World of Color

This article is about the present-day show at Disney California Adventure. For the television series known as Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color from 1961–1969, see Walt Disney anthology television series.

World of Color
An overview of some of the show's 1200 fountains
Disney California Adventure
Area	Paradise Bay
Status	Operating
Cost	$75,000,000 (original World of Color show)
Opening date	June 11, 2010
Ride statistics
Attraction type	Hydrotechnic show
Designer	Walt Disney Creative Entertainment
Theme	Disney's animated and live-action films and television series
Music	Arrangements by Mark Hammond and David Hamilton
Duration	27 minutes (original World of Color show)
Number of fountains	1200

World of Color is a nighttime show at Disney California Adventure, part of the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. The entire show cost $75 million to design, manufacture and build. The process of assembling, installing, and testing the show's numerous components and equipment in Paradise Bay spanned a period of approximately 15 months. The original version of World of Color premiered on June 11, 2010 as part of the "Summer Nightastic!" promotional campaign.

Conceived by Vice President of Parades and Spectaculars, Steve Davison, and designed by Walt Disney Creative Entertainment, the show has nearly 1,200 fountains and includes lights, water, fire, fog, and lasers, with high-definition projections on mist screens. The show is inspired by the Disney television series, Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color, as evidenced by the use of its theme song written by the Sherman Brothers.

The show transpires at the lagoon of Paradise Bay at Paradise Pier, while the audience watches the performance at the Paradise Park viewing area in front of The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea Adventure attraction. Other nearby attractions such Mickey's Fun Wheel and California Screamin' become part of the performance as they undergo various forms of lighting and projections throughout the show. The effects utilized in World of Color (water fountains, mist screens, fire, lasers, lighting, and fog) are choreographed to work in synchronicity with the featured music and image projections.

Construction and development

The show's hidden control room backstage

The show was first announced as part of the Disney California Adventure Park expansion in the fall of 2007. Construction for the water show began with the draining of the lagoon on November 3, 2008. Construction on the platform began on January 5, 2009. The water was refilled in Paradise Bay in November 2009. Testing began during and after park hours in January 2010. A 25-minute video of sequences from the show was posted on YouTube by a hotel guest staying at Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel, on April 7, 2010. The first public performance was held on June 5, 2010 for the creators of the show and guests. In the week leading up to June 11, private viewings for cast members, contest winners, and a celebrity-filled World Premiere took place.

Timeline

• October 2007: First announced as part of Disney California Adventure's expansion.
• November 3, 2008: Draining of lagoon begins.
• January 5, 2009: Construction on platform begins.
• November 2009: Lagoon is refilled.
• January 2010: Testing on fountains begin.
• June 5, 2010: First public performance for creators and special guests.
• June 11, 2010: World of Color premieres.
• November 1, 2010: Tron: Legacy encore scene premieres to promote the film of the same name.
• March 2011: Tron: Legacy encore scene is discontinued
• May 20, 2011: Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides scene premieres to promote the film of the same name.
• June 15, 2012: Brave scene premieres to promote the film of the same name, and the Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides scene is discontinued. Glow with the Show Ears debut.
• November 15, 2013: World of Color: Winter Dreams premieres as a special Christmas themed show hosted by Olaf from Frozen.
• November 2014: World of Color: Winter Dreams returns for Christmas 2014.
• January 28, 2015: World of Color Celebrate! The Wonderful World of Walt Disney is announced to premiere on May 22, 2015 as part of Disneyland Resort's 60th Anniversary Diamond Celebration.

Show elements

"Hellfire" scene. Pyrotechnics are combined with colored water fountains to create the show.

The show uses nearly 1,200 fountains that can shoot water up to 200 ft (61 m) in the air. Each fountain is equipped with an LED light ring. Other water features include a 380-foot (120 m)-long mist screen on which images are projected (similar but smaller screens are used in Fantasmic! at Disneyland and Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Florida). Isopar instruments are capable of shooting flames up to 50 ft (15 m) in the air. Fog and lasers are used. Projection domes emerge from the water atop telescopic masts and feature lighting effects and video projected onto the inside surface of the domes, and laser and video projections are made onto the sun icon behind California Screamin's vertical loop. A 65' tall telescopic mast was installed in the lagoon to create Chernabog of Fantasia, but the tower has not been used in the show. The LED lights on Mickey's Fun Wheel, as well as LED lights installed on California Screamin', are synchronized to the show.

