SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) —I've never known a world that wasn't colored in part by Walt Disney.
I've loved Mickey Mouse and feared Captain Hook since my beginning. Economics kept me from going to Disneyland as frequently as I would have liked, but I've spent many days over the years standing in front of Sleeping Beauty's castle, traveling through the stars on Space Mountain and losing my mind every time I see Maleficent reluctantly making her way through the crowds like the Pied Piper with a tail of attentive children and adults following close behind.
I'm not an expert; I am a life-long fan. Someone who likes to visit a place where dreams have been transformed into something tangible.
“Disneyland Forever” at Disneyland Park is a sky-high celebration filled with sparkling pyrotechnics and immersive projections that envelop guests in a breathtaking journey with surprising special effects. Main Street, U.S.A., and a few other spots in Disneyland become a magical canvas as guests are swept into a world of dreams, from flying above the London skyline with "Peter Pan" to a dance with King Louie in "The Jungle Book." The inspiring closing song is "Kiss Goodnight." Guests can visit Disneyland.com and the Disneyland app for the latest details. (Joshua Sudock/Disneyland Resort)
Last week, I was asked by Disneyland to come and watch a performance of "Tale of the Lion King," and celebrate the return of the Nighttime Spectaculars, including the Main Street Electrical Parade, the Disneyland Forever Fireworks and witness the return of Fantasmic!
Fantasmic!, Disney's popular and longest-running nighttime spectacular, returns to the Rivers of America in Disneyland Park on May 28, 2022. This year, the beloved show is celebrating its 30th anniversary. Fantasmic! is an emotional extravaganza of colorful Disney animated film images, choreographed to an exciting musical score. The waters of the Rivers of America come alive as Mickey Mouse's power of imagination enables him to create fantastic events and images as seen in beloved Disney classic films like Fantasia, The Jungle Book, The Little Mermaid and more. (Joshua Sudock/Disneyland Resort)
While most of my early memories of Disneyland are sun-drenched, euphoric and sticky, I've come to prefer the park at night. Less heat, thinning crowds and age demographic play into the equation, but the major reason is Disneyland is simply more magical at night. The imagineers have put a lot of thought into the way the buildings are lit and how that adds to the distinct atmosphere of the different areas of the park.
New Orleans Square looks remarkable in the daytime, but it isn't until the lights come on that it shows its full character. This is particularly true for newer areas like Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge and Avengers Campus where the lighting often highlights the small details and flourishes that make these imaginary places feel real.
“World of Color” at Disney California Adventure Park features a unique combination of music, fire, fog and laser effects, with Disney animation projected on an immense screen of water, this unforgettable kaleidoscope of color celebrates the magic and fun of Disney and Pixar— all set to a soaring soundtrack. Audiences are immersed in some favorite Disney stories with memorable sequences of animation and music, including scenes like WALL-E and Eve zipping through the cosmos and Pocahontas exploring just around the riverbend. Guests can visit Disneyland.com and the Disneyland app for the latest details. (Joshua Sudock/Disneyland Resort)
As an adult without children, I visit Disneyland to reconnect with the little boy I once was. He believed in a world with endless possibilities. That kind of hopefulness has been missing from all of our lives for a considerable amount of time.
I was able to visit Disneyland in February of 2020 with my family. Within two or three weeks the world went on lockdown and anything and everything lighthearted disappeared for an unimaginable amount of time. I learned the value of my freedom and the experiences I've been fortunate enough to share with friends and family over the years. Returning to Disneyland symbolizes a rekindling of my old self. Only this time I intend to be more appreciative of the opportunities I am given.
Fantasmic!, Disney's popular and longest-running nighttime spectacular, returns to the Rivers of America in Disneyland Park on May 28, 2022. This year, the beloved show is celebrating its 30th anniversary. Fantasmic! is an emotional extravaganza of colorful Disney animated film images, choreographed to an exciting musical score. The waters of the Rivers of America come alive as Mickey Mouse's power of imagination enables him to create fantastic events and images as seen in beloved Disney classic films like Fantasia, The Jungle Book, The Little Mermaid and more. (Joshua Sudock/Disneyland Resort)
After checking into the Disneyland Hotel, I made my way through the Downtown Disney District. This was only the second time I've stayed at an official Disneyland hotel. Previously, I'd stayed at the Grand California Hotel for the Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge opening party in 2019.
