World of Color - Background
Disneyland Resort, in Anaheim California, is the original Disneyland, and the only Disney theme park in which Walt Disney actually walked -- i.e., the only one open during his lifetime. Disneyland Resort has two theme parks: Disneyland Park, which opened in 1955 (more often thought of as "The Magic Kingdom"), and Disney California Adventure, which opened in 2001.
The California Adventure theme park was not a great success, and a major expansion was announced in 2007. "Expansion", however, isn't simple at Disneyland: unlike Disney World -- created later, with a massive 30,000 acres (47 sq. miles) of land-- Disneyland in California is in a built-up area with no undeveloped land available. "Expansion" here means re-purposing: California Adventure was created on Disneyland's parking lot; any new attractions must be fitted into the park's existing perimeter, replacing whatever was built in 2001.
World of Color- Features
World of Color is in the Paradise Pier area of California Adventure: an attractive area -- reminiscent of classic boardwalks and amusement parks -- that already had many fun attractions, including Toy Story Mania, California Screamin’ roller coaster, Boardwalk games, giant Ferris wheel (Mickey’s Fun Wheel). The huge coaster -- which spans much of Paradise Pier -- plus other attractions are beautifully lit at night, and form a backdrop to World of Color.
World of Color is displayed over Paradise Bay, which has been fitted with nearly 1200 fountains that jet water up to 200 feet high. It's hard to find words to describe the dazzling displays. Images are projected onto a mist of water that makes a "water screen" 300 feet wide and fifty feet high. (Visitors who've seen the Fantasmic! show at either Disneyland or Disney World will get the idea.)
Animated Disney characters, both classic and from recent movies, move and transform on the "water screen"; the hundreds of water fountains dance with color; real flames --you can feel the heat-- jump up. All accompanied by music, of course. The show lasts approximately 27 minutes. (Read details about World of Color's "Wow" factor, at About.com's Theme Parks site.)
World of Color can be seen from many angles in Paradise Pier, but the best viewing areas are in Paradise Park, which faces the projection screens.
Visitors need a special World of Color Fastpass to enter the Paradise Park viewing area. These are available from the time of park opening at the Grizzly River Run Fastpass machines. Get your World of Color Fastpass early, before they run out! (Guests can still get regular Fastpasses for popular park attractions throughout the day.)
World of Color Fastpasses specify a colored section for different viewing areas in Paradise Park. Note: the viewing areas in Paradise Park are designed for standing not sitting! Only a small number of benches are available, for persons who have difficulty standing.
Another option for getting a World of Color Fastpass: Dinner Packages are available -- for Ariel's Grotto, and for Wine Country Trattoria -- that include a Fastpass for World of Color.
World of Color gives the California Adventure theme park a night-time spectacular, comparable to the fireworks over the Sleeping Beauty Castle and the Fantasmic! show in the "Magic Kingdom" (i.e., Disneyland Park), or IllumiNations in the Epcot theme park at Disney World.
Keep in Mind about World of Color:
- The attractions in the Paradise Pier area close 90 minutes before the evening's first show.
- During peak times, there will be two (or even three) shows a night.
- The first show of the evening has a 15-minute pre-show, Carnivale of Color, starting about 30 minutes before World of Color begins.
- Remember, there's no seating in Paradise Park viewing area! Guests have to stand. Parents of young kids need to factor in the pre-show waiting time as well as the nearly-half-hour for the show.
- The viewing area is wheelchair-accessible.
