News Wondrous Journeys firework show coming to Disneyland

[Twilight_Roxas]

I spotted a film in the finale after Meet the Robinson. I can’t tell if it’s Wish or a different film.

Turn out it was Dinosaur.

 

[CaptinEO]

This show has helped me remember that I haven’t seen many of these Disney films in years. Literally haven’t seen Fantastia 2000 since I watched it in IMAX back in 1999. I just may watch it sometime today.

Fun story for me with this one. My family was at the mall one day and someone asked us if we wanted to preview a new Disney film.

We got tickets to see Fantasia 2000 the next day, and at the end of the screening Roy E. Disney actually stood up from the audience and asked people what they thought, and then was going around row to row talking to people in groups.

I was only 9 at the time so only recognized him as the guy from the beginning of the Snow White VHS tape, but he got a big applause from the audience.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Fun story for me with this one. My family was at the mall one day and someone asked us if we wanted to preview a new Disney film.

We got tickets to see Fantasia 2000 the next day, and at the end of the screening Roy E. Disney actually stood up from the audience and asked people what they thought, and then was going around row to row talking to people in groups.

I was only 9 at the time so only recognized him as the guy from the beginning of the Snow White VHS tape, but he got a big applause from the audience.

What a fantastic experience that I hope you’ll never forget. It’s a very beautiful film. I know exactly of the Roy E. Disney/Snow White reference you speak of. It’s ingrained in my memory.

 

[montydysquith-navarro]

I believe of recent shows it breaks down:


Harmonious: Davidson
World of color One: Davidson
Disney Illuminations in Paris: Davidson
Believe Sea of Dreams: Davidson
Pixar Together Forever: Davidson
Disneyland Forever: Davidson
Mix Magic: Davidson

Happily Ever After: Jung
Illuminate in Shanghai: Jung
Momentous: Jung
Wondrous Journeys: Jung

Enchantment was done by a team based in Florida I think, but someone correct me if that is in correct.

The show director for HEA was James Silson, Enchantment was Mark Renfrow.
James is also the show director behind Momentous & Illuminate
Wondrous & Magic Happens is Jordan Peterson I believe

Adding to this:

• World of Color: One is directed by Wendy Ruth and produced by Jennifer Magill. For WoC in general, Steve was only involved in the original version, Winter Dreams (lifted to Paris as "Disney Dreams of Christmas"), and Celebrate, I believe.
• Believe! Sea of Dreams is directed/produced by Roger Heartsner, not sure which (his LinkedIn bio says that he's doing both for WDI). Wendy was also involved in this show as Assoc. Creative Director, Asst. Show Director, & co-writer.
• Pixar Together Forever is directed by John Addis and Susana Tubert
• Mickey's Mix Magic is directed by Steve, but produced by David Duffy

 

[Californian Elitist]

My thoughts on first viewing were similar.
Just too much going on once things get going.

I also find the style of graphics / color palette to be too ‘busy’ visually.
The only real ‘wow’ moments for me first time was when the Castle had a ‘sparkling platinum’ look for a brief moment between show segments.

As always, one really needs to see this type of show in person before passing judgement.
But upon first viewing my impression towards the end of the show was it tries to be a copy somewhat of WDWs ‘Happily Ever After’ production.
There are similar elements not just visually but ‘story’ wise.
Most of today’s stateside Disney Theme Park fireworks shows seem to just be copies of each other..with the same basic ‘video clip show’ and overstimulation in the visuals.

Sometimes less is more.
Someone remind them of that….

Having said all that, the projections on the Castle look very nice image quality wise.
The colors have a good saturation and the images are clear.

We have all this great tech now….but have yet to have seen a production really put it to good use.
Call me old fashioned, but the original ‘Remember….Dreams Come True’ at Disneyland still has not been topped.
And that had no fancy ( and overused ) projections.



-

RDCT should be in its own lane and, in my opinion, and shouldn’t be compared to other firework shows because of how unique it was.

