Disneyland’s new ‘World of Color’ and 8 things you need to know

The Happiest Place on Earth will lean into the theme of happiness with a new “World of Color” water show hosted by Joy from “Inside Out” that will draw inspiration from Walt Disney’s opening day dedication speech at Disneyland in 1955.

The new “World of Color Happiness” water show will debut on May 16 at Disney California Adventure as part of Disneyland’s 70th anniversary celebration.

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The water show on DCA’s Paradise Bay employs high-definition digital projections on mist screens combined with 2,000 fountains, lights, lasers, fog and pyrotechnics.

Here are eight things you need to know about the new “World of Color” water show.

Joy and Sadness, from Pixar's Inside Out movie, greet visitors on opening day of the new Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind ride at Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, June 28, 2019. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG) — Joy and Sadness, from Pixar’s Inside Out movie, greet visitors on opening day of the new Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind ride at Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, June 28, 2019. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

1) Theme

The theme of the all-new water show can be found right in the name of the title: Happiness.

“World of Color Happiness” will be inspired by Walt Disney’s words from the opening day park dedication from seven decades ago: “To all who come to this happy place … welcome!”

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Joy from Pixar’s “Inside Out” will serve as the host of the new show.

“World of Color Happiness” promises to explore a kaleidoscope of emotions with cameo appearances by other “Inside Out” characters — including Sadness, Anger, Fear, Disgust, Anxiety, Envy, Embarrassment and Ennui.

Scene from World of Color - ONE, the new nighttime water show at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, CA, on Tuesday, January 31, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG) — Scene from World of Color – ONE, the new nighttime water show at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, CA, on Tuesday, January 31, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

2) Films

The gang from “Inside Out” will play a prominent role in the show, but plenty of other Disney and Pixar films will be highlighted in “World of Color Happiness.”

The new water show will feature moments from the “Lion King,” “Little Mermaid,” “Frozen,” “Tangled,” “Encanto,” “The Incredibles,” “Turning Red,” “Wish” and “A Goofy Movie” films projected on water screens in DCA’s Paradise Bay.

Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy dress up as each other for Halloween in "Muppets Haunted Mansion" on Dinsey+. (Disney) — Disney

Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy dress up as each other for Halloween in “Muppets Haunted Mansion” on Dinsey+. (Disney)

3) Muppets

Kermit the Frog, Gonzo and a dozen other Muppets will kick off “World of Color Happiness” during a pre-show message projected on the mist screens.

The zany song-and-dance number will include a safety spiel from Joe the Legal Weasel.

Expect the Muppet pre-show to begin a few minutes before the official “World of Color” show time.

Boyz II Men performs at the Fox Performing Arts Center in 2014. (File photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

4) Music

Plenty of familiar Disney and Pixar songs will play throughout “World of Color Happiness” along with performances by a pair of multiplatinum hitmakers.

R&B vocal group Boyz II Men will lend their voices to a new rendition of “Rainbow Connection” from the 1979 “Muppet Movie.” The song is expected to appear during the Muppets pre-show.

Lead singer Michael Fitzpatrick from the Los Angeles indie pop band Fitz and the Tantrums will debut the new song “Makes Me Wanna Move” written for “World of Color Happiness.”

Disney California Adventure visitors can vote for the Inside Out character they want to see play a key role each night during "World of Color Happiness." (Courtesy of Disneyland) — Disney California Adventure visitors can vote for the Inside Out character they want to see play a key role each night during “World of Color Happiness.” (Courtesy of Disneyland)

5) Vote

DCA parkgoers will be able vote for the Inside Out character they would like to see play a more prominent role each night during “World of Color Happiness.”

Fans will be able to vote using the Disneyland app for one of four characters: Sadness, Anger, Disgust or Envy.

Disneyland has not yet announced when voting will open each day — only saying fans should enable push notifications and location services on their mobile phones.

The new Incredibles float during the Paint the Night Parade at Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, June 21, 2018. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

6) Showtimes

“World of Color Happiness” will run at 9 p.m. most evenings with a second show at 10:15 p.m. on busier nights.

The new water show is expected to run through at least summer 2026 when the Disneyland 70th anniversary celebration comes to an end.

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Parkhopping fans and annual passholders hoping to catch two or more nighttime spectaculars in a single evening will want to know the showtimes for the Paint the Night parade and “Wondrous Journeys” fireworks show across the esplanade at Disneyland.

Paint the Night steps off at 8:45 p.m. and 10:45 p.m. each evening on either side of the 9:30 p.m. showing of “Wondrous Journeys.”

Wondrous Journeys, a nighttime spectacular celebrates 100 years of Walt Disney Animation Studios at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, on Thursday, January 26, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

7) Virtual Queue

Disneyland will once again use a virtual queue for “World of Color” to assign viewing areas.

Disneyland will begin distributing virtual queue spots for “World of Color” at noon through the Disneyland app.

Visitors will receive a smartphone notification via the Disneyland app about 45 minutes before showtime.

Walk-up viewing will be available starting 30 to 45 minutes before showtime.

The "World of Color" Dessert Party includes access to a preferred viewing area for the water show. (Courtesy of Disneyland) — The “World of Color” Dessert Party includes access to a preferred viewing area for the water show. (Courtesy of Disneyland)

8) Dessert Party

There’s another way to secure a premium viewing location for “World of Color” — but it will cost you.

Reservations are now open for the $94 “World of Color Happiness” Dessert Party that comes with an actual seat and box of savory and sweet treats.

The treat box features decorated cookies, cupcakes, macarons, lemon cake, crispy rice treats, cheese, seasonal jam, crackers, dried fruit and cured meats. Drink options include wine, beer, soda, coffee, tea, hot chocolate and nonalcoholic specialty beverages.

Dessert Party guests will sit in the “World of Color” preferred viewing area at a table with folding chairs or a high-top table with director chairs.