Light trees rise from boxes bordering Paradise Bay. The light trees bordering the viewing area and the bay include speakers, bubble machines, infrared transmitters and a handful of VariLite lighting fixtures. On either side of the bay, there is an additional light tree with five Syncrolite fixtures. The viewing area, known as Paradise Park, is situated along the northern shore of Paradise Bay, and can hold up to 4,000 spectators at full capacity. It is multi-tiered, similar to the viewing area for Fantasmic at Disneyland in Anaheim, California. It features trellises, flowers, and an interactive play fountain during the day. Hidden fountains located in the flower beds in the viewing area are incorporated into show.

Synopses

World of Color

File:World of Color - Little Mermaid.jpg

The Little Mermaid scene

File:World of Color - Wall E.jpg

WALL-E scene

File:World of Color - Up.jpg

Up scene

File:World of Color - Aladdin.jpg

Aladdin scene

Special animation sequences were created using paper animation by paper artist Megan Brain, who created many characters for the show. Mark Hammond and Dave Hamilton arranged the music, which was performed by the London Symphony Orchestra and The Nashville Choir. The show presents footage from the Disney library, including films from; Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney Pictures.

The show begins with Dick Wesson's original introduction to Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color. A quote from Walt Disney appears on the center mist screen; "Every child is blessed with a vivid imagination", and the theme song transforms into the reworked version for World of Color. As the introduction concludes, a projection of Ariel before a sunset, stretches across the mist screens. The show enters The Little Mermaid portion, with Ariel and Sebastian singing "Part of Your World" and "Under the Sea", respectively. On the last note of "Under the Sea", Crush and Squirt from Finding Nemo are seen traveling on the East Australian Current, as the water fountains begin to portray the characteristics of rough surf. As the final breaking wave clears, the scene with Marlin and Dory encountering the blue whale from the film plays out. As the duo attempt to escape, the scene transitions into the "Pines of Rome" segment from Fantasia 2000. The bay gradually transforms into an outer space environment as Eve and WALL-E from WALL-E appear and re-enact their "Define Dancing" scene. WALL-E, equipped with a fire extinguisher, sprays it throughout the lagoon, forming small clouds as a result. The clouds eventually re-create Andy's room from Toy Story, with Sheriff Woody and Buzz Lightyear appearing shortly thereafter on Andy's bed. Woody rebuffs Buzz's ability to fly, thus Buzz, attempts to disprove him and Andy's room is suddenly changed into a battle between Buzz and Emperor Zurg from Toy Story 2.

As the bay clears, Carl Fredrickson's house from Up briefly makes an appearance before the setting transitions into Aladdin. With the night sky recreated on the bay, Aladdin and Princess Jasmine perform "A Whole New World" together, until the Genie abruptly appears and takes control of the show by performing "Friend Like Me". Once the Genie disappears, the show enters its segment for Brave. Merida and her family appear intermittently as "Touch the Sky" and "Remember to Smile" play in the background. With that act finished, the Spring Sprite from Fantasia 2000 transforms the bay into a lush forest, where Pocahontas appears, singing "Just Around the Riverbend". The Pocahontas segment ends with a dramatic fountain overlay set to "Colors of the Wind".

After a brief pause, Heimlich from A Bug's Life arrives, informing the audience of an approaching thunderstorm. The storm rapidly intensifies into the thunderstorm scene from The Old Mill, accompanied by an unsettling instrumental version of "Little April Showers" from Bambi. As the storm dissipates, Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean emerges from the shadows and "Yo Ho (A Pirate's Life for Me)" is faintly heard. Suddenly, the bay turns blood-red as fountains and flames of fire are orchestrated in tandem with "He's A Pirate". Battle scenes from the Pirates of the Caribbean series are projected onto the mist screens before transcending into a sequence dominated by jets of fire.^{[Note 1]} Once the Pirates of the Caribbean act concludes,^{[Note 2]} the atmosphere of the show's narrative darkens and Mufasa's death scene from The Lion King unfolds erratically on the bay.

