Disneyland Paris to unveil new water show, revamped parade

Disneyland Paris will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a new nighttime spectacular in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle and a revamped evening parade starting in April.

The Disney Dreams show will feature castle projections, water screens, dancing fountains, pyrotechnic displays and laser effects that combine elements from the Magic, Memories, and You show at Florida’s Magic Kingdom and World of Color at Disney California Adventure.

PHOTOS: Disney Dreams water show at Disneyland Paris

The new Disney Dreams nighttime spectacular at the French theme park will employ 30-foot-tall water screens in the moats in front of the castle that will serve as giant canvases for Disney animated scenes set to an original musical score.

Disney’s Imagineers have electronically mapped the entire castle to allow video projections to wrap the exterior like a digital skin.

The water and light show about courage and compassion will follow the adventures of Peter Pan’s shadow as it weaves among more than a dozen Disney and Pixar stories, including “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “Cinderella,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Little Mermaid,””Aladdin,” “Lion King,” “Toy Story,” “Lilo & Stitch,” “Finding Nemo,” “Wall-E,” “The Princess and the Frog,” “Tron” and “Tangled.”

Disneyland Paris will also transform the current Once Upon A Dream daytime parade into the nighttime Disney Magic on Parade (La Magie Disney en Parade) with a theme of light and color for the anniversary celebration.

The opening and closing floats in the revamped parade will get a complete makeover while all-new costumes, music and choreography will be added to the procession.

Two carriages with carousel-style horses will pull Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty along with their princes. The grand finale float will feature Mickey Mouse and other Disney characters in “Sorcerer’s Apprentice” magicians costumes.

Along with extended operating hours, the two new nighttime shows are designed to encourage visitors to stay later at the park and spend more money on food and souvenirs.