TDLFAN reviews the Castle's Dream Lights (photos)

Originally Posted By TDLFAN

AS always, one of my little pleasures is going to the Super Target mere minutes from WDW, and in the heat of the moment..deciding to go to the MK just because the afternoon weather is cool and the sky is light blue. Helping make my decision was having my camera inthe car as well..
So, after my visit to Target, I found myself driving into the MK's parking lot. Much to my surprise, the MK was opened till midnight today. How often does that happen?

Sailing across the Seven Seas Lagoon.. I can't think of a better way to arrive at any Disneyland park, especially when the air is cool and the water are calm.. oh yeah... some young brats running around on the ferry's deck making unnecesary noise too. Oh well.

Upon entering the MK, the floral Mickey seems bare.. maybe because I got used to seeing the nice halloween decor that sat here for most of sept and Oct. This area in fact seems in major need of some holiday cheer, so.. bring on some Xmas decor to the floral Mickey face please!

Main Street however, was a different story. All the decor was up, expect for the Xmas tree being placed to the right of the castle, where it will sit until Regis and Kelly come into town and video tape the Xmas parade. Then the tree should move to it's rightful place in Town Square, where is belongs and looks better.
I could not help noticing some new decor in the Town Sqaure gardens.. some Nutcrackers, toys and even a locomotive. Nice props, for the MK, but still a bit blah when you compare to efforts elsewhere, but honestly, I do appreciate the new stuff greatly. I just wished there was a bit more to it than just static displays with no lights on them. I know the MK can do better, and hopefully will.

The park today was rather busy (not TDL jammed packed) but busy enough for cleanliness to suffer a bit. More on that in the inevitable photos coming up. (Warning: if spilled body fluids disturb you, skip the photo album, but then, you will miss the castle lights).

I took my place in front of Cinderella Castle at 5:45pm, in time for new "Cinderella's Holiday Wish", a new illumination show at the castle stage.

Some spoilers ahead...

Mickey and the gang come out to greet guests and admire the holiday decor around the the Hub and Main Street, but wait! They realize the castle still looks drab and undecorated, unlike TDL's. A fist fight breaks out and Minnie blames Mickey for that oversight. With all that racket going on, Fairy Godmother shows up and asks everyone why the commotion? Her beauty rest was disturbed, and she is fit to be tied.
Minnie blames Mickey for not decorating the castle for the holidays.. More fist fighting breaks out, and "Speak to my laywer!" threats are exchanged.
Fairy Godmother goes into "Oh Dear!" mode and reminds the characters that this is Cinderella's Castle and she should be the one to decide on how to decorate it for the holidays. (On a side note, we all know it's Charming's Castle, and Cindy just married her way to the royal suite..but whatever) So, Fairy Godmama calls upon Cinderella, who magically appears on stage with Charming, and asks Fairy if there is a reason for her being there with Mickey and the gang. Fairy G tells her about the castle's drab condition and the lack of holiday decor and asks Cinderella... "If you had a wish, how would you like to have the castle decorated?". Cindy responds she has always liked her (free-gift) glass slippers' sparkle, and would love to see that reproduced on the castle.
Faster than you can say "we agree!", everyone likes the idea and Fairy G goes into action. With a little Bibbidi and a little Bobbidi, the castle transforms into an ice palace, with a BBB on the first floor.

END OF SPOILERS...maybe.

So what did TDLFAN think of all this?
Yours truly was too busy picking up his jaw off the floor and recovering, much less offer an opinion that can match the feeling of raw glee and emotions I felt upon witnessing such magical sight AT THE MK NO LESS!!!

One word to describe the Castle's Dream Lights: STUNNING!

This holiday display elevates the MK experience to a new high, and instantly becomes the prime example of what many of us have been arguing about for the last few years or so. Disney "magic" is not about a cruise ship, or about extra magic hours, nor is it about fastpasses or free giveaways, or even about staying overnight on property. Disney Magic is about stirring the senses to a point where the harshest of critics can melt with glee and shed a tear of joy, like I did at the MK this evening. I was rocked to my Disney fanatic core.

