Debuting as part of “Celebrate Happy”, Disneyland’s 70th Anniversary Celebration, World of Color Happiness is the newest iteration of the popular nighttime spectacular that takes place in Disney California Adventure (DCA). Featuring songs from various Disney movies and revolving around the theme of, you guessed it, happiness, the new show is the only big entertainment offering that was actually created specifically for the anniversary as Wondrous Journeys, Paint the Night, and Better Together were created for previous events and celebrations. 

But is World of Color Happiness worth seeing? And how does it stack up with the other World of Color shows? That’s exactly what we’re going to answer in this review. 

Buy Disneyland Tickets Here​

​Buy Hong Kong Disneyland Tickets Here

Like me on Facebook at The Disney Specialist, and follow me on Instagram / Twitter / Tiktok!

This post contains affiliate links. We receive a small commission for purchases made after clicking on these links at no extra cost to you.

Klook.com

Pre-Show Matters

Just like previous World of Color shows, there is a virtual queue in place for guests who want to view the show from the front-most viewing areas, including the viewing area right by the waterfront. The virtual queue goes live at 12 noon every day. 

To join the queue, you first need to make sure your entire party is scanned into the park. You must have a valid reservation for California Adventure or a park hopper ticket to join the virtual queue. Based on my experience of getting a virtual queue on the first day, the 9pm show quickly filled up but there were still available slots for the 10:15pm show as late as 6pm. If you can’t make it to Disneyland by 12 noon, you should still be able to get a virtual queue for the show, just expect it to be for the 10:15pm show. 

You could also buy a World of Color Dessert package to view the show, which currently costs around $89 and includes with it seating at a designated World of Color viewing area, a selection of desserts, unlimited non-alcoholic beverages, and alcoholic beverages you can purchase as an add-on. I’d recommend seeing the show this way if you can afford it, but it’s not required to fully experience and enjoy the show. 

Before the Show and Viewing Tips

For the 9pm show on the first day of the anniversary celebration, the viewing areas were opened at around 7:30pm. I was one of the first few guests who entered the viewing area and it was pretty sparse until about 8pm. My advice would be to arrive between 7:30pm-8pm for the first showing if you want to get a front-row view of World of Color Happiness. 

While waiting, cast members will allow you to sit down on the ground, but closer to show time at around 8:30-8:45 they will walk throughout the viewing area and tell people to stand for the show. From this point on you will remain standing until the end of the show. 

Ever since I got soaked while watching World of Color: One a few weeks ago, I have always worn a poncho while watching the show. If there’s one tip you’re going to remember from this review it has to be to make sure you wear a poncho, especially if you’re right at the front by the water or in the viewing area right behind the front-most area. I wore one so I didn’t get soaked, but everyone around me who wasn’t wearing one was drenched. If you want to avoid slogging through the park covered head to toe in water after the show, then bring a poncho for you and your party. 

Pre-Show

Before the actual show itself, there’s a little pre-show hosted by the Muppets. It’s a cute little pre-show that uses the Muppets and their personalities really well. It features the Muppets giving a safety briefing for guests to follow during the main show, with the most pertinent instruction to “not jump in the bay”.

Kermit tries his best to rally all the Muppets together to do the safety briefing correctly, but of course nothing ever goes as planned with the Muppets as they all get distracted and try to hijack the safety briefing. Eventually, however, they’re able to finish the briefing in the end, much to Kermit’s delight. 

It’s a quirky and funny pre-show filled with Muppets-style humor and heart that really lifted my expectations for what was about to come. The pre-show begins at around 8:50pm-8:52pm and lasts for about 5 minutes. 

The Show Itself

World of Color Happiness begins with a stirring rendition of Rainbow Connection as the fountains begin dancing to the music. Our hosts for the show, the emotions from Inside Out, then appear in the form of projections on water screens. Joy then tries to get the audience and the other emotions hyped up and ready for the show by leading a sing-along to the popular Tarzan song Trashin’ the Camp. 

The emotions reveal that the show will try to get to the root of happiness in its many different forms. The show then transitions to Joy talking about how the things you love can bring you happiness, which leads into bass-pumping scenes centered on the songs Nobody But U from Turning Red and I2I from A Goofy Movie. 

Joy then talks about how dreaming big dreams can also bring you happiness, which leads into the song “This Wish” from the movie Wish, as well as “I’ve Got a Dream” from the movie Tangled. This part of the show reminds us that dreams have the power to make us happy and encourages us to dream big. 

Anger then hijacks the show and says that if you really want to be happy you need to take charge of your life and make something happen. The show then uses the Incredibles theme, How Far I’ll Go from Moana, and Go the Distance from Hercules to reinforce Anger’s point. 

Joy then asks Anxiety what things would make her happy. Anxiety then says that doing things for others can make you happy, although Joy adds that trying to make everyone happy can put a lot of pressure on someone. This transitions to a scene using Surface Pressure from Encanto to exemplify the anxiety that comes from trying to please everyone. 

