Tokyo Disneyland’s Cinderella Castle is once again the backdrop for a multi-sensory spectacle, which brings together Disney, Pixar and Marvel characters in a mesmerising projection-mapping-based evening show. Following a five-year hiatus due to the pandemic, 'Reach for the Stars' has returned stronger than ever with over ten feature films represented.
Without giving too many spoilers, proceedings open with Disney characters coming to life and then soaring skywards. Tinker Bell, from ‘Peter Pan’, sprinkles pixie dust into the air as she invites the audience into the show’s dream-like alternate reality. One standout moment is the debut of a segment based upon Disney’s 2023 animated movie ‘Wish’, which marked the studio’s 100th anniversary. As fireworks explode and illuminate the scene, the film’s Star character ascends to the castle’s peak.
Pixar fans, meanwhile, will be thrilled at segments based upon ‘Up’, ‘Luca’, ‘Brave’ and, making its ‘Reach for the Stars’ debut, ‘Wall-E’. A touching scene from the latter, involving Wall-E and his sweetheart Eve, is made even more magical as bursts of fireworks shoot up in celebration of their love.
Marvel also makes an impressive appearance, with 'cameos' from Iron Man, Captain America and Captain Marvel, along with Rocket and Groot from ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’. In a particularly jaw-dropping scene, Thor raises his hammer, summoning flames around the castle as lightning crackles all around.
An all-star finale packs in over 40 characters, including fresh faces from Pixar’s current release ‘Inside Out 2’. Running for around 20 minutes in total, and showing either once or twice each day, ‘Reach for the Stars’ is a blend of hi-tech visuals, pyrotechnics, sound and beloved characters. And it transforms the already magical Cinderella Castle into an enchanting dreamland.
For more information about the show and the daily schedule, check the Tokyo Disneyland's website.
More from Time Out Tokyo
Here’s the official 2024 autumn leaves forecast for Japan
Gakugeidaigaku is one of the world’s coolest neighbourhoods in 2024
Tokyo has a new three-star restaurant in the 2025 Michelin Guide
The pagoda at Kumano Nachi Taisha shrine is currently covered in scaffolding
FamilyMart convenience stores to remove all eat-in spaces
Want to be the first to know what’s cool in Tokyo? Sign up to our newsletter for the latest updates from Tokyo and Japan.