disney studios fantasmic

A Legendary Tale

A night when dreams come true.

The fantastic fantasy includes Disney Characters from some of your favorite animated films:

• Beauty and the Beast
• The Little Mermaid
• The Lion King

Know Before You Go

For showtimes, please check our Entertainment Schedule  or the My Disney Experience app .

The amphitheater curves around the lagoon, so wherever you’re seated, you’re perfectly situated to experience the action. Guests sitting in the first couple of rows may get wet during the performance.

Please have your entire party together before entering the amphitheater. You may arrive as early as 90 minutes prior to each show. Be sure to arrive early to get a seat! 

Since this is an outdoor show, it is also subject to cancellation due to inclement weather. Showtimes are subject to change.

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Entertainment | Disney: ‘Fantasmic’ marks 25 years of lighting…

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Subscriber only, entertainment | disney: ‘fantasmic’ marks 25 years of lighting up hollywood studios.

“Fantasmic” just reached the 25th anniversary of its debut as the nighttime spectacular at Disney’s Hollywood Studios . It’s a landmark rarely reached at Walt Disney World . Even Epcot’s beloved “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” show bowed out after a 20-year run in 2019.

The nightly production received updates — technical and creative — when it reopened last year after an extended pandemic-prompted shutdown. Its story continues to center on the imagination of Mickey Mouse, moments of good versus evil, a dramatic dragon sequence and literally a boatload of Disney characters.

“I think what you never outgrow is the mix that ‘Fantasmic’ offers,” says Amy Ardelean, general manager of entertainment at Hollywood Studios. “You have unbelievable lighting. You’ve got still mist screens that we project on, which is a really unique way of carrying the imaging. You’ve got lifts and all sorts of special effects. You got pyrotechnics. But more than that, you literally have 49 characters a night.”

The characters from across the decades are “the secret sauce,” she says.

“People have a tendency, no matter what age, to want Disney characters,” she says.

Therefore, it’s all hands on deck for the long-standing “Fantasmic” finale, which puts the characters on a steamboat that passes in front of the amphitheater seating area. Dwarfs, chipmunks, princesses and others go through choreography (and streamer work) that rings the vessel, never leaving a blank space facing the crowd.

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“When we were in rehearsal, getting ready to open it again, our senior vice president Jason Kirk came to visit at the studios, and I said, ‘Hey, come with me. They’re there in the rehearsal room working on the steamboat,” Ardelean recalls. “He watched it intently for about 15 minutes and said to both [DHS VP] Jackie Swisher and myself, ‘I will never look at this the same way again. It looks so easy. But in reality, this is a lot to coordinate.’”

“Fantasmic” first appeared at Disneyland, and then a version in a new setting followed at Hollywood Studios — then known as Disney-MGM Studios — in 1998. Earlier this year, a fire involving the dragon during a Disneyland show went viral, and the California park’s production is on pause until spring 2024, Disney says. (Fear not, “our dragon’s healthy,” Ardelean says.)

The 30-minute show includes 80 people among the entertainment cast and crew, plus workers in operations, food and beverage and merchandise.

“Many of them saw it as guests,” Ardelean says.

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Among the recent changes were additions to the digitalized projections.

“Instead of focusing on the live entertainment, we really leaned into some content updates in terms of the visuals that you see. You see so many different Disney characters throughout those images that we were able to stack some of our more recent releases and get them in that way,” Ardelean says.

When the show returned late last year, the storyline expanded beyond Pocahontas’ heroism to include Elsa, Aladdin, Moana and Mulan in action.

“What’s really classic about this new scene is that each of these characters are sort of unlikely or unexpected heroes in their storyline, and with that also they change the world in really unique ways,” Ardelean says. “And so when we get to that place where Mickey is in trouble and calls for a hero, the fact that we celebrate five instead of one, I think, has been a terrific update.”

An early role for Ardelean at WDW was as a maintenance choreographer for “Fantasmic” at age 19, she says.

“There are still a handful of performers that I taught the show to who do it nightly,” she says.

“You teach these things in rehearsal rooms, and the first time that these characters are on this steamboat and reveal themselves, they all forget everything we taught them,” Ardelean says.

Part of that is facing a large, live crowd, and part of it is getting lost in the big Disney moment.

“So many of our performers are dreamers. They’ve wanted to do what they’re doing for their whole lives,” she says. “So it’s not only the vastness of the theater, but it’s this recognition of I am a part of something that has been around in Disney culture for a really, really long time.”

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Fantasmic! is Back! – 10 Things to Know About the Updated Nighttime Spectacular at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

After over a two and a half year break, Fantasmic!, the beloved nighttime spectacular at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is back! The legendary nighttime spectacular invites guests into Mickey’s imagination for a larger-than-life show painted on a grand canvas of dancing water overflowing with silly and suspenseful surprises. Learn more about this show below.

1 – Fantasmic! is Back!

Forces of good and evil once again battle it out in Mickey’s dream as the long-awaited return of Fantasmic! debuted on November 3, 2022, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The elaborate 29-minute nighttime spectacular takes place nightly, featuring thrilling stunts, dazzling special effects, and a rousing score based on classic Disney animated films.

“Fantasmic! is a show that will take you on a journey to see so many characters, so many villains and heroes,” says Melanie Gagne, entertainment proprietor for Disney’s Hollywood Studios. “It’s one of our biggest shows, and many guests will plan their day or their entire vacation around Fantasmic!

2 – The Story of Fantasmic!

Audiences are transported into a fantastical adventure with Mickey Mouse, where his magic creates dancing waters, shooting comets, animated fountains, swirling stars, balls of fire, and other amazing wonders. When Disney villains intrude on Mickey’s fantasy and turn his dreams into nightmares, he uses the powers of good to triumph over evil.

“Bringing back Fantasmic! here at Disney’s Hollywood Studios means so much to our guests,” says Mena Rick. “It was a task to not only preserve the legacy of the show but also introduce new characters for the next generation.”

3 – New Disney Heroes Section

The return of Fantasmic! includes the debut of an all-new sequence that will bring to life heroic moments from Disney stories such as “Moana,” “Mulan,” “Aladdin,” “Pocahontas,” and “Frozen 2.”

“In bringing Fantasmic! back, we have a brand-new scene that we’re calling our Disney Heroes scene,” says Matthew Hamel, show director for Disney Live Entertainment. “We get to see some new characters introduced to Fantasmic!, and we get to show their stories in a new, unique way utilizing a combination of projections, lasers and new lighting.”

We really enjoyed the new scenes. It was fantastic to see newer characters in the show, and it will connect with younger generations.

4 – Upgraded Technology Provides Stunning Visuals and Sound

The show combines live performers with stunning special effects, colorful pyrotechnic explosions, animation and dancing waters synchronized to the melodies of timeless Disney classics.

“It was extremely exciting to take advantage of technological enhancements that didn’t originally exist when the show opened in 1998,” says Katrina Mena Rick, broadcast creative producer for Disney Live Entertainment. “So, we [worked] with other disciplines such as special effects, lighting, lasers and music to ensure that our visual content was as exactly seamless and as beautiful as it could be.”

We could definitely see and hear a difference in the show. The visuals and sound were amazing and really added to the enjoyment of this classic show.