Fear then takes over the show, saying that how is anyone supposed to be happy when there are so many unknown factors that can ruin your day. This is the part of the show when the DIsney villains make an appearance.

The last section features Envy, who says that Happiness is all of us, altogether as one. Joy adds to this, saying that when we all come together, we make a rainbow of happiness. A Boyz II Men rendition of Rainbow Connection then puts a final stamp on the show. The music swells, the fountains dance, and the pure emotion of the moment takes over as Walt’s words are heard over the speakers to close out the show.

Joy then begins the “surprise”, which is when the theme song of World of Color Happiness called “Makes You Wanna Move” plays. As it does, bubbles are shot out of the viewing areas as the emotions and various Disney characters dance to the music. The fountains then die down, the lights go back on, and the song “Great Rainbow” plays as guests exit the viewing areas. 

Thoughts on the Show

Let me start with the positives. I appreciate how the show tries to tie everything together with a common theme and story. Having the emotions of Inside Out 2 be the emcees of the show was a smart move on Disney’s part as they literally embody different viewpoints on happiness. Unlike World of Color One, this show actually had a fleshed out theme that ties everything together in a way that feels cohesive and impactful. 

Also unlike World of Color One, the songs and sequences picked to be part of the show seemed intentional, with each sequence highlighting a different aspect of Happiness. My biggest criticism of World of Color One was that it included stories and songs that had nothing to do with its theme and felt like they were just placed there as part of corporate mandated synergy. World of Color Happiness thankfully doesn’t fall into the same trap, as it uses songs and moments to really tell its story. 

Speaking of story, that’s one of the highlights of this show in general. It’s hard to tell an actual story using the nighttime spectacular medium, which is why other shows like Momentous at Hong Kong Disneyland and Wondrous Journeys at Disneyland go for telling a thematic story instead, with songs and sequences fitting into a larger thematic journey. 

World of Color Happiness, however, tells an actual story with Joy guiding the emotions to discover what happiness means to them and what the true meaning of happiness is. I don’t think this show was meant to be as sentimental as World of Color One, but it inadvertently is even more sentimental than World of Color One because of its strong story, which was executed very well. 

Going down to the nitty gritty, the transitions between the different sequences were all very seamless and helped the show flow effortlessly from one idea to the next. The fountains, lights, and projections are all as well-utilized as in other World of Color shows. The addition of bubble machines located throughout the audience was a nice touch that really added to the immersiveness of the show. 

But I think the standout element of the show has to be its main message. In the end, happiness is when we all come together. When we overcome our differences and become one, that’s when true happiness takes place. It’s a simple message, but delivered in such a powerful way through the use of the song Rainbow Connection. 

Now for the things they could improve on. I thought the very end of the finale was a little weak. The music of Rainbow Connection swells, the lights and fountains begin to rise, then it just kind of ends and transitions into this dance party. With all the buildup before this point, it seems like such a waste that they would end it in such a disappointing way. 

I also thought some sequences seemed to go on for a bit too long. This is especially true of the beginning of the show as I thought the Trashin the Camp scene along with the scene where Joy explains the different personality islands to the audience went on for a bit too long.

Finally, the ending was also confusing as I thought the show was going to end on two separate occasions but just happened to keep on going. I thought the Rainbow Connection scene was the end, but then the Makes Me Wanna Move sequence felt like the end, but then that was followed by the Great Rainbow section, which was the actual end. If they stuck to just one of the endings, I think it would have made for a better show. 

World of Color Happiness Review Conclusion

In the end, World of Color Happiness is a great show and a reminder to all of us that happiness can take on many different forms, but it’s at its best when it’s shared with others. While it’s not as strong a show as the original World of Color, it is better than World of Color One and as good as World of Color Season of Light. I can’t wait to return to DCA to see it again, hopefully without getting too wet.

7.5/10

If you enjoyed this World of Color Happiness Review, consider subscribing to my newsletter and bring the enchantment of Disney parks, resorts, and cruise lines straight to your inbox. Whether you’re planning your first magical trip or you’re a seasoned Disney pro, my newsletter is your ultimate guide to creating enchanting memories.

🌟 What You’ll Get:

• Expert tips for navigating Disney parks and skipping the lines.
• The latest updates on new attractions, events, and dining experiences.
• Insider secrets to make your visit extra magical (and budget-friendly!).
• Personalized itineraries, seasonal guides, and hidden Disney gems.

From Walt Disney World and Disneyland to Disney Cruise Line and the international parks, we’ll help you plan the trip of your dreams with less stress and more pixie dust!

👉 Subscribe below and let the magic begin! 🏰✨

Buy Disneyland Tickets Here​

​Buy Hong Kong Disneyland Tickets Here

Klook.com

SUGGESTED READING: