Disney’s California Adventure recently reopened their Blue Sky Cellar which now features lots of art and models about the new nighttime spectacular World of Color, and I personally think it is AMAZING.   Some of the effects they will be doing is jaw dropping.   Water jets will shoot 200 feet into the air, fire pillars will be all around the lagoon and the effects are just spectacular.

World of Color will be a combination of old animation as well as brand new animation, that is right folks, we are talking about re-animating classic Disney scenes for the sake of water.   The new nighttime spectacular is expected to feature Pochahontas, Lion King, Wall-E, Toy Story, Alice in Wonderland, and more!

To support all the people who will watch the show, Disney management designed a new viewing area that will be similar to turn of the century public parks.  In the center of the “park” will be a state of the art water play area that will cool guest and children off in hot summer days and at night a hidden stage will rise for maximum versatility.  I don’t know about you but that sounds like the water play area will literally rise in the air similar to Tomorrowland Terrace, how exciting!

Here is the Press Release that was just shown to the public hours ago:

16 July 2009
“World of Color”

Innovative Entertainment Technology Drives ‘World of Color’ – the Next Milestone in Expansion of Disney’s California Adventure

ANAHEIM, Calif. (July 16, 2009) – Elaborate preparation is underway for “World of Color,” the spectacular nighttime water show that will astound guests with its magnitude and creativity when it debuts in spring 2010 as the next major milestone in the expansion of Disney’s California Adventure park. Surpassing all Disney water productions, “World of Color” will bring Disney animation to life with powerful fountains that become stars of the show as they create the world’s largest projected water screen.

For months now, guests at Disney’s California Adventure have been peering into the lagoon near Paradise Pier as Walt Disney Imagineering and Creative Entertainment have installed the massive infrastructure and innovative technology that will create the stage for this extraordinary combination of music, animation and stunning water effects. Teams of Disney workers have built nearly an acre of superstructure to support the complex “World of Color” production.

“World of Color” will combine hundreds of magnificent fountains, dazzling colors and an all-new kaleidoscope of audio and visual effects to take water-infused entertainment to a new level of artistry. The production will flood the senses, taking audiences on an imaginative journey into the colorful worlds of animated Disney classics such as “Alice in Wonderland,” “The Lion King” and “Pocahontas,” along with Disney•Pixar films “Toy Story,” “WALL-E” and many more.

Disney’s newest production features an unprecedented infrastructure of water effects, larger-than-life projections, lasers, fire, fog, surround sound and stunning images. This technical wizardry, combined with classic Disney film sequences, will create a breathtaking emotional experience for guests as jaw-dropping effects sweep across the lagoon, soar into the sky and rush toward the audience.

A newly designed 9,000-capacity viewing area will provide Disney’s California Adventure guests the best view in the park of this exciting nighttime extravaganza. The show lasts approximately 25 minutes.

Some of the technical magic behind ‘World of Color’ includes
:

  • Nearly one full acre of engineered superstructure, longer than a football field and capable of settling on three levels – one for the performance, one under the water surface and one for maintenance
  • More than 1,200 powerful and programmable fountains
  • A vast underwater grid with more than 18,000 points of control. Each fountain has multiple points of control for lighting, color intensity, water angle, height and more.
  • Fountain heights that range from 30 feet to 200 feet in the air (by way of comparison, Mickey’s Fun Wheel reaches a height of 150 feet, some of it below the edge of the lagoon)
  • A precise system of flame projections, lasers, and special effects that will flood the senses as guests experience the animation
  • Scenic elements that rise more than 80 feet above the lagoon
  • The world’s largest projected water screen – 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

For information on “World of Color” and other Disneyland Resort attractions, or to plan a celebration or vacation at Disneyland Resort, visit www.disneyland.com, call 866/60-DISNEY or contact local travel agents. To explore the expansion plans for Disney’s California Adventure, visit www.DisneysCaliforniaAdventure.com.

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Blue Sky Cellar Unveils More Exciting New Magic Coming to Disney’s California Adventure Park

Disney Imagineers reveal details of ‘World of Color,’ a nighttime water spectacular coming in spring 2010

