Random Disney and non-Disney musings from Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.
Behind the scenes of the World of Color
Several weeks ago I attended a media event at Disney's California Adventure, and found myself waiting outside Toy Story Midway Mania with a cluster of Disney publicists and marketing folks. As we waited, we couldn't help but look out over the massive construction project taking shape in Paradise Bay, and I remarked to one of the publicists that I would really like the opportunity to walk the project with Steven Davison, creator of the upcoming World of Color show, and have him tell me just what the heck all of the equipment was. If you've been following the construction photos in the weekly Disneyland Resort Update, you've seen just how involved the show platform is, and I wanted the chance to get up-close and personal with the show elements before they are permanently covered in water later this year.
I probably wasn't the only person who made such a request of Disney, and so this morning I'll be part of a media tour to do just that. We've been advised that cameras may not be welcome in all areas of the tour, but I'm still looking forward to learning more about the inner workings of the show. We'll also get a peek at the new exhibit in the Blue Sky Cellar.
In the interim, Disney sent out this press release to give some new detail about the show.
ANAHEIM, Calif., July 16, 2009 – Elaborate preparation is underway for “World of Color,” the spectacular nighttime water show that will astound guests with its magnitude and creativity when it debuts in spring 2010 as the next major milestone in the expansion of Disney’s California Adventure park. Surpassing all Disney water productions, “World of Color” will bring Disney animation to life with powerful fountains that become stars of the show as they create the world’s largest projected water screen.
For months now, guests at Disney’s California Adventure have been peering into the lagoon near Paradise Pier as Walt Disney Imagineering and Creative Entertainment have installed the massive infrastructure and innovative technology that will create the stage for this extraordinary combination of music, animation and stunning water effects. Teams of Disney workers have built nearly an acre of superstructure to support the complex “World of Color” production.
“World of Color” will combine hundreds of magnificent fountains, dazzling colors and an all-new kaleidoscope of audio and visual effects, to take water-infused entertainment to a new level of artistry. The production will flood the senses, taking audiences on an imaginative journey into the colorful worlds of animated Disney classics such as “Alice in Wonderland,” “The Lion King” and “Pocahontas,” along with Disney•Pixar films “Toy Story,” “WALL-E” and many more.
Disney’s newest production features an unprecedented infrastructure of water effects, larger-than-life projections, lasers, fire, fog, surround sound, and stunning images. This technical wizardry, combined with classic Disney film sequences, will create a breathtaking emotional experience for guests, as jaw-dropping effects sweep across the lagoon, soar into the sky, and rush toward the audience.
A newly designed 9,000-capacity viewing area will provide Disney’s California Adventure guests the best view in the park of this exciting nighttime extravaganza. The show lasts approximately 25 minutes.
Some of the technical magic behind ‘World of Color’ includes:
• Nearly 1 full acre of engineered superstructure, longer than a football field and capable of settling on three levels – one for the performance, one under the water surface and one for maintenance
• More than 1,200 powerful and programmable fountains
• A vast underwater grid with more than 18,000 points of control. Each fountain has multiple points of control for lighting, color intensity, water angle, height and more.
• Fountain heights that range from 30 feet to 200 feet in the air (by way of comparison, Mickey’s Fun Wheel reaches a height of 150 feet, some of it below the edge of the lagoon)
• A precise system of flame projections, lasers, and special effects that will flood the senses as guests experience the animation
• Scenic elements that rise more than 80 feet above the lagoon
• The world’s largest projected water screen — a wall of water 380 feet wide by 50 feet high for a projection surface of 19,000 square feet
• Nearly 30 high-definition projectors
For information on “World of Color,” other Disneyland Resort attractions, or to plan a celebration or vacation at Disneyland Resort visit www.disneyland.com, call 866-60-DISNEY or contact local travel agents. To explore the expansion plans for Disney’s California Adventure, visit www.DisneysCaliforniaAdventure.com.
Updated
As I expected, we were not allowed to take photos while we were in the Lagoon, but Disney was ready with a slew of official photos to we can share. There were also some brief video clips, and I'll get those uploaded shortly.
All photos are by Paul Hiffmeyer/Disneyland unless noted.
The show platform is about an acre in size, longer than a football field, and is covered in 1800 fountains. The platform is constructed from structural fiberglass beams (not steel); the decking is structural fiberglass grating. Most sections are 12' x 16', and each have both active and passive floatation tanks to control buoyancy.
The black tanks are the passive floatation tanks, and there are 6 sizes depending on the load or weight of the fountains on that section. These tanks basically create neutral buoyancy, so that section of platform neither sinks nor floats.
The blue tanks as the active floataion tanks, and are used to raise or lower the platform into position. These tanks have an air inlet at the top and a hole at the bottom. To raise the platform, air is forced into the tank, displacing the water through the drain hole. To lower the platform, the tank is allowed to refill with water.
The platform is divided into three pieces that can be raised and lowered independently of the others. Each piece has four scissor-lift devices that are not actually used to raise or lower the platform, but to support ("lock it in place") it at the desired level. It takes about 10 minutes for the pieces to fully raise or lower. The entire system is designed to adapt to changing water levels in the lagoon, for example when it rains.
