Disney Dreams!
Disney Dreams! was a nighttime spectacular at Disneyland Park in Disneyland Paris.[1] Designed specially for the park's 20th anniversary in 2012, the show originally ran from 1 April 2012 to 24 March 2017, when it was replaced by Disney Illuminations.[2][3][4] A revival of the show is set to premiere on 12 April 2023, as part of the park's 30th anniversary celebrations.[5][6]
| Disney Dreams! | |
|---|---|
| Disneyland Park (Paris) | |
| Status | Removed |
| Soft opening date | 31 March 2012 |
| Opening date | 1 April 2012 (original) 12 April 2023 (revival) |
| Closing date | 24 March 2017 (original) |
| Replaced | The Enchanted Fireworks Disney Illuminations |
| Replaced by | Disney Illuminations |
| Ride statistics | |
| Attraction type | Multimedia, water, pyrotechnic show |
| Designer | Disney Live Entertainment |
| Theme | Dreams and Disney's animated films |
| Music | Joel McNeely |
| Duration | 20–22 minutes |
| Host | Peter Pan and Wendy Darling |
| Languages | English French |
Conceived by World of Color creator Steve Davison, the show features projection mapping onto the park's castle, fireworks, water fountains,[7] fire, music, lasers, searchlights, mist screens and other special effects.[8]
Plot
The story of Dreams is based on numerous Disney films and franchises such as Peter Pan, Disney Villains and Disney Princesses. Peter Pan's shadow escapes from him once again and ruins the magic of the star. The dripping magic sparkle shapes into Lumière from Beauty and the Beast. Peter's shadow goes through a number of Disney films, including Ratatouille, Aladdin, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Lion King, Brave, Tangled, and The Princess and the Frog.
Peter's shadow is captured by Dr. Facilier and threatened by other Disney villains. Peter's shadow is then returned to Peter Pan and tries to defeat Captain Hook. Peter spots Tinker Bell and tells her to put the magic of the Second Star where it belongs.
At the end, Peter and Wendy fly off as Wendy says "On s'envole Peter! On s'envole!" ("We fly away, Peter! We fly away!") to the music of "You Can Fly!" which is followed by a short reprise of "The Second Star to the Right".
Show history
Since spring 2011, Dreams began testing with original projector animations but, in late 2011, some scenes that were tested in early 2011 were deleted and others were changed. Using the technique of projection mapping, the castle can be visually transformed in numerous ways such as shrinking, spinning and turrets flipping. In February and March 2012, users were posting pictures and videos of Dreams.
Original run (2012–2017)
In late February, DLRP Today reported that the premiere of Disney Dreams! would be broadcast live on French TV network MYTF1 hosted by E! France host Sandrine Quétier. Also reported was that Dreams would be simultaneously broadcast live on the official Disneyland Paris YouTube channel. On 31 March 2012 at 10:30pm, the live broadcast was discovered to be a pre-recorded version of Dreams from when it was being tested.[citation needed]
In 2013, the show introduced two new scenes from The Lion King and Brave. The two scenes replaced the original Mary Poppins and Jungle Book scenes. In addition, the Disney Light Ears were introduced, which are remotely controlled light-up ears that are synced to the show. LEDs inside the ears light up in a variety of different colours. The Light Ears (known as "Glow with the Show" Ears in the US) debuted in 2012 at Disney California Adventure for World of Color and eventually made its way to Disneyland Park in California and Walt Disney World in Florida for Fantasmic! and all of its firework shows.
In 2015, a new scene from Frozen was introduced, replacing the scene from Brave, as part of the Frozen Summer Fun celebrations.[9] The Brave sequence was then reinstated in its place after the celebration ended. Both The Lion King and Brave sequences remained in the show until its first closing in March 2017.
On 17 October 2016, it was announced that Dreams will be replaced by Disney Illuminations, as part of the resort's 25th Anniversary celebrations.[2][3] The show had its first closure on 24 March 2017 (originally announced to be 25 March), with Illuminations beginning on 26 March.