ANAHEIM, Calif. (July 16, 2009) – Nestled in the Golden Vine Winery at Disney’s California Adventure, Blue Sky Cellar is a place where guests get a sneak preview of what’s new and what’s next during the expansion of the park.  Beginning July 16, guests will see the first in-depth look at “World of Color,” the next major milestone in the expansion of Disney’s California Adventure, opening in spring 2010.  Disney Imagineers, the creative minds behind the design and construction of Disney theme parks and attractions, are sharing their models, concepts and sketches to reveal the development of this spectacular water, animation and special effects show.
At Blue Sky Cellar, guests are invited to preview works in progress at Disney’s California Adventure by immersing themselves in a facsimile of an Imagineering workspace.  Based on the belief that idea gathering is best when “the sky’s the limit,” Blue Sky Cellar is designed to resemble an Imagineering “charette,” an extended creative idea development meeting.  Guests receive an inside look at how Imagineers take “blue sky” ideas and refine them into the classic storytelling that characterizes Disney theme park attractions and adventures.
In this whimsical immersive setting, Imagineers have taken over a former wine cellar and set up shop.  Wine barrels have turned into work stations and the former wine tasting room has become a screening room where a video showcases the behind-the-scenes magic that goes into the creation of new and upcoming attractions for Disney’s California Adventure.  Additionally, guests in Blue Sky Cellar will have fun testing their knowledge of Disney trivia at one of the interactive workstations.
The video seen in the screening room features Imagineers describing the approach and vision of the Disney California Adventure expansion.  Guests will see footage of model-making, sculpting, Blue Sky meetings and all the aspects of bringing a Disney concept to life.  In the latest video, Imagineer Steven Davison and others show guests some of the astounding animation and water effects they can expect to see in “World of Color” in 2010.

Included in the original announcement of the multi-year expansion of Disneyland Resort in fall 2007, Blue Sky Cellar is part of the overall commitment to keep the community and Disneyland Resort guests informed of the exciting new and upcoming plans for the resort.  Guests are encouraged to check back for updates on additional exciting developments and attractions, both at Blue Sky Cellar and online at www.DisneysCaliforniaAdventure.com.———————————————————————-

WALT DISNEY PARKS AND RESORTS Disney’s California Adventure

Expansion Continues Though 2012, With ‘World of Color’ Opening in 2010
ANAHEIM, Calif. – Opened on Feb. 8, 2001, Disney’s California Adventure anchored a major expansion of Disneyland Resort.  The expansion included Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and Downtown Disney, a 300,000-square-foot shopping, dining and entertainment district.
Building this expansive project took more than three years and resulted in an additional 6,000 jobs, bringing the total employment at Disneyland Resort to 20,000, making Disneyland Resort Orange County’s largest single-site employer.
The expansion was a catalyst for transforming the Anaheim Resort Area into a multiday destination that attracts millions of visitors from around the world who spend billions of dollars each year.  Hundreds of millions of dollars in additional tax revenue, generated by the expansion, help fund vital services for the city of Anaheim.
Disney’s California Adventure has become one of the nation’s most visited theme parks.  The 55-acre park is filled with dozens of shows, adventures and attractions that appeal to guests of all ages.  Through Disney’s legendary storytelling, the fantasy of California comes to life in four themed lands – Golden State, Paradise Pier, a bug’s land and Hollywood Pictures Backlot.

Resort Expansion
In 2007, a significant multiyear expansion of Disney’s California Adventure was announced including new family-oriented attractions and shows that feature more stories and characters from both Disney and Pixar.
The park expansion began with the 2008 opening of Toy Story Mania! This interactive 4-D ride-through attraction transports guests into a carnival midway hosted by beloved “Toy Story” characters.
In early 2009, Mickey’s Fun Wheel, a 150-foot-diameter attraction that features a new Mickey Mouse marquee, reopened along with the Games of the Boardwalk, carnival-style games that now showcase some of the most beloved Disney and Disney•Pixar characters.
Opening in spring 2010, “World of Color” will bring nighttime excitement to Paradise Pier with a panorama of spectacular water effects, dancing fountains and music that will bring Disney animation to life with a new creative and technical approach.  “World of Color” boasts a 9,000-guest viewing area.

The first major attraction based on Disney’s classic “The Little Mermaid” is coming to the park’s Paradise Pier area with leading-edge animation and special effects.  Guests will be able to dive into the magnificent scenes and magical songs from the movie when The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure debuts in 2011.
In 2012, a brand new gateway to Disney’s California Adventure will welcome guests into the Los Angeles that Walt experienced as a young artist arriving with big dreams in the 1920s. Red Car Trolleys reminiscent of the old Pacific Electric Red Car Line will travel up and down Buena Vista Street alongside new dining, shopping and entertainment experiences.  A new visual icon inspired by Los Angeles’ historic Carthay Circle Theatre, which premiered “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” in 1937, will draw guests into the heart of the park.
Culminating the major expansion is the entirely new, 12-acre addition: Cars Land, which recreates the town of Radiator Springs as inspired by the hit Disney•Pixar film “Cars.”  Cars Land will feature three immersive family attractions, Radiator Springs Racers, Luigi’s Flying Tires and Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree.  Radiator Springs Racers will be one of the largest and most elaborate attractions ever created for a Disney park.  This major E-ticket attraction will place guests in the middle of a twisting, turning, high-speed adventure.
Walt Disney Imagineering’s Blue Sky Cellar, a preview center located near the Golden Vine Winery, showcases the expansion plans for Disney’s California Adventure.  Here, guests can take a sneak peek at models, concepts and sketches and view a video of what’s new and what’s next.  An online version of Blue Sky Cellar launches July 2009 at www.DisneysCaliforniaAdventure.com.