The platform can lock at three levels:
This design allows most repair work to take place without requiring the use of swimmers or divers in the water. When the platform is in the Hidden position, it rests on the stantions you see all around the edge. The stantions are topped with an elastomeric rubber pad to cushion the sections.
They described two different types of fountains, and demonstrated a third. The grid fountains shown above were described as "lyrical," the chasers are more powerful. The grid fountains each have a 3-color LED, and can completely saturate the water jet with color. Each one is powered by its own water pump. The grid fountains can cycle three times a second.
The tip of the chaser fountains is more bullet-shaped, and these more powerful fountains can shoot up to 85' in the air, and a supplemental pump that connects to five fountains provides an extra boost. The chasers have a 1/8 second cycle time. The "blow pop" fountain can shoot water up to 200' in the air.
The back edge of the platform has fountains and sprayers that form a 50 foot high, 380 foot wide projection surface. The show uses 29 high definition projectors to animate this water wall and the other water elements.
Here are some of the images that will be projected on that water wall. (All renderings ©2009 Disney Enterprises, Inc.)
Each of the three platform pieces has a SUB (submarine utility box) below the platform. The SUB houses power, air and logic controls for all units in that section of the table. A submarine hatch on the platform service protects the controls, and the hatches can be opened when the platform is at the maintenence level. The three white tents that dot the platform mark the location of the SUB hatches.
Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix
On your next visit, look for dark blue rigid pipes and the clear blue flexible pipes under the platform - those are the air and water lines.
Finally, the platform has 36 fire cannons, some mounted on swivels (the fire movers), and a whole host of fountains they did not demonstrate for us: water whips, dual water whips, mist screens, fire balls, a specialty fountain called a "dancer," and Mee fog effects.
The Blue Sky Cellar has reopened with a new exhibit that gives a lot of detailed concept art about the new show.
Updated
This video has construction footage from World of Color. From :20 - :28, you can see them lowering the massive SUB controller into the platform.
This video has Imagineer Sayre Wiseman explaining some of the infrastructure:
Some footage from within the Blue Sky Cellar:
A time-lapse video of the transformation of California Screamin' and the Fun Wheel:
And finally, a bit of B-roll for DCA. The opening helicopter flight predates any construction in Timon.
I probably wasn't the only person who made such a request of Disney, and so this morning I'll be part of a media tour to do just that. We've been advised that cameras may not be welcome in all areas of the tour, but I'm still looking forward to learning more about the inner workings of the show. We'll also get a peek at the new exhibit in the Blue Sky Cellar.
In the interim, Disney sent out this press release to give some new detail about the show.
Quote:
Innovative Entertainment Technology Drives
‘World of Color’ – the Next Milestone in Expansion of
Disney’s California Adventure
‘World of Color’ – the Next Milestone in Expansion of
Disney’s California Adventure
ANAHEIM, Calif., July 16, 2009 – Elaborate preparation is underway for “World of Color,” the spectacular nighttime water show that will astound guests with its magnitude and creativity when it debuts in spring 2010 as the next major milestone in the expansion of Disney’s California Adventure park. Surpassing all Disney water productions, “World of Color” will bring Disney animation to life with powerful fountains that become stars of the show as they create the world’s largest projected water screen.
For months now, guests at Disney’s California Adventure have been peering into the lagoon near Paradise Pier as Walt Disney Imagineering and Creative Entertainment have installed the massive infrastructure and innovative technology that will create the stage for this extraordinary combination of music, animation and stunning water effects. Teams of Disney workers have built nearly an acre of superstructure to support the complex “World of Color” production.
“World of Color” will combine hundreds of magnificent fountains, dazzling colors and an all-new kaleidoscope of audio and visual effects, to take water-infused entertainment to a new level of artistry. The production will flood the senses, taking audiences on an imaginative journey into the colorful worlds of animated Disney classics such as “Alice in Wonderland,” “The Lion King” and “Pocahontas,” along with Disney•Pixar films “Toy Story,” “WALL-E” and many more.
Disney’s newest production features an unprecedented infrastructure of water effects, larger-than-life projections, lasers, fire, fog, surround sound, and stunning images. This technical wizardry, combined with classic Disney film sequences, will create a breathtaking emotional experience for guests, as jaw-dropping effects sweep across the lagoon, soar into the sky, and rush toward the audience.
A newly designed 9,000-capacity viewing area will provide Disney’s California Adventure guests the best view in the park of this exciting nighttime extravaganza. The show lasts approximately 25 minutes.
Some of the technical magic behind ‘World of Color’ includes:
• Nearly 1 full acre of engineered superstructure, longer than a football field and capable of settling on three levels – one for the performance, one under the water surface and one for maintenance
• More than 1,200 powerful and programmable fountains
• A vast underwater grid with more than 18,000 points of control. Each fountain has multiple points of control for lighting, color intensity, water angle, height and more.
