Disney is adding a fresh twist to its iconic World of Color show, allowing guests to personalize the experience for the first time.
This change, which will debut on May 16, is part of Disneyland Resort’s 70th anniversary celebrations and promises to give audiences a more interactive and tailored experience. With the inclusion of new technologies and a voting system, the new iteration of Disney California Adventure Park’s nighttime spectacular – World of Color: Happiness! – aims to offer a unique performance on various nights.
A Brief History of World of Color
For over a decade, World of Color has been a signature nighttime show at Disney California Adventure, dazzling audiences with a spectacular combination of water, light, music, and beloved Disney characters. Since its debut in 2010, the show has undergone several updates, each enhancing its technology and expanding its storytelling. The show was originally performed in Paradise Pier, which was later reimagined as Pixar Pier.
The most recent version of the show, World of Color – One, was introduced as part of Disney’s centennial celebration. Featuring characters from Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar, Lucasfilm, and Marvel Studios, this version aimed to celebrate the company’s 100-year history.
However, it wasn’t as widely embraced as previous versions, leaving plenty of space for a new version to step in for Disneyland’s anniversary.
A New Direction for World of Color
World of Color: Happiness! will debut with a refreshed theme and new technological elements. The show will incorporate water projections, lighting, lasers, and flame effects to create a vibrant, emotional experience for guests.
It will take its main inspiration from Walt Disney’s famous dedication speech on Disneyland Park’s opening day, which included the iconic phrase “To all who come to this happy place… welcome.” The show will celebrate happiness and joy.
As always, the new show will feature scenes from several popular films, including Frozen (2013), The Lion King (1994), A Goofy Movie (1995), Tangled (2010), and Turning Red (2022).
A pre-show featuring the Muppets will kick things off, followed by a performance of Kermit the Frog’s beloved song “Rainbow Connection,” covered by Boyz II Men. The show will also feature a new track by artist FITZ titled “Makes Me Wanna Move.”
Guest Voting Takes Center Stage
In a notable shift for the show, Disney is introducing an interactive component that allows guests to personalize the World of Color experience.
Visitors to Disney California Adventure will be able to vote via the Disneyland app for one of four emotions from the Inside Out series: Sadness, Anger, Disgust, or Envy. The emotion with the most votes will be featured prominently in the night’s performance, influencing certain scenes.
Each guest will be allowed one vote per day, ensuring that the show reflects the mood of the audience. While Joy, the film’s main emotion, is notably absent from the voting options, she has an even more important role to play: hosting the show.
It’s still unclear how each emotion will specifically alter the performance, but the new voting system promises to make each night’s show unique for those in attendance.
This interactive element follows Disney’s previous attempts to engage audiences through audience-driven content. In 2024, the company debuted an Inside Out 2 (2024) pre-show for World of Color – One, featuring characters from the upcoming Pixar film. Given the success of Inside Out 2, which grossed nearly $1.7 billion globally and is set to spawn a third film in the future, Disney is continuing to tap into its popular Pixar franchises for new attractions.
World of Color: Happiness! represents a new chapter for one of Disney’s most beloved nighttime shows, blending emotional storytelling with interactive elements. With the combination of fan-favorite films and audience participation, this new version of World of Color is set to offer a unique and personalized experience, further solidifying its place as a must-see spectacle at Disneyland Resort.
Are you excited for World of Color: Happiness!?
