TREE OF LIFE: AWAKENINGS

“First Snow” and “Seasons of Light” at Disney World’s Animal Kingdom

As part of expanded holiday season offerings at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, in 2019 Mousetrappe Media created two new modules for the Tree of Life Awakenings show: First Snow and Seasons of Light. Building on the themes of the original Tree of Life Awakenings, which focuses on the majesty and beauty of nature, these new modules explore the joy of the holidays through the lens of the animal kingdom.

In First Snow, a variety of young animals play through a winter wonderland as they experience their first snowfall. Scored to beloved songs including “Jingle Bells,” “Winter Wonderland,” and “Let it Snow,” the module captures the playful spirit of the holidays. Rabbits pop out of piles of snow, polar bear cubs chase snowflakes, a deer slips across a frozen pond, and all the animals play together in a colorful kaleidoscope of winter fun.

Seasons of Light follows the journey of an owl, a deer, and a bear to the northern lights. Scored with songs like “Dance of the Sugarplum Fairies,” “Carol of the Bells,” and “Oh Christmas Tree,” this more spiritual, ethereal module is a celebration of light in the darkest days of winter.

Mousetrappe Media worked with Disney Parks Live Entertainment to develop original storylines and artistic styles for each module. The custom characters were designed to tie into the unique holiday décor of the Animal Kingdom, which includes decorative lanterns and a menagerie of colorful puppets that roam the park’s hub. Played in sequence with our previous winter module, Giftgiver, and interspersed with snow-covered interstitials in which the animals on the tree take turns coming to life, the holiday Tree of Life Awakenings brings enhanced holiday cheer to the heart of the park.