Solara is the Disney Destiny’s exclusive Enchanted Pumpkin Tree for Disney Cruise Line’s Halloween on the High Seas sailings. Disney Live Entertainment built her story around the ship’s heroes-and-villains theme, exploring Halloween’s playful and mysterious sides.
Her outstretched arms display 26 carved pumpkins divided between Delight and Fright. Each side has 13 pumpkins. Alongside those glowing gourds, Solara has 31 ember jewels and glistening dew.
- Sailings: Select 3-, 4-, and 5-night Halloween on the High Seas cruises.
- Departure port: Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
- Show: “The Tale of the Enchanted Pumpkin Tree” takes place in the Grand Hall on embarkation evening.
The storytellers behind Solara
Disney Live Entertainment created Solara’s Halloween story to fit the world of Zayah and Gamble, the Destiny-Seekers. The two storytellers have discovered tall tales about magical trees from around the world.
When they discover Solara, they make assumptions about her origin, fate and destiny. Their own Halloween preferences shape the story. Gamble favors Halloween’s sillier side. Zayah prefers its more mysterious side.
The creative team developed those narrative elements before bringing Solara’s appearance to life. They wanted her to remain distinct within Disney Cruise Line’s Halloween Tree grove.
Her name draws from “Sol,” the Latin word for sun. Her sisters include Boo aboard the Disney Wish and Ginger aboard Disney Treasure.
A chant, confetti and hidden carvings
During the original show, Zayah and Gamble share Solara’s legend and bring her to life. Guests choose a side and join a chant for Delight or Fright as the storytellers debate how to celebrate Halloween.
Solara helps them discover that both sides can coexist, then showers everyone with orange and green confetti pumpkins.
Disney Live Entertainment show director Philip Kelley helped bring the character to life. The team tested different lighting effects while developing her design, discovering which approaches worked in the space.
Once Solara reached the ship, the team experimented with moving her sound around three decks and incorporating the Grand Hall’s lighting.
“Her carvings are a secret until the show,” Kelley said. Kelley also described enjoying guests’ reactions when they see Solara on embarkation day, before the character is fully lit.
After Solara awakens, guests can take photos with her for the rest of the voyage. The Halloween sailings also include trick-or-treating and Mickey’s Mouse-Querade Party.
Source: Disney Parks Blog
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