I like to say that I grew up at Disneyland. Some of my earliest photos at the resort showcase me sporting a pair of Mickey ears in a stroller, likely before I could walk. I have had the privilege of watching Walt Disney’s “world of imagination, hopes and dreams” grow and change, always innovating yet consistently reminiscent of his vision of a place where dreams come true. I can’t often think about Disneyland without harkening back to those iconic staples that still live on in my repertoire of memories…the PeopleMover, Captain EO, Country Bear Jamboree, and The Main Street Electrical Parade.
Image: Disneyland
When I first learned about the Disneyland Resort’s trio of new nighttime spectaculars debuting in honor of their Diamond Celebration, a wave of nostalgia and excitement came over me at our sneak peek of Paint the Night. Much like The Main Street Electrical Parade, which lit up the night with “thousands of sparkling lights and electro-syntho-magnetic musical sounds,” Paint the Night will dazzle and move guests with its sensational special effects, enduring score and vividly imaginative floats.
Originally debuting at Hong Kong Disneyland, Paint the Night was inspired by The Main Street Electrical Parade, and guests familiar with it will see nods to the iconic nighttime spectacular, most notably the inspired drum that led the original parade. At just over 1.5 million LED lights, the parade is visually spectacular, illuminating the entirety of Main Street.
Paint the Night immerses guests within eight of Disney’s most cherished stories, told through performers against the backdrop of dynamic music, floats, props and lights. As I watched the parade for the first time, 5 pivotal moments stood out…
1. The contemporary opening featuring Jean-Jacques Perrey and Gershon Kingsley’s “Baroque Hoedown.” Despite the fresh new look and feel of the parade, there is no mistaking the homage to The Main Street Electrical Parade. The distinct, contemporary version of the original theme song is infused throughout the parade, creating a feeling of nostalgia and a connection to its predecessor.
2. Tinker Bell’s tribute to the drum unit from the Main Street Electrical Parade. Apart from the theme song, the only recognizable icons from the original parade include the drum unit that comprises part of Tinker Bell’s float and the rosette at the tip of her wand.
3. Cars Mack the Truck. The audible awe and appreciation for the 54 foot long float was unmistakable as the longest vehicle in the parade made its debut. Beyond its technical specs, which include a 3D display that creates tremendous depth of range, it feels like Mack stepped right out of the Cars story onto Main Street.
4.Belle’s Dress. Beauty and the Beast is one of Disney’s most timeless and beloved stories, and its inclusion in the parade adds depth and emotion to the Disney Princesses float. Belle’s dress, in particular, is the “jewel” of the float and features changing programmable ribbons, 40 custom-designed jewels and the most decorative lighting caps of any float in the parade.
5. Sorcerer Mikey’s Finale. Since “it was all started by a mouse,” it makes sense that Paint the Night would conclude with Mickey Mouse. From 12 feet above Main Street, Mickey conducts the finale along with Goofy, Donald, and Minnie.
1.5 million sources of light. 500 strobes custom-designed by Disney. 200 universes of control. 8 stories. 1 parade. Paint the Night is bold, invigorating, nostalgic, and mesmerizing. The parade immerses you within the stories you know and love in a way that feels fresh and authentic and alive. The fusion of color and light illuminate Main street in a way that literally “paints the night.” The parade bridges the gap between past and present and appeals to guests both young and old. They say that The Main Street Electrical Parade was unlike any parade that had come before it and we’ve yet to see a nighttime spectacular that matches the heart and innovation dreamed up by Disney’s imagineers…until now.
See Paint the Night twice nightly at Disneyland Park along Main Street.
And for more information about the Disneyland Resort’s Diamond Celebration, visit Disneyland.com.
Images: Rockin’ Mama unless otherwise noted.