BWW Reviews: Disney's WORLD OF COLOR Is A Splashy Spectacular

"We're not being subtle with this one," explains Disney Parks & Resorts Chairman Tom Staggs, before unveiling the world premiere "performance" of WORLD OF COLOR on June 10, 2010 to an audience made up of media, VIPs, and celebrities. He is, of course, boasting about Disney's latest outdoor spectacular at the refurbished Paradise Bay area of Disney's California Adventure park (the sister theme park across the way from the original Disneyland park in Anaheim, California).

"Subtle" is, frankly, an understatement. In what is perhaps the most elaborately-choreographed water ballet ever set to lights, animation and music, WORLD OF COLOR rises (literally) from the waters of Paradise Bay reaching far up and wide with a dazzling display that is equal parts technical innovation and emotionally resonant imagery. Such a combination of wizardry and storytelling showmanship is fairly synonymous with the Disney oeuvre, whether it be in the intelligent artistry of its Pixar films or in the way stories are interwoven into the winding queue hallways of its imaginative theme park rides. This proud sense of pomp and circumstance is intentional, reminding us all about the man whose name became a brand.

To dismiss the show as just another theme park offering to lull tourists into submission is a misguided one. While, yes, on the surface it may just be just another fancy outdoor, nighttime, Vegas-style, musically-choreographed water fountain, it really is much, much more than that. WORLD OF COLOR takes the idea of a water show and amplifies the heck of out it. Giving it a sense of theatrical splendor—with help from a lot of Disney-imagineered magic—the show combines many of the elements of modern theater...except the actors in this extravagant musical are the animated characters that magically come to life before our eyes, as well as the hard-working fountains (almost 1,200 of them) working together like an excellent ensemble cast, shooting flumes as high as 200 feet in the air. The result is an awe-inspiring, often heart-tugging mixture of classic and modern-day scenes from the Disney animation catalog set to some of the most familiar tunes in pop culture, all while water spouts shoot up, out and every which way possible in a cacophony of color.

The show is no doubt inspired by—and steals its name from—the classic Disney anthology TV series Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color, which aired on NBC (at least with this specific title) from 1961 to 1969. The first TV series of its kind to broadcast in color, the show became an eye-popping new innovation to those with Color-TV sets. The conceit sounds familiar: they introduced a technical marvel to an audience that has never seen such innovative use of color for the purposes of projecting creative things. And just like that TV series, WORLD OF COLOR opens with the catchy theme song composed by Robert and Richard Sherman ("The world is a carousel of color... color...color!"), the same inimitable composing team responsible for the music in many Walt Disney classics including MARY POPPINS, as well as the easily-stuck-in-the-head anthem of the IT'S A SMALL WORLD ride at Disneyland park.

If you have yet to see the show and would prefer not to read any SPOILERS, consider this sentence your warning.

Aside from the familiar songs, WORLD OF COLOR presents many of Disney's remarkable filmography, which come to life with the show's genius system of water screens and precision-timed fountains. It's quite an immersive experience depending on where you stand in the beautifully-appointed park/viewing arena, where even the lamps and light fixtures are keenly choreographed in conjunction with the main show on the water. While lacking any real, theatrical story arc, the three-act show makes an emotional journey from the ocean depths where whales rule to a world tour flight via magic carpet. Highlighted quite ingeniously at the show's start are "Part of Your World" and "Under the Sea" from The Little Mermaid, where the water spouts seem to dance as effortlessly and remarkably as the animated characters they reflect.

The montages continue through a few sequences from the underrated Fantasia 2000, here looking (and sounding) more state-of-the art than ever, before turning "dark" (in theme, not in the lack of lighting) with a few of the scarier moments in the Disney vault. Here, not only are the colored water flumes bursting with anger and wrath, the palpable heat from the real fire torches that shoot off like canons can likely singe those in the very front rows. It's quite intense and thrilling. As a palette cleanser after the darker "villains" section of the show, the final act showcases the sweeter moments of classic Disney films. The only gripe I have with WORLD OF COLOR is perhaps this very use of the three-act structure. Though it has its merits, the abrupt gaps that separate each "act" ("section" may be the better nomenclature) from each other is a bit jarring and interruptive.

There are plenty of memorable moments all jockeying for attention: from the gorgeous musical sequences of Pocahontas (never has this wonderful Stephen Schwartz-scored sequence sounded and looked more ethereal than here) to the thundering stampede sequence and subsequently tear-inducing aftermath of The Lion King. (This reviewer found it odd that I was somehow more moved with this scene here than I was when I saw it played live by human actors in the recent touring production of the stage musical). Also worth noting: the incredible, laser-filled Buzz Lightyear sequence and the far too brief appearance of the balloon-propelled house in UP. The Pixar films make quite an impression in this particular format, most especially with the hilarious Finding Nemo and the subtly romantic WALL•E. The nostalgic nature of these sequences in conjunction with the impressive acrobatics of the fountains all make for a satisfyingly entertaining 25-minute show. Some of the remarkable shapes and colors created by these water sprays will have you delightfully perplexed and wondering "how did they do THAT?!"

Many will argue that WORLD OF COLOR may just be a fancier, more expensive version of the already entertaining FANTASMIC! show that plays across the plaza at the Rivers of America in Disneyland park. Perhaps. But WORLD OF COLOR is, to be sure, a theatrical triumph of lights, fire, water, nostalgia and, yes, color. The world indeed is much more wonderful with color.

Photos ©Disney

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WORLD OF COLOR opens to the public on June 11, 2010 and will be presented twice nightly through Aug. 29 (except June 16-17 when Disney California Adventure will be closed for Grad Nights) as part of the Disneyland Resort's "Summer Nightastic!" season. Guests will stand during the 25-minute shows – at 9 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. – and they may bring strollers into the reserved viewing area.

For primary viewing of the show in Paradise Park, guests will need to obtain a special FASTPASS for WORLD OF COLOR or they can select from several Dinner and Picnic packages that include reserved viewing. Guests who do not obtain a FASTPASS or reserve dinner packages for WORLD OF COLOR may watch the show from viewing locations around Paradise Bay.

For more information, visit the official web site at www.disneyland.com, call 866/60-DISNEY or view the Disney Parks blog at disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog.

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