Continued Investment
Investment in Disney’s California Adventure has continued since its opening, broadening the appeal to guests of all ages.  Guests have been further immersed in thrilling new attractions and shows, giving them compelling reasons to stay longer and visit often.

  • Based on the Disney•Pixar movie “a bug’s life,” a bug’s land was added in 2002.  This land added several new rides and shows designed for younger guests.
  • “Disney’s Aladdin-A Musical Spectacular” debuted at the 1,800-seat Hyperion Theatre in 2003.  This 40-minute, Broadway-quality musical entertains thousands of people every day.
  • The Twilight Zone™ Tower of Tower opened in 2004.  The 13-story attraction encourages guests to leave reality behind as they experience a new dimension in fun and sheer thrills.
  • “Turtle Talk With Crush” was added in 2005 inside the Disney Animation building and continually amazes guests with its interactive technology.
  • In 2006, “Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!” featuring more than 40 animated figures, opened to rave reviews.
  • Toy Story Mania! opened in 2008, adding another immersive family experience to the park.  The 4-D ride-through interactive attraction is hosted by favorite characters from the Disney•Pixar “Toy Story” films.
  • Joining the lineup in 2008, “Pixar Play Parade” brings together the energy and excitement of beloved films in a unique, dynamic and water-filled spectacular.

Continued investment also is being made at the award-winning Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, adjacent to Disney’s California Adventure, with 200 new rooms slated to open in fall 2009 along with 50 vacation villas, the first Disney Vacation Club villas on the West Coast.

Home to Popular Attractions
Disney’s California Adventure is home to some of the highest-rated attractions at Disneyland Resort, based on guest satisfaction ratings.  Among them are:

  • “Soarin’ Over California”: This exhilarating airborne adventure takes guests soaring over the wonders of the Golden State, from the beaches to the mountains.
  • California Screamin’: The 6,000-foot-long roller coaster, inspired by the “golden age of coasters,” thrills guests as they experience sharp turns, go upside-down and make sudden drops.  At launch, guests go from 0 to 55 miles per hour in less than five seconds.
  • The Twilight Zone™ Tower of Terror: This thrilling and chilling supernatural adventure, based on the classic “Twilight Zone” television series, surprises guests with a series of faster-than-gravity drops and amazing special effects.
  • “Disney’s Aladdin-A Musical Spectacular”: With dancing genies, soaring carpets and imagination taking flight, this amazing musical production brings favorite characters from Disney’s “Aladdin” to life.
  • Toy Story Mania!: One of the most engaging, dynamic attractions at Disney parks, this next-generation interactive ride-game experience is fun for the entire family.

With dozens of highly entertaining shows, adventures and attractions, Disney’s California Adventure appeals to guests of all ages, and takes them to a California that could only be Imagineered by Disney.


About Walt Disney Imagineering

Walt Disney Imagineering is the unique innovative organization that creates – from concept through construction – all Disney theme parks, resorts, attractions, cruise ships, real estate developments and regional entertainment venues worldwide.  Imagineering’s unique strength comes from the teamwork and syntheses of creative and technical professionals representing more than 140 diverse disciplines.


About Disneyland Resort

Disneyland Resort features two spectacular theme parks – Disneyland (the original Disney theme park) and Disney’s California Adventure park – plus the Downtown Disney District comprised of unique dining, entertainment and shopping experiences.  The resort’s three guest-welcoming hotels are the luxurious 745-room Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, the magical 988-room Disneyland Hotel and the “day-at-the-beach” fun of the 489-room Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel.  For further information on attractions, events and vacations at Disneyland Resort, visit www.disneyland.com, call 866/60-DISNEY or contact local travel agents.

This 25 minute show will surely be on my must see list the next time I visit when it is opened.  I can’t even imagine a 19,000 sq foot water screen.  Fantasmic!’s is probably no more then 60 square feet and looks huge so I can only imagine.  Not to mention 30 high defenition projects, this show will be spectacular!