5 – Nightly Performances of the Show

Fantasmic! is performed nightly at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Showtimes are subject to change. During busier times, there will likely be two shows per evening. However, there are times when only one show will perform. Your best best is to check the My Disney Experience app or website for showtimes during your visit.

6 – Arrive Early to See the Show

Guests can enter the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater up to 90 minutes prior to the show’s start. The very large open-air amphitheater can hold up to 6900 seated guests with additional room for about 3000 guests. While the theater is very large, we expect the theater to be filled to capacity in the next few months as guests have waited so long for its return. On opening night, the wait for the first show was over three hours. If you want to see the show, be prepared to get in line early and to wait a long time to see it. Currently, the show is not available with Disney Genie+, though it was included with FastPass in the past. Because of that, we hope to see the show included with Disney Genie+ in the future.

7 – Consider Booking the Dining Package

If you don’t want to worry about waiting in a long standby line or finding a seat, you can get reserved seating for the show. Fantasmic! dining packages are available that include an entrée and appetizer or dessert at select full-service restaurants or one (1) full buffet (where applicable), along with a non-alcoholic beverage. Restaurants include 50’s Prime Time Cafe, Hollywood & Vine, The Hollywood Brown Derby, and Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano. You’ll receive a voucher for guaranteed seating in a reserved area. Disney encourages guests to arrive at least twenty-five minutes before showtime to be seated in the reserved section. Since the theater opens up 90 minutes before the show and guests line up even earlier than that, purchasing the dining package may be worth the extra cost if you were planning on enjoying a table service meal at the park anyway. Although, do note that the dining experience will still take place even if the show is cancelled. Dining packages for select restaurants at Disney’s Hollywood Studios are available. You can book these packages by clicking here. 

8 – Food and Beverages Are Permitted in the Theater

While the theater offers concession stands, if you are looking for something more than popcorn and soft pretzels, you may want to grab food from Rosie’s All American Café or Fairfax Fare across from the entrance of the theater before entering. This may provide an option for a late dinner while you are waiting to catch the show.

9 – Bring Your Stroller With You

If you have a stroller, there is no need to park it outside the theater entrance on Sunset Boulevard. Once you begin heading into the theater, there will be designated stroller parking before you enter the seating area.

10 – Subject to the Weather

Since it is an outdoor venue, the show is subject to cancellation due to inclement weather. In fact, during our preview, the show ended about halfway through due to lightning. Obviously, the safety of the performers and guests are paramount, so don’t be surprised if shows are cancelled due to inclement weather.

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Fantasmic! Is Officially BACK in Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

By Madison Owens Leave a Comment

It’s FINALLY happening, people — Fantasmic! is BACK in Disney World!

Fantasmic! sign

The show is returning to Hollywood Studios after being gone since the 2020 shutdowns . We’ve been waiting it out , checking on construction , getting updates from Disney , and learning about the new version of the show . We had the opportunity to see the changes to the show at a media event the night before the show officially returned. But now, we’re back for the official GRAND OPENING. C ome along with us to check it out !

We’re about to show you some of the changes and a look at the crowds (so, SPOILER warning !).

The crowds showed up in FULL FORCE for the return of the show . Massive lines started forming around 5PM, even though the first show didn’t start until 8PM.

Fantasmic Opening Day Crowds

They opened the amphitheater around 6:15PM.

And the amphitheater has opened for Fantasmic! tonight! 📍: Disney’s Hollywood Studios pic.twitter.com/7JZM5gMbks — Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) November 3, 2022

You can take a closer look at the massive CROWDS here! 

Now, the show is different than it was before it closed. The biggest difference is probably the addition of a brand NEW sequence in the show! This sequence will take you on a “ journey with our heroes ,” according to Disney Live Entertainment Show Director Matthew Hamel. The new segment includes  new characters, stunt performers, animation, and more .

There is also an Aladdin scene with NEW stunts, a new scene with Elsa featuring the song “Show Yourself” from Frozen 2 , and some moments with Moana, Pocahontas, and Mulan.

Disney brought in Mimi Chan, the original model used by animators for Mulan in the 1998 animated film, to help choreograph authentic Chinese martial arts in Mulan’s new scene.The Pocahontas scene has received the biggest changes and overhaul, according to Disney. The characters that are now in the show include characters from  Moana, Frozen 2, Mulan, Aladdin, Pocahontas, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, and  The Lion Kin g.

Another things that’s changes is that the runtime of the show is longer. It was previously around 25-26 minutes, and it’s not 29 minutes.

You can see MORE of the changes to Fantasmic! here! 

Also, just as a note. We were able to step outside of the theater. When we asked a Cast Member if we could step out, we were given this sheet of paper. Now, this may not be guaranteed, but if you need to step outside of the theater, you may want to ask to see if this is an option.

Reentry into Fant

If you’re planning on checking out Fantasmic! soon, you can take a look at all of the showtimes right here . And, you can also reserve a Fantasmic! Dining Package if you’d like to have a guaranteed, reserved seat and a meal before the show.

Click here to learn more about Fantasmic! Dining Packages!

That’s our look at the returned show in Hollywood Studios!

For more on things returning to Disney World, check out when Akershus will be reopening in EPCOT’s Norway Pavilion , our review of the returned Monsieur Paul in EPCOT’s France Pavilion , and more about buffets being back at Tusker House in Animal Kingdom !

Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney World news and updates!

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Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!

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Disney's Hollywood Studios

Sunset Boulevard

Age Interest

Accessibility and Other Information - Opens Dialog

Accessibility

• May Remain in Wheelchair/ECV

Nighttime Entertainment, Mickey & Friends

Be there as the forces of good and evil battle it out in Mickey’s dream during this extravagant open-air nighttime musical.

A Legendary Tale

Featuring stunning effects, thrilling stunts, dazzling pyrotechnics and rousing music, this larger-than-life show is painted on a grand canvas of dancing water and light. Overflowing with silly and suspenseful surprises, it will leave your entire family smiling from ear-to-ear!

A Night When Dreams Come True

The fantastic fantasy includes Disney Characters from some of your favorite animated films:

• Beauty and the Beast
• The Little Mermaid
• The Lion King

Know Before You Go

The amphitheater curves around the lagoon, so wherever you’re seated, you’re perfectly situated to experience the action. Guests sitting in the first couple of rows may get wet during the performance.

Please have your entire party together before entering the amphitheater. You may arrive as early as 90 minutes prior to each show. Be sure to arrive early to get a seat! 

Since this is an outdoor show, it is also subject to cancellation due to inclement weather. Showtimes are subject to change.

Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway

All aboard for a zany ride into a world where the rules of physics don’t apply.

Wonderful World of Animation

Celebrate over 90 years of classic Disney and Pixar animation in a thrilling new nighttime show.

Fantasmic! Dining Package

Savor a delicious meal, then watch the Fantasmic! nighttime spectacular from a VIP seating area.

Show In My Plans

Reminder: this is not a reservation.

Wednesday, November 15, 2023

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UPDATE November 4 - After over two years of waiting, Disney fans were finally able to experience Fantasmic! again in all its glory last night as it officially reopened at Disney's Hollywood Studios. As predicted there have been numerous videos posted online of the show and we are sharing one with you which shows the first performance on November 1.

For anyone who is lucky enough to be visiting Disney's Hollywood Studios in the near future to experience Fantasmic! then look away now but for those who would like to kick back, relax and see it from the comfort of your own home then click on the video below and enjoy. So far, Disney fans appear to be seriously impressed with the new show and sequence and are thrilled to finally have this iconic show return to Disney's Hollywood Studios.

