Mickey and the Magical Map

Inspired by Walt Disney’s hope for “children of all ages” to discover joy and wonder, “Mickey and the Magical Map” is a theatrically innovative production at Disneyland Park that integrates high definition visuals, a stirring soundtrack, and live performers within dazzling animation and video projections to achieve a breathtaking stage show spectacular.

Sorcerer Yen Sid (Disney’s Fantasia) begins the story, telling of a wondrous map with the power to take dreamers to any place imaginable. He sets his team of mapmakers to work, painting an enormous map that spans the entire stage. Each magical brushstroke of the choreographed ensemble brings forth something amazing as they sing of the “Journey To Imagination.”

Mickey Mouse enters. Curious and daring, he’s an innocent rascal who yearns to be more than an apprentice. Hoping to impress, he picks up a brush to paint the map’s one unfinished spot, but he soon discovers this is no ordinary map—and his journey begins!


The unpainted spot mischievously comes to life, challenging Mickey’s efforts! It’s a humorous battle of wits as Mickey and “Spot” hurl and dodge paint, until Mickey accidentally spins the map’s compass. Suddenly, the entire map is alive! Before our eyes, Mickey transforms from a live character and is absorbed into the magical map!

Vibrant splashes of color stimulate the map, causing Mickey and the audience to be swept away to fantastic worlds of music and excitement, filled with beloved characters from The Jungle Book, The Little Mermaid, Mulan, Pocahontas, Tangled, Lilo & Stitch and The Princess and the Frog. In the end, we learn that Yen Sid (“Disney” spelled backwards) has overseen Mickey’s journey. His adventure is a heartwarming allegory for the “journey to imagination” that every Disney dreamer may take in a place that can “never be completed as long as there is imagination left in the world.”

Among the innovations in this technically extensive and beautifully crafted show is our first use of the Martin MACIII AirFX (which provides wash, beam & profile effects from one fixture) for incredibly bright output. Nearly one million Pixels (958,464) create the 35,856 square inch LED surface. The audio system features 9.1 Surround Sound and 61 speakers. Two huge “Map Wagons” (9,057 lbs. each) are run by a single 7.5HP electromechanical gear motor. Total weight of installed scenery: 71,000 lbs.

The music and costumes are as artful as the show’s storyline. Over 78 musicians and 16 vocalists were recorded at major Los Angeles scoring studios for the soundtrack.  80 different fabrics and trims were used in the creation of the ensemble costumes, with 250+ costumes and 100+ custom boots crafted for the show.

Presented at Fantasyland Theatre (1800+ capacity), the show runs 23-minutes. Cast of 24, crew of 23.

Project Lighting:

The maps fantastic worlds are seamlessly created through bright lighting and a deeply saturated color palette. A number of fixtures were considered (inventory below) to create the desired intensity of color and saturation. The final design delivers an incredible output of color-drenched light.

Fixture Inventory:

14 Martin MACIII AirFX
19 Vari*Lite VL3000 Spot
45 ETC Desire D60
24 ETC Paletta
190 ETC Source 4 Ellipsoidals
38 ETC Source4 PAR
38 PAR64
4 Strong Super Trouper Followspots

Additionally, 110 Elation Flex LED RBG Tape units are embedded into the portals and proscenium with 98 Twinkleworks DMX LED Strobes, controlled by ETC EOS.

Project Team:

Doug McIntyre—Executive Producer
Michael Jung—VP, Theatrical
Sylvia Hase—Creative Director
Steve Bass—Production Designer
Ray Coble—Producer
Tracy Halas—Show Director
Candice Stewart—Production Manager
Hollie Hopson—Production Manager
Carolyn Gardner—Writer
Michael McKenrick—Choreographer
Bruce Healey—Music Producer
Earle Greene—Senior Technical Director
Mike Layman—Technical Director
Jeff Davis—Assistant Technical Director
KC Wilkerson—Senior Lighting Designer
Jason Badger—Lighting Programmer
Scott Auerbach—Art Director
Matthew Davidson—Costume Designer
Ben Keys—Audio Designer
Daktronics—Video Screen
Tait Fisher—Automation
F&D Scenic—Scenic
Hudson Scenic—Scenic
Martin Brinkerhoff Associates—Video Content
California Theaming—Props
Michael Curry Design—Puppets