Disneyland Paris played host to a star-studded launch event this weekend, as an ensemble of British celebrities gathered to celebrate the grand launch of the highly-anticipated “TOGETHER: a Pixar Musical Adventure” show. The premiere event took place on Saturday night at Walt Disney Studios Park, which featured a dazzling blue carpet, reminiscent of the beloved Pixar universe, where British celebrities Fleur East, Michelle Heaton and Jake Quickenden had the chance to pose alongside Sulley from “Monsters, Inc.”, Miguel from “Coco” and Buzz Lightyear from “Toy Story”, amongst others.
The highlight of the event was the long-awaited premiere of “TOGETHER: a Pixar Musical Adventure”, which officially opens on 15th July 2023. This extraordinary production, which is exclusive to Disneyland Paris, combines the creative genius of Pixar with the magic of musical theatre, offering a one-of-a-kind immersive experience for audiences of all ages. As the curtain rose, guests were transported to a world where beloved Pixar characters come to life, delivering a heart-warming performance that celebrates the power of unity and friendship.
After being amongst the first to watch the exhilarating new show, Fleur East, 35, who was accompanied on the weekend by husband Marcel Badiane-Robin (35) and his two nieces Oriane Ndouye (18) and Aissatou Bienvenue (6), said: “I just saw Together: a Pixar Musical Adventure and I’ll have to tell you it was INCREDIBLE! It’s all of your favourite classic Pixar movies seamlessly woven into one story. I don’t know how they managed to do it. That was what I was really impressed by, just thinking of the planning meeting, how they managed to put all of these different films from completely different universes together and it worked. It was amazing.
“As soon as the orchestra started playing, I was like, my gosh this is all the music that I hear in the movies. And then I’m watching the people playing instruments and it was just honestly so magical. Incredible. I mean, one minute I was under the sea with Nemo, then I was under the bed with Toy Story. Then, I was with Coco. The dancing, the singing, it was amazing! The crowd was singing and clapping along, there were bubbles in the air. There were even party streamers at the end. The kids were grabbing the bubbles and grabbing the streamers. It was really interactive as well. That’s what I loved about it. It wasn’t just sitting in your seat, you felt like you were part of it, and it came to us as well,” Fleur continued.
Michelle Heaton, 43, was equally as enthralled by the new show, saying: “Together: a Pixar Musical Adventure is a musical extravaganza! It’s singing, it’s dancing, you’ve got a beautiful orchestra as well opening it up, and actually playing instruments live throughout it. You’ve got immersion, you’ve got the bubbles coming over. It’s just wonderful and I loved that it had all these elements in there as well. It was absolutely amazing, and I just thought it was really clever.”
Jake Quickenden added: “That was absolutely incredible! Honestly, that was one of the best shows I have ever watched. Just so much going on. Amazing! There is amazing dancing, singing and technology. There is all sorts going on, and honestly it just drags you into the show. You feel like you are part of it, and that’s a special moment. My two-year-old did not take his eyes of it and that tells me that it’s amazing, because usually he has the attention span of a goldfish!”
Before the evening’s festivities, the celebrities took advantage of their visit to Disneyland Paris by immersing themselves in the resort’s captivating attractions. Throughout the day, Fleur, Michelle and Jake enjoyed the iconic rides, explored immersive lands, and experienced the magic of the various shows, including “The Lion King: Rhythms of the Pride Lands” and “Mickey and the Magician.”
Fleur East said: “It’s amazing being here at Disneyland Paris for the weekend, it’s the most magical place on earth. Every time I walk through here, I’m thinking the whole world should be here. There’s music everywhere, everybody’s happy, everyone is smiling – what is there not to love! When you first walk into the parks, and you see the castle, and you see the lights, it is the most incredible thing. I think I was the most giddy when I first spotted Minnie, and straight away I went and got my ears, and I was in it.”
After enjoying a delicious lunch at PYM Kitchen at Marvel Avengers Campus, the celebrity families headed to Disneyland Park to witness the mesmerising 30th Anniversary daytime show – ‘Dream…and Shine Brighter!’. The guests watched in awe as a flurry of festive fun transformed Central Plaza into a colourful extravaganza. It was smiles all-round as everyone waved to the Disney Characters happily making their way to the celebration in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle. From Mickey, Minnie and their friends dressed in shiny 30th Anniversary costumes, to familiar faces from iconic Disney movies – there were so many to see!