Ok.. so there really weren't fight fight on the castle stage, and those talking rubber heads still freak me out a bit, and the whole storyline is velveeta at best... but when Fairy Godmother pointed her wand towards the left turrets, causing a strobe effect over that area that enhances the illusion of a magic spell as the castle starts to light up.. Then she points the wand to the right with similar results, then upward to the castle's top.. I was already reaching for me kleenex box. It was just beautiful, and I was proud for this place to be my hometown Disney park. The gasping of the fellow audience members was priceless. Comments like "the most beautiful castle I have ever seen!!", and "OMG! This is gorgeous!" could be heard around me. Like me, others were equally impressed. TDL park.. for once, eat your heart out!

Once the Illumination show is over, the castle lights stayed on, and I was pleased to see they have been programmed to have a certain color intensity movement that gives the castle a sparkling and animated, if very subtle, feel to it. Add to that the regular color-changing spot lighting and the experience is further enhance. My only complaint was seeing the castle lights go out for the 6:30pm DAWM show (that's "Dream Along with Mickey" show).

While the lights were on...there was a bit of traffic congestion around the castle and rightfully so, since many were trying their best to photograph the display from all different angles available.

Needless to say, TDLFAN rates this a resounding 5***** visual delight. With the added coloe lighting and the sporadic strobe lighting, the MK's castle has never looked better. Hard to believe we used to call this castle the Pepto Abysmal castle just a decade ago.

This technical display also reminds us of what's needed in the MK. Many technical upgrades and effects would be welcomed all over this park, and especially in some of the rides that have been left to become dated for way too long. It's the little things like this that matter the most. I mean, I can't even believe I am gushing over a bunch of lights thrown onto the castle but hey! Credit where it's definitely due.
I sure hope the powers that run the WDW resort keep the momentum going.

So my recommendation is to get your arse in gear and head to the MK ASAP! While you do that, I am going to be at DLP on turkey day to check their Castle lights as well. Look for me there in Paris. Trust me, you won't be disappointed at all, but maybe some of you refuse to be regardless and that's OK.

Here are some photos from my short evening time visit at the MK. Hope you enjoy, and the warning I issued up above is still in effect. It would not be a true TDLFAN "quality control" visit if I didn't point out where the pixie dust has not been sprinkled. Or was that Uncle Joe's remains have?

Anyways.. enjoy the photos.

<a href="http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=4334673&a=32611451&f=" target="_blank">http://albums.photo.epson.com/
j/AlbumIndex?u=4334673&a=32611451&f=</a>

SHAMELESS PLUG: My Xmas photos from TDL and TDS are now avail in the Tokyo section as well. Coming next week: DLP's Xmas pics (I hope). Keep an eye out for that.

 

Originally Posted By TDLFAN

Please excuse the several typos above, as I am rushing to pack for Paris and still in "glee mode" after visiting the MK tonight.

 

Originally Posted By jrh

TDLFAN, Were the lights off for all of DAWM?? even the finale?

 

Originally Posted By jkayjs

Great pics as always. I always have a fave but this time I have 2 #22 & #45. Thanks TDLFAN.

BTW did you see the pics from T-Rex? I took them mostly for you since you are always so generous with your time and photos from the other Disney parks as well as WDW.

I have to tell you I'm much prouder of myself for figuring out how to put the darn things on line for viewing then of the pics themselves. Anyway I hope you got to see them.

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

It's great to hear you talk so positively about the Castle show and lights.

I'm not at all surprised and there is one man you can thank for this (no, his first name isn't Al or Phil or Meg ... OK, that was low, so immature ... so shoot me!) ... no, the credit goes to Francois Leroux, who now is in charge of entertainment for all 11 Disney parks worldwide and based in Orlando.

TDLFAN, you've probably seen some of his best work at DLP in the past few years ... shows like Lion King and Tarzan, streetmosphere and the new 15th Parade as well as the holiday lighting on the amazing castle there.

He is a very talented man, having started with Cirque in Montreal, and a real, genuine, no-nonsense (no BS) type. I have high hopes for the work he'll be able to do IF he can get past the speedbumps in his way otherwise known as Anne Hamburger and Jay Rasulo.

