Step Into the Magic
Step Into the Magic
By: Jennifer Romano
Disney Parks throughout the world have always been known for their parades and nighttime spectaculars. Because Disneyland is celebrating its 60th anniversary, the Disney Company has created some of the most amazing parades and shows that I have ever seen!
Paint the Night is Disneyland’s new electrical parade, and the technology that this parade employs is astounding. All of the floats are covered in LED lights that move in amazing synchronization with the music, which actually uses some of the original Baroque Hoedown music that accompanied the Main Street Electrical Parade. Paint the Night has moved leaps and bounds above the old Electrical Parade, which was an early attempt at a nighttime light parade. The new parade includes both classic Disney characters as well as some of our newer friends. Mack, Lightning McQueen, Ariel, Mike and Sulley as well as Anna and Elsa are all part of this display. The floats are not just illuminated; the lights dance and change, create shapes, and even spell out Mickey Mouse’s name! The fab five are also a part of the parade. They can be seen riding on small floats that are reminiscent of floats from the Main Street Electrical Parade, and the finale of the parade includes Sorcerer Mickey riding on an enormous float that resembles that huge wave of water from Fantasia. The first night that I saw this parade, I was honestly speechless!
Now the parade is not the only form on night entertainment at Disneyland during the 60th anniversary celebration. There is a truly immersive fireworks show called Disneyland Forever. The show puts the guests in the center of the action by using projection mapping not only on Main Street but also on the Matterhorn, Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, and even It’s a Small World. Again, Disney went over the top and used everything that they have learned over the years to make this show tug at your heart strings as well as surprise and delight all of the guests. The show begins by reminding the audience that Disneyland used to be the home of orange groves, and the projections on the buildings on Main Street really make you feel like you are amidst the trees. Now, no fireworks could be complete without Tinkerbell flying over the castle, and Disneyland Forever does not disappoint! Tinkerbell flies back and forth in front of the castle, and she ushers us into the show. The fireworks take us on a journey through some of the most memorable moments from beloved Disney animated and live action movies. Nemo even has to swim through the ring of fire during the fireworks show; the Matterhorn is transformed into a volcano for the occasion. Again, I was speechless after watching these fireworks! The music combined with the technology and the pyrotechnics was unbelievable. I will be interested to see if Disney uses any of these new techniques to add more magic to some of their other parks throughout the world.
Disney has not released how long these offerings will continue at Disneyland, but if you have the chance, take a trip to California and be ready to “Step into the Magic!”
Click here to see the Paint the Night pin collection!
-Disney Pins Blog