November 3 - The day has finally dawned. Fantasmic! at Disney's Hollywood Studios officially reopens today with showtimes at 20:00 and 21:30. As predicted videos have already appeared online from the Media preview events and we are embedding one below which shows the highly anticipated new heroes scene.

From reading hundreds of comments online it certainly seems like this new scene is impressing Disney fans. Iconic characters are featured in this new addition to Fantasmic! including Pocahontas, Aladdin, Elsa singing "Show Yourself", Moana and Mulan. This has been confirmed as being 2 minutes longer than the Pocahontas scene it is replacing. If you are interested in taking a look then click on the video below. Let us know your thoughts by leaving us a comment below or on our Facebook page.

November 2 - Disney has revealed a number of photos of the new scene which will debut tomorrow (November 3) when the long shuttered Fantasmic! finally returns to Disney's Hollywood Studios. These can be seen in this tweet by reporter, Scott Gustin.

Disney has shared a first look at the new scenes added to Fantasmic! at Disney's Hollywood Studios. The show makes its official return on Nov. 3. pic.twitter.com/0aSRyskVag — Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) November 1, 2022

There are also further promo images for Fantasmic! and a video for the new sequence which can be seen below. From reports online it appears that Disney has installed a new sound system which should be a huge improvement. There was a Cast Member preview last night and another Cast Member/ Media preview tonight so there is likely to be lots more videos posted online for eager Disney fans to feast their eyes on in the coming days.

Here are some other Fantasmic! promo images released by Disney earlier today: pic.twitter.com/QAyuOXXZAP — Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) November 1, 2022

NEW: Here is promo video of the new Fantasmic! show sequence. pic.twitter.com/auo4enxj7z — Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) November 1, 2022

October 28 - Showtimes have been updated for Fantasmic! when it returns to Disney's Hollywood Studios beginning November 3. Here are the current listed timings:

• Nov 3 - 7: 20:00 and 21:30
• Nov 8 - 13: 20:00
• Nov 14 - 16:  20:00
• Nov 17 - Dec 3: 21:00
• Dec 4 - 20:00
• Dec 5 - 25 21:00
• Dec 26 - Jan 6 20:00

As we know this schedule is open to being changed so it is always advisable to check the Walt Disney World calendar prior to your visit. 

October 24 - We are all eagerly awaiting the return of the extremely popular Fantasmic! to Disney's Hollywood Studios on November 3. It has now been rumored online that guests staying in EPCOT area resorts at Walt Disney World which includes Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts, Disney’s BoardWalk Resort, the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resorts, and the Swan Reserve have been warned that there will be firework testing and rehearsals at Disney's Hollywood Studios on Wednesday October 27 and Thursday October 28 between 11:00-11:30PM. 

Please note that this there has been nothing officially confirmed that this is testing for Fantasmic! but we are making a well-informed assumption that it is! 

When Fantasmic! returns on November 3 it will have an all-new show sequence which has been promised to feature, " a high-energy Aladdin chase with stunts never seen on the “Fantasmic!” stage, a powerful scene with Elsa set to “Show Yourself” that is sure to thaw the most frozen of hearts, and stirring moments with Pocahontas, Moana and Mulan." 

Are you excited to see this new show sequence for Fantasmic!? Let us know by voting in our poll below or leaving us a comment on this article or on our Facebook page.

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October 19 - Disney has now confirmed the return date for Fantasmic! at Disney's Hollywood Studios . This popular long shuttered show will return on Thursday, November 3.

NEW: Fantasmic! returns to Walt Disney World on November 3. pic.twitter.com/6MSEe0Ll76 — Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) October 19, 2022

Scott Gustin has also confirmed that when Fantasmic! returns on November 3, it will include "a new heroes sequence features a "high-energy Aladdin chase with stunts never seen on the “Fantasmic!” stage, a powerful scene with Elsa set to “Show Yourself” that is sure to thaw the most frozen of hearts, and stirring moments with Pocahontas, Moana and Mulan."

We also know that the show will be 3 minutes longer than it was previously and is now listed as 29 minutes long. Cast members will be among the first to see the new show with special previews. Fantasmic! dining packages for select restaurants at Disney's Hollywood Studios will be available for performances beginning November 30 onwards.

Disney fans will certainly be excited for the return of this iconic show at Disney's Hollywood Studios and will be eager to see these new promised additions. Let us know your thoughts on the return of Fantasmic! by leaving us a comment below or on our Facebook page.

October 12 -   Disney has just confirmed that Fantasmic! will return to Disney's Hollywood Studios in November. We heard in mid-September that rehearsals had begun and we have all been eagerly awaiting this confirmation. 

This is certainly exciting news for Disney fans, the very long wait is nearly over. All we need to know now in the exact date in November that Fantasmic! is set to return which we will update you on as soon as it is announced.

💫 🐭 Cue the music because we’ve been waiting for this one. Fantasmic! returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios soon – November 2022! pic.twitter.com/txeAOGHSeo — Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) October 12, 2022

September 13 - After Disney recently took to social media to confirm that Fantasmic rehearsals had finally begun, many parks fans were almost certain this weekend would bring confirmation of the show’s expected return date, but unfortunately, this wasn’t the case.

During the panel, a timeline was displayed that featured Fantasmic within the 2022 section, which wasn’t necessarily surprising given that it's currently in its rehearsal stages, however, no further date was confirmed so, for now, Fantasmic’s reopening will remain a mystery until we receive further news. With cast rehearsals in full swing, we are confident that fans won't have to wait much longer until they can finally enjoy Fantasmic! once again at Disney's Hollywood Studios. 

August 31 - We now have news that cast rehearsals have finally begun for the highly anticipated Fantasmic! at Disney's Hollywood Studios meaning there should be a reopening date announced very soon. Some fans are speculating this date could be released during the upcoming D23 event which is taking place in Anaheim, September 9-11, 2022. We will keep you posted on all further updates on our news and Facebook page.

@disneyparks We’ve been waiting for this one…Cast rehearsals have begun 👀 #Disney #DisneyParks #DisneyWorld #HollywoodStudios #DisneyCastLife #Fantasmic ♬ original sound - Disney Parks

June 13 - Although we still don't have a confirmed reopening date for Fantasmic at Disney's Hollywood Studios, a recent aerial photo has been posted by Bioreconstruct which shows the moat full again and trash cans in place at each section of seating as well as a Boom lift which has been installed.

This shows Disney is certainly making progress with the refurbishment of Fantasmic and gives us hope of some positive news regarding an opening date very soon. You can check out the aerial photo below.

Aerial look at the refurbishment of Fantasmic. Zoom in and there's trash cans staged at each seating section. Boom lift at left side of the seating is likely for servicing the show lighting. pic.twitter.com/VTj8qUfwEp — bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) June 11, 2022

April 5 - We reported back at the end of February that Disney had announced that Fantasmic! would return to Disneyland on May 28. This gave Walt Disney World fans hope that an opening date for Fantasmic! to return to Disney's Hollywood Studios may be imminent.

We had seen positive photos online at the start of March of the moat having been filled meaning testing could progress.

However, a tweet posted by Bioreconstruct yesterday shows the moat drained with only some collected rain water at the bottom of it. It also shows you the original tweet from March 2 when we assumed the refurbishment was almost complete. You can see the tweet embedded below.