After a brief moment of silence, the show enters its climax. "So Close" from Enchanted plays as touching scenes from Disney's animated films (including The Lion King, Bambi, Dumbo, Tangled,^{[Note 3]} Lady and the Tramp, The Princess and the Frog and Beauty and the Beast) are projected. The transformation scene from Beauty and the Beast takes place, being followed by other famous moments from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Sleeping Beauty, The Princess and the Frog and Cinderella. Immediately following Cinderella, the fountains and lighting turn white and the lagoon fades into darkness. The fountains then slowly begin to regain momentum as they swirl around the lagoon, until Tinker Bell appears to enchant the bay, which suddenly blossoms into a myriad of colors. Entering the show's finale, a reprisal of "The Wonderful World of Color" is heard as the bay becomes host to a kaleidoscopic montage of films, some of which were earlier components of the show (including Alice in Wonderland, The Little Mermaid, Finding Nemo, WALL-E, Toy Story, Aladdin, Fantasia 2000, Pocahontas, The Old Mill, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Lion King, Lilo & Stitch and The Princess and the Frog). Mickey Mouse then appears in his iconic "Sorcerer's Apprentice" attire from Fantasia and the show concludes with a final series of water, fire, laser and light orchestrations.^{[Note 4]}

Notes:

• Note 1. ^ The Pirates of the Caribbean sequence was extended from May 20, 2011 to June 15, 2012 to promote the release of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.
• Note 2. ^ The original show had a sequence composed of the "Firebird Suite" (from Fantasia 2000), "Night on Bald Mountain" (from Fantasia) and "Hellfire" (from The Hunchback of Notre Dame). It was replaced by the extended Pirates of the Caribbean sequences and has not been restored to the show since 2011.
• Note 3. ^ Replaced Tarzan on May 20, 2011.
• Note 4. ^ The finale was followed by an encore promoting the release of Tron: Legacy. It ran from October 29, 2010 to March 23, 2011.

Original planned version

The World of Color logo projected via laser onto a mist screen

Early plans also called for a small orange fountain, named Little Squirt, that was meant to embody Walt Disney's artistic and mischievous spirit, and it appears at the very end of the after show, (the post-show that plays after the main World of Color show). After all the other fountains turn off, the little orange fountain remains on for a couple seconds as it bows to the audience, then disappears.

A video of a run-through of the show leaked onto the Internet on April 7, 2010. There had been a few changes to the show from the synopsis that had been disclosed for Disney fans in September 2009. Sequences featuring Alice in Wonderland, the Firebird, and Dr. Facilier were missing, the Pocahontas/Heimlich/Little April Showers segment was placed after "A Whole New World," and new Hercules and Pirates of the Caribbean segments had been added. It was also rumored that Disney CEO Robert Iger wanted a more contemporary soundtrack and that the show was being reworked. Many of these changes were confirmed when a second video of a run-through leaked onto the Internet.

Disney launched a website for World of Color containing interactive features, pictures of on-site testing, and videos. The theme song to "World of Color" has also been posted on the Disneyland website. Although videos of testing have been leaked online, the site shows both the extensive Alice in Wonderland and The Princess and the Frog segments of the show that were said to have been cut. The site was launched after leaked videos of testing were posted. Even more edits have been made, including extending "Part of Your World" and "A Whole New World" to include the verses, cutting "Go the Distance" in favor of "Friend Like Me," and the return of the "Firebird."

Singer-songwriter Amy Grant was going to provide lead vocals for the show's rendition of "The Wonderful World of Color" but was ultimately replaced in the studio and is not heard in the final version.

Encore scene additions

Fountain overlay

On October 29, 2010, previews for an encore scene promoting Tron: Legacy began, using additional projections and effects on the California Screamin' structure along with improved use of Paradise Park and Mickey's Fun Wheel lighting in a reworked trailer sequence. The scene was added to the show on November 1, 2010 and was discontinued in March 2011. On May 20, The Pirates of the Caribbean segment was expanded to include scenes from Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and was discontinued on June 15, 2012, the same day that a sequence incorporating Brave premiered.

