At Adventure Bay, the entire team behind Disney Cascade of Lights, the destination’s upcoming second night-time show, is busy getting everything ready for its official launch on 29 March 2026. Here’s your chance to learn more about the design and behind-the-scenes magic of this dazzling production created for Disney Adventure World, the second reimagined park of Disneyland Paris.
A CASCADE OF REHEARSALS
Darkness has fully settled over Adventure Bay. The construction workers who were still on site at Disney Adventure World a few hours ago have left. Around the lake, a surge of activity breaks the quiet, as the creators and technicians of Disney Cascade of Lights are hard at work. They are currently rehearsing the placement of the impressive structure that will be positioned in the centre of the lake each evening from 29 March 2026, housing key equipment for the show – fountains, lights, projectors, and pyrotechnics.
This structure consists of five elements: a 14 m² central platform, connected to four barges whose extending arms form an almost circular shape, echoing the lake’s contours. All of this is done in total silence, with fully electric pusher boats moving the various components from the backstage marina, capable of handling the entire structure’s approximate 160 tonnes. The barge operators have received specialised training to manoeuvre the barges with maximum precision, especially when passing the iconic swing bridge from World of Frozen.
Once the structure is securely moored and connected, all that remains are the 379 aerial and aquatic drones specially developed for the show, before rehearsals can begin.
A NEW WAVE OF DRONES
Producer Ben Spalding has been dreaming of this show for over 7 years. Back then, he was working on Disneyland Paris’ first drone shows, as part of the resort’s 30th anniversary celebrations. First came Disney D-Light, and the following year, Avengers: Power the Night. At both Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios® Park, the aim was to bring stories to life in the sky – reaching up to 120 m high. Soon, he was already thinking ahead to the next experiment, one in which the drones would fly lower and nearer to the audience. Truly revolutionary! The Adventure Bay lake project provided the backdrop for him to turn his vision into reality.
Working closely with Dronisos, Disneyland Paris’ official high-tech partner from the outset of this adventure, new drones were developed: aerial drones that are more resistant to wind and rain, as well as aquatic drones, nicknamed ‘ducks’.
Thanks to these groundbreaking innovations, the light show will come closer to the audience than ever before and be even more dazzling. ‘The water acts like a mirror that multiplies all our light sources,’ explains Ben Spalding. ‘Our aquatic drones light up the surface of the lake, combined with low-angled lights all around the edges of the lake. And then there are the fountains, each with its own light sources, and the various pyrotechnic effects. It’s a spectacular cascade of lights!’ All these elements come together to create an extraordinary display of water and light, adjusted down to the millimetre so that every component fits perfectly without disrupting the others. ‘The secret is teamwork.The entire show was previewed in 3D. As part of this programme, we used a detailed model of the park, from which each team member – responsible for drones,
pyrotechnics, lighting, and more – developed their own plan. This made it possible to visualise, plan and choreograph things in advance so that everything came together perfectly when live.’
To bring this luminous festival to life, a team of 24 technicians will be present each evening. ‘That’s more than twice as many as for shows like Disney Dreams or Disney Illumination. That just goes to show the complexity and richness of Disney Cascade of Lights!’
A RUSH OF EMOTIONS
All this technology would be meaningless if it didn’t serve the audience’s emotions, guided by a strong, engaging story. ‘Focusing on emotion and storytelling was a key priority. We wanted a concept that could resonate with all European audiences, and that’s how we came up with the idea of Inspiration,’recalls Ben.
Like Peter Pan’s shadow in Disney Dreams, Inspiration has become a character in its own right and the show’s guiding light. It’s also the link between the audience and the characters in the story. And every one of these characters was carefully selected. Mulan’s commitment is driven by honour and family, just as Moana’s is guided by the ocean, inspiring her to embark on adventures for the good of her community. It is Hercules’ courage of heart that makes him a true hero, just as Judy Hopps’ sense of duty drives her to rise above prejudices and become part of the Zootopia police force. Each Avenger followed their own inspiration and path before becoming a hero, just as Carl Fredriksen did in his unique way, driven by the promise he made to a loved one.
Director Susan Plyer (Minnie’s Dream Factory ) was particularly inspired by this concept and these characters. ‘Each and every one of them embodies an emotion that can strike a chord with every guest,’ Susan says. ‘They are an endless source of inspiration in our lives, whether in helping others, supporting family, or finding the courage to face daily challenges.’
The character’s visuals have been meticulously crafted, with both design and colour carefully calibrated to suit projection onto a water curtain.
Music is both the emotional driver of the show and the metronome that keeps all its elements in perfect harmony. Composed by Mark Hammond (‘Lost in the Magic’) and produced by Jonathan Barr, the show’s score was recorded in the legendary Abbey Road studios in London by a 90-piece orchestra, and is accompanied by an original song, ‘We Can Be Heroes’, which in itself embodies the show’s spirit.
A 360° VIEW
The creators of Disney Cascade of Lights paid close attention to ensuring that spectators enjoyed the best possible experience from every seat – a major challenge given the scale of this massive 3-hectare lake. Not only was the design of the central structure crucial, but so too was the placement of 240-plus floodlights and light points directed at the lake, as well as the sound setup throughout Adventure Bay.
Taking a 360° approach also requires addressing the environmental impact of a production of this scale. From the fully electric power supply for the boats, reducing the carbon footprint, to the lake’s filtration system employing different fish species, to the residue-free materials used in fireworks and pyrotechnics, every aspect has been meticulously planned.
As a result, the show leaves a minimal environmental footprint, but a maximal emotional one, giving the audience unforgettable memories shaped by the flood of emotion poured in by every creator, from the initial concept down to the final technical detail.
