The Disneyland Resort’s new “World of Color” present begins with some regal nostalgia. Standing earlier than a lagoon in Disney California Journey, we hear the voice of Walt Disney, and see a bunch of Disney’s animated classics — “The Little Mermaid,” “Pinocchio,” “The Lion King” and extra — projected on fountains to a affected person, stately interpretation of “Rainbow Connection” from Boyz II Males.
We’re prepped for a present of romanticized remembrance whereas we hear Disney recite the unique dedication speech for Disneyland. The park, he tells us, is hoped to be a “source of joy and inspiration,” solely when he hits the phrase “joy,” the present abruptly switches course. That’s when the character of Pleasure from the “Inside Out” movies arrives on the scene, and shortly stamps out any seems again. “World of Color Happiness!” is then off and operating, a brisk, music-focused present devoted to all issues “happiness.”
Disneyland this July is popping 70, however the festivities formally launch Friday. “World of Color Happiness!” is considered one of many leisure choices that the park will spotlight over the approaching yr, but it surely’s designed to be arguably the showcase manufacturing, as many others, such because the nighttime parade “Paint the Night,” are returning exhibits. And “World of Color Happiness!” units the tone of the seventieth anniversary celebrations. Disneyland trustworthy who keep in mind the sixtieth anniversary a decade in the past will recall an anniversary yr that dug deep into Disneyland historical past and lore.
“Paint the Night,” initially launched for Disneyland’s sixtieth anniversary, is again for its seventieth.
(Christian Thompson / Disneyland Resort)
For the seventieth, Disney creatives spoke of eager to create a celebration vibe. Even the emblem jumps out like a birthday cake topper, with the quantity “70” alternately blocky and rounded as if constructed out of frosting. These after a few of that patented Disneyland nostalgia will discover it in a brief, five-minute projection present over on the facade of It’s a Small World, however even that manufacturing — “Tapestry of Happiness,” which ever-so-slightly glances on the art work of key Small World designer Mary Blair — is a jovial affair.
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Equally, a projection present on California Journey’s Carthay Circle — “Celebrate Happy: A Little Bit of Magic Every Night” — is a two-minute, energetic morsel, one that includes Tinker Bell turning the upscale lounge and restaurant into Sleeping Magnificence Citadel one second, and a canvas for fireworks within the subsequent. Think about it a mini road fest. Elsewhere, Disney has tastefully added “Coco’s” Miguel and Dante to It’s a Small World, and the online game attraction Toy Story Halfway Mania has been outfitted with a bunch of recent targets, some value 700 or 7,000 factors.
Nonetheless to come back, in fact, is “Walt Disney — A Magical Life,” set to open on Disneyland’s official anniversary date of July 17. The present will characteristic the debut of an audio-animatronic determine of Disney, and is predicted to retell the Disneyland creation delusion. Little doubt “A Magical Life” will inject Disneyland’s seventieth celebration, which is scheduled to final by way of subsequent summer season, a dose of historical past, however for now, the resort needs company tapping and dancing. Even a brand new present for tots, “Disney Junior: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!,” is framed round throwing a home occasion, full with a booty-shaking Goofy.
An excellent time, little question, and but I discovered myself lacking a touch of sentimentality whereas watching “World of Color Happiness!” Ostensibly a clip present, any “World of Color” presents a problem in attempting to sew collectively a theme out of typically dozens of movies — some that soar by throughout a pond of cascading fountains, and others that float into the sky on cleverly crafted projected bubbles. Songs given centerpiece showings right here embrace “I2I” from “A Goofy Movie” and “I’ve Got a Dream” from “Tangled.”
The brand new projection present “Celebrate Happy: A Little Bit of Magic Every Night” is a morsel of power that illuminates the facade of restaurant and lounge Carthay Circle.
(Christian Thompson / Disneyland Resort)
The narrative throughline follows the characters of “Inside Out” as they circle in and round different Disney movies, a lot in order that “Happiness!” at instances looks like an “Inside Out” quick. Pleasure’s quest is to find what makes everybody completely satisfied and he or she struggles with another feelings, similar to Unhappiness and Anxiousness, and “Encanto’s” “Surface Pressure” arrives to remind us that happiness isn’t at all times straightforward to come back by. However that second is fleeting. Pleasure has a mission.
I want it dug a bit of deeper. Happiness, in spite of everything, isn’t at all times our objective, and Disney’s movies characteristic a breath of feelings, together with a quantity that concentrate on discovering energy in adversity. “Happiness!” glances at them, with fast references to “The Lion King” or “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” however the focus is on having a blast — the boy band crushes of “Turning Red,” as an illustration, or platitudes similar to specializing in a dream and making a want (“This Wish”). Have we already forgotten the teachings of “The Princess and the Frog”?
But “Happiness!” is so steadfast — borderline oppressive, I’d argue — in its message that right here, at Disneyland, with household or buddies, we’re completely satisfied, that it turned the uncommon Disneyland present I really felt barely excluded from. Happiness is a luxurious, and audiences will convey their very own feelings to the present. I arrived within the midst of what’s been a troublesome yr, one which has me turning to Disneyland, sure, however for consolation fairly than pure pleasure.
Disney’s full dedication speech notes it’s a spot devoted to “the ideals, the dreams and the hard facts” which have created America, and all through the park we discover idealized messages, however people who assist us make sense of the world fairly than want it away. Whether or not exploring gluttony and sin (Pirates of the Caribbean), the impermanence of life (Haunted Mansion) or perseverance in arduous work (Snow White’s Enchanted Want), Disneyland finds delight within the messiness of life.
“World of Color Happiness!” facilities on a quest from “Inside Out” character Pleasure to find what makes every of us completely satisfied.
(Sean Teegarden / Disneyland Resort)
By the top of “World of Color Happiness!,” which concludes with an upbeat business jingle of a tune from Fitz of Fitz and the Tantrums, I discovered myself eager to scream at Pleasure: Depart me alone and let me be down. For whereas that’s completely OK, too, “Happiness!” doesn’t purpose to be something greater than a advertising and marketing tag line — “celebrate happy” — for Disneyland’s seventieth.
And but I discovered myself charmed by the pre-show for “Happiness!” Right here, we see the Muppets, additionally celebrating a seventieth anniversary, try to fail to provide a security spiel. Gonzo needs to carry out a stunt, Miss Piggy goals to steal the present, and Dr. Enamel and the Electrical Mayhem fail to get the band again collectively. Finally, the job will get finished, however not with out an assortment of comedic suits and begins. Right here’s betting it brings a smile to your face, and does so with out telling you to take action.
