the resort is how Disney’s Imagineers utilized the beauty and whimsy of fountains as a backdrop for Walt’s exciting, dynamic stories. Lasers, special effects, animated and live-action imagery projection and even fire all converge in World of Color – Celebrate!
As you can imagine, the creativity and technology required to realize this show is almost incomprehensible. As you prepare to visit the Disneyland Resort during their Diamond Celebration, here are 5 things you didn’t know about World of Color – Celebrate!
1. Over 5 minutes of brand new animation was created to allow Mickey Mouse to step onto the imaginative new journey of World of Color – Celebrate! Pixar animators also created new animation which allowed Mater the ability to kick up his wheels with the baby tractors.
2. The show features a 380-foot wide water screen which is used to project imagery and 1200 dancing fountains including geysers, dancers, butterflies, chasers grids, water whips and flower spouts, all synchronized through computerized movements. Of note, the water takes on live characteristics, changing shapes, creating special effects and interacting with color, fire, lasers and fog.
3. There are more than 30 million pixels in World of Color – Celebrate! For reference, an HDTV image uses 2 million pixels.
4. World of Color – Celebrate! was in creative development for 18 months with an additional 3 months of programming.
5. Because of the show’s versatility, sequences can be added and subtracted to correspond with the seasons, trends, or film releases.
The Best Ways To Enjoy World of Color – Celebrate!
1. Secure a spot in the reserved viewing area. The most important thing you need to know about World of Color – Celebrate! is that in order to access the reserved viewing areas, you’ll either need a FASTPASS ticket for World of Color or a World of Color Dining Package voucher. This show is absolutely breathtaking and you really want to see it from the best vantage point possible. FASTPass tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis when Disney California Adventure Park opens at Grizzly River Run.
2. Enjoy dinner and a show! Choose from one of 3 prix-fixe dining experiences at Ariel’s Grotto, Wine Country Trattoria, or Carthay Circle Restaurant which includes a three-course meal with a non-alcoholic beverage. Reservations are recommended and can be secured online or via phone up to 60 days prior to your visit.
3. Take the Fun Wheel Challenge. While you wait for the show to start, access the PierGames wireless network to participate in a memory game where the winner controls the lights on Mickey’s Fun Wheel!
4. Light up the night. Become part of the show with one of four Made With Magic accessories programmed to light up at key moments during World of Color. Our favorite pick? Mickey Ears!
World of Color – Celebrate! The Wonderful World of Walt Disney debuts at 9:00 pm and 10:45 pm nightly at Paradise Pier with a runtime of 22 minutes. For more information about the show or Disneyland’s Diamond Celebration, visit Disneyland.com.
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