Aerial look at Fantasmic. Drained, except for rain accumulated yesterday. Arrow at a collection of recently staged trash cans. pic.twitter.com/d1WXcdMP5x — bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) April 4, 2022

This certainly doesn't seem to be good news for fans of Walt Disney World. There does, however, appear to be some trash cans lined up, could this mean that they are going to be distributed around the area in preparation for an opening or could it mean that they are using the area to store trash cans? We certainly hope it is the former!

We haven't had confirmation as to why the moat which had previously been filled has now been drained again but we will keep you up to date with any further details as soon as we get them on our news and Facebook page.

Are you looking forward to the return of Fantasmic to Disney's Hollywood Studios? Let us know by leaving us a comment below or on our Facebook page. 

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Viewing Guide for Fantasmic at Disney World

This viewing guide features tips & tricks for watching Fantasmic at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This covers the best & worst views, seating locations to see the nighttime spectacular, whether dining packages are worth the money, and suggestions for taking better photos of Walt Disney World’s best nighttime spectacular. ( Updated May 23, 2023 .)

For those unfamiliar with it, Fantasmic is a nighttime spectacular performed nightly in the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. After a multi-year hiatus, it was reimagined and reintroduced at the end of last year, and is now arguably  the  must-see nighttime spectacular at Walt Disney World. Right up there with the iconic Happily Ever After fireworks that fill the sky above Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom.

Another version of Fantasmic is also shown along the Rivers of America at Disneyland; the two are similar but sufficiently different that both are worth seeing. While Fantasmic includes pyro among its elements, it is not a conventional fireworks show. Instead, it’s more like a stage show at night, at an epic scale with wow-inducing wizardry, visuals, and performers.

May 23, 2023 Update:  We’ve revised some of our strategy below, but also wanted to offer a quick note up top since we’re discussing the Disneyland version of Fantasmic. Due to Maleficent catching on fire last month, Fantasmic at Disneyland is dark until at least Labor Day .

There’s been some confusion about this, but the California closure does not impact Fantasmic at Walt Disney World in any way, shape, or form. Fantasmic at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is being presented 100% as normal, including all fire effects, Maleficent, and everything else. It’ll continue to be performed–hopefully with two showtimes–throughout Summer 2023.

For those who are unfamiliar with it, Fantasmic is, for lack of a better term, an evening extravaganza. It combines various elements–fire, water projections, lasers, and fireworks–for a show that uses dreaming and the power of imagination as a jumping off point for montage scenes with various heroes and villains.

The latter characters turn Mickey’s dream into a nightmare, and the little mouse uses the power of his imagination to overcome them! The elaborate production also features dozens of live performers, massive sets, and rousing music to produce a larger-than-life show.

The premise of Fantasmic is that Mickey Mouse is fast asleep, dreaming of being the Sorcerer’s Apprentice with the power to control water, color and magic. This sets the stage for a series of scenes from other films, some of which Mickey Mouse appears inside, including Moana, Frozen 2, Mulan, Aladdin, Pocahontas, Beauty and the Beast, Little Mermaid , and the Lion King.

This takes a dark turn and becomes a nightmare fantasmic when the Evil Queen from Snow White conjures up some of Disney’s most dastardly villains, including Maleficent as a 40 foot tall fire-breathing dragon! He must then use the power of his imagination to bravely vanquish his foes and save the day–don’t underestimate the power of Mickey’s imagination!

For those who are familiar with Fantasmic but haven’t seen it since its return in 2022, a lot has changed. The nighttime spectacular has been reimagined with stunning new effects, upgraded audio & visual technology, and a brand-new heroes montage scene. This brings to life heroic moments from Moana, Mulan, Aladdin, Frozen 2 , and Pocahontas . The heroes medley replaces an extended, all-Pocahontas scene, and is a huge upgrade.

Through this sequence, the audience goes on a journey with heroes, watching as they find the strength within themselves to push through in a truly spectacular way. The new heroes part features a high-energy Aladdin chase stunt session, a powerful scene with Elsa set to the song “Show Yourself” that is sure to thaw the most frozen of hearts, and stirring moments with Pocahontas, Moana, and Mulan. Without question, this is better than the Pocahontas standalone scene that it replaced.

With the basics of the nighttime spectacular out of the way, the first thing to determine is figuring out whether you want to purchase the Fantasmic Dining Package. For what it’s worth, we recommend booking the cheapest Fantasmic Dining Package and guaranteeing yourself a great seat that way!

Participating restaurants at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and dining package prices, which exclude tax and gratuity:

In the past, we only recommended the Fantasmic Dining Package to those on the Disney Dining Plan, as there was no extra cost for it. It was a “free” bonus for those on the DDP. However, that’s in part because it was fairly easy to get a good spot for Fantasmic via standby, or a great spot via the free FastPass+ service.

Unfortunately, the Disney Dining Plan is still temporarily suspended, so obviously it’s not possible to get the Fantasmic dining package for “free” with the DDP right now. Moreover, FastPass+ has been permanently retired–and Fantasmic does not have a Genie+ Lightning Lane entrance ( yet ), so that’s also not an option.

The good news is that we finally have official confirmation that Walt Disney World is bringing back the Disney Dining Plan in 2024! Hopefully a Lightning Lane entrance will also be added for Fantasmic at some point this year or in 2024, too.

All of this changes the equation, and makes us much more inclined to recommend paying out of pocket for the Fantasmic Dining Package. As far as recommendations go, our biggest advice is…NOT Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano!

Seriously, we really like all of the Fantasmic Dining Package restaurants except Mama Melrose, and all for different reasons. Hollywood Brown Derby is one of the few in-park Signature Restaurants, and it’s generally really good. Of course, it’s also far and away the most expensive, but that’s also true when paying out of pocket at the restaurant. So long as you order one of the $40+ entrees, Brown Derby is still a pretty good value via the Fantasmic Dining Package despite the higher cost.

We also really love both 50’s Prime Time Cafe and Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater. As noted above, the latter is the cheapest Fantasmic Dining Package, and the former is only a few dollars more expensive. We’ve said for years that you should disregard the negative reviews, as the experience at both restaurants is the star of the show. Both serve pretty good comfort food, too.

I’m inclined to pick Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater over 50’s Prime Time Cafe, but other Walt Disney World fans favor 50’s. I can’t fault them for the preference–you really can’t go wrong, either way. Both are among the pinnacle of themed dining at Walt Disney World and are well-worth experiencing at least once. (We’ve done both  many, many more times than that! )

We also love the various Minnie’s Seasonal Dine options at Hollywood & Vine. While we cringe a bit at that $71 price for adults, we absolutely love Minnie’s Holiday Dine –as well as the Spring Time and Halloween options.

Hollywood & Dine is another restaurant that gets mixed reviews, with some Walt Disney World fans ardently opposed to it. To be sure, this is not the height of haute cuisine at Walt Disney World. It’s a character buffet. The food is familiar and comforting, and in no way whatsoever envelope-pushing, but generally good. We are big fans. (Overall, I think the table service ‘scene’ at Disney’s Hollywood Studios doesn’t get nearly enough credit. It’s no World Showcase, but almost everything offers something worthwhile.)

