Disney Delegates Control of Nighttime Spectacular to Park Guests, Shows Now Based on Vote Every Night
A big change is hitting one of Disney’s most popular nighttime spectaculars, giving guests the opportunity to personalize each night’s show.
Disney has long been celebrated for its ability to craft mesmerizing nighttime spectaculars, with shows that seamlessly blend cutting-edge technology, music, and fireworks. At Disney’s California Adventure Park, the resident nighttime show has long been World of Color – a breathtaking showcase of water, light, and music infused with a healthy amount of IP (because, well, it’s Disney, after all).
This show has changed a lot since debuting in 2010. For one thing, it’s performed in Paradise Gardens Park – the remnants of a land that was partially transformed into Pixar Pier as part of the park’s transformation in the 2010s.
The show itself has also undergone several transformations. For Disney100, for example, World of Color – One was introduced as a tribute to The Walt Disney Company’s centennial celebration. This combined characters from Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar, Lucasfilm, and Marvel Studios, set to a soundtrack sung by Loren Allred.
Disney Introduces a New Version of World of Color
Admittedly, World of Color – One was far from World of Color’s most popular iteration. That’s why so many guests are hyped to welcome a new version of the show from May 16.
World of Color: Happiness! will debut at the park to usher in Disneyland Resort’s 70th anniversary celebrations. The new show is set to use the iconic fountains with a combination of lighting, lasers, fog, flame effects, and water projections, and is said to be inspired by Walt Disney’s dedication speech on Disneyland Park’s opening day when he famously said, “To all who come to this happy place…welcome!”
Various films will feature in the show, including Frozen (2013), Tangled (2010), The Lion King (1994), A Goofy Movie (1995), and Turning Red (2022). World of Color: Happiness! will open with a Muppets pre-show and include a Boyz II Men cover of Kermit the Frog’s iconic tune “Rainbow Connection” (we’re not crying, you are), plus an original song by FITZ called “Makes Me Wanna Move.”
Guests Personalize World of Colour: Happiness!
Today, yet another interesting nugget dropped about what guests can expect from World of Color: Happiness!
Each night, the show will differ based on the results of a public poll conducted among Disneyland Resort guests. Before the performance, visitors at Disney California Adventure Park can vote via the Disneyland app for one of four emotions from the Inside Out franchise: Sadness, Anger, Disgust, or Envy.
Whichever emotion receives the most votes will feature prominently in the show, influencing special scenes and ensuring a unique experience for guests each night. (Joy is set to act as the show’s host, hence her absence from the lineup).
Guests will receive one vote per day. For now, it’s not clear how each character’s scenes will differ.
Disney previously introduced an Inside Out 2 (2024) pre-show for World of Color – One. “Emotional Rollercoaster” debuted on May 31, 2024, featuring characters from the Pixar sequel ahead of its release. Considering the fact that it then went on to rake in $1.699 billion at the box office, we’re not overly surprised to see Disney go big on the IP for its newest nighttime show.
Are you excited for World of Color: Happiness!?
