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Disney shared more details of Solara, the new Enchanted Pumpkin Tree on the Disney Destiny cruise ship.
Solara the Enchanted Pumpkin Tree
Disney Cruise Line unveiled Solara in early September, when Halloween on the High Seas kicked off. Her name is inspired by the Latin word for sun, “sol.” Like her sisters — Boo on the Disney Wish and Ginger on the Disney Treasure — Solara has a feminine face on her trunk.
Disney Live Entertainment created a Halloween story that would fit into the world of Destiny-Seekers Zayah and Gamble, the ship’s storytellers. They have discovered many tall tales of magical trees from all around the world. Upon discovering Solara, Zayah and Gamble made assumptions about her origin, fate, and destiny. The pair each have a “side” of Halloween they prefer to celebrate. Gamble is sillier, while Zayah is more mysterious.
Once they established these narrative elements, Disney Live Entertainment brought Solara’s visual identity to life, ensuring she was unique to the Disney Cruise Line Halloween Tree grove.
“Every new show is an exploration of learning and creating new things – which is so exciting,” said Philip Kelley, show director for Disney Live Entertainment who helped to bring Solara to life. “We got to play with her design trying various lighting effects, some worked and some didn’t. Once we got her into the space we had great discoveries with moving her sound around the three decks as well as incorporating all the amazing lighting of the Grand Hall.”
She has 26 pumpkins hanging from her branches — 13 on each side, representing the two “sides” of Halloween, Delight and Fright. She also has 31 ember jewels.
Guests can interact with Solara throughout their Halloween on the High Seas sailing. On the evening of embarkation day is “The Tale of the Enchanted Pumpkin Tree” show featuring Zayah and Gamble.
As the storytellers try to figure out which is the best way to celebrate Halloween, guests pick a side and join in a chant for “Delight or Fright!” Solara helps guests see that both can exist together for the best celebration just before showering everyone with orange and green confetti pumpkins. Once she has been awakened, guests can take photos with Solara for the rest of the voyage.
“I love watching the guests’ first reactions to seeing her on embark day, getting excited to see what she’ll look like fully lit. Her carvings are a secret until the show. She truly is a new Halloween character people want to ‘meet’,” said Kelley.
Disney Cruise Line Enchanted Pumpkin Trees
Each Disney Cruise Line ship has a unique signature Pumpkin Tree found in the Atrium/Grand Hall during Halloween on the High Seas.
- Reap on the Disney Magic
- Bog on the Disney Wonder
- Grim on the Disney Dream
- Muckelbones on the Disney Fantasy
- Boo on the Disney Wish
- Ginger on the Disney Treasure
Our friends at Be Our Guest Vacations can help you book a Halloween on the High Seas sailing on any Disney Cruise Line ship.
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The post Disney Reveals Story & Show Details for Solara the Enchanted Pumpkin Tree on Disney Destiny appeared first on WDW News Today.