Not everyone will have the vacation budget or time to do the Fantasmic Dining Package. Table service meals are expensive and, equally as important, time-consuming. On top of that, availability is exceeding limited for the Fantasmic Dining Package, with exponentially more demand than there is supply. As a result, many visitors who do want to book the Fantasmic Dining Package will not be able to do so.

Which brings us to the other viewing options for Fantasmic at Walt Disney World.

Let’s start with whether you should catch the first or second performance of Fantasmic. On nights when there’s only one showing of Fantasmic, that’s the one you’ll do (obviously). Pretty open and shut recommendation.

While you can line up to see Fantasmic up to 90 minutes in advance, we recommend showing up around 30-45 minutes in advance if there’s only one showing of Fantasmic. You won’t get a great seat, but most views in the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater are “good enough.”

By arriving at least 30 minutes before showtime, you should get a spot that is not in the far left or right second. (During peak season travel dates–the weeks of Christmas, New Year’s Eve, Presidents’ Day, Mardi Gras, Easter, Spring Break, July 4th, etc–consider arriving earlier.)

On nights when there are two showtimes of Fantasmic, it’s common for the second one to occur at park closing or 30 minutes after. If the second showtime is at or after park closing, you should see the second one. It’ll effectively extend your day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios by 30 minutes to an hour, which is more than you’ll get by jumping in line for a ride at the end of the night.

Equally as important, we’ve managed to see the second showing of Fantasmic from spectacular  seats without arriving more than 5 minutes in advance of showtime. This has been the case even on evenings when the first performance was quite busy and seats filled up 30 minutes before showtime.

On those same busier days, the late performances of Fantasmic had multiple entire sections that went unfilled. I was able to snag the third row of a great section at (literally) 2 minutes before showtime, and that was on a busy day. We’ve done this repeatedly in 2023, including during the peak of spring break–and we’ll be trying it again this summer and holiday season when there are (presumably) multiple showtimes again.

If there are two showings of Fantasmic and the second is scheduled for 30 minutes or more before park closing (this pretty much only happens in the winter), we’d recommend seeing the first showing! This is despite it always being the more crowded of the two. Other planning resources, like the above, are going to recommend seeing the second show for the exact same reason–the second showing is always  less popular.

During the second showing of Fantasmic, the rest of Disney’s Hollywood Studios is also significantly less crowded. This allows you to knock out headliner attractions with minimal wait–we’re talking posted wait times under an hour for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Slinky Dog Dash, with actual wait times typically around half of what’s posted.

Now let’s turn to where to sit for the best view of Fantasmic. At Walt Disney World, this is pretty simple. Fantasmic’s viewing area is set up like a normal stage show, with the action taking place mostly on a stage, and in the water in front of that stage.

The seating area is literally an amphitheater, with benches for seating. My preference is as close to center as possible, and near the front, but not all the way at the front. Roughly 3 to 10 rows back, give or take. Personally, I like to be a few rows back to have clearance over the handrail for photos and also to be on a straight-plane with the main stage. That’s probably splitting hairs a bit too much, though.

I don’t like being much farther back than 10 rows. The Hollywood Hills Amphitheater is absolutely colossal, and the farther back you get, the more impersonal the venue feels. Being closer doesn’t just put you closer to the action–it makes the show feel more immersive. This is one of the big strengths of the Disneyland version, which is often described as intimate as a result. (Much like the park itself.)

It’s impossible to replicate that feeling at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, as the venue is not an organic part of the park. However, the upside is that it’s a lot easier to watch Fantasmic at DHS and the crowd for the nighttime spectacular does not impact the rest of the park. In my opinion, you can come pretty close to having that sense of intimacy and immersiveness by getting a good seat close to center stage.

Speaking of which, Hollywood Hills Amphitheater seats 6,900 guests with additional standing room for about 3,000 guests. That should put into context the size of the venue, which is like a small (half) stadium.

The nearly 10,000 person capacity is massive number–larger than how many guests can watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks from Main Street–and one that allows a good percentage of all guests in Disney’s Hollywood Studios to see Fantasmic–especially when it has two nightly performances. By that time of the night, there typically are not that many guests still around in DHS, so the second show seldom fills up the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater.

At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, front and center should be pretty easy to locate. Note that in the very front row will get you wet, and slightly off-center is no problem. As of Fantasmic’s return in Late 2022, the Sorcerer Mickey and Scar sections are reserved for the Fantasmic Dining Packages. Without a doubt, these are the best views of the show.

However, they are not the only great views. Just as good as the Scar section is the Pocahontas section, especially the seats towards the Sorcerer Mickey side. The case could be made that Pocahontas is ever-so-slightly  superior  to Scar in terms of the view of center-stage.

It’s also worth noting that not all of the action occurs on the center-stage. To the extent that there are off-center scenes, these occur disproportionately to the Sebastian section side. That also makes this a great section, especially if you’re a fan of Moana or want a great view of Mickey during the climactic battle sequence.

Honestly, though, don’t overthink it. These are my personal preferences as an obsessive photographer who aims for the  perfect  conditions and viewing angles. For 95% of guests, any view is going to be a great view, and Fantasmic will impress regardless.

As such, my more “mainstream” advice is to arrive early enough so that you’re not seated far back, or in the far left or right (Hades/Beast and Ursula/Witch) sections. Every other viewing area is great, and I’d personally trade a slightly off-center view for a view that’s closer to the stage.

Overall, Fantasmic is an excellent nighttime spectacular and the perfect way to end a day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It has always been a not-to-be-missed experience at Walt Disney World, but that’s truer than ever thanks to the new heroes sequence and improved effects. Even if it means spending more for the dining package or committing time to securing a spot via standby, Fantasmic is worth it.

Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our  Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews  page. For where to eat, read our  Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews . To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our  Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets  post. Our  What to Pack for Disney Trips  post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our  Walt Disney World Ride Guides  will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our  Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide  for everything you need to know!

YOUR THOUGHTS

What’s your favorite viewing section for Fantasmic in the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater? Prefer Sorcerer Mickey, Scar, Pocahontas…or some other section? Do you typically do the dining package, standby, or have a different strategy for seeing the show? Bummed that there’s no virtual queue or Genie+ for Fantasmic at DHS? Would it be worth the surcharge to guarantee that you’ll have a good spot in the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater to see Fantasmic? Do you agree or disagree with our assessment? Any questions? Hearing your feedback—even when you disagree with us—is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!

Written by Tom Bricker

Tom, If the WDW calendar is to be believed, Fantasmic will be shown only at 8:30 starting on Aug. 27 and continuing through Sept. 18 (after which it will return to 9:30), with the park closing at 9:00. That would make it a high price to pay to attend the show, as by arriving in advance and staying through the 29-minute extravaganza, it would eat up the whole last, best hour at the park (in terms of lines and atmosphere). Any thoughts on dealing with that situation (without shelling out for the dinner package for a family of four)? Fantasmic or a prime hour of rides? Or would it be possible to leave, say, 3-5 minutes early from the show and get to Slinky Dog (or at least to Tower of Terror) a minute before closing? Any advice would be most welcome.

Just booked our ADRs for our trip in August and was hoping they’d add Roundup Rodeo to the package because we really want to try that restaurant but 2 table service meals for 6 people would cost way more than we want to spend in one day. Thanks for the tips on seating though, that should help!