Disney Dreams! of Christmas
On 10 November 2013, a full-length show titled Disney Dreams! of Christmas debuted. Sharing similar elements with Disney California Adventure's World of Color: Winter Dreams, the show is hosted bilingually by Olaf (English) and Anna (French) from Frozen. The show celebrates the winter season with several holiday-themed segments, featuring scenes from Frozen, Toy Story, Bambi, Fantasia, One Hundred and One Dalmatians, Mickey's Christmas Carol, Lady and the Tramp, Melody Time, and various vintage Mickey Mouse shorts.[10] The show incorporates traditional holiday-related music, including "Sleigh Ride", "Carol of the Bells", "Let it Snow", "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year", "Believe", "Silent Night", the "Nutcracker Suite", "Jingle Bells", and "Joy to the World." The show's theme song, "Make a Wish", is sung by Heather Headley.
For the 2014 Christmas season, Disney Dreams! of Christmas was reprogrammed to reflect some of the changes made to its Californian cousin. Several show scenes were reorganized, including the Frozen section (extending it with two additional songs, "In Summer" and "Love Is an Open Door" sung in French) and the Toy Story Nutcracker section (shortening it with three cut songs). The penultimate sing-along scene was also cut in the new version.
The show originally ran from 10 November 2013 to 8 January 2017.
On 1 September 2022, it was announced that the show will be revived and included in the 2022–2023 Christmas season programming.[11] Running from 12 November 2022 to 8 January 2023, the 2014–2017 iteration of the show is used and is bookended by the existing Disney D-Light pre-show and a new post-show called Follow the Light (both designed for the park's 30th Anniversary celebrations).[12] The revival also introduced new LED mesh screens that were placed on some of the castle's roofs, replacing the long-used light cages.
2023 revival
Despite its closure, Dreams was temporarily revived several times throughout the run of Illuminations, oftentimes for paid after-hours events for the resort's Annual Passholders (AP). The show in its entirety was brought back during Mickey Mouse's 90th Birthday Party AP event in 2018, while its finale was used to close the Mickey's Magical Souvenirs show that was presented during the 30th Anniversary AP Party in 2022.
On 10 January 2023, it was announced that Dreams will be revived as part of the resort's 30th anniversary "Grand Finale", replacing Illuminations.[5][6] The show will be presented starting 12 April 2023, the park's 31st anniversary and 11 years since its debut. The revival will also use the new LED mesh screens installed on the castle roofs for the Dreams! of Christmas revival in 2022. The Disney D-Light pre-show that was introduced in 2022 will also be presented before Dreams.
Music
Joel McNeely composed the music for the show, which was performed by the London Symphony Orchestra, Cara Dillon, a children's choir and an adult choir.[13] Some music pieces for the show are from the 2002 film Return to Never Land, which he also scored.
Key
- – Song included
- – Song excluded
| Music | Film/Artist | 2012 Premiere | 2013–2014 | 2015 | 2016 | September 2016 to March 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January to June | June to September | ||||||
| Main Title "You Can Fly!" "Never Smile at a Crocodile" "A Pirate's Life" | Return to Neverland | ||||||
| The Second Star to the Right | Peter Pan | ||||||
| Be Our Guest Can-can | Beauty and the Beast | ||||||
| Le Festin | Ratatouille | ||||||
| Friend Like Me | Aladdin | ||||||
| Out There | The Hunchback of Notre Dame | ||||||
| Step in Time | Mary Poppins | ||||||
| I Wanna Be Like You | The Jungle Book | ||||||
| The Circle of Life I Just Can't Wait to Be King Hakuna Matata | The Lion King | ||||||
| Fate and Destiny Touch the Sky Remember to Smile | Brave | ||||||
| Let It Go | Frozen | ||||||
| I See the Light | Tangled | ||||||
| Friends on the Other Side | The Princess and the Frog | ||||||
| Reprise: You Can Fly! The Second Star to the Right | Peter Pan | ||||||
| Come Dream A Dream Closing Song | Cara Dillon Sam Lakeman | ||||||
Technology
The show is known to use a large amount of audio-visual, lighting, pyrotechnic and hydrotechnic technology.