• Fountain heights that range from 30 feet to 200 feet in the air (by way of comparison, Mickey’s Fun Wheel reaches a height of 150 feet, some of it below the edge of the lagoon)
• A precise system of flame projections, lasers, and special effects that will flood the senses as guests experience the animation
• Scenic elements that rise more than 80 feet above the lagoon
• The world’s largest projected water screen — a wall of water 380 feet wide by 50 feet high for a projection surface of 19,000 square feet
• Nearly 30 high-definition projectors
For information on “World of Color,” other Disneyland Resort attractions, or to plan a celebration or vacation at Disneyland Resort visit www.disneyland.com, call 866-60-DISNEY or contact local travel agents. To explore the expansion plans for Disney’s California Adventure, visit www.DisneysCaliforniaAdventure.com.
As I expected, we were not allowed to take photos while we were in the Lagoon, but Disney was ready with a slew of official photos to we can share. There were also some brief video clips, and I'll get those uploaded shortly.
All photos are by Paul Hiffmeyer/Disneyland unless noted.
The show platform is about an acre in size, longer than a football field, and is covered in 1800 fountains. The platform is constructed from structural fiberglass beams (not steel); the decking is structural fiberglass grating. Most sections are 12' x 16', and each have both active and passive floatation tanks to control buoyancy.
The black tanks are the passive floatation tanks, and there are 6 sizes depending on the load or weight of the fountains on that section. These tanks basically create neutral buoyancy, so that section of platform neither sinks nor floats.
The blue tanks as the active floataion tanks, and are used to raise or lower the platform into position. These tanks have an air inlet at the top and a hole at the bottom. To raise the platform, air is forced into the tank, displacing the water through the drain hole. To lower the platform, the tank is allowed to refill with water.
The platform is divided into three pieces that can be raised and lowered independently of the others. Each piece has four scissor-lift devices that are not actually used to raise or lower the platform, but to support ("lock it in place") it at the desired level. It takes about 10 minutes for the pieces to fully raise or lower. The entire system is designed to adapt to changing water levels in the lagoon, for example when it rains.
The platform can lock at three levels:
Maintenance - entire platform is out of the water
~~~~ Water Line ~~~~
Show - fountains are about 12" above water
Hidden - entire platform is submerged
This design allows most repair work to take place without requiring the use of swimmers or divers in the water. When the platform is in the Hidden position, it rests on the stantions you see all around the edge. The stantions are topped with an elastomeric rubber pad to cushion the sections.
They described two different types of fountains, and demonstrated a third. The grid fountains shown above were described as "lyrical," the chasers are more powerful. The grid fountains each have a 3-color LED, and can completely saturate the water jet with color. Each one is powered by its own water pump. The grid fountains can cycle three times a second.
The tip of the chaser fountains is more bullet-shaped, and these more powerful fountains can shoot up to 85' in the air, and a supplemental pump that connects to five fountains provides an extra boost. The chasers have a 1/8 second cycle time. The "blow pop" fountain can shoot water up to 200' in the air.
The back edge of the platform has fountains and sprayers that form a 50 foot high, 380 foot wide projection surface. The show uses 29 high definition projectors to animate this water wall and the other water elements.
Here are some of the images that will be projected on that water wall. (All renderings ©2009 Disney Enterprises, Inc.)
Each of the three platform pieces has a SUB (submarine utility box) below the platform. The SUB houses power, air and logic controls for all units in that section of the table. A submarine hatch on the platform service protects the controls, and the hatches can be opened when the platform is at the maintenence level. The three white tents that dot the platform mark the location of the SUB hatches.
Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix
On your next visit, look for dark blue rigid pipes and the clear blue flexible pipes under the platform - those are the air and water lines.
Finally, the platform has 36 fire cannons, some mounted on swivels (the fire movers), and a whole host of fountains they did not demonstrate for us: water whips, dual water whips, mist screens, fire balls, a specialty fountain called a "dancer," and Mee fog effects.
The Blue Sky Cellar has reopened with a new exhibit that gives a lot of detailed concept art about the new show.
Updated
This video has construction footage from World of Color. From :20 - :28, you can see them lowering the massive SUB controller into the platform.
This video has Imagineer Sayre Wiseman explaining some of the infrastructure:
Some footage from within the Blue Sky Cellar:
A time-lapse video of the transformation of California Screamin' and the Fun Wheel:
And finally, a bit of B-roll for DCA. The opening helicopter flight predates any construction in Timon.
Total Comments 3
Comments
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WoW, thank you for posting this. This looks like it will be an awesome show. I can't wait to see it next year.Posted 07-17-2009 at 08:47 AM by DwarfPlanet 
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This looks awesome! I can't wait to see it next Spring.Posted 07-17-2009 at 11:33 AM by gfy4dland
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Entirely appropriate to base this new show on Walt Disney's TV series "Wonderful World of Color", how that show promoted Walt's ventures in cartoons, feature animated films, and Disneyland once his success in California became established. I am thrilled to see this "World of Color" tie-in, as a Baby Boom generation person who grew up watching that series each week! Wonderful concept, wonderful execution, wonderful to look forward to!
Posted 07-17-2009 at 03:09 PM by CarolKoster