Just watched 9pm showing of Fantasmic last night (5th May) at WDW and Maleficent was not in use! I asked a cast member afterwards and apparently after the down time (1st & 2nd May) it hasn’t been used due to technical difficulties!

Great info! What’s your recommendation for when the park closes at 10 and the second showing is at 10:30? Would you still recommend seeing the first showing?

I have the same question! Noticed they’ve shifted the timing of the 2nd show and given that an curious if that changes the recommendation. Also wondering if there’s enough time to leave the show and hop in line for one last ride.

Super helpful article. Booked the dining package for Jan. 23 at Hollywood and Vine for myself, hubby and kids. Super excited. Your recommendations and tips helped me so much. Cheers!

Fantasmic dining was released for Jan 2023 today, however I tried all day and nothing available. Tried to transfer the dining res I already have to the dining package and was told I would have to rebook to do that, but there haven’t been any dining reservation available for quite a while, so I’m not sure how that works.

I haven’t seen anything actually available either, and my mousedining alert never pinged. I’m wondering if it was actually released or if they just finally put the times in. It’s been a headache either way…

Just checked as well and I also get the impression they didn’t actual load in the packages, only the times. We’ll keep checking!

I had luck with fantasmic dining package through “mouse watcher”, it is a paid service but it was effective. There are other sites out there that are free.

I don’t think they are actually released yet…got up this morning and checked for the newly released day and nothing comes up.

I attempted to reserve a Fantasmic dinning package today, Was online from 545AM until 7 AM when I called the ADR number/.When I complained the packages weren’t being offered for 2023. Their answer was….” Why don’t you try every other day.”\ REALLY!!!!!! They tell you ADR is available 60 days prior to you reservation. DVC member becoming VERY disenchanted with the enchanted world

Hi Tom, Thanks for the great article! I am visiting Hollywood Studios in early Jan and have been monitoring the website for Fantasmic Dining Packages. For some reason, it does not appear that they have been released yet for 2023. Do you have any insight into when these packages may be released, as we are clearly inside of 60 days…

What is the running time?

I just went last night, it was 30 min.

This show was my only must-do at DHS on our last trip and I was not disappointed! I actually planned on the 2nd viewing thinking I wouldn’t have to stand in such a terrible line earlier in the evening; but as everyone started walking toward the amphitheater, we had nothing to do and easily got to sit not too far off from center with zero planning. Of course it was the Tuesday after Thanksgiving so a little bit lower crowds…when I return in May w/first-timer friends I’ll for sure try to snag Sci-fi dining with it!

Curious what your complaint is about Mama Melrose’s. My family rather likes the place.

We just got back from a week at WDW. We went to DHS Wednesday for a member of our party’s birthday. We haven’t seen this show before even thought we’ve been to park 5 times. We aren’t sure why we missed it, possibly location and not planning and it wasn’t available when we went last year. We went to early show because exhausted and arrived in line 20 minutes before start. We were the very far left section when you walk into the theater. Not very good for seeing the stage, but with it being first time we thought show was amazing. I tried hard to get fantasmic dining and wasn’t able to. We aren’t regular visitors and I’ve read your blog for a while. The crowds were higher overall than last year and we were disappointed with several things related to that and changes to MVMCP over last year’s after hours party. would like to visit again next year, but our group is done for a while. We all ranked Fantasmic as one of our top three things of the week. Loved it! You had some amazing seats!!

As of now, there is no way to book a fantasmic dining package after December 31, 2022. Why would they have this feature return for literally one month? Two answers from cast members have said “just keep checking the website” for further availability. This is very frustrating.

I asked dining this same question yesterday morning and was told that Disney hasn’t firmly decided if they will have one or two shows in Jan and that that put a hold on them releasing dining packages…she did not have any solid info beyond “keep checking”

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Fantasmic! is a long-running nighttime show at both Disneyland in California and Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida , and formerly at Tokyo DisneySea . It is about the power of the imagination, showcased by Mickey experiencing a dream during a night in which he is asleep. It originated at Disneyland in 1992 after Disneyland's entertainment department was asked to create a nighttime spectacular involving water and fireworks to invigorate the space in front of the Rivers of America . Disneyland Entertainment employed the resources of Walt Disney Feature Animation and Walt Disney Imagineering as collaborators. Much of the area around the Rivers of America needed to be reworked, including terracing the walkways to accommodate viewing and modifying part of Tom Sawyer Island so that it could act as a stage for much of the show's live-action. The show temporarily closed at Disneyland in 2016 to make room for Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge , but was brought back with completely new scenes on the park's 62nd birthday on July 17, 2017 . On April 22, 2023, the animatronic dragon burst into flames during the finale. While no cast members or crew were hurt, the dragon and much of the show equipment in their pit were severely damaged.

In 1996 , Walt Disney Entertainment in Florida partnered with Imagineering and Feature Animation to bring a new version of the show to Disney's Hollywood Studios (formerly the Disney-MGM Studios), featuring newly animated and live-action scenes. The Rivers of America at the Magic Kingdom was not conducive to a duplication of the layout at Disneyland, so a new purpose-built 10,000 seat amphitheater was built at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Intended to boost low attendance numbers at that park, the new Fantasmic! show was also seen as a needed replacement for Sorcery in the Sky , an aging nighttime fireworks show. On March 12, 2020, the show temporarily closed at Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disneyland due to the coronavirus pandemic. On August 17, the show's water feature was drained after Walt Disney World reopened during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in July 2020. However, following Disney Parks' reopening, Disneyland announced that the updated version of the show would return on May 28, 2022, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Disneyland version, while Walt Disney World announced that a newly revised and upgraded version of the show would return on November 3, 2022 at Disney's Hollywood Studios as part of Walt Disney World's 50th anniversary celebration.

The third edition of Fantasmic! debuted on April 28, 2011 and ended on February 28, 2020 at Tokyo DisneySea in Japan. It featured a new theme song and, being set in the Mediterranean Harbor area of the park, was done on a series of barges, with a central "hat" tower instead of a stage on which Mickey and other characters could appear. Prior to the start of the show, guests would engage in doing the wave to get others excited and pumped up for the event. This is quite common at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. As of 2022, some of the elements from the defunct Tokyo version are now shown in the revamped Disneyland and Disney's Hollywood Studios version as well as the Imagination song in the post-show.

• 1.1 Disneyland version
• 1.2 Disney's Hollywood Studios version
• 1.3 Tokyo DisneySea version
• 2 Featured Disney films
• 3.1 English
• 3.2 Japanese
• 4.1 Heroes and heroines
• 4.2 Villains
• 4.3.1 Disneyland version
• 4.3.2 Walt Disney World version
• 4.3.3 Tokyo DisneySea version
• 5 Differences between the versions
• 6 A Taste of Fantasmic!
• 9.1 Posters
• 9.2 Concept art
• 10 See also
• 11 References

Disneyland version

The show is located on the waters of the Rivers of America at Disneyland and on a stage across the waterway. A tavern and tall trees act as a backdrop for the show. To begin, lights around the Rivers of America fade and a female narrator introduces the story.

Welcome to Fantasmic! Tonight, our friend and host Mickey Mouse uses his vivid imagination to create magical imagery for all to enjoy. Nothing is more wonderful than the imagination, for, in a moment, you can experience a beautiful fantasy or an exciting adventure. But beware, nothing is more powerful than the imagination, for it can also expand your greatest fears into an overwhelming nightmare. Are the powers of Mickey's imagination strong enough, and bright enough, to withstand the evil forces that invade Mickey's dreams? You are about to find out. For we now invite you to join Mickey, and experience Fantasmic! ... a journey beyond your wildest imagination.