The proximity of the official hotels is wonderful. I love not having to worry about parking. If I forget something or just need to head back to the room for an hour or two to recharge or work in a swim during the day's hottest hours, that's a viable option. Well, maybe not nearly as viable this trip. My busy schedule meant I spent only 5 or 6 hours at the hotel (and yes, that includes sleeping).
“Main Street Electrical Parade” once again lights up Disneyland Park for a limited time as it returns for its 50th anniversary. This spectacular pageant of nighttime magic and imagination will be led by the iconic train and drum unit featuring Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Goofy. The parade brings back many guest favorites including Elliott the Dragon and floats from "Alice in Wonderland," "Cinderella" and "Peter Pan." A new grand finale, featuring unique representations of beloved characters as animated dolls, brings to life moments from "Pinocchio," "Hercules," "Coco," "Moana," "Pocahontas," "Raya and the Last Dragon," "Aladdin," "Brave," "The Princess and the Frog," "Mulan," "Frozen," "The Jungle Book" and "Encanto." It all comes to a dazzling conclusion with a colorful, whimsical version of Sleeping Beauty Castle. Guests can visit Disneyland.com and the Disneyland app for the latest details. (Sean Teegarden/Disneyland Resort)
I arrive at Disneyland's gates in the early afternoon, My day didn't officially start until the early evening with a viewing of "Tale of the Lion King." So, I checked in with the media center at the Main Street Opera House where I was given an impromptu tour by Food and Beverage Integration Specialist David Nigueyyen of the new food being introduced to the park this summer (we'll get to that in a separate article).
In honor of the 50th anniversary of the “Main Street Electrical Parade,” this nighttime spectacular returns to Disneyland Park for a limited time. Inspired by the original design of the parade, plus Disney Legend Mary Blair’s iconic art style on “it’s a small world,” the new grand finale will bring together classic and contemporary favorites, led by the Blue Fairy from “Pinocchio.” On one side of the parade route, guests may see moments from (l-r), “Hercules,” (seen here) “Coco,” “Moana,” and more, including, “Pocahontas,” “Raya and the Last Dragon,” and “Aladdin.” On the opposite side, (l-r), guests may enjoy sights of “Brave,” “The Princess and the Frog,” “Mulan,” “Frozen,” “The Jungle Book,” and “Encanto.” It will all come to a dazzling conclusion with a colorful, whimsical version of Sleeping Beauty Castle. These stories will be interpreted in thousands of sparkling lights and electro-synthe-magnetic musical sound, with unique representations of beloved characters as animated dolls. Guests can visit Disneyland.com and the Disneyland app for the latest details. (Sean Teegarden/Disneyland Resort)
From there, I took the free time to make my pilgrimage to Peter Pan's Flight, Star Wars: Star Tours,Snow White's Scary Adventures, the Haunted Mansion and a quick visit to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge where I unexpectedly discovered the Rise of the Resistance had just reopened and the line was half as long as it usually is. So, I took advantage of my good fortune. That gave me just enough time to get a glass of blue milk.