As to the vomit, well, that's all Phil's doing ;-) That's what happens when custodial becomes an afterthought. And I don't go one trip to WDW where I don't encounter a pile of puke on some walkway, usually with people traipsing on through. It really is disgusting and a health hazzard.

I actually was in the vomit field of a drunken tourist at Epcot earlier this year ... magical. Then, walking out of the park, there was a huge pile on the bridge near France.

This is what happens again when you don't make cleanliness and upkeep a priority.

Oh, and I loved your comments about those fatties in their tie-dye shirts. It's amazing how bad some people dress, and don't have a clue.

Thanks again for the great pics!

Look forward to seeing the Castle bathed in lights next month!

 

Originally Posted By TDLFAN

>>TDLFAN, Were the lights off for all of DAWM?? even the finale?<<

Can't answer that. As soon as the show started, I turned around and headed for the exit. You see? The music from this show comes from TDL. It was originally the "Gift of Dreams" show from TDL's 20th anniversary in 2003, and remembering what that show was like, versus what little they do at the MK's... I get sick to my stomach.
I would assume the Dream Lights (OLC, you need to sue) were off until after the castle show ended. After all, you can't have a glorious display outstage a deficient show down below on the stage, me thinks.

>>the credit goes to Francois Leroux<<

All I can say is.. VIVA LA FRANCE!!
Hey Spirit, wanna join me at DLP on thursday?

>>BTW did you see the pics from T-Rex?<<

Actually, no I have not as of now, but will check them out as soon as I can. It's been busy here, packing for Paris, posting 3(!!!) extensive reports here and on other sites, and trying to figure out how to use our new Sony Bravia 42" LCD TV. It's like a computer with a huge TV screen on it. Oy!

 

Originally Posted By jkayjs

Have fun with your new toy(aka TV), have a wonderful Turkey day and be safe in your travels.

I'll be @ the ER Thurs & Fri so not so much looking forward to the feast. I know "who'ld I p**s off. Well actually I make my own sch. what was I thinking.

Take care TDLFAN hope you won't be alone on the holiday.

 

Originally Posted By leemac

<<I'm not at all surprised and there is one man you can thank for this (no, his first name isn't Al or Phil or Meg ... OK, that was low, so immature ... so shoot me!) ... no, the credit goes to Francois Leroux, who now is in charge of entertainment for all 11 Disney parks worldwide and based in Orlando.>>

Not strictly true Spirit. Francois' brief is WDW-specific (doesn't mean their local work won't end up in the other parks). Theme park entertainment is still being run from Glendale at DCE.

 

Originally Posted By TDLFAN

Leemac, do you spy on people's posts on purpose? Because I find it quite puzzling, coincidental and shrewd that you re-appear from nowhere, at the least expected moments to "correct" or challenge others' folks opinions on subjects at hand.

 

Originally Posted By leemac

<<Leemac, do you spy on people's posts on purpose?>>

Spy on people's posts? What an incredibly odd observation.

<<Because I find it quite puzzling, coincidental and shrewd that you re-appear from nowhere, at the least expected moments to "correct" or challenge others' folks opinions on subjects at hand.>>

Merely correcting a little misstatement about a colleague. Nothing else. I'm also not sure if that was a compliment, dig or a combination of both.

Last I knew - I hadn't gone anywhere. I think Spirit knows that.

 

Originally Posted By FerretAfros

I know exactly the feeling you got when the lights turned on. I was in DL on Friday night, and as we entered, we saw the carolers in Town Square, so we waited around in that area for a while, and looked at the tree and all that stuff. Then, we turned the corner and saw the castle covered in ice lights at the far end of Main Street. I have to say that it was one of the first time I think I've ever let out an audible gasp, followed by "Wow." There was just nothing to describe it. I heard another guest who apparently had no idea that they were doing it, and he had a great response of "Ohmygosh!" I can just imagine how much more powerful it would have been on a much bigger castle. It was absolutely amazing, and there were people everywhere taking pictures of it all night long.

