The happiest place on earth has taken up residence in Nashville with the unveiling of Disney Animation: Immersive Experience.
Lighthouse Immersive Studios, the producers of the iconic Immersive Van Gogh exhibit, has joined forces with Walt Disney Animation Studios to bring the magical world of Disney to life in Nashville’s Lighthouse Art Space with a one-of-a-kind adventure into some of the most beloved films in history.
Running now through early May, this exceptional immersive experience transports guests into the music, artistry, and animation of Disney films ranging from the earliest classics to today’s favorites. Whether it’s singing like Elsa in Frozen, journeying under the sea surrounded by bubbles with Ariel, or glowing along with the show wearing wristbands that light up in different colors, custom design features place audiences at the forefront of the action.
“Up until now, we’ve only been able to experience Disney animation movies in one format: flat on a television screen or a movie screen. I think what people are going to enjoy most about this is the fact that after countless years of conversations about what it would be like to step into the world of The Lion King, or Frozen, or any of these magical works that Disney Animation Studios created, we finally get the chance to star alongside Simba and Elsa and the rest of our favorite characters in the environment in which they were created. The narrative will literally be wrapped around you, 360 degrees,” says David Korins, Global Creative Director of Lighthouse Immersive.
Each piece of the exhibition is designed to be as educational as it is entertaining. Along with experiencing Disney classics like never before, audiences get an inside look into the processes that bring them to life. Guests can learn about special effects, character development, multiplying cameras, storyboards, and the way in which these dynamic stories are then converted into film. Storytelling is an artform, and the exhibit highlights how animators map out scenes and narratives, the real locations that inspired these animated worlds, and the effects that make these beloved movies and characters so captivating. Guests will also get an inside look into the imaginative animators at the heart of it all who transform these early ideas into masterpieces that are treasured for generations.
“The stories behind every great idea and every amazing character all started from a simple stroke of a pencil on an animator’s desk. What’s so brilliant about this experience is that we really talk about specific animators— where they’re from, where the genesis of these characters came from, and we get to see the entire process from script to screen,” Korins says.
Disney Animation: Immersive Experience also grants audiences access to perhaps the most elusive part of the creative process, the Disney Vault. The experience concludes with an unprecedented opportunity to literally step into the world of Disney animation and see it like never before.
“I would say that’s the thing that makes Disney Animation: Immersive Experience the most unique; it’s that we walk through this experience thinking it’s one thing, and then get invited into this totally other world,” adds Korins.
Much like the movies themselves, the Disney Animation: Immersive Experience is designed to delight audiences of all ages. By showcasing the music, artistry, and animation of favorites including Frozen, The Little Mermaid, Big Hero 6, Zootopia, The Lion King, Peter Pan, and so many more, the exhibit captures Disney magic in its purest form. And as Disney demonstrates with each and every brilliant production, you’re never too old to tap into nostalgia and revisit the happiest place on earth.
“In my opinion, Disney magic is defined by connecting you to the voice of your inner child; connecting you to joy, wishes, dreams, and perhaps the best-in-the-world version of storytelling. This experience is a manifestation of that. My hope is that all of the experiences we’ve created along the way have helped deepen the bond that people have to all these magical stories and make them feel like a kid again. We want them to experience these stories in a way that they never have before,” says Korins.
Tickets for Disney Animation: Immersive Experience are available for purchase individually, in a family and friends package for groups of four and up, and in group packages for parties of 10 or more with discounts offered on group tickets. (4416 Ridgefield Way, 844-307- 4644; lighthouseimmersive.com/disney/nashville)