World of Color

[TsWade2]

WHEE! I'm so excited! I'll see it later in June.

[n747]

Ho boy. It begins.
Look at the stampede section in that video... What I see there, are projections, red fountains jumping in front of them, and spotlights that flip towards the audience... I'm still not seeing anything more physical than projections and jumping fountains... Now I thought it was originally explained that the water would rush towards the audience as if the stampede was truly there and rushing towards you?

But the fountains are rushing toward you on the grid. I think a compressed perspective will make the show a lot more interesting than it has been seen from the air. Not only does stuff get 'bigger' but you get a real sense of depth, motion and energy.

Let's be honest - water can only do so much...so it would be unrealistic to expect such a breadth of texture and shape from this fountain system. At its core, it's fountains dancing to music with projections on water screens and lasers and spotlights for additional effect. So there it is - don't expect anything more. Those water butterflies...probably going to be static valves. The stampede scene...probably going to be rows of red fountains rushing at you on the grid (with the projection on the main screen) The Pocahontas river scene? Grids of fountains with splashing water whips. The Wall-E planet scene? Projection domes that come out of the water at fixed heights. Just EXPECT them...and you might enjoy it more. Disney is a master of overhyping and the Disney fanbase is even worse. I've been hearing that this will be IllumiNation's *****...let's not make ridiculous comparisons - each show should stand on its own character and its own nature of materials.

Just like I didn't think Obama was going to be the savior of America, World of Color won't be the savior of DCA. But that doesn't mean it won't be a spectacular show. Embrace the limitations of the show's system and you might come to appreciate it.

[Banjalot]

Any news on AP previews yet? I fly out on the 4th

[ExClub]

Any news on AP previews yet? I fly out on the 4th

From the OC Register:

Disney park annual passholders and employees will get a chance to see dress rehearsals before the official opening, but no dates have been announced, said John McClintock, a Disneyland Resort spokesman.

Disney announces date for big water show debut

[dlfreak]

Here's the full press release from Disney. You can also see the image in much higher resolution than the Disney Parks blog...

Lights, Water, Animation! ‘World of Color’ Water Spectacular Debuts June 11 at Disney

[DLRFanatic]

I just stumbled upon another run-through video on AllEars.net.

[n747]

Huh, second full run-through and it's exactly the same as the first.

A few things bug me in this format - Colors of Wonderland are omitted...gone - on the cutting room floor. Part of your world starts off the movie vignettes...but really abruptly. I always envisioned the spring sprite being a perfect lead in to all of this water and light magic. Yet, it's tacked onto the end of "Whole New World" which seems to be tacked onto the end of "Define Dancing". The Little Mermaid sequence all the way to Define Dancing is brilliantly fluid...but then there's a big hiccup - what to do with Whole New World? I'd argue its reason to be there anyway. It's not nearly as moving as Colors of the Wind...yet it's another climax right before the Colors of Nature sequence...it feels off.

Perhaps that's why Colors of the Wind (and the spring sprite) is at the end of the "happy colors" - it's arguably the biggest moment in the show thus far and having it frame up the front could be a mistake - shooting the 'wad' early per say. I think originally it was the introductory sequence to the show...the program feels too much like it to not be. The grid lights slowly enter in after the WoC Opener has dimmed out...and the orchestration methodically builds and builds into this beautiful release of majestic atmosphere. As it is now...the show starts on a minor note - it's not leading you in to a happy place...it's leading you in a moody place. This kind of tension is perfect for the middle of the show...to start a new sequence of movie vignettes...but to initiate - it's like pushing through the rushes only to find a very undesirable swampland instead of a beautiful secluded pond (like the Colors of Nature sequence creates)

I have to think I'm wrong and that they still haven't finalized the show's elements and arrangement. I really need to know that I'm wrong.

My second quibble - Again, a lead-in - to the Colors of Fear - does anyone else feel like the POTC section is just...sloppy? It's the exact opposite of what the rest of the show has executed so far...a convincing atmosphere done with light and water. There isn't much going on but orange flailing water...no battles...very...water-show-y. That POTC section reeks of "what the hell do we do now?" They could have used the music of "The Kraken" which is a far better track than Klaus Badelt's theme song (Sorry Klaus, but Zimmer's got you beat to a bloody pulp)...would've established a new character of fear and would have established atmosphere...haunting atmosphere for the beginning of this epic sequence. I mean, if the show had Colors of Adventure, Klaus' theme would be fine...but I don't see adventure anywhere else in the show...perhaps trying to avoid the comparisons to Fantasmic. As it is now, this lead in does nothing to lead and only confuses.

Like I said...I have to be wrong here. Obviously those that are designing the show know more about this than me and they aren't quite finished yet. But I'm getting antsy that this is the second full run-through and nothing has dramatically changed in sections that could use some change.

[dlfreak]

Great post n747, a very thoughtful critical analysis from the video but also cautious about what the final product will be. We've been told that this might be the second run-through captured on film but it's not the second dress rehearsal they've done nor is it the final one since. Should be interesting to see if Alice does ultimately end up being cut, especially since so much of the early concept art and teaser footage relied so much upon it! I will say, I was intrigued by the Chesire cat stripes done in water but I'm not holding my breath based on what I'm being told. Heh... hold my breath... get it?

[whitetiger]

there's always been talk about having an "encore" after the initial show. with as much creative development that encompassed "alice in wonderland" i wouldn't be surprised if that segment has now become the encore piece.

[tcsnwhite]

I'm forcing myself to not watch any of these videos.

This time around, I want to be truly surprised the first time I see it. Not my usual MO, but I want to go in with fresh eyes, a clear mind, no expectations or assumptions based on early video during testing that may, or may not, actually be the final version of the show.

The Dark Side is tempting, though.....