The projection mapping technology turns the Chinese Theater into a winter wonderland during Jingle Bell , Jingle BAM ! PHOTO BY RICH RAMOS
RETOOLING THE MAGIC Keeping in the Walt spirit of improving every day , the magic behind projection mapping doesn ’ t end once a show is set up . The team continues to monitor the playback and guest experience .
Counterman recalled some big adjustments to the Tree of Life show : “ When we first added the Awakenings experience to the Tree of Life , we focused everything on the front side , just as we had done with the other park icons . We quickly learned , though , that lots of guests passing between Africa and Asia after dark were seeing the back of the tree , where nothing was happening . Soon enough , we got to work on bringing the Awakenings to that side of the tree as well , but it wasn ’ t as simple as just recreating the same show . The animal details on the back of the Tree of Life are completely different , so it was really like creating a whole new show .”
And it doesn ’ t take the dark side of a tree to get their attention . Counterman ’ s team made additions to the Wonderful World of Animation show at the Chinese Theater as new movies were released , and the team continues to keep an eye on every show detail . “[ W ] e ’ ll sometimes need to go in and make tweaks to adjust color correction if a structure has been painted , as Cinderella Castle was recently , or to add some virtual masking in the form of dark shadows in places to account for landscape growth throughout the year .”
I asked Counterman if he could divulge any details on the changes coming to park icons during the 50th anniversary . He hinted at some dazzling sights ahead at Magic Kingdom , Studios , and Animal Kingdom , along with a new illumination from Walt Disney Imagineering for Spaceship Earth at EPCOT .
THE OTHER SHOW While guests are enthralled with the spectacle that unfolds in front of us during a nighttime spectacular , Counterman and his team are watching us . Witnessing our park day finale helps the team gauge our reactions and make those vital changes to the shows . And while high-tech effects are certainly dazzling , Counterman reminded us that it is the team behind the projector who creates the magic : “ For every minute of the show , there has likely been weeks upon weeks of work behind the scenes , and our work doesn ’ t stop on opening night . Each night of a show ’ s operation requires multiple people dedicated to making that show happen , just for you and our other Disney guests .”
And if you ’ ve been to one of the first showings , Counterman was likely there with you .
“ Generally , I will try to watch the opening of a new show somewhere within the crowd . I want to be a part of the ‘ oooh and ahh ’ moments right along with them on that opening night . Seeing kids , teens , and adults alike pointing out their favorite characters or singing along to their favorite songs is a huge part of why my team and I do this work and take such pride in it .”