Many new major makeovers at the Disneyland Resort begin this weekend (June 11-13) with the most expensive show ever produced at the park and continues next year with a 3D update of Star Tours and the move of the Disney Wonder cruise ship to the port of Los Angeles from Florida for seven-night Mexican Riviera cruises (kids 17 and under will sail free on seven-night cruises with two full-fare adults starting at $639 each from Jan. 23 – March 2) and Alaska cruises from Vancouver in the summer.
Meanwhile, passengers of the Disney Wonder and Disney Magic cruise ships in the Caribbean this week will be among the first to see the premiere of “Toy Story 3” in two theaters equipped with 3D aboard the ships when it premieres Friday (June 18).
The first to get a grand opening at the resort’s California Adventure is the 26-minute nighttime “World of Color” water fountain multimedia show that encompasses nearly an acre of space in Paradise Bay near the park’s signature rollercoaster. An array of close to 1,200 fountains and 28 HiDef projectors (14 of them submersible) are the performers on this stage that stretches 120-yards wide and features a medley of Disney songs and scenes from Disney and Pixar animated films displayed against the wall of rising and undulating water, almost all of which have been subliminally customized for the show.
(Story continues following the 3-minutes of video highlights below from the world premiere media and VIP event on June 10, plus comments from producers and executives the following morning.)
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It may seem a little anachronistic to base the theme park’s biggest show ever on a celebration of “The Wonder World of Color,” which was introduced nearly 50 years ago as the revised name of Walt Disney’s popular and long-running Sunday night TV program in 1961 to herald the arrival of color TV signals as opposed to black-and-white.
But there is nothing out-of-date or old-fashioned about the cutting-edge digital and mechanical technology that went into the show that has been in development for 5-years and under construction for more than two years. (Be prepared to get hit with mist blowing your way multiple times during the show.)
But it’s only the first of many new major transformations coming in the next two years to California Adventure, Disneyland, and even the iconic Disneyland Hotel (complete makeover inside and out, including new suites and a new water slide themed to the original monorail at Disneyland — great summertime offer this year for 5 nights at any Disneyland Resort Hotel for price of three; including same-day park hopper passes for the price of 3).
As announced at the D23 Expo last September, Star Tours will be closing this summer (July 26 at Disneyland, September 7 at Disney World) in order to revamp the presentation with an all-new 3D digital interactive movie storyline that takes place in the time between the two Star Wars trilogies and features familiar characters and locations. One of the highlights of the new show to open in 2011 will be a virtual pod race as featured in Episode One.
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts President Al Weiss said the company will be considering the growing appeal of 3D for any and all future plans. He would not dismiss the notion of an attraction based on “Tron,” which has a 3D sequel coming to theaters this December, but he also would not confirm any specific plans in the works other than what has been announced.
The biggest new attraction at California Adventure will be Cars Land in 2012. A new Little Mermaid ride will also open at California Adventure in 2011.
The following 3-minute video features highlights from the “What’s Next” media presentation Friday morning, including comments from the following invitation-only round-table interviews with executives about the new attractions, and a rousing performance by Little Mermaid voice actress/singer Jodi Benson.
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— By Scott Hettrick