The show follows a dream of Mickey Mouse that he has one night while fast asleep, which begins with him in a tuxedo discovering the water and light effects while he tests them out. He then proceeds to direct the effects like a conductor. Then he shoots pyrotechnics from his index fingertips just like in the " When You Wish Upon a Star " number in the Sing-Along Songs Disneyland Fun . The show's signature water projection screens are eventually activated, onto which animation from " The Sorcerer's Apprentice " sequence from Fantasia . Musical scores from "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" and the "Imagination" theme accompany the animation as Mickey conducts animated shooting stars pyrotechnics launched from the six pyrotechnic barges on the river.

The animation then blends with live performers interpreting different flowers. The petals then become huge green leaves and combine with onscreen animation to become flora and fauna of the jungle. The projections then show Sorcerer Mickey walking into the " Circle of Life " scene from The Lion King , as Rafiki then goes and lifts a baby Simba into the air. The lighting and music change to a jungle beat, and Kaa from The Jungle Book makes his way across the island with hypnotic beams of light firing from his eyes. Accompanying this scene are three floating barges carrying King Louie and black-lit monkeys (from the Tokyo version) across the river, dancing along to the beat; with images of pink elephants playing the tune to Hakuna Matata as Timon , Pumbaa , and a growing-up Simba walk across a log like in the song, followed by more pink elephants.

The music segues to a contemporary rendition of " Pink Elephants on Parade " from Dumbo , as more pink elephants appear onscreen and in the form of performers on the island. The elephants continue to dance until Mickey discovers a magical lamp. He rubs it, causing Genie to be freed via onscreen animation. He then shows Sorcerer Mickey his powers while singing " Friend Like Me ". Some of the transformations include turning into Donald Duck and Goofy , as well as turning Mickey into Pinocchio complete with dancers that look like Minnie Mouse and Daisy Duck , as a tribute to the original Pinocchio sequence. Genie then disappears causing Sorcerer Mickey to go underwater.

Sorcerer Mickey then finds the kingdom of Atlantica . As the guests see Ariel swimming around on the projections, it then transforms into the world of Finding Nemo , as Mr. Ray takes Nemo , Dory , and the rest of their classmates on a trip to see the stingray migration. Onscreen animation then shows Cleo , Pinocchio , and Jiminy Cricket underwater. An animated Monstro the Whale interacts with live splash effects on the river. The storyline progresses as Sorcerer Mickey notices his dream becoming darker as he has sucked down a whirlpool on a spellbook. After his eyes were shown wondering where he is, a ship lost in a stormy sea at night is shown. A concussion cannon is fired from Sailing Ship Columbia , which has been transformed into the Black Pearl , where Hector Barbossa , Jack Sparrow , Elizabeth Swann , and the pirates participate in a stunt sequence as the ship makes its pass. Originally, this sequence was themed to Peter Pan , but it was transformed into a Pirates of the Caribbean scene following the 2017 refurbishment. However, you can see silhouettes of Peter, Wendy, Michael, and John flying over the moon after Sorcerer Mickey paints it.

The projections then transform into Agrabah , where Aladdin and Jasmine are on the stage as if they're flying on the Magic Carpet (set to A Whole New World ). Rapunzel and Flynn Rider , Ariel and Eric , and Belle and the Beast appear on three floating stages (transformed since the jungle scene earlier) on the river, dancing to a medley of each princess' signature song (" Beauty and the Beast ", " Part of Your World ", and " I See the Light " respectively) accompanied by lighting and water effects.

The music turns darker, Mickey in his Sorcerer's Apprentice outfit encounters the Magic Mirror as he tells him "True magical power lies within the mirror, gaze deep into your own reflection and see powers better than you could even imagine." Mickey is skeptical at first, but he eventually decides to take a look. Mickey then gets trapped inside the mirror where he eventually encounters The Evil Queen who has been transformed into The Old Hag . The hag summons Dr. Facilier's Shadow Demons as the "forces of evil" to transform Mickey Mouse's dream into a "nightmare Fantasmic." Onscreen, we see her face dissolve into that of Ursula . Ursula sings a bit of " Poor Unfortunate Souls " and joins the plot against Mickey as her two pet eels, Flotsam and Jetsam , glide across the river. Onscreen, the face of Ursula transforms into Chernabog . Animation from the "Night on Bald Mountain" sequence from Fantasia accompanies Mussorgsky's score. Luckily, Mickey eventually manages to escape the mirror.

Dragon Maleficent.

A pyrotechnic burst of flames heralds the arrival of Maleficent , beginning the climactic showdown sequence. Maleficent rises 30 feet from the stage and transforms into a dragon onscreen. The animation gives way to a 45-foot animatronic dragon, who rises from the stage before breathing fire onto the river. Sorcerer Mickey appears as he eventually uses his mind and sorcerer powers to destroy the dragon. As the dragon screams, the villains who have appeared are also destroyed onscreen (resulting in Chernabog vanishing away, destroying him, Ursula screams in agony as she is struck by bolts of lightning, destroying her too, The hag transforms back into the Evil Queen, causing her to also be destroyed and Maleficent falls to her death causing her to be destroyed lastly), and the sequence ends with a pyrotechnic burst from the river.

Following an appearance by Tinker Bell , the Mark Twain Riverboat crosses the stage, piloted by a black and white Mickey Mouse, dressed in attire from Steamboat Willie . Approximately fifty Disney and Pixar characters dance on the ship in a ribbon routine. The sequence is accompanied by searchlights, fountains, and pyrotechnic effects.

Mickey appears on top of the tavern (sometimes on the stage when the lift isn't working) as Sorcerer Mickey , and "conducts" laser beams, fireworks, and lighting effects that span the length of the river stage. In a flash, he disappears from atop the tavern, and re-appears center stage, resuming his tuxedo. Mickey says to the audience, "Some imagination, huh? Haha!" and with a laugh, he disappears in a flash. A final burst of pyrotechnics is accompanied by searchlights placed around the tavern and stage. As a finale, a brilliant green flash of pyrotechnics ignites on the water where the river once again becomes quiet and dark.

Disney's Hollywood Studios version

The show follows a dream of Mickey Mouse that he has one night while fast asleep. As the lights fade, a female narrator gives a brief welcome and mentions of the powers of imagination. A very faint musical note is heard, swelling and growing into a dramatic chord in the complete darkness. Once the chord strikes, two tall columns rise on stage left and right, with roving spotlights, until finally, Mickey appears center stage. He conducts various water fountain effects, until bringing up the giant water-mist "screens", which, in conjunction with a few flares, fade into the famous "Sorcerer's Apprentice" scene from Fantasia .