Disneyland has released new press images to the public.

This is what appears to be the finale of the show.  All I can say is WOW!  Really, look at all the colors, the effects, the cohesiveness, great job Disney.   Another thing that stands out here is that all the movies are not very over powering, most of these movies are actually underused throughout he parks so I am very glad to see some of how less appreciatedDisney characters make it into a phenomenal looking show.

The Alice and Wonderland section is rumored to also be the longest.  Personally, I hope it is.  I have seen now three pieces of concept art from this, and each one is just as impressive as the first.  Notice the leaves that are made out of water jets hitting each other, I wonder how they will achieve this effect without causing the two jets to crash spraying mist everywhere and marring the view for the audience.  However, I have total faith in Disney on this project and know they will pull it off.

This concept art was shown yesterday and I am still amazed at it today.  Using bright pink and purple water jets to create the body of the Chesire Cat is brilliant.  Unlike Fantasmic!, a firework show, or any other nighttime show, the objects used in the show like fireworks or mist screens were suppose to repersent he character, while in World of Color the water literally is the characters.  This is what makes this show so different, so unique and just quite amazing.

I heard that they were adding Wall-E and thought to myself, ehh, that won’t be too interesting.  Boy was I wrong!  This actually might be my favorite piece of concept art at the moment.  It looks like a combonation of 4 giant mist screens.  As stated in the press release, the show will create a layered effect by utilizing over 30 projectors to shoot water screens that are different places away from each other.  I love how, “fun”, this scene looks, the bright colors, the space atmosphere, very interesting.

Pochahontas during Colors of the Wind.  Is it just mee or are they using the massive 380 foot long water screen and another mist screen to show her face and hair?  Remarkable, just remarkable on how clever Disney was while designing this show.  Colors of the Wind is one of my favorite Disney songs and it is very moving, and World of Color looks like it will do an excellent job of showing off the emotion of Color of the Wind while bringing in another layer of drama with it.

The Blue Sky Cellar is now World of Color centric with lots of concept art on the walls, drawing boards and more.

The walls are covered with plans and renderings for World of Color with images like Be Prepared from Lion  King with Scar, Crush from Finding Nemo, and many more.

An overview of part of the Blue Sky Cellar.

The old Paradise Pier model which was alledgedly done in 2005 remains in the cellar but one major change has been added in the recent closure.

Water fountains are now featured all around the lagoon.  The scary part is, I actually think that all those water jets are in the right places and is scaled correctly, and not over exagerated.  Afterall, the water fountains do cover a near 1 acre span.

Disney also released these 4 new videos:

Also, Disney has launched a new interactive construction website that follows all the changes coming to Disney’s California Adventure.  Here is the press release:

New Web site explores park expansion: DisneysCaliforniaAdventure.com

All-new Web Site Keeps Visitors Up to Date On Expansion at Disney’s California Adventure


ANAHEIM, Calif. (July 16, 2009) – Fans of Disney’s California Adventure can explore coming attractions and exciting plans for the park during its expansion at a new, interactive Web site, starting July 16.


The site, hosted at
www.DisneysCaliforniaAdventure.com, will serve as an online preview center, taking visitors behind the scenes of the multiyear expansion at Disney’s California Adventure. It features videos, photos, renderings, interviews and other assets to keep users up to date on the progress of attractions and entertainment coming to life in the park.


Like the Disney parks themselves, the site will “continue to change and add new things” with regular updates.


Among the highlights at
www.DisneysCaliforniaAdventure.com:

· What’s New – link to the latest information on new developments at the park

· Big Plans – see the “big picture” approach to the ambitious expansion project

· Pictures and Videos – link to renderings, photos and exclusive, behind-the-scenes views of works in progress

· Individual Attractions – click on the pictures of “World of Color,” Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure, Buena Vista Street or Cars Land for more details about those exciting attractions

In addition to www.DisneysCaliforniaAdventure.com, guests can visit Blue Sky Cellar at Disney’s California Adventure to see concepts and models, or play trivia games related to the expansion. Guests can also find information about other Disneyland Resort attractions, or plan a celebration or vacation at Disneyland Resort, by visiting www.disneyland.com, calling
866/60-DISNEY or contacting local travel agents.

The website is great!  I checked it out and the loading icon is very cool so that immediately got high marks in my book.  And then all the videos, which seemed to be borrowed from the previous Blue Sky Cellar video that ran inside the Blue Sky Cellar pre update, were great.   It is definitely a website I will be visiting frequently.

If you could only see my face when I first saw these images, I was way to excited.

Leave your park thoughts and comments!  Thanks for reading.