I just returned home from a trip back East and was very busy getting my kids summer schedule finalized, when I received an email about a Disney media event in San Francisco. Attending Disney media events are always worth the schedule shifting and babysitting recruiting time, in return for some Disney magic. So – on July 8 – I attended the Disneyland World of Color road show stop in San Francisco. Here is the link to the World of Color road show press release with details on the tour, my pictures of the event are at the bottom of this post. The tour was created to take some of the magic of the World of Color attraction on the road.
I first heard of the new World of Color attraction at Disney California Adventure park last spring and hoped to bring my kids to see it after it opened June 11, 2010. I showed my kids a World of Color video and they were fascinated with the fountains, images and special effects.
The World of Color opening day event at Disneyland press release explained the details of the new attraction at Disney California Adventure:
“There has never been a show like “World of Color,” the mega-scale, after-dark celebration of Disney storytelling. “World of Color” brings animation to life with powerful fountains that become stars of the show as they create one of the world’s largest projected water screens.
The Disneyland News press release also explained some of the details of the special effects used in the World of Color attraction, which runs just under 25 minutes:
“The sweeping story and stunning effects are created with:
- Nearly 1,200 powerful and programmable fountains with heights ranging from 30 feet to 200 feet (50 feet higher than Mickey’s Fun Wheel). Each fountain has multiple points of control to direct the lighting, color intensity, water angle and height.
- 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.
- Nearly 30 high-definition projectors – 14 of them submersible.
- Synchronized flame projections, lasers and special effects that will flood the senses.
- A soundtrack performed by more than 100 musicians.
“World of Color” has been some five years in the making, beginning with brainstorming by show director Davison and his creative crew. As the concept grew, the Disney team sought out new technologies and multi-media to support a vision in which water and light could dance, change character and move the audience, becoming, in effect, the “stars” of the show.”
The online interactive version of can be found at:www.disneyland.com/worldofcolor or www.worldofcolorcreator.com. There are blog posts with World of Color Viewing tips, I found a post on the DisneyParks blog that explained how to get reserved seating: ” Picnic meals may be ordered online – www.disneyland.com – or by walk-up purchase, subject to availability, at the Sonoma Terrace, Golden Vine Winery. Picnic meals purchased online will include reserved viewing for the first show, reserved viewing for the second show and walk up picnics will include .”
As usual, my kids and I needed to find out more about the behind the scenes. We found this YouTube video on the DisneyParks channel with just that:
Here are some details of the Disney World of Color Road show from the press release:
“In each city, specially produced animation will be projected onto a familiar city landmark, using a sensational mixture of special effects, high-tech projections and one of the storytelling themes presented in “World of Color.”
The public is invited to participate online only at the “World of Color” Road Show website (www.worldofcolorroadshow.com), where viewers will enjoy a rich experience that includes Disney animation and music, video entertainment and a “viewer’s choice” opportunity to vote for the starring color in that evening’s show. Each city will have a broadcast location designed for media only.”
The San Francisco media event was at the San Francisco Palace of the Legion of Honor, which is a beautiful landmark. When we first arrived at the San Francisco Palace of the Legion of Honor, it looked like the building had green tape on it. We later found out that was just lights – and just the beginning of the fun.
I did not know who else would be there, but it happened to be a fun bunch of local bloggers:
From left to right top row: @Glennia @DearBadKitty @tippytoes @ginavon @svtwinmom @techiediva, @whostheboss
Bottom row left to right: @xiaolinmama @Garza_Girl @TechMama
Soon after we arrived, it got dark – on cue – as if Disney could control the sun going down as well. How do they do that?
We saw the live webcast going on while we were watching the event.
When the light show started, the building came to life. First, it was the blue show:
Then the green show:
And then the red show:
At the end, they displayed animated Disney scenes, which made the building really come to life:
My attempt at taking my own pictures (holding my DSLR steady while I used the night settings) barely gave a taste of how amazing it was to watch a light show bring a building to life – so I found the YouTube video of the World of Color Road Show, San Francisco:
The tour is nearing the last stop: Los Angeles. The Los Angeles live and prior performances can be found online in English at www.WorldofColorRoadShow.com and in Spanish at www.coloresdisney.com. Here is some information about the Los Angeles Disney World of Color road show from the press release:
“LOS ANGELES: The final shows of the online tour will be projected onto the Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles, Thursday and Friday, July 29 and 30. The theme will be “Sky,” illustrated by scenes from such films as “Aladdin” and “Fantasia.” As before, the live online presentation will be repeated continuously from 9 to 11:30 p.m. Encore performances (not live) will be webcast from 9 to 11:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, July 31 and Aug. 1.”
At the media event, I also received information about the Disney Wonder Cruise Line 2011 schedule. Something I hope to hear more about!
Disclosure: This is coverage from a media event. No payment was received for this post.
Beth Blecherman started her career in application development then Senior Manager, Computer Process Integrity, for Deloitte. After senior management she took on family management blogging as her career 2.0. She is a Co-Founder of the Silicon Valley Moms Group, a collaborative of mom blogs across the country, and their first international blog Canada Moms Blog.
Blecherman founded her personal blog, TechMamas.com, as a platform to discuss technology and gadgets for families. Beth vlogs with other female tech bloggers at Gadgetspin.com. She also consults with companies on blogger outreach and social media strategies and speaks at conferences on parenting, social media and technology. TechMamas.com was chosen as one of the Nielson Power Mom 50 influencers. On Twitter as @TechMama she was chosen as one of the 25 Influential Moms to Follow on Twitter and BizTechDay’s 25 Influential Business Women in the Bay Area. Beth is on the Board of Advisors for MommyTech at CES.