From there, the falling stars of the Sorcerer's Apprentice scene morph into flowers, and after a brief interlude, into a jungle scene. Elephants, giraffes, monkeys, birds, ostriches, rhinos, crocodiles, and cheetahs in black-lit fluorescent colors begin to herd in the mountain. The neon animals make noise and move around on the island while Rafiki and monkeys do a dance on floats traveling across the water, and Simba and Nala romp together on the water-mist screen. Next, a large bubble montage takes place, where scenes and characters from major classic animated Disney movies ( The Lion King , The Jungle Book , Dumbo , Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs , Alice in Wonderland , Hercules , Pinocchio , Aladdin , Mulan , Cinderella , Lady and the Tramp , Fantasia , The Princess and the Frog , Tangled , Moana , Frozen , Bambi , Tarzan , Beauty and the Beast , and The Little Mermaid ) appear in floating bubbles. An animated Monstro then appears onscreen, accompanied by a heavy musical score as he crashes through the waters. The chaotic sea morphs into Mickey lost in an overflowed room as he is whisked into a whirlpool. After Mickey wonders where he is, he makes a cry for help, and the scene shifts to a medley of Disney heroes and heroines. First is a scene from Pocahontas , with Pocahontas singing Just Around the Riverbend , then it transitions to scenes of Mulan , Tarzan , Encanto , The Princess and the Frog , The Hunchback of Notre Dame , Hercules , Aladdin , Frozen II , and Moana .

Sorcerer Mickey in the Florida version.

The show then moves into classic dancing scenes with Aurora and Prince Phillip , Cinderella and Prince Charming , and Jasmine and Aladdin . Three small floats now arrive, with Belle and the Beast , Ariel and Prince Eric , and Snow White and her Prince each contained in their own float. As each float reaches the center, the spotlight shines on it, with the accompanying signature melody from each movie — " Beauty and the Beast ", " Part of Your World ", and " Someday My Prince Will Come ", respectively.

The music takes on an eerie tone as Mickey's dream takes a turn for the worse. The Queen appears and concocts a spell amidst pyrotechnics and other special effects, and turns herself into a hag. She invokes the help of Ursula , Cruella De Vil , Scar , Frollo , and Jafar . Jafar uses his magic to send Mickey to the Cave of Wonders. After escaping a wave of lava, Mickey encounters Jafar, who transforms himself into a giant black cobra to squeeze him and possibly drain him dry, appearing on both the stage and the mist screens. Seeing a magic lamp, Mickey rubs it, assuming it will help him . Unfortunately, Jafar is transformed into a genie and calls upon Hades , who laments on how "noble" Mickey's thoughts are before he calls Chernabog , who summons spirits from the dead .

As Chernabog finishes, Mickey, now in his Brave Little Tailor outfit, comes face to face with Maleficent, who tells the mouse that he'll now deal with her and all the forces of her imagination. As her pinnacle rises, she transforms into a 40-foot-tall fire-breathing dragon that sets the waters ablaze as the villains laugh at Mickey and his imagination. Guests as far as halfway back in the theater can feel the heat from the fire. Mickey, finally deciding to stand up to the villains for his dream, manages to pulls a nearby sword out from its stone (similar to The Sword in the Stone ) and creates a wall of water around the island, smothering the flames and defeating the dragon. He eliminates the villains from the dream world using the power of his imagination and his sword. The villains feel the wrath of the magical electricity from the sword; resulting in Chernabog attempting to shield himself from the light of the electricity as he vanishes away, Hades cringes in surprise from the effects as he too disappears, Jafar screams in agonizing pain decimating him as well, Frollo looks back in shock as he yells out "Witchcraft!" as he is overpowered, Scar snarls in a fury as he is overtaken, Cruella looks back in shock, yelling out "What is this?!" before also being vanquished, then Ursula is also taken down as she screams in agony while being struck by bolts of lightning, followed by the hag who transforms back into the Evil Queen causing her to also be annihilated, and finally Maleficent dies as the water splashes with a large firework bang.

Mickey controlling Steamboat Willie.

All is quiet until we see Tinker Bell fly to restore the mountain. Magical stars sparkle in the mountain as the Steamboat Willie riverboat approaches. Then a spark of pyrotechnics ignites from the riverboat, revealing Mickey, looking as he did in the original short, controlling the boat. As it glides past the audience, various Disney characters appear aboard the boat, usually waving streamers. A celebratory atmosphere prevails amid a flurry of fireworks.

With another flash of pyrotechnics, Mickey disappears from Steamboat Willie riverboat and re- appears atop the highest point of the mountain in his Sorcerer outfit as fireworks, fire, and water light up the stage. As the finale concludes, Mickey disappears from the top of the mountain with another spark of pyrotechnics, a small explosion in the main stage and simultaneously reappears in his shiny tuxedo suit. A small applause from the crowd and Mickey says, "Some imagination, huh? Haha!" Pyrotechnics shoot out of the main stage and barges on the moat, he vanishes one last time to the final notes of the music while a cone of lights and searchlights bright up the stage for a few seconds. All turns dark once again and the show has concluded.

Tokyo DisneySea version

Like the other incarnations, the show follows a dream of Mickey Mouse that he has one night while fast asleep. The show begins with the tune of the Sorcerer's Apprentice as out of the stars, Sorcerer Mickey emerges on a tower of stars in a comet. The new theme song, Imagination plays as Mickey conducts the water and images of different characters appear on the tower. The music shifts into the instrumental Fantasmic theme and continues into Sorcerer's Apprentice as Mickey conducts the stars and sea and calls on the Magic Brooms . The waters rise and we enter the sea with Ariel singing " Part of Your World ", with Crush and his sea turtles swimming in the background. The dancing fish from Fantasia's Nutcracker suite also appears as does Jiminy Cricket in his bubble, who pops it and fills the sky with bubbles.

Mickey's eyes appear in the dark asking what's going on and the show enters the jungle. While Tarzan and Jane Porter appear swinging on the projection tower, floats featuring giant inflatable versions of Baloo , King Louie , Pumbaa , and Simba as a cub appear along with a floating Kaa . A medley of music from Tarzan , " I Just Can't Wait to Be King ", " The Bare Necessities ", " I Wan'na Be Like You ", and " Hakuna Matata " plays, eventually building up into the Circle of Life .

Sorcerer Mickey controlling the fountain at Tokyo DisneySea .

When Rafiki is about to hold up Simba though, Stitch appears instead (similar to one of the Inter-Stitch-al trailers of the film) and the music goes into an electric guitar version of Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride with Stitch conducting the water while Angel pilots Stitch's red speeder shooting plasmablasts. Mickey appears again, accompanied by the show's theme song and When You Wish Upon A Star and sets the stage for an appearance by the Genie singing Friend Like Me as well as the scene of A Whole New World . As Aladdin and Jasmine fly off, the music segues into Cinderella and a sequence based on the Disney Princesses.

After the Princess medley, Mickey encounters the Magic Mirror and asks "Who's the most powerful Sorcerer of all?" The Mirror tells him "True magical power lies within the mirror, gaze deep into your own reflection... Look closer... That's it, closer...". Mickey is then trapped inside, allowing the Witch and the villains to take control, each one appearing within the mirror. The Witch calls on the assistance of Ursula (singing " Poor Unfortunate Souls ") and Chernabog (whose appearance is accompanied with a mix of Night on Bald Mountain and " Hellfire "). The witch laughs at the power of Imagination and the last villain emerges from the mirror: Maleficent who shows the power of her imagination by turning into her dragon form. Mickey defeats Maleficent (along with Chernabog, Ursula and the Witch who transforms back into the Evil Queen) with his magic wand and the power of his imagination. He falls back into his sleeping body and with a wave of Tinker Bell 's wand, the show moves into the finale, with a reprise of the song and many of the good characters appearing on the barges, