ANAHEIM, Calif. -- This year the kingpin of Southern California amusement parks is celebrating its 45th birthday. Never one to shy away from a good time, it's marking the occasion with a new parade and a new fireworks display.
The "45 Years of Magic Parade" stars Disney characters from mega hits such as "Beauty and the Beast," "The Lion King," "The Little Mermaid," "Tarzan" and "Fantasia 2000."The fireworks also reference Disney blockbusters. They are choreographed to a lush soundtrack of recent Disney show tunes. And Tinker Bell and Mickey Mouse make cameo appearances.
First, the parade. The 21st century spectacle harks back to the 14th century. The floats on which the characters ride are inspired by paintings from the Renaissance.
The Little Mermaid, for example, sits inside a clear plastic bubble that's surrounded by sea horses. The effect is reminiscent of Botticelli's "Birth of Venus."
Billowy clouds floating around the base of many of the floats are supposed to represent Bernini clouds.
A soundtrack featuring Elgar's "Pomp and Circumstance" completes the classical touch.
"We married classics of art with classic Disney characters," said Jacquie Treigle, the parade's production manager.
Art historians are more likely to pick up on the tenuous link between the floats and famous paintings than the rest of us.
Kids, however, seem entranced simply by seeing characters they recognize from the big screen.
The fireworks are the brightest candle on Disneyland's 45th birthday cake. Choreographed to a soundtrack of lush orchestrations of some of Disney's recent show tunes, the pyrotechnic display is a show stopper.
Called "Believe . . There's Magic in the Stars," the soundtrack
includes a narrative about a young boy who dreams about the stars.
Disneyland opened all the stops in coming up with the new fireworks show, which will appear nightly through the summer.
"We wanted to make a huge statement this year," said Doug McIntyre, the show's producer.
The show has shells that have never been seen before. It has three times more fireworks, and it lasts four minutes longer than previous displays.
"Guest response has been over the top," he said.
It's easy to see why. Cascades of colors are suspended above Sleeping Beauty's Castle. They descend in slow motion, making time seemingly stand still. At one point, a gold waterfall fills the sky.
The audience sometimes punctuates the display with ooohs and aahs.
Technology plays a major behind-the-scenes role. A new air-launch system patented by Disney ignites shells in midair. At one point in the show, an electronic timer in the shells creates an image of Mickey. And the costume of Tinker Bell, who flies over the castle, flickers with tiny lights.
Good vantage points include Main Street near the Central Plaza and the second-story balcony of Innoventions, one of the new venues in Tomorrowland.
Other happenings this year include the opening this summer of a new and improved Autopia. It will have new models of cars -- a coupe, a sports car and an off-road vehicle. The redesigned track includes curves, bridges, a car park and an off-road driving experience. Drivers will encounter unexpected road hazards and interactive surprises.
The original Autopia dates back to the park's grand opening in July 1955.