EDITOR'S NOTE: Multimedia journalist Sarah Pilla reported live Friday morning at Disney California Adventure to preview the new nighttime spectaculars and Disney100 celebration. Click the arrow above to watch the video.
ANAHEIM, Calif. — There's a scene in the new "World of Color — One" show in which water dances in sync with jazz piano keys from Pixar's "Soul."
As the keyboard music plays, another set of water fountains sprouts in unison with the sound of trumpet horns. Projected lights shine on the water. Meanwhile, the Mickey Mouse face on the Pixar Pal-A-Round Ferris wheel lights up in different arrangements to the sound of drums.
"If you've seen 'World of Color' before and know and love it as I do, your socks are going to be knocked off with this new show," Jennifer Magill, a senior producer for Disney Live Entertainment, explained to Spectrum News. "We have found ways to do all of the elements that we've done before, but in different and exciting ways. The lighting, the lasers, the projections, the flame. It's taken to a different level."
The "World of Color — One" water and lights show at Disney California Adventure is one of two new nighttime spectaculars debuting Friday as part of the 100th anniversary of the Walt Disney Co. The Wondrous Journey fireworks spectacular at Disneyland is the other new show.
Walt Disney and his brother Roy founded Disney Brothers Studio in Hollywood in 1923. A few years later, it would become the Walt Disney Studios.
Dubbed Disney100, the year-long celebration showcases Disney's past, current and future.
The company plans to hold a cross-company celebration throughout the year, but Disneyland Resort, said Disneyland President Ken Potrock, is the "heart of [the celebration]." Disney created Disneyland in 1955.
"When you think about it, this whole company, everything here and beyond started with just one man's idea — a vision, a dream, a wish he had," said Magill. "And that is the theme for 'World of Color — One.'"
The new "World of Color — One" shows how a single drop of water can create a ripple and turn into a wave.
During a media and cast member preview Wednesday, the 24-minute water and light show encompassed many of Disney's vast film franchises.
For the first time, the show included video snippets of Pixar, Star Wars and Avengers projected on large water screens, plus music and scenes from "Pocahontas," "Encanto," "Ratatouille," "Soul" and others. The show wanted to represent the changemakers in Disney films and animations.
"It's a cross-company representation," said Magill.
Though heavy winds throughout the night blew parts of the water screens and fountains, hampering the preview of "World of Color — One," the show was nonetheless a success, Magill said.
For Magill, she and the team are just pieces of a ripple that Walt Disney and his brother started in the 1920s.
"We talk about how we can make a difference just by one action, whether a small one or a large one. You can actually make a huge ripple effect in the world around you," she said. "We're all part of this, and it began with just one drop."