FIRST LOOK at the CHANGES Revealed for Disney’s ‘Fantasmic!’ Nighttime Spectacular

Fantasmic!’s RETURN is upon us. 

Over a year ago, Disneyland’s Fantasmic! show was forced into refurbishment by an unexpected fire that broke out during the finale and destroyed the animatronic Maleficent dragon. But now, Disney’s legendary nighttime spectacular is finally set to return SOON. Now, Disney has released several sneak peeks days before the updated show debuts. 

Disney posted a sizzle reel on the DisneyParks Instagram account showcasing numerous elements of the show, including the returning Peter Pan scene, as well as classic scenes, including Mickey casting fireworks and the Steamboat Willie sequence. 

Tobi Longo of Disney Entertainment — who has worked on Fantasmic! for 30 years — told the LA Times about the newest version of the show. You can read his statement below.

“I think it reflects the wonderful combination of theatrical technology and classic Disney. We’ve used elements that back in 1992 nobody had ever seen — mist screens, projection on water, lasers and lighting a river on fire. All of that was so new. It’s amazing to me that 30 years later, those elements are still as shocking and exciting as they were in 1992. It combines the charm of classic Disney, live performance and spectacular technology. And we have to remember that probably 75% of the guests at Disneyland have never seen a live entertainment show. I’ve done a lot of shows, performing at Disney as a choreographer and a director. And I’ve done a lot of shows on the outside. I don’t think I’ve done anything that combines all of those elements.”

CHANGES Revealed for Disney’s ‘Fantasmic!’ Nighttime Spectacular

One well-known element of the show that’s not returning post-fire is the animatronic dragon. Instead, the character will rise 35 ft. in the air on a massive tower and “conjure an array of lighting, projection, and pyrotechnic effects” while still setting the river on fire. 

Longo also spoke about the new finale, saying, “The whole theme of the show — good versus evil, and Mickey’s magic and imagination overpowering the evil — it’s important to have that peak in the show… Maleficent is still going to be spectacular. She’s on the stage longer than she used to be. We’ve added new pyro effects, with really cool projections and lasers. The river is still going to light on fire. … As much as we miss the dragon right now, it’s still going to be a spectacular scene.” 

@disneyparks

Some imagination, huh? ?✨ #Disney #DisneyParks #DisneylandResort #Disneyland #Fantasmic #MickeyMouse #SorcererMickey #SorcererHat #Fireworks #Show

♬ original sound – Disney Parks

 

Another altered element of the show is the return of the aforementioned Peter Pan scene, replacing the Pirates of the Caribbean sequence that actually replaced the Pan scene several years ago. You can see a preview of the scene in this photo below! 

After over a year away, we can’t wait for Fantasmic! to return to its rightful home on the banks of the Rivers of America at Disneyland. Stay tuned to AllEars for further coverage of the show’s grand return. 

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Are you excited for Fantasmic! to finally return to Disneyland? Let us know in the comments below.