The show is controlled from a specially built control room, delivered by special convoy and themed as a small Victorian-themed garden shed on the Central Plaza facing the castle. 70 km of fibre optics allow the show to be managed from this location. The show is operated by a main controller with three technicians to look after audio, video and special effects. However other technicians are placed at around the Castle to ensure the smooth running of the show, especially at the firing points. In total, twenty people are necessary at each performance.[14]
Projection
16 Christie Projectors are used throughout the show to projection map onto the 2,500sqm castle[14] which has been 3D scanned to create a computer model.[15] Four projectors are installed on the roof of Main Street buildings, with an additional eight in purpose-built locations around the moat and viewing area. The other four are used to project onto the water screens either side of the moat.[14] Windscreen wipers are in use to keep the projection glass clear.[16] Although no exact details have been released by Disney, a behind the scenes video on their official YouTube channel shows a GrandMA2 and Hippo Media Servers, Hippotizers, in use in the control booth for the show.[15]
Sound
The pre-recorded soundtrack for the attraction is played through speakers around the Central Plaza viewing area.
Lighting
Three 'Skytracer' moving lights have been installed either side of the Castle for aerial effects while four lasers are used on the roofs of main street, in the castle and inside the 'Second Star to the Right' at the top of the castle.[14]
Thanks to a patented technology, since Summer 2013, audience members can now take part in the show with Disney Dreams Light'Ears that are synchronised with the show using Infrared technology.[14][17]
Pyrotechnics
The two main firework launch points are located on the roofs of Fantasyland while Pyrotechnics are used on the castle itself.[14] There are a total of 58 launching points on the castle and a further 18 behind it.[15] 15 isopar flamethrowers with telescopic arms are located around the castle building, projecting fire up to 15 meters into the air, with heat that can be felt by the audience. Each flamethrower has a weather station that prevents the device from firing in unsuitable weather conditions, in order to prevent damage to the castle.[14]
Hydrotechnics
Disney Dreams! utilises 37 fixed and 6 moving fountains which are capable of firing water up to 40 meters high. Featuring LEDs at their base, the patented designs have been used at Disney California Adventure in World of Color. Two retractable mist screens are also used as additional projection surfaces used periodically throughout the show. These systems use recycled water from the castle's moat while a fog generator operates with drinking water for hygiene purposes.[14]
See also
Notes
- ^ http://www.dlrppressinternational.com/ViewPressRelease.aspx?PressReleaseID=117275[failed verification]
- ^ a b "It Is Time to Celebrate – Disneyland Paris 25th Anniversary Coming in 2017". Disney Parks Blog. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ a b "Disneyland Paris 25th Anniversary announcement: new attractions, shows & parade confirmed". Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ yasmin (18 October 2016). "Disneyland Paris 25th Anniversary deconstructed: Disney Illuminations". DLP Today. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
- ^ a b "Disneyland Paris Offers Magical New Experiences Ahead of the Grand Finale of its 30th Anniversary – DisneylandParis News". Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ a b Self, Jon (14 January 2023). "'Disney Dreams!' returns to Disneyland Paris". Attractions Magazine. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ "Water show : Aquatic Show, water special effects and international water show".
- ^ http://www.dlrppressinternational.com/ViewPressRelease.aspx?PressReleaseID=117270[failed verification]
- ^ "Summer at Disneyland Paris | Disneyland Paris Events". Retrieved 21 July 2015.
- ^ "Disneyland Paris Offers up a 'Frozen' Holiday Celebration". 21 November 2013. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
- ^ "As Part of the 30th Anniversary Celebration, the Magic of Christmas will be Even Stronger at Disneyland Paris from November 12th, 2022 to January 8th, 2023 – DisneylandParis News". Retrieved 13 November 2022.
- ^ ""Disney Dreams! of Christmas" Returns to Disneyland Paris for 2022 Holiday Season". Mousesteps. 1 September 2022. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
- ^ . Archived from the original on 9 May 2012. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "NewsParcs - A look behind the scenes of Disney Dreams! at Disneyland Paris". NewsParcs. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
- ^ a b c Disneyland Paris (25 April 2013), [FR / EN] Making Of Disney Dreams! at Disneyland Paris, retrieved 8 May 2016
- ^ dlrpfans (5 December 2013), Disneyland Paris Disney Dreams Backstage, retrieved 8 May 2016
- ^ "Disney Dreams Light'Ears | Costume Accessories | Disney Store". www.disneystore.co.uk. Retrieved 8 May 2016.