Beginning in 2011 for the Fourth of July season, from July 1 to July 4, a special Independence Day preshow was added. The Independence Day preshow utilizes fireworks, which the normal show does not use, such as pyro launches from barges on Paradise Pier, atop of the Toy Story Midway Mania show building, and backstage behind California Screamin'. In addition, the patriotic music for the pre-show borrows selections from Disney's Celebrate America: A 4th of July Concert in the Sky, the Fourth of July fireworks show that is presented at the adjacent Disneyland Park and Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom park.

On November 11, Disney unveiled a holiday themed intro based on Prep & Landing for the 2011 Christmas season, and to commemorate their 1000th show.

On December 3, 2011, Blizzard Entertainment held their annual Christmas party at Disney California Adventure Park and for the event a custom World of Color segment was produced featuring characters and game footage from Diablo III, StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty, and World of Warcraft.

World of Color: Winter Dreams

From November 15, 2013 to January 6, 2014, a full-length show titled World of Color: Winter Dreams debuted. Hosted by Olaf (Josh Gad), the show celebrates the winter season with several holiday-themed segments, featuring scenes from Frozen, Toy Story, Bambi, Fantasia, One Hundred and One Dalmatians, Prep & Landing, Secret of the Wings, Tangled, Wreck-It Ralph, Melody Time, Lady and the Tramp, Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas, Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas, and various vintage Mickey Mouse shorts. The show incorporates traditional holiday-related music, including Eric Whitacre's "Glow", "Carol of the Bells", "Let it Snow", "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year", "I'll Be Home for Christmas", "Believe", "Silent Night", the "Nutcracker Suite", "Jingle Bells", "I Have a Little Dreidel", "Feliz Navidad", "Joy to the World", and "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas", as well as Disney songs, such as "I See the Light", "Let It Go" and "In Summer".

In November 2014, World of Color: Winter Dreams opened with a different show than it's pilot year. The pre-show segment of Glow has been removed, however it's music plays after the post-show segment as exit music. Additionally there is a reorganization of the Toy Story version of The Nutcracker with one song cut. Overall the show faced major rearrangement,such as additional songs from Frozen, including "Love Is an Open Door" and "Do You Want to Build a Snowman?". In the song "Believe", the old paper animation and guest made greeting cards were replaced with both new and familiar scenes from Big Hero 6, Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, The Princess and the Frog, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Little Mermaid, Cinderella, Brave, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and Pinocchio. Additionally the isopar flames were introduced into this show.

Minecraft Edition: World of color

As part of McAmusement's *Minecraft server* grand opening of Disneyland, they opened with World of color using real, customly coded fountains with animations and customly coded effects. McAmusement's verison of World of color is the offical verison in minecraft, customly coded, built, and made for mcamusement only. mcamusement ip can be found here: mcamusement.com

World of Color – Celebrate! The Wonderful World of Walt Disney

As part of the Disneyland Resort's 60th Anniversary celebration, the World of Color show was changed to World of Color – Celebrate! The Wonderful World of Walt Disney. This special edition of the show, which premiered on May 22, 2015, is narrated by Mickey Mouse and Neil Patrick Harris, and features music and imagery from Disney films and theme parks.

Ticketing system

World of Color Fastpass

World of Color uses Disney's Fastpass as the only method of attaining tickets for entering the Paradise Park viewing area unless individuals have gotten reserved viewing vouchers through a World of Color dining package at select Disney California Adventure table service dining locations or a World of Color picnic package. Tickets are distributed for two sections, labeled Blue and Yellow. The Fastpasses are available at the Grizzly River Run Fastpass machines beginning 30 minutes before official park opening. The dinner packages are available at the Carthay Circle Restaurant,Ariel's Grotto, and the Wine Country Trattoria. The dinner package from the Carthay Circle Restaurant includes, with your meal, complimentary tickets to the Reserved Viewing section of the viewing area. Those at Trattoria and Ariel's Grotto are available in limited supply.

Park guests may view the show from the front with either a Fastpass or a dining ticket. Without these options, they must watch the show from the rear, near Toy Story Midway Mania!, on the balcony between the bridge and Ariel's Grotto, or from the far right, near the Golden Zephyr. Some nights, viewing in front of The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea Adventure is available for guests not utilizing the Fastpass ticket option.

External links

• Official website