Once upon a time in the mystical land of Mumfke, there lived a young boy named Arthur. Little did he know that his life was about to take a magical turn. One sunny morning, as Arthur was exploring the nearby forest, he stumbled upon a rusty old book lying in the bushes. Curiosity getting the best of him, he picked it up and noticed that it had a peculiar title which read "The Magic Adventures of Mumfke". Intrigued, he opened the book and began reading. As Arthur delved into the enchanting tales of Mumfke, he discovered a world filled with mythical creatures, extraordinary landscapes, and extraordinary powers.
As Arthur delved into the enchanting tales of Mumfke, he discovered a world filled with mythical creatures, extraordinary landscapes, and extraordinary powers. The book described a hidden portal that could transport him to different realms, where he could unlock his own magical abilities. Determined to embark on this incredible journey, Arthur followed the instructions in the book and found himself standing in front of a glittering portal.
Light magic cleaning
Light Magic
Daily through Labor Day
8:50 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.
on Small World corridor
Photo by Allen Huffman, 1997
It’s 1997 in Yesterland. Are you ready to see the follow-up to the beloved Main Street Electrical Parade? Then find a spot along the traditional parade route for Light Magic.
But don’t expect a parade. If you’ve picked your spot properly, one of four huge rolling stages will stop in front of you.
Photo by Chris Bales, 1997
New look for Small World Way
Photo by Allen Huffman, 1997
New light towers along the route
During the day, you might have noticed that the walkway to “it’s a small world” looks different. What had been just a wide walkway is now lined with viewing areas, loudspeakers, light towers, and walkways behind them. On Main Street, U.S.A., speakers are hidden in windows and lights are hidden behind at the tops of the façades. The lights rise up from behind new cornices for the nighttime performances.
Photo by Allen Huffman, 1997
A fanciful rolling stage
Now it’s time to watch the 14-minute show featuring step-dancing Pixies, Disney characters, video projection, and high-tech lighting effects. The Disney characters are in striped pajamas because Light Magic is all a dream.
The score features a new original tune, “Dream our Dreams,” with plenty of old Disney favorites blended in—even a bit of music from the Main Street Electrical Parade.
Those step-dancing Pixies are sure working hard to put on a good show. The folks in Entertainment really hope you’ll enjoy Light Magic.
Photo by Allen Huffman, 1997
Photo by Allen Huffman, 1997
Bashful the Dwarf, in striped pajamas
Photo by Allen Huffman, 1997
Photo by Allen Huffman, 1997
Fifer Pig in unusual pajamas
Photo by Allen Huffman, 1997
Two pixies and Genie from Aladdin
Photo by Allen Huffman, 1997
Daisy Duck atop giant flowers
Photo by Allen Huffman, 1997
Light Magic Pixie and Goofy greeting you
Photo by Allen Huffman, 1997
Perhaps you should consider that Light Magic uses 4,500 miles of fiber optic strands, 1,520 strobe lights, and 23 computers. Or realize that each stage is 80 feet long and weighs 55,000 pounds. Or count the 24 performers on the rolling stage, multiply by four to calculate that 32 Disney characters and 64 Pixies are performing simultaneously.
Photo by Allen Huffman, 1997
Confetti raining from the rooftops of Main Street
Photo by Allen Huffman, 1997
Colorful Mylar squares
And now comes the Mylar confetti, shot from 185 air cannons. Watch out. The Mylar squares can be slippery.
Photo by Allen Huffman, 1997
Light Magic Vacuum parade
Aren’t you glad you’re not responsible for cleaning up the mess?
The crew works hard to vacuum up the confetti, but the Mylar squares don’t want to cooperate. They get caught in the landscaping and all sorts of other places.
Did you enjoy Light Magic? Did you find it to be a worthy successor to the Main Street Electrical Parade? Did you notice how many people around you left before the Light Magic presentation was done?
When guests visited Disneyland in 1996 for the final summer of the Main Street Electrical Parade, illuminated signs at park exits and at the Disneyland Hotel announced why they would want to return the following year: “A Spectacular Journey, Light Magic, Opening 1997.”
Photo by Werner Weiss, 1996
What Disneyland guests saw during the “final” season of Main Street Electrical Parade
Light Magic, Disneyland’s big-budget “streetacular,” ran from May 1997 through Labor Day 1997.
Disneyland Annual Passholders who paid $25 for the Light Magic “premiere” event saw the first public presentation on May 13, 1997. Once there, the Passholders were told they would be seeing a dress rehearsal. It turned out that the Light Magic was not quite ready. It was a bad start.
Ten days later, Light Magic opened to the general public.