“Main Street Electrical Parade” once again lights up Disneyland Park for a limited time as it returns for its 50th anniversary. This spectacular pageant of nighttime magic and imagination will be led by the iconic train and drum unit featuring Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Goofy. The parade brings back many guest favorites including Elliott the Dragon and floats from "Alice in Wonderland," "Cinderella" and "Peter Pan." A new grand finale, featuring unique representations of beloved characters as animated dolls, brings to life moments from "Pinocchio," "Hercules," "Coco," "Moana," "Pocahontas," "Raya and the Last Dragon," "Aladdin," "Brave," "The Princess and the Frog," "Mulan," "Frozen," "The Jungle Book" and "Encanto." It all comes to a dazzling conclusion with a colorful, whimsical version of Sleeping Beauty Castle. Guests can visit Disneyland.com and the Disneyland app for the latest details. (Mike Baker/Disneyland Resort)
The Nighttime Spectacular portion of my adventure begins with the 8:45 pm Main Street Electrical Parade. Disney has set aside a space up the stairs by the Disneyland Railroad platform for the press. This affords us a nice, unobstructed view at the end of the parade route. Celebrating its 50th anniversary, theMain Street Electrical Parade is a whirling tour through the lights of Las Vegas with the shady characters replaced with childhood favorites.
And instead of dour casinos, we're taken momentarily to the magical elsewhere of "Alice in Wonderland," "Cinderella," "Peter Pan," "Snow White," Pinocchio" and "Pete's Dragon." For a moment, I'm a child shoeless and dancing to my vinyl copy of "The Official Album of Disneyland"with my eyes closed. It could be completely different or exactly the same as the parade when I saw it the first time. I'm not entirely sure. What is important is that it feels almost exactly as it did the first time.
“Main Street Electrical Parade” will once again light up Disneyland Park for a limited time as it returns for its 50th anniversary, April 22, 2022. This spectacular pageant of nighttime magic and imagination will be led by the iconic train and drum unit featuring Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Goofy. The parade brings back many guest favorites including Elliott the Dragon and floats from “Alice in Wonderland,” “Cinderella” and “Peter Pan.” A new grand finale, featuring unique representations of beloved characters as animated dolls, brings to life moments from “Pinocchio,” “Hercules,” “Coco,” “Moana,” “Pocahontas,” “Raya and the Last Dragon,” “Aladdin, “Brave,” “The Princess and the Frog,” “Mulan,” “Frozen,” “The Jungle Book” and “Encanto.” It all comes to a dazzling conclusion with a colorful, whimsical version of Sleeping Beauty Castle. (Disneyland Resort)
The notable change is they've added an additional float featuring a bevy of animatronic characters from more recent Disney and Pixar films like "Brave," "Coco," "Moana," "Aladdin," "Frozen" and "Raya and the Last Dragon." It's a beautiful float, but it feels somewhat out of place. It's a bit too modern; a Tesla in a room full of vintage Corvettes. This proves to be an anticlimactic finale to an otherwise perfect experience.
I encourage Disney to make more modern floats, sprinkle them in throughout the parade, but never abandon the classic floats with live actors and always begin with the train and finish with Pete riding on the back of his dragon Elliot. Everything should end with a dragon.
In honor of the 50th anniversary of the “Main Street Electrical Parade,” this nighttime spectacular returns to Disneyland Park for a limited time. Inspired by the original design of the parade, plus Disney Legend Mary Blair’s iconic art style on “it’s a small world,” the new grand finale will bring together classic and contemporary favorites, led by the Blue Fairy from “Pinocchio.” On one side of the parade route, guests may see moments from (l-r), “Hercules,” “Coco,” “Moana,” and more, including, “Pocahontas,” “Raya and the Last Dragon,” and “Aladdin” (seen here.) On the opposite side, (l-r), guests may enjoy sights of “Brave,” “The Princess and the Frog,” “Mulan,” “Frozen,” “The Jungle Book,” and “Encanto.” It will all come to a dazzling conclusion with a colorful, whimsical version of Sleeping Beauty Castle. These stories will be interpreted in thousands of sparkling lights and electro-synthe-magnetic musical sound, with unique representations of beloved characters as animated dolls. Guests can visit Disneyland.com and the Disneyland app for the latest details. (Sean Teegarden/Disneyland Resort)
Unfortunately, wind cancels the Disneyland Forever Fireworks. Instead, we're offered the Mickey's Mix Magic — "an extravaganza bursting with magical song tracks, kaleidoscopic projections and exciting lights and lasers." The kids don't seem to mind as they dance and sing their way down Main Street. I make my way over to the Rivers of America to watch Fantasmic!
