Overview
An enchanting nighttime spectacular at Disneyland, CA celebrating the wishers, dreamers, and artists at Walt Disney Animation Studios who have shared their imagination with the world. The spectacular brings Sleeping Beauty Castle, it's a small world, Main Street U.S.A., Rivers of America, and Matterhorn Bobsleds to life with projection effects and stunning fireworks.
Embark on a journey filled with artistry, music, storytelling and heart as Guests experience moments from beloved stories like Hercules, The Princess and the Frog, Peter Pan, Frozen, Big Hero 6, Moana, Encanto and more.
Embark on a journey filled with artistry, music, storytelling and heart as Guests experience moments from beloved stories like Hercules, The Princess and the Frog, Peter Pan, Frozen, Big Hero 6, Moana, Encanto and more.
Compositing
Visual Effects Design
On-Site Installation
Recording of Wondrous Journeys from the point of view of Sleeping Beauty Castle by EddieFilms
My Role
As a Visual Effects Designer, I worked with Mousetrappe, a creative vendor, to animate Wondrous Journeys' introduction chapter across all five projection surfaces.
As a Compositor, I translated the entire show to be displayed on water projection screens and buildings on Rivers of America, modifying and adjusting creative assets to fit the environment.
On-site during overnight installation, I quickly acted on feedback and modified digital content after key reviews. I collaborated with many aspects of the production pipeline to ensure high quality final delivery.
As a Compositor, I translated the entire show to be displayed on water projection screens and buildings on Rivers of America, modifying and adjusting creative assets to fit the environment.
On-site during overnight installation, I quickly acted on feedback and modified digital content after key reviews. I collaborated with many aspects of the production pipeline to ensure high quality final delivery.
Diagram detailing Wondrous Journeys projection surfaces throughout Disneyland park
Design Challenge
Use Disney Live Entertainment's creative direction and script to create compositions featuring every single Walt Disney Animation Studios feature film, translated across five landmarks at Disneyland, over the course of a thirteen minute nighttime spectacular. All concepts required extensive approval from Disney's Legacy team.
Pencil sketches in Wondrous Journeys, video by EddieFilms
Pencil Sketches
We composited rare, archival footage provided by the Disney Archives to illustrate Disney Animation's creative process from sketch to masterpiece. I got to handle and place legendary sketches like the original Steamboat Willie Mickey Mouse, and the first appearances of characters like Goofy and Donald Duck.
Historical References
Whenever we could, we referenced Disneyland period sketches, concepts, and niche topics as inspiration. Our goal was to treat Guests to a plethora of historical easter eggs and nostalgic callbacks to the talented designers who created Disneyland.
Multi-camera recording of Wondrous Journeys by Laughing Place
Experience Anywhere
By including projection effects on landmarks across Disneyland, Guests are able to experience the show from anywhere in the park. Most nighttime spectaculars center around a single location, this experience is unique because it does not pressure Guests to crowd into a specific area of the park.
Result
Wondrous Journeys successfully drew large crowds for Disneyland's Disney100 celebration, and serves as Disneyland's current flagship nighttime spectacular. Guests are motivated to remain at Disneyland until park close, and multiple projection locations motivate Guests to spread out around the park to enjoy the spectacular. The show received overwhelmingly positive reviews, often being referred to as the "Happily Ever After of the West Coast."