The projections are absolutely needed in a show like Wondrous, due to Disney including references to every single Disney Animation Studios film. There is no way they could have done this without projections and images. If they were to have solely or mostly relied on audio, the concept just wouldn’t have worked.

 

[Disney Analyst]

Steve is still the VP of Parades and Spectaculars, so
all those show directors report to him, and he would have a hand in everything in small or big ways.

 

[CaptinEO]

What a fantastic experience that I hope you’ll never forget. It’s a very beautiful film. I know exactly of the Roy E. Disney/Snow White reference you speak of. It’s ingrained in my memory.

I'm glad you liked hearing my story! Definitely a cool moment I was happy to be a part of. To be honest I'm not even sure if Disney does test screenings anymore. Could anyone imagine the current board being hands on in their products like this?

That's so funny you remember that VHS tape opening too! Glad someone else here knows what I am talking about!

 

[AndyS2992]

I think it's a great show, though for celebrating 100 years, they have seemingly skipped over the vast majority of the 1940s, 70s, 80s and mid 2000s. Seems even Strange World didn't even get a look in. Only watched it once so may have missed a few things. Didn't care for the part where the songs all overlapped though, too much going on and sounds messy. But otherwise a good show I'd say.

 

[CaptinEO]

Close up of the Blue Fairy -

Lightmagic throwback?

 

[Californian Elitist]

I'm glad you liked hearing my story! Definitely a cool moment I was happy to be a part of. To be honest I'm not even sure if Disney does test screenings anymore. Could anyone imagine the current board being hands on in their products like this?

That's so funny you remember that VHS tape opening too! Glad someone else here knows what I am talking about!

I’m not sure if they do them either. I went to a lot of Disney screenings when I was a kid (thanks to my uncle, who was head of security for the Walt Disney Studios for many years), but they were the post-production ones, not test screenings. Went to a few cast parties. I wouldn’t be surprised if they no longer do test screenings.

I remember going to a screening for Universal’s Peter Pan 20 years ago (YIKES) at the Arclight in Hollywood, and Jeremy Sumpter and Rachel Hurd-Wood, who played Peter and Wendy, respectively, were there (they sat in front of us). I remember after the film was over, my mom shook Hurd-Wood’s shoulder so forcefully and congratulated her on her performance. Poor girl lol.

 

[CaptinEO]

I’m not sure if they do them either. I went to a lot of Disney screenings when I was a kid (thanks to my uncle, who was head of security for the Walt Disney Studios for many years), but they were the post-production ones, not test screenings. Went to a few cast parties. I wouldn’t be surprised if they no longer do test screenings.

I remember going to a screening for Universal’s Peter Pan 20 years ago (YIKES) at the Arclight in Hollywood, and Jeremy Sumpter and Rachel Hurd-Wood, who played Peter and Wendy, respectively, were there (they sat in front of us). I remember after the film was over, my mom shook Hurd-Wood’s shoulder so forcefully and congratulated her on her performance. Poor girl lol.

That is so cool you got to see those Disney post production screenings! Thats a really neat story, hold onto those memories!

That must've been great to have the actual Peter Pan actors there in front of you! Hopefully your mom didn't hurt her too much hahaha, she was probably just being nice and enthusiastic.

 

[brb1006]

Definitely. I’m actually considering re-watching Home on the Range. Only saw it once in theaters when I was a kid. I remember liking it, but not loving it. Definitely not rewatching Chicken Little, that one was a snooze fest (my entire family fell asleep in the theater). I also want to re-watch Treasure Planet, Atlantis, and The Black Cauldron (I love that movie).

I watch the Walt classics more than I watch the more modern ones. However, there are some that I haven’t seen in a while that I’d like to watch, like Bambi.

Aww Bambi! I remember watching that movie religiously as a kid once the "Bambi Special Edition" was released back in DVD. My DVD copy came with a special commentary track by former animators of the film talking about certain scenes in the film. I'll never forget when the film got to the scene when Bambi first meets Faline as fawns, the animators were reminiscing about Cammie King (who voiced young Faline) because of how sweet and fun she was during the film's production.

 

[brb1006]

I want my mommy.