Michelle Heaton, who was accompanied on the weekend break with her husband Hugh Hanley and their two children, Faith Hanley (11) and AJ Hanley (9), added: “My gosh, this weekend has been incredible. Disneyland Paris makes me feel excited. It just gives me that belly butterfly flutter feeling that, you know, when you are here nothing else matters. It’s been such a long time since the last time we were here, it’s been just over four years. So, to come back, you know, after that bit of a break, we feel so lucky, and we’re just thoroughly enjoyed every second of it. This is exactly what we needed right now after really tough four years, you know, just in general and us as the family and my health, this has just been exactly what we needed.”
The next stop in their incredible enchanted family break, was a chance for the celebrity families to capture cherished family photos with some of the iconic Pixar Characters, including Woody, Buzz Lightyear and Bo Peep from “Toy Story”, Sulley from “Monsters, Inc.” and Mr. Incredible, Mrs. Incredible from “The Incredibles”, creating some treasured memories as well as grabbing a chance to pose in front of the iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle.
Jake Quickenden, 34, who was accompanied on the weekend by his wife Sophie Church (29) and children Freddie (9) and Leo (2), said: “Disneyland Paris is such a magical place and it means a lot to just get the invite and come and be able to spend time with the family because nothing’s ever promised – tomorrow is never promised. So, making memories and just enjoying the time with the family is just what is everything to me, right now. I just think when you come to Disney, you just get hit with the magic, the happiness that you can just see coming from people’s faces, everyone is just enjoying their day. You are meeting the characters; you’re going on the rides. And no matter how old you are, it’s always going to be magical. Even I walk around and I’m like ‘I’m here for the kids’ — I’m really here for me!”
The family’s exciting adventures extended into the afternoon, as they relished in numerous Fantasyland attractions at Disneyland Park, such as the whimsical Mad Hatter’s Teacups and the enchanting Dumbo the Flying Elephant. An extraordinary day of entertainment reached its spectacular finale with the unforgettable night-time spectacle, Disney D-Light followed by Disney Dreams. This awe-inspiring spectacle created unforgettable moments that will forever be etched in the hearts of the celebrities and their families, leaving them with cherished memories to treasure for a lifetime.
Fleur East said: “Disney Dreams was magical. All of the classic Disney characters in a display along with fireworks, a drone show and water fountains. It was incredible. I loved it. So beautiful. Like seeing it through a child’s eyes. We’re here with my husband’s 6-year-old niece, Aissatou, and her eyes are just lighting up. She was screaming with joy.”
Michelle Heaton added: “Oh it was wonderful, we haven’t been back here for four years, so it is easy to forget how magical the evening light show is – even though you have memories. Seeing it again, tonight has just flooded me with emotions. And we had this moment when we all looked at each other when Rapunzel was on. It just reminds me of being young and free.”
Premiering on 15th July 2023, “TOGETHER: a Pixar Musical Adventure” is the new original daily show exclusive to Disneyland Paris, featuring iconic Pixar characters. Under the bold artistic direction of the talented DLP Entertainment team, “TOGETHER: a Pixar Musical Adventure” seamlessly combines traditional and state-of-the-art technology to create an immersive and unforgettable experience. From creative lighting and mesmerising multisensory effects to contemporary choreography, this production showcases the very best of what live entertainment can offer. The show will be accompanied by iconic music and an original score, ensuring that guests are fully immersed in the magic of Pixar.
The show is filled with poetry and creativity, whether through the state-of-the-art lighting design with 200 spotlights magnifying movement and music – leading to the seamless blending of surface and performers on stage – or the aerial view of the dancers that transforms them into a giant kaleidoscope. “TOGETHER: a Pixar Musical Adventure” represents a significant addition to the Disneyland Paris repertoire of high-quality shows, with this ambitious production further solidifying their position as Europe’s leading destination for exceptional entertainment experiences. With five showtimes scheduled daily, guests are guaranteed to leave the theatre with unforgettable memories and hearts full of joy.
