Lighting Up California Adventure

Since its debut in 2001, Disney’s California Adventure has been merely an afterthought to most visitors of Disney’s other little attraction in Anaheim, Disneyland. However, that stigma may fade when Disney revamps California Adventure to make it more of a draw to local residents and tourists alike.

A hole new world? via MousePlanet

If you’ve visited California in the past year or so, you must have noticed the giant hole in the center of the park’s “Paradise Pier” area. Well, that’s about to change. On June 11, Disney will open its new “World of Color” show and attraction. The World of Color will be a multi-sensory water, light, and effects show that will take place inside Paradise Bay. A new viewing area, entitled “Paradise Park” has been constructed to handle the audience for the show and will be able to seat up to 9,000 visitors during show times.

A cameo by Tinkerbell? via Disneyandmore

So what will the World of Color consist of? Pretty much the entire “world” of Disney. The show will begin with a reenactment of “Under the Sea” from The Little Mermaid, and then launch into songs and scenes from The Lion King, Pirates of the Caribbean, Aladdin, Finding Nemo, Toy Story, Up, Wall-E, Pocahontas, Bambi, A Bug’s Life, Fantasia, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Dumbo, and Beauty and the Beast. Think of the show as what you would expect if the Bellagio’s Dancing Fountains and the Disneyland attraction Fantasmic had a lovechild…and it was on steroids.

-MK

Contact the author at mksmogger@gmail.com.

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A Whole New World is an Understatement

In case you haven’t heard of Nick Pitera before, check out his videos on Youtube below. I would write a biting, snarky comment about his songs – but I don’t want to ruin the surprise – and I’m oddly entranced by them. Embarassing for me, I know.

-MK

Contact the author at mksmogger@gmail.com.

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Inside the Magic Kingdom

For those unware of Disney lore, the company has had a long and tumultous history (and the lackluster release of the past fall’s The Princess and the Frog is just the most recent evidence of this). For a company that is legendary for the magic it produces (see Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, do you want me to continue?), it’s also one deep in betrayal, infighting, and corporate maneuvering. Behind the facade of “the Happiest Place on Earth,” Disney is, in reality, just another American corporation looking for profit. However, unlike other corporations – Disney specializes in making the world a happier place – and it does it pretty damn well at that.

If you are lucky enough to live in LA this weekend, you have a chance to check out a documentary behind the walls of the Enchanted Castle. Waking Sleeping Beauty is it the story of Disney’s “renaissance” in the early 90’s after a slow decline through the 70’s and 80’s. If you’ve read Disney War, then you’ve heard this story before. Of all the stories Disney’s ever told, their own tale may be the most interesting. And, like anything Disney, this is a story better told on the screen than in words.

Check out local play times here. Be warned, it’s a very limited engagement, so don’t let it slip by.

-MK

Contact the author at mksmogger@gmail.com.

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