 

[brb1006]

I think it's a great show, though for celebrating 100 years, they have seemingly skipped over the vast majority of the 1940s, 70s, 80s and mid 2000s. Seems even Strange World didn't even get a look in. Only watched it once so may have missed a few things. Didn't care for the part where the songs all overlapped though, too much going on and sounds messy. But otherwise a good show I'd say.

Yeah the only downside is the lack of representation of The Silly Symphonies characters (The Three Little Pigs, Elmer the Elephant, and others) and 40s and 70s era Disney Films. Surprised at the lack of The Three Caballeros.

 

[tcool123]

Yeah the only downside is the lack of representation of The Silly Symphonies characters (The Three Little Pigs, Elmer the Elephant, and others) and 40s and 70s era Disney Films. Surprised at the lack of The Three Caballeros.

Well at least The Old Mill got some central spotlight!

I'm not surprised from a lesser focus on the 40's/70's they've never been the most regarded. With that said The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh did play a role in the finale, and the other three animated films of the 70's were represented. For the 40's Bambi played a big part in the beginning, and Dumbo is for sure in the show. The various package films are likely hard to point out amongst all the projections (and for understandable reasons none of them are particular gems in the Disney Vault).

 

[SuddenStorm]

Yeah…. Him and Baxter and Rafferty and Rohde don’t have a clue do they?

What an insane thing to say.

When I said it felt like a Davison show I meant it as a compliment.

Rafferty, Baxter, and Rohde didn't design shows they designed parks, lands, and rides. A very different type of skillset- and of those three I'd say Baxter and Rohde are the clear leaders, with Tony's legendary impact on Disneyland Park and Rohde's work for Animal Kingdom, even if they both had their share of misses. I read Rafferty's book a few years ago and while he had some amazing contributions to Disney Parks- none of his work reached legendary status like Baxter or Rohde.

Davison peaked about 20 years ago with Remember Dreams Come True, though I am also fairly nostalgic for Believe... There's Magic in the Stars. I can't stand most of his work and despise what he did to Fantasmic.

 

[wtyy21]

Steve is still the VP of Parades and Spectaculars, so
all those show directors report to him, and he would have a hand in everything in small or big ways.

Steve now more focused of directed/produced shows for International Disney theme parks, i believe. Whilst for domestic parks, many shows was directed/produced by other WDI/Disney Live Entertainment team but still report to him.

 

[Disney Analyst]

Rafferty, Baxter, and Rohde didn't design shows they designed parks, lands, and rides. A very different type of skillset- and of those three I'd say Baxter and Rohde are the clear leaders, with Tony's legendary impact on Disneyland Park and Rohde's work for Animal Kingdom, even if they both had their share of misses. I read Rafferty's book a few years ago and while he had some amazing contributions to Disney Parks- none of his work reached legendary status like Baxter or Rohde.

Davison peaked about 20 years ago with Remember Dreams Come True, though I am also fairly nostalgic for Believe... There's Magic in the Stars. I can't stand most of his work and despise what he did to Fantasmic.

World of Color (the original before the silly Pirate revisions) was fab.

Paint the Night is Steve, also fab.

Some show will work for some, some won't. But he's done a lot of incredible work.

 

[waltography]

World of Color (the original before the silly Pirate revisions) was fab.

Paint the Night is Steve, also fab.

Some show will work for some, some won't. But he's done a lot of incredible work.

I’m of two minds in that Davison at his best does some really wonderful work (I too love WoC), but it feels like he’s either phoned it in in recent years or has his preferred titles that get tiring to look at in every single project. I like new blood in DLE.

 

[Disney Analyst]

I’m of two minds in that Davison at his best does some really wonderful work (I too love WoC), but it feels like he’s either phoned it in in recent years or has his preferred titles that get tiring to look at in every single project. I like new blood in DLE.

I also have thought that when Chapek was in charge of Parks, and by the sounds of it... was very much a micromanager, I am unsure how much decision making creatives had for... IP use.

Anyway, I think any creative will have hits and misses. It happens in live entertainment.