With just a little over a week left until Disneyland's 60th Anniversary Celebration and only a month until my family's trip to the happiest place on earth(at the time of writing this) the work is about to wrap up as last minute touches are being made to rides and last minute wrinkles ironed out of performances and shows. Here's a look at a few of the projects:
Peter Pan
Originally Peter Pan was rumored to re-open May 7th from it's lengthy refurbishment to completely remake the opening nursery scene as well as to update and upgrade a few other issues in the ride. Now the new opening date is set for July 1st. I have a difficult time understanding why Disney didn't make sure this ride was open on May 22, the kick off date for the 60th Anniversary Celebration. Peter Pan is the most popular ride in Fantasyland with only the Matterhorn having consistently longer wait times. Disney missed the mark on this one.
Paint the Night Parade
As one who wanted the Main Street Electrical Parade brought back for the 60th Anniversary, I was extremely disappointed when I heard the parade was going to be something called "The Paint the Night Parade." After recently having the opportunity to see the new Paint the Night Parade, consider me a skeptic no longer. It is AMAZING! It has amazing new and relevant movie references, soundtrack, effects, and lights, while at the same time giving just enough of a nod to the original Main Street Electrical Parade. Disneyland hit this one out of the park! So if you count yourself as one of the traditionalists that wanted to see the Main Street Electrical Parade, be of good cheer! This new parade will have our children as in love with it as we were with the original.
Here is a video, courtesy of the Disney Parks Blog, about the making of the all new Frozen float in the parade!
Disneyland Forever Fireworks
Disneyland's goal with the new fireworks show is to surround the guests with the experience instead of just providing the guests with something to look at. Instead of "just fireworks," this show will feature projections on the Main Street Buildings, the Matterhorn, and Sleeping Beauty's Castle. The central message of the show is based on Walt Disney's famous quote: “Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world.”
The show starts with the original fanfare and then the projections make it appear as if you are standing in the middle of orange groves (which is what was at Disneyland's current spot when Walt began building Disneyland). The oranges grow and then explode into pixie dust which leads to Tinkerbell flying around the castle. The song, "Kiss Goodnight" by Richard Sherman is then played to fireworks. Sherman named the song what he did because it is said that Walt Disney said that the Fireworks were a gift to his guests after a busy day - a kiss goodnight.
Next is a Mary Poppins sequence, complete with Dick Vandyke's "Step in Time" and kite projections around Main Street. It is followed by a Tangled sequence featuring floating glowing lanterns.
The final six featured cartoons/themes are, Winnie the Pooh, The Lion King (which will contain lots of Pyro according to MiceChat), the Jungle Book, The Little Mermaid, Nemo with the Matterhorn being transformed into Mt Wannahoukaloogie, and then Elsa's Ice Castle with Frozen. The thing to remember here is that there will be amazing projections that go along with all of these themes as well as the fireworks. You will see different things depending on what part of the Park you are watching the show from. It is intended to be a show that has to be seen over and over for someone to see it all.
The ending sounds perfect as well. We are taken back to the orange groves where it is again stated that Disneyland will never be complete. Tinkerbell reappears and "When You Wish Upon A Star" then plays, followed by the theme song for the show.
Disney Parks Blog has posted an interview with Richard Sherman about the making of the song "A Kiss Goodnight" for the new Fireworks show.
World of Color: Celebrate!
A few more specifics about the new World of Color show have been released as they relate to the story telling aspect of the show. There are 5 segments of the show which may or may not include the opening fanfare or conclusion. The four segments that have been released are (1) A section devoted to Mickey Mouse. (2) A look at the Golden Age of Disney Animation, including the Pixar/Disney partnership. (3) A look at Walt Disney's first ideas and dreams. (4) A Tribute to Walt Disney.
The show will first look at how Mickey Mouse has changed over the years. Steam Boat Willie starts it off and stirs up the waters of the lagoon. Next, Plane Crazy and the Band Concert will be featured followed by all new Mickey shorts. The Mickey Segment is concluded with a tribute to him in Fantasia.
The third segment which examines Walt's first ideas and dreams was referred to as "The Big Wish: Disneyland" by Steve Davison, Executive of Parades and Spectaculars. It apparently will feature opening day with Walt Disney.
The new World of Color is said to have lots of light and will be incorporating the Fun Wheel more than before. I am looking forward to seeing this in June!
All things Star Wars
In an call with analysts Disney CEO, Bob Iger, reported that the second teaser for the upcoming Star Wars Film, "The Force Awakens" has already received over 200 million views in less than a month. It had received 88 million views in the first 24 hours of being released! If Disney wasn't completely aware of the magnitude of the impact the Star Wars franchise would have on their brand when they spent $4.5 Billion to acquire it, they are now! In one of the most frustrating, but yet prudent displays of constraint on Disney's part, the decision to delay construction and even the announcement of Star Wars additions to its Anaheim Parks is proving to be one of the best decisions they have made since the Star Wars acquisition. Like most Star Wars fans, I was ready for an announcement on how Star Wars was going to be added into Disneyland with new rides, restaurants, etc. But as I have always been told, slow and steady wins the race, and that is precisely what Disney is doing when it comes to its planning process in regards to the presence of the Force in it's Disney Parks. By waiting, they are now able to add elements from the next 3 movie sequels and the stand alone Anthology films in addition to the staples from the first 6 Star Wars movies into the place making, rides, and dining areas. Unfortunately that means more waiting when it comes to Disneyland ride announcements, but not for too much longer. Bob Iger stated to both Wall Street annalists and to Bloomberg Television beck in February that specific plans would be announced later in 2015. Piecing this bit of information together with a press release from the D23 Expo to be held August 14-16th which in part says, "...on Saturday afternoon, fans will get a preview of what’s in store at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts during a presentation hosted by Parks Chairman Bob Chapek" what we are looking for might be given to us on Saturday afternoon, August 15th!
Check out my latest post on the latest Disneyland news and rumors here
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