The California Source > Disney’s California Adventure Guide > Paradise Pier > World of Color
Attraction Type: Large-scale nighttime spectacular.
Location: Show is held in Paradise Bay; viewing area is on the north side of the bay in Paradise Park; FastPass distribution stations are located near Grizzly River Run.
General Description: Explore the world of emotions through a multi-sensory show featuring Disney and Disney-Pixar characters.
Image Copyright © 2010 Disney
Will’s Review: No production on this scale has even been created in Anaheim; the sheer size and scope of World of Color dwarfs even Disneyland’s Fantasmic! Never before have colors and water fountains been so versatile, so colorful, so vivid; this show truly sets a new standard for water productions, topping even the Bellagio fountains in their grace and scope. Of course, there was a lot riding on this show – while other small elements of the $1.2 billion expansion and renovation of this park have already opened (Mickey’s Fun Wheel, Silly Symphony Swings), this is the first truly big element; it has to show the world that Disney’s California Adventure is worth extending a day or two of vacation for. In development for years and under construction for over a year (a massive platform the size of football field sits just under the water), the show didn’t disappoint.
While originally, in press materials, labeled Walt Disney’s World of Color, the show does have a noticeable lack of characters created during the Walt Disney era. While some have expressed disappoint in this, it is a good balance given the nighttime offerings of the resort as a whole: Fantasmic focuses on older Disney movies for the most part (The Jungle Book, Pinocchio and Snow White), while World of Color focuses primarily on the more modern era. After the opening number with the title World of Color song, Ariel takes center stage in a charming Part of Your World number. The show progresses through music from various Disney movies, all designed to evoke certain emotions (hopefulness, love, beauty – the Colors of the Wind number from “Pocahontas” is truly stunning), with scenes from Disney-Pixar’s Finding Nemo being the most memorable.
Of course, music and water jets aren’t the only element of the show. The musical numbers are accented by the use of lasers and digital projections that bring animated sequences to life on giant water screens, while colorful dancing fountains to the side of and behind the water screens reach over 200 feet in height. During scenes inspired by Fantasia, the tension builds as the bay explodes into a mass of random fireballs and towering flames, while Chernabog rises from the water, throwing flames high in the air and starring down at guests as The Night on Bald Mountain musical sequence is recreated. One of the most impactful moments of the show happens immediately after, when the wildebeests stampede from The Lion King is recreated in three-dimensional fashion, placing guests directly in the path of the charging animals. The finale is powerful and emotionally stirring, creating a sense of awe that’s unprecedented in this park; it will truly make a Disney memory worth of Anaheim’s legacy.
Touring Tips: On nights the show is presented, there will often be 2-3 performances held. Don’t, however, expect to find a place in Paradise Park from which to watch the show a half an hour before show time. Guests wishing to see the first show of the evening must obtain a FastPass from the distribution system located near Grizzly River Run (this is the same as the Grizzly FastPass distribution area). The seating area for the first show is divided into colored zones; each FastPass machine corresponds with a specific color zone. This means that everyone in your party must obtain their FastPass from the same machine to avoid being placed in different zones.
Guests wishing to view a second or third performance are not required to use FastPass; this system is only for the first performance of the evening. To avoid spoiling the show for those waiting, special queuing areas for each subsequent performance of the evening are found throughout the park, with the bay far out of site. Ask a Cast Member for details as to the queue locations. It is recommended that you line up in the queue areas as early in the evening as possible to guarantee yourself a space.
Family Info: Guests young and old, cynical towards Disney or not, are all truly mesmerized by the size and scope of this performance. Like Fantasmic, some elements featuring Fantasia and The Lion King become very intense and may frighten young children.
Variations: This show is unique to Disney’s California Adventure.
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