Light Magic ? 10 Years Later
“Dream our dreams forever, dream our dreams whenever…”
The commemorative booklet given to attendees of the Light Magic Annual Passholder premiere party on May 13, 1997. From the collection of Andrew Rich.
It seems hard to believe that it has been 10 years since Light Magic made its triumphant premiere at the Annual Passholder party, Tuesday night, May 13 1997. Since then, of course, Light Magic has gone on to become the most beloved production in the history of Disneyland that has been duplicated to great acclaim at other Disneyland parks around the world, and a Broadway stage version is in the works. It is true that the success of Light Magic has led to problems with Anaheim sewers being completely clogged with 10 years’ worth of non-biodegradable mylar confetti, but this seems a small price to pay for having such a wonderful, magical…
Huh? I’m awake! It was all a dream… a horrible, horrible dream.
It does seem hard to believe that 10 years have passed since that unfortunate evening in May 1997. Those who attended the event remember the collective gasp of disbelief when Disneyland’s then-president Paul Pressler introduced not the grand premiere (as it was billed), but the “first dress rehearsal” of the show that had been heavily promoted as a proper replacement for the Main Street Electrical Parade. And a dress rehearsal it certainly was?there were technical problems and miscues aplenty.
The reviews on Usenet newsgroups and Los Angeles area newspapers were scathing. Team Disney executives refused to acknowledge the problems with the show, blaming the Annual Passholders?who had paid for the hard-ticket event (and who in many cases, had demanded and received a refund)?and allowing the show to continue to its public premiere and a summer of nightly performances. But the real problem was deeper.
As the summer progressed, it became obvious even to Disneyland’s entertainment and executive hierarchy that Light Magic was simply a failure. The reaction of regular Disneyland guests?not just the demanding Annual Passholders but the day guests who really pay the bills?ranged from lackluster to complete dislike. Adding insult to injury, Light Magic was perceived to mock its well-loved predecessor by incorporating elements of the “Baroque Hoedown” into its soundtrack.
By Labor Day weekend it was over. Light Magic’s final performance was Sunday, September 7, 1997 and it was announced that the show would be going “on hiatus,” to return in some form in 2000. 2000 came and went with not a hint of Light Magic, so it seems that the brief, sad tale of Light Magic is truly over.
But not forgotten! At the time, I ran a Web site called “Disneyland Backstage,” which featured mostly construction photographs from the many major projects happening around the budding Disneyland Resort in the late 1990s. During the lead-up to the AP party, I took a large number of pictures of the modifications to the Small World mall and other areas in the parks that were being remodeled to handle the expected huge crowds for the new show. Now, on the occasion of the 10-year anniversary of that spring evening, I’ve assembled a “then and now” gallery for your enjoyment.
“We open our hearts, and keep the dream alive!”
Then (left): The awning over Ken Anderson’s window on Main Street was studded with fiber-optics.
Now (right): They were removed when the awnings were replaced in the early 2000s. Photographs by Andrew Rich.
Then (left): Main Street window awnings, window frames and building cornices with embedded fiber optics.
Now (right): The same shot 10 years later. Photographs by Andrew Rich.
Then (left): This vent in the eaves of the Plaza Pavilion housed a film projector for one of Light Magic’s show-stops.
Now (right): The eaves show no sign of any projectors. Photographs by Andrew Rich.
Then (left): ‘Le Petit Chalet’ gift shop under construction in March ’97.
Now (right): The shop opened some years earlier. Photographs by Andrew Rich.
Then (left): One of four projection towers built along “it’s a small world” mall.
Now (right): The towers are now used as shade for a lemonade cart. Photographs by Andrew Rich.
Then (left): The projection tower nearest Fantasia Gardens under construction.
Now (right): As the tower appears today. Photographs by Andrew Rich.
Then (left): The terraced viewing area constructed for Light Magic.
Now (right): The area is now now used for character meet-and-greet as well as parade viewing. Photographs by Andrew Rich.
Then (left): One of the projection towers with its hatch open and the projector visible.
Now (right): Today, only the tower closest to “it’s a small world” is used for high intensity LCD projections on the facade during fireworks shows. Photographs by Andrew Rich.
