The Disney100 Celebration has officially begun. We were able to view a preview of Disneyland’s newest fireworks (and projection) spectacular during a preview and again from a different location on opening day (January 27th, 2023). The show, titled “Wondrous Journeys,” is really a music and projection spectacular which adds fireworks on the weekends. It’s also ambitious in its goal of featuring moments from EVERY Disney animated film in the 100-year history of the company. We definitely recommend you make time to watch Wondrous Journeys, especially since it might be the best part of the Disney100 celebration. We’ve got all the info for you below, including where to watch and our review.
UPDATE: This article now includes a GORGEOUS 4K video of the Wondrous Journeys from just in front of the castle. (See below)
What Is Wondrous Journeys?
The new nighttime spectacular at Disneyland for Disney100 is Wondrous Journeys. This new show features nods to every animated film released by Walt Disney Animation Studios over the past century. You can see glimpses of moments and snippets of music from Hercules, The Princess and the Frog, Treasure Planet, Big Hero 6, Frozen, Moana, and also the upcoming movie Wish. But over the course of 100 years, there’s a lot of animation to be featured.
Projection mapping is used to bring guests into the animation, turning familiar landscapes into blank pieces of paper that animators bring to life with pencil sketches and splashes of color. Wondrous Journeys is designed to be viewed from a number of locations, with each spot featuring customized projections. You can watch Wondrous Journeys from Main Street, Sleeping Beauty Castle, Rivers of America, and on the facade of “it’s a small world.” We’ve got more info on where to watch this show below.
There are 18 different Disney songs that are interwoven through the show, including the original song “It’s Wondrous” which was written by Duddy Brown and Alex Geringas. The show includes a nice medley of familiar songs and a couple that are worthy of the spotlight but not quite as well known.
There’s a new character that flies over Sleeping Beauty Castle, Baymax from Big Hero 6! At one of the climactic moments of the show, the loveable robot takes to the skies.
Baymax isn’t the only flying character in the show either. There’s also a moment where the Blue Fairy hovers on the left hand side of the castle.
“Wonderous Journeys” will be presented at 9:30pm at Disneyland Park starting January 27, 2023. Its runtime is 13 minutes. Note that it runs with projections-only on weekdays and will offer fireworks on weekends and holidays.
Watch Wondrous Journeys
We were able to watch an early showing of Wondrous Journeys on January 26th from Main Street and then returned on January 27th to see it from just in front of the castle.
Here’s a stunning 4K video of Wondrous Journeys from a spot near the castle:
And here’s the view from Main Street, U.S.A.:
Blue Fairy and an almost Mickey firework.
Baymax!
At the end of the show, Pooh tearfully says: “Can’t we go back to page one and do it over again?” Indeed Pooh, we can. Because this show will continue at least until Halloween Time.
Our Thoughts On Wonderous Journeys at Disneyland
Disney’s shows and spectaculars always elicit a variety of opinions and reactions from guests. Some love everything Disney does, others are more judgemental, and still others don’t really process the good and bad at all and are just there for a moment of spectacle before moving on to the next thing.
On Wednesday the 25th of January, we got to preview Disneyand’s new “World of Color – One” show and didn’t feel it lived up to its mission of honoring Disney’s 100 years of wonder. But we thankfully have a much different opinion of Disneyland’s new (sometimes) fireworks spectacular, “Wondrous Journeys.”
From the start, Wondorous Journeys sets an upbeat and dreamy tone. Characters from EVERY Disney animated film for the last 100 years are featured. That might seem like an impossible task for a 15-minute show, but it’s accomplished via clever visual montages and vocal medleys. Sounds chaotic… and perhaps it is a bit… but it works!
Where “World of Color – One” left me feeling cold and confused, “Wonderous Journeys” filled me with happiness, nostalgia, and optimism about Disney’s future. EVERYTHING an anniversary show should do!
We highly recommend “Wonderous Journeys” and feel it’s one of Disney’s best fireworks spectaculars ever. Unfortunately, you’ll only get fireworks on weekends and holidays. Weekdays are projection only. Thankfully, the projects are incredibly sharp and entertaining, and the music is some of the best Disney has produced in recent years. Still, be sure to set your expectations correctly if you visit on a non-fireworks night. You are likely to get a lot of joy out of the projections and music… but the fireworks add a whole lot of extra magic.
Where to View Wonderous Journeys
Not all guests will get the same experience with Wonderous Journeys. The show relies heavily on projections, which are important to the story. But depending on where you view the show, you may or may not be able to view both the projections and the fireworks at the same time. So pick your spot carefully. AND, guests who visit on weekdays will get a projection-only version of the show without fireworks at all. So, depending on if fireworks will be offered, you may want to select different locations.
The main viewing locations are Main Street USA, In front of Sleeping Beauty Castle, Small World, or Rivers of America. You can get a taste of what the show will look like from each location in this video teaser:
Viewing Wonderous Journeys From Main Street
One of the best views on projection-only nights are from the middle of Main Street, which allows you to see projections on both sides of you… with the added benefit of fireworks directly ahead on the weekends-only.
If you are too far away from the castle, it does make the fireworks viewing less impressive, but this show relies so heavily on projections, you should still enjoy the experience. Be careful not to be too close to the end of Main Street (the Coke Corner end) as you won’t be able to see the projections on the Castle well and most of the Main Street projections will be behind you. We like a spot in the middle of the street across from the Candy Palace. Though, there will be lots of great viewing from a variety of Main Street locations.
Viewing Wonderous Journeys From Sleeping Beauty Castle
For some, only a castle view will do. We get it, there’s a lot of nostalgia to the castle spot and you are closer to the fireworks.
A view close to the castle will provide a great view of fireworks and projections, but does make it harder to see lower-level effects shot from backstage.
Due to trees in the Hub and the sides of the castle, there is a small viewing area that really works for this show. If you can’t get a spot between the castle courtyard and the Hub, you’d be better off on Main Street or another viewing location that provides better views of the projections which are so important to this particular show.
Viewing Wonderous Journeys From It’s A Small World
Small World makes an incredible backdrop for projections, but the fireworks are pretty far to your left, making viewing here a bit like watching a tennis match. On projection-only nights, this might actually be your best spot to watch the show.
Be careful not to watch from too far away from the Small World facade, as spots further down Small World mall won’t get good projection views and some of the fireworks are blocked by the trees on the West side of Small World mall.
Viewing Wonderous Journeys From Rivers of America
Finally, Rivers of America offers projections on mist screens with fireworks behind Big Thunder Mountain. But be aware that you’ll miss the flight of the Blue Fairy (who replaces Tinker Bell) and Baymax, and won’t get a good view of pyrotechnics shot from the castle.
The key is to get a spot directly in front of the Fantasmic Stage or slightly toward Haunted Mansion, as you’ll be able to see both the projections and fireworks at the same time. If you are too close to Frontierland, it makes viewing fireworks and projections simultaneously impossible.
Hot tip: When Fantasmic is running, you can watch the first showing and stay in your spot to view the fireworks just a few moments later. It’s a great way to wait once and see two shows!
More Disney100 Information
There’s a lot going on for the Disney100 Celebration that launches today! For a complete guide to the festivities, take a look at the article below:
UPDATES! Disneyland’s 100 Years of Wonder Celebration Details
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This article was assembled by Nathan Villamor, with review and video from Dusty Sage, and photos and video from Mike Kindrich & stunning 4K video from Matthew Bumgardner
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