With that said, since the castle looks so great, why do they still have that terrible looking tree? The garlands on Main Street have a great Victorian look with the fruit in them instead of ornaments, and give it a very welcoming feel. This is then contrasted with the giant plastic ornaments that look like something left over from the 70's at best. The rest of the trees in WDW look great (or at least good), but this one has struck me for years as being just plain awful. DL has a brand new (live...at least for a while) tree every year that gets decorated in about 3 or 4 days with several times the number of ornaments that they have on the fake one in WDW. Would it really be that much work to swap out the ornaments for something that looks a little more appropriate with the other decorations in the area (either use fruit like the garlands or toys like the things in the gardens, or a mix of both). Right now, it looks bad, and they don't seem to really make any effort to make it look better ever.

 

Originally Posted By TDLFAN

>>What an incredibly odd observation.<<

Odd indeed... Hmmm..

 

Originally Posted By TDLFAN

Ferret, I also caught a glimpse of DL's castle on TV as it looked great. I wish I could make it to CA but chances are nil right now. Same for HKDL.

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

<<Not strictly true Spirit. Francois' brief is WDW-specific (doesn't mean their local work won't end up in the other parks). Theme park entertainment is still being run from Glendale at DCE.>>

Interesting. I had heard he was based in O-town, but working on projects for all parks as that was his purpose for moving from Paris where he did such a masterful job.

I'm sure you're correct, though. But I do hope he's allowed the resources to take WDW's offerings to a higher level. Until Nemo last year, which is very good but overrated IMHO, there really was no quality entertainment at the parks.

Streetmosphere at The Park About To Formerly Be Known as The Disney-MGM Studios was the only thing moderately enjoyable to me after they killed the Diamond Horseshoe Review.


<<Last I knew - I hadn't gone anywhere. I think Spirit knows that. >>

Yeah. But some of us miss your spirited viewpoints and intellectual banter.

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

<<All I can say is.. VIVA LA FRANCE!!
Hey Spirit, wanna join me at DLP on thursday?>>

Honestly, as much as I love DLP, no.

Thanksgiving is the one holiday I truly enjoy being home with family and friends and overeating and watching (usually bad) football.

Next month, I might enjoy it!

 

Originally Posted By leemac

<<Interesting. I had heard he was based in O-town, but working on projects for all parks as that was his purpose for moving from Paris where he did such a masterful job.>>

Francois moved to WDW in April. His brief is to improve the local product but that doesn't mean that he won't have an impact on the rest of the WDP&R segment. He isn't part of DCE per se though and so doesn't have the same the same remit as the likes of Steven Davison, Michael Jung and Shelby Jiggetts-Tivony.

There are definitely blurred lines these days between DLR Entertainment, WDW Entertainment and DCE but the big spectacles like TDL's Treasures on Parade, DCA's Wonderful World of Color and DAK's Rivers of Light are all DCE property - the smaller stuff is really the domain of the local teams. They just don't have the talent or contacts to make a show like Nemo. That is entirely driven by Anne's group.

 

Originally Posted By leemac

<<<<Last I knew - I hadn't gone anywhere. I think Spirit knows that. >>

Yeah. But some of us miss your spirited viewpoints and intellectual banter.>>

Thanks - I appreciate it. I wish I could banter a little more but both time and conflicts of interest prevent me from doing so. I'm just too close to some of this stuff - Subs was a perfect example - spent years on that thing and so I know intimately what was going on at all times - but "people in the know" and the Disney fanbase seem to know differently. I can't argue against that (I'm sure you know the thread I'm referencing) - the fact patterns in those threads are just plain wrong. 100% wrong.

This sure is busy times for WDP&R. I think it is good times too - I'm getting very excited about the opportunities we have around the corner these days and it has been a long time since I heard that.

 

Originally Posted By gurgitoy2

"TDL's Treasures on Parade, "

Didn't they change the name to "Jubilation"?

 

Originally Posted By leemac

<<"TDL's Treasures on Parade, "

Didn't they change the name to "Jubilation"?>>

That is a matter of conjecture right now. The phrase "Over my dead body" has been heard from certain quarters.

 

Originally Posted By danyoung

Excellent pics and report, TDLFAN. I'm truly jealous of your ability to drop in on the parks at a moment's notice. Someday, when I retire there . . .

As to that Francois cat and where his influence lies, isn't DL's castle also decorated with the cool mini-lights just like WDW's? I don't know if they're doing a reveal type of show, but the overall look is very similar.