Disney Dreams! is 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 premiered on 12 April 2023, as part of the park's extended 30th anniversary celebrations, and as part of the Disney 100 Years of Wonder celebrations.[5][6]
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]
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 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.
Dreams was 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.
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 StoryNutcracker 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.
The show was 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 since 2004.
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.
Dreams was revived as part of the resort's 30th anniversary "Grand Finale", replacing Illuminations.[5][6] The revival premiered on 12 April 2023, the park's 31st anniversary and 11 years since its debut. The 2013–2014 version of the show (which includes the replacement The Lion King and Brave sections) is used.[13] An updated version of the Disney D-Light pre-show that was introduced in 2022 is also presented before each show. The show also uses the new LED mesh screens installed on the castle roofs for the Dreams of Christmas! revival in 2022.
From 24 April until late September 2023, due to the aftermath of Fantasmic! Maleficent animatronic dragon fire at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, the fire effects had temporarily cut from the show. They have since been restored.
† – replaced the original sections from the 2012 premiere ("Step in Time" from Mary Poppins, "I Wan'na Be Like You (The Monkey Song)" from The Jungle Book respectively. "Come Dream A Dream" replaced "Un monde qui s'illumine" by Chantry Johnson, Noemie Legrand, and Tony Ferrari from 1 October 2023 at the end of the park's 30th anniversary celebrations)‡ – replaced by "Let It Go" from Frozen in 2015 and 2016
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. 70km 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.[15]
Projection
16 Christie video projectors were originally used throughout the show to projection map onto the 2,500 sqm castle[15] which has been 3D scanned to create a computer model.[16] 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 were used to project onto the water screens either side of the moat.[15] Windscreen wipers are in use to keep the projection glass clear.[17] 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.[16]
With the removal of the water screens in 2017 in preparation for Illuminations, the four projectors used for that effect were removed. In preparation for the 2023 revival of Dreams, the remaining 12 LED-lamp projectors were replaced with laser-lamp ones to improve show quality of the projected images and consume less electricity.[13]
Sound
The pre-recorded soundtrack for the show is played through speakers around the Central Plaza viewing area. Originally recorded in stereo, the soundtrack was updated to a 4.1 mix for the 2023 revival.
Lighting
10 moving lights or "skytracers" were originally 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.[15] For the 2023 revival, an additional 18 laser-lamp type skytracers were installed.[13] In Summer 2013, audience members were able take part in the show with Disney Dreams Light'Ears that were synchronized with the show using infrared technology.[15][18]
LED mesh screens were directly installed on several castle roofs for the 2022 revival of Dreams! of Christmas to create additional lighting effects on the roofs and accentuate the projections. Additional mesh screens were installed on the remaining roofs in time for the 2023 revival of Dreams, notably on the rightmost tower.
Pyrotechnics
The two main firework launch points are located on the roofs of Fantasyland while pyrotechnics are used on the castle itself.[15] There are a total of 58 launching points on the castle and a further 18 behind it.[16] 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.[15]
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 were 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.[15] The mist screens were removed in 2017 during the preparation for Illuminations, and did not return for the 2023 revival; the scenes formerly projected onto them are projected onto the castle instead.
Premiering on 5 March 2022 for the park's 30th Anniversary, the Disney D-Light pre-show played before the nightly presentation of Disney Dreams during the park's 30th anniversary celebration. It has an original score based on several musical themes from Disney films and the park's anniversary theme song, "Un monde qui s'illumine". Choreographed light drones form several images above the castle, including the Second Star to the Right, a shooting star, and the Mickey Mouse-shaped 30th Anniversary logo. The second version of the pre-show was supposed to premiere on 12 April 2023 alongside Disney Dreams, but due to wind, it premiered the next day instead. Disney D-Light had its last performance on 30 September, the end of the 30th Anniversary celebrations.[19][20]
From 1 October this was replaced by a projection show "Nightfall with Disney Villains", which does not use drones.
A new show called Disney Electrical Sky Parade, inspired by Disneyland Paris version of Main Street Electrical Parade, temporarily premiered on 8 January 2024, as part of Disney Symphony of Colours celebration.[21][22]
"It's a Small World" is an Old Mill boat ride located in the Fantasyland area at various Disney theme parks around the world, including Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California; Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort in Bay Lake, Florida; Tokyo Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, and Hong Kong Disneyland. The inaugural version of the ride premiered at the 1964 New York World's Fair before permanently moving to Disneyland in 1966.
The Main Street Electrical Parade is a nighttime parade, created by Robert Jani and project director Ron Miziker. It features floats and live performers covered in over 600,000 electronically controlled LED lights, and uses a synchronized soundtrack triggered by radio control along key areas of the parade route.
Disneyland Park, originally Euro Disneyland Park, is a theme park found at Disneyland Paris in Marne-la-Vallée, France. The park opened on 12 April 1992 as the first of the two parks built at the resort. Designed and built by Walt Disney Imagineering, its layout is similar to Disneyland Park in California and Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World in Florida. Spanning 56.656 ha —the second largest Disney park based on the original, after Shanghai Disneyland Park—it is dedicated to fairy tales and Disney characters.
Cinderella Castle is a fairy tale castle at the center of two Disney theme parks: the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, and Tokyo Disneyland at the Tokyo Disney Resort. Based on Cinderella's fairy tale castle from Disney's 1950 animated feature film, both serve as the symbol and flagship attraction for their respective theme parks. Along with Sleeping Beauty Castle, the Castle is a main symbol of The Walt Disney Company.