Photo by Chris Bales, 1997
Parade route infrastructure improvements under construction for Light Magic
To put it nicely, the guest reaction to Light Magic was mixed.
- The Long Beach Press Telegram (May 24, 1997) reported, “Disneyland’s Light Magic street show was unveiled Friday night to overflow crowds and a lukewarm reception.”
- The Los Angeles Times (Oct. 15, 1997) called it “the $20-million dud.”
- The Orange County Register (Oct. 16, 1997) wrote, “It failed to attract much of a following.”
Photo by Allen Huffman, 1997
Face mask with pixie nose, cheeks, and ears
Disneyland adjusted Light Magic over the course of summer 1997. The pixies lost the masks that scared children. But it could not be saved.
After Labor Day 1997. Disneyland officials announced that Light Magic would be “on hiatus” until the year 2000.
The year 2000 came and went without the reappearance of Light Magic. Nothing resembling the 1997 edition ever came back. It’s doubtful that even the name “Light Magic” will be reused by The Walt Disney Company—for anything.
For Summer 1998, Disneyland used the lights that had been installed for Light Magic to allow the same parade to do double duty as the daytime and nighttime parade. It was the Mulan Parade, based on Disney’s new animated feature that year.
Photo by Werner Weiss, 2007
Parade of Dreams passing towers added for Light Magic
Light Magic left a lasting legacy—the collection of parade infrastructure improvements that Disneyland continues to use.
Updated January 28, 2022
Photo by Allen Huffman, 1997
With a deep breath, he stepped through, leaving behind his ordinary life and entering a realm of possibilities. In this new land, Arthur encountered fantastical creatures like cheerful elves, majestic unicorns, and wise old dragons. They guided him on his quest to find the four elemental stones, which were scattered across different regions of Mumfke. Each stone possessed immense power and, when united, could restore balance and harmony to the land. As Arthur traveled through vibrant forests, treacherous mountains, and mystical caves, he encountered challenges and obstacles that tested his bravery and wit. With the help of his newfound friends, he overcame these hurdles, learning important life lessons along the way. Throughout his magical adventures, Arthur discovered his own unique powers – the ability to control fire, communicate with animals, heal wounds, and harness the power of nature. These powers enabled him to protect Mumfke from the forces of darkness and restore peace and prosperity to the land. Along his journey, Arthur not only became a hero but also learned the value of friendship, courage, and perseverance. He faced his fears head-on and defied all odds to fulfill his destiny as the chosen one of Mumfke. After many thrilling battles and heartwarming encounters, Arthur finally collected all four elemental stones and brought them together. The moment the stones united, a blinding light filled the sky, and Mumfke was bathed in a renewed energy of love and harmony. As a reward for his bravery and selflessness, Mumfke's inhabitants bestowed upon Arthur a golden amulet, a symbol of his extraordinary journey and the magic within him. With a heart full of gratitude, Arthur bid farewell to Mumfke, returning to his own world with memories that would last a lifetime. From that day forward, Arthur never stopped believing in magic. He carried the lessons he learned in Mumfke in his heart and used his newfound confidence and abilities to make a difference in the world. And whenever he needed a dose of wonder and adventure, all he had to do was open the old book and be transported back to the magical land of Mumfke..
Reviews for "The Powers of Mumfke: A Hero's Journey"
1. Janice - 2 stars
I was really disappointed with "Magic Adventures of Mumfke". The story felt disjointed and lacked a compelling plot. The characters were one-dimensional and I couldn't connect with any of them. Additionally, the writing style was bland and the dialogue felt forced. Overall, I found the book to be unengaging and would not recommend it to others.
2. Robert - 1 star
"Magic Adventures of Mumfke" was a complete waste of time in my opinion. The storyline was confusing and incoherent, making it hard to follow along. The author seemed more focused on describing unnecessary details rather than developing a cohesive plot. Moreover, the characters were dull and lacked depth, making it impossible for me to feel invested in their journey. I found this book to be a big letdown and would not recommend it to anyone.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
I really struggled to finish "Magic Adventures of Mumfke". The pacing was extremely slow, and it took forever for anything interesting to happen. The world-building was weak, leaving me confused about the setting and the rules of magic within it. The writing itself was mediocre at best, with awkward phrasing and repetitive descriptions. Overall, I found the book to be dull and unimpressive.
4. Michael - 3 stars
While "Magic Adventures of Mumfke" had its moments, I ultimately found it underwhelming. The main character, Mumfke, lacked motivation and appeared to stumble through the story without purpose. The plot was predictable, and the attempts at humor fell flat. While the concept of magic was interesting, it wasn't enough to redeem the overall mediocrity of the book. I wouldn't necessarily discourage others from reading it, but I wouldn't recommend it either.