ANAHEIM (KGTV) – Disneyland kicks off the 100th anniversary of The Walt Disney Company, a yearlong event that celebrates the storytellers, creators, fans and families.
Disney 100 Years of Wonder, or Disney100, officially kicked off on Jan. 27.
To get you prepared for the event, here’s our guide to make the most of your day at the Disneyland Resort:
NEW ATTRACTIONS
Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway
Mickey and Minnie will star in their very first ride-through attraction in Disneyland. This attraction is inside the El CapiTOON theater in Mickey’s ToonTown where guests are invited to the premiere of a new Mickey Mouse short called "Perfect Picnic."
“To bring an experience to life starring two of our most important characters – especially at Disneyland Park, Walt Disney’s original park – is an incredible honor," Jeff Shaver-Moskowitz, Portfolio Executive Producer at Walt Disney Imagineering. "Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse uniquely embody a welcoming and comedic spirit, and celebrating that, as well as the silly antics they and their friends get into, makes this attraction one of the most fun around!”
Guests have already entered the wacky and unpredictable cartoon world and walk through the immersive queue lined with several toon versions of famous Disney films. There's also a special exhibit called "Mickey Through the Ears" celebrating all things Mickey.
“The special ‘Mickey Through the Ears’ exhibit in the attraction queue was Walt Disney Imagineering’s way of letting guests walk through Mickey Mouse’s evolution from the black-and-white ‘Steamboat Willie’ to the highly stylized ‘Mickey Mouse’ cartoon shorts," Jonathan Friday, Senior Creative Director at Walt Disney Imagineering, said. "It features iconic props, costumes and set pieces from Mickey’s long career in a way that only residents of Mickey’s Toontown would – look out for all those puns!”
Once onboard a train engineered by Goofy and embark on a zany adventure.
Here's a sneak peek of the new ride:
To experience the attraction, guests had to join the complimentary virtual queue via the Disneyland app, as there will be no standby line. The virtual queue opened at 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. PT. Guests can also purchase a separate Lightning Lane arrival window (subject to availability) to get faster entry.
Mickey’s Toontown
The long-awaited return of Mickey’s Toontown is set to return on Wednesday, Mar. 8. The beloved land has been reimagined with new play activities and attractions and grassy play spaces to unwind, starting at CenTOONial Park. Guests can experience two new interactive play experiences; a fountain with water tables designed to give them a sensory experience. Nearby, a dreaming tree with sculptured roots will invite children to crawl and explore.
The Disney Gallery Presents: Disney 100 Years of Wonder
At The Disney Gallery on Main Street, U.S.A., is a new exhibit inspired by Walt Disney’s vision for Disneyland as a place where his films come to life. Guests will see beautiful artwork from some of Walt’s early films created by original Disney animators.
The gallery will feature an animator’s desk, a model of a multi-plane camera and more.
ENTERTAINMENT
World of Color - ONE
The new nighttime show, World of Color - ONE at Disney California Adventure, celebrates the storytelling legacy started by Walt Disney that illustrates how a single action can grow into a wave of change.
“I’ve had the privilege of working on every production of ‘World of Color’ we’ve done, and it’s thrilling to see the team discover new ways to tell stories and move an audience. I can’t wait for everyone to see what they’ve created with ‘World of Color – ONE.’ It’s something truly special,” Jennifer Magill, Producer at Disney Live Entertainment, said.
This nighttime spectacular will be the first time characters, music and moments from Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, the Avengers and Star Wars will be featured in the production at the resort. The 1,200 fountains will act as dancers, interpreting the various moments in the show. A water screen used for digital projections is 380 feet wide, and the geyser fountains are capable of shooting water up to 200 feet in the air.
The show's score is composed of 18 musical compositions, including an original song, “Start a Wave,” which was written by GRAMMY®-nominated artist Cody Fry and features lead vocals performed by singer-songwriter and actress Loren Allred.
To experience the attraction, guests can join the complimentary virtual queue via the Disneyland app. The complementary distribution will begin at 12 p.m. PT and is available to guests who have entered Disney California Adventure for the day or have entered Disneyland with a Park Hopper. Joining the virtual queue isn't required, but it is highly recommended. Walk-up viewing will be available on a first-time, first-served basis.
Wondrous Journeys
Each night at Main Street, U.S.A., Sleeping Beauty Castle, the façade of “it’s a small world,” and the Rivers of America at Disneyland park will transform into an artist's canvas with lighting effects, projections and much more. Guests will go through an epic adventure through 100 years of Walt Disney Animation Studios storytelling, and on select nights, the skies will sparkle with fireworks.
Fun Facts:
- Butterflies seen in the show are recurring motifs throughout “Wondrous Journeys,” representing a physical manifestation of wonder.
- Eighteen songs can be heard throughout the show, including the original song, “It’s Wondrous,” a new song featuring music and lyrics by Duddy Brown and GRAMMY® Award-winning artist Alex Geringas.
- The musical score was recorded by an 80-piece orchestra and includes 16 lead vocalists and a 33-voice choir.
- Baymax from "Big Hero 6" and the Blue Fairy from "Pinocchio" soar over the skies of Disneyland.
Guests who have purchased MagicBand+ will notice their bands come to life with dancing lights and vibrations synchronized to the shows. MagicBand+ is a wearable technology that offers hands-free theme park entry, Lightning Lane entrance check-in, Disney Photo Pass linking and much more. Learn more here.
DECOR
Both parks and the Downtown Disney District and the Hotels of Disneyland will be decked out in beautiful, platinum-infused décor. Guests will find platinum statues and medallions around the resort. At Disneyland, Sleepy Beauty Castle will be "accented with two new water fountains dressed in platinum banners and bunting, a magnificent cabochon and a shining wishing star."
While Mickey and Minnie, and their pals, will be dressed up in platinum-inspired looks that reflect optimism and creativity.
The celebration will continue throughout 2023, which will also include Disney's international theme parks, Disney Cruise Line.
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