Fantasmic! is a nighttime show at Disneyland and Disney's Hollywood Studios. The show formerly operated at Tokyo DisneySea. It features fireworks, characters, live actors, water effects, pyrotechnics, lasers, music, audio-animatronics, searchlights, decorated boat floats, and mist screen projections. The narrative of Fantasmic! is a voyage through Mickey Mouse's imagination that culminates in a battle against the Disney Villains.
Sleeping Beauty Castle is a fairy tale castle at the center of Disneyland and formerly at Hong Kong Disneyland. It is based on the late 19th century Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany. It appeared in the Walt Disney Pictures logos from 1985 to 2006 before being merged with Cinderella Castle, both familiar symbols of The Walt Disney Company. The version at Disneyland is the only Disney castle whose construction was overseen by Walt Disney.
Remember... Dreams Come True was a Disneyland fireworks display commemorating the 50th anniversary of the park in 2005 and 2006. The show featured fireworks, lower level pyrotechnics, isobar flame effects, projection mapping, lasers, searchlights, and lighting set to the soundtracks of some of Disneyland's rides and shows.
Disney Live Entertainment is the theatrical live entertainment production division of Walt Disney Imagineering, the design and development arm of Disney Experiences, a division and business segment of The Walt Disney Company.
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is a Walt Disney World event hosted at Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida on select evenings in November and December leading up to Christmas. It features holiday entertainment including a parade, dance parties, character meet-and-greets, and complimentary treat stations. The event runs from 7:00 pm to midnight, but party guests may enter beginning at 4:00 pm. The event requires purchasing a separate ticket from the general admission ticket counter.
Disney in the Stars was the nightly fireworks performance at the Hong Kong Disneyland theme park in Lantau, Hong Kong.
Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant is the fairy tale castle at the centre of Disneyland Park and a continuation of Sleeping Beauty Castle first seen at Disneyland in California.
Believe... In Holiday Magic is a holiday fireworks show at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, launched in 2000. The show runs for much of the Disneyland Resort's holiday season, which typically runs from the second weekend of November to the first weekend of the following January.
World of Color is a nighttime show at Disney California Adventure in the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. Conceived by Vice President of Parades and Spectaculars Steve Davison, and designed by Disney Live Entertainment, the show has 1,200 water fountains and includes lights, fire, lasers, and fog, with high-definition projections on mist screens. The show is inspired by Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color anthology television series, as evidenced by the use of its eponymous theme song written by the Sherman Brothers.
Once Upon a Time was a nighttime spectacular at Magic Kingdom, which was originally known in Magic Kingdom as its full name, Once Upon A Time: Where Stories Take You Anywhere and formerly at Tokyo Disneyland. Similar to Celebrate the Magic and Disney Dreams!, the Tokyo show premiered on May 29, 2014, and utilizes fireworks, lasers, fire, projection mapping, and searchlights during the 19-minute presentation. The Magic Kingdom version is shorter and utilizes less pyrotechnics and no fire.
Disneyland Forever was a nighttime spectacular at Disneyland that premiered alongside the Paint the Night parade and World of Color—Celebrate! on May 21, 2015 as part of the park's 60th anniversary celebration. The show was produced by Disney Live Entertainment, under direction of Steve Davison. Disneyland Forever incorporates fireworks, projection mapping, fire, lasers, and searchlights to depict scenes from Disney films. The show's original run ended on September 5, 2016 upon conclusion of the Diamond Celebration. The shows exit song, "A Kiss Goodnight", would be later be released on CD with a book bearing the song's name.
Ignite the Dream: A Nighttime Spectacular of Magic and Light was a nighttime spectacular at Shanghai Disneyland Park in the Shanghai Disney Resort. Ignite the Dream unfolds on the park's castle, Enchanted Storybook Castle, similar to other hybrid-nighttime castle shows found at other Disney parks, including: Disney Illuminations at Disneyland Paris for the 25th Anniversary edition. The show features fireworks, water fountains, fire, lasers, projection mapping, and searchlights. The show's story is centered on Mickey Mouse flying through the evening sky after discovering a magical spark that ignites his imagination.
Happily Ever After is a fireworks and projection mapping show which debuted at the Magic Kingdom on May 12, 2017. Unlike its predecessor, Wishes: A Magical Gathering of Disney Dreams, the show includes projection mapping, lasers, and searchlights, in addition to pyrotechnics, featuring characters from a wide array of Disney films, and music arranged by Tim Heintz. The show's theme song of the same name was written by Adam Watts, Melissa Peirce, and Andy Dodd, and performed by Angie Keilhauer and Jordan Fisher; it is adapted from Hong Kong Disneyland's 10th anniversary celebration and Shanghai Disneyland's Mickey's Storybook Adventure.
Disney Illuminations was a nighttime spectacular at Disneyland Park in Disneyland Paris. It opened on 26 March 2017 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the park and replaced Disney Dreams!. Based on Ignite the Dream, the former nighttime spectacular at Shanghai Disneyland, the show featured projection mapping onto the park's castle, fireworks, water fountains, fire, music, lasers, searchlights, and other special effects.
Celebrate! Tokyo Disneyland was a nighttime spectacular at Tokyo Disneyland that premiered on July 10, 2018, alongside Dreaming Up!, Let's Party Gras, and Hello, New York! as part of the 35th anniversary of Tokyo Disney Resort. The show was produced by Walt Disney Creative Entertainment, under Lead Creative Executive of Parades and Spectaculars Steve Davison.
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Wheelchair accessible
