From 26 March 2017, Disneyland Park presents Disney Illuminations, a new night-time show, specially created to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Disneyland Paris. This show, which features cutting-edge technology including projections, light effects, water jets, special effects and fireworks, transforms Sleeping Beauty Castle on a daily basis. Every evening, Mickey takes us on a journey to a land of dreams, accompanied by the heroes of animated masterpieces. For the first time, the show also features the projection of live action film images.
MICKEY TAKES US ON A JOURNEY TO THE LAND OF DISNEY AND PIXAR FILMS
Stepping straight out of Walt Disney’s imagination, Mickey is the perfect guide for this dreamlike journey. “I like to revisit the roots of this slightly awkward but big-hearted hero; this is a part of childhood that we all share. That is why it is so easy for us to identify with
Him”, explains Katy Harris, the Show Director. In Disney Illuminations, it is therefore up to the famous mouse to open the doors and lead us to the land of dreams…
“In this show, we have been guided by the major Disney and Pixar classics from the last 25 years” reveals Katy Harris.
Without disclosing the story behind the show, we will firstly see our hero seeking love under the stars in the savannah from The Lion King, diving under the ocean accompanied by the heroes of The Little Mermaid and surfing the East Australian current, as seen in Finding Nemo. No procession of major animated films would be complete without a stormy appearance from Frozen! The show features many spectacular musical sequences with a mixture of romance and action that will amaze guests of all ages.
PROJECTION OF LIVE ACTION FILM IMAGES FOR THE FIRST TIME
“To mark the occasion of the 25th Anniversary, for the first time, we have been able to incorporate images from live action films in this night-time show at Disneyland Park,” says Katy Harris, with pride. As such, guests will be able to witness an incredible naval battle, including cannon shots fired by the Black Pearl, the legendary ship of Jack Sparrow. “This innovation was required for a project which is also linked to our history. Indeed, this is the year that the new Pirates of the Caribbean film will be released in cinemas and the 50th anniversary of the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction, which was the inspiration behind the film”.
Finally, stars will also be on the agenda with a sequence of live action images which will delight all Star Wars fans. Will the Millennium Falcon, TIE Fighters and Stormtroopers feature in the show? As evasive as a Jedi Master, Katy Harris simply states that an “epic battle is in danger of engulfing the entire galaxy”…
STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNOLOGY TRANSFORMS SLEEPING BEAUTY CASTLE INTO A SCREEN FOR EVERY DREAM
“Walt Disney used to say that all of Disneyland was a stage and this saying still inspires us today,” explains Katy Harris. “Consequently, at Disneyland Paris shows do not only take place in theatres, beautiful though they are, but everywhere. And in Disney Illuminations, Sleeping Beauty Castle is not just scenery, “it is the screen on which we project our wildest dreams… and share them with guests”.
“Mapping”, the technology that allows the projection of images or video onto large surfaces, was a revolution even five years ago. Today, “it continues to evolve and allows us to go further in creating real-life, moving light frescoes on the Castle”. Sounds, lights, laser effects, fireworks and water jets: all possible techniques have been used by the Entertainment and Imagineering1 teams. John Lasseter, the visionary behind the recent Disney and Pixar successes, often states that “art challenges technology and technology inspires art”. And Katy Harris concludes: “We remain storytellers, first and foremost”.
Every evening, Disney Illuminations provides a spectacular end to a day spent in Disneyland® Park during its 25th Anniversary year. And, together with Mickey and Friends, continues to weave the fabric from which dreams are made.