“Disneyland Forever” at Disneyland Park is a sky-high celebration filled with sparkling pyrotechnics and immersive projections that envelop guests in a breathtaking journey with surprising special effects. Main Street, U.S.A., and a few other spots in Disneyland become a magical canvas as guests are swept into a world of dreams, from flying above the London skyline with "Peter Pan" to a dance with King Louie in "The Jungle Book." The inspiring closing song is "Kiss Goodnight." Guests can visit Disneyland.com and the Disneyland app for the latest details. (Joshua Sudock/Disneyland Resort)
We're seated right along the river, but with the Pirates of the Caribbean ride under construction, the area is decidedly less crowded than I remember it being in the past. I've seen Fantasmic! a few times since its debut in 1992 and it never fails to disappoint with its mix of pyrotechnics, costumed characters, and classic movie clips projected on walls of water.
It's bombastic in the best way; the kind of show that dazzles even the sleepiest of children. It's a quintessential part of the modern Disneyland experience and the perfect way to end an evening.
“Fantasmic!”, a "must-see" show at Disneyland Park for nearly 30 years, returns on May 28, 2022. Disney's longest-running nighttime spectacular is an emotional extravaganza of colorful Disney animated film images, choreographed to an exciting musical score. The waters of the Rivers of America come alive as Mickey Mouse's power of imagination enables him to create fantastic events and images as seen in beloved Disney classic films like "Fantasia," "The Jungle Book," "The Little Mermaid" and more. Guests can visit Disneyland.com and the Disneyland app for the latest details. (Joshua Sudock/Disneyland Resort)
That said, half of me wished I could also be at the World of Color at California Adventure. It's not nearly as loud or flashy as Fantasmic!, but the light and water show is incredibly beautiful and the massive Ferris wheel is the perfect backdrop. The show also incorporates the use of video projected on water screens. I've always loved the Paradise Pier area, even as it has shifted direction away from the classic 1920s amusement park theme to become Pixar Pier.
Lights, water, music, fire and animation come together like never before in World of Color at Disney California Adventure park in Anaheim, Calif. The show combines nearly 1,200 powerful fountains with heights that range from 30 feet to 200 feet in the air, dazzling colors and a kaleidoscope of audio and visual effects, including both classic and new animation projected on one of the world's largest projected water screens - a wall of water 380 feet wide by 50 feet high for a projection surface of 19,000 square feet. (Richard Harbaugh/Disneyland)
From there, my adventures took me to Avengers Campus. That's a story worthy of its own article. Look for it to arrive soon.
With the return of the major nighttime shows and parades, Disneyland and California Adventure is back at almost full strength just in time for Summer. Just be aware you won't be able to squeeze everything into one night. You could navigate theMain Street Electrical Parade, the Disneyland Forever Fireworks and Fantasmic! if you station yourself near Cinderella's Castle.
For World of Color, you'll likely have to build a day around its 9:00 p.m. showing. I think it is worth it. Ideally, you'd have three nights. That would allow you to also visit Avengers Campus and Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at night and mix in some downtime during the early afternoons when the heat is at its highest.
“Main Street Electrical Parade” once again lights up Disneyland Park for a limited time as it returns for its 50th anniversary. This spectacular pageant of nighttime magic and imagination will be led by the iconic train and drum unit featuring Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Goofy. The parade brings back many guest favorites including Elliott the Dragon and floats from "Alice in Wonderland," "Cinderella" and "Peter Pan." A new grand finale, featuring unique representations of beloved characters as animated dolls, brings to life moments from "Pinocchio," "Hercules," "Coco," "Moana," "Pocahontas," "Raya and the Last Dragon," "Aladdin," "Brave," "The Princess and the Frog," "Mulan," "Frozen," "The Jungle Book" and "Encanto." It all comes to a dazzling conclusion with a colorful, whimsical version of Sleeping Beauty Castle. Guests can visit Disneyland.com and the Disneyland app for the latest details. (Sean Teegarden/Disneyland Resort)
And remember: always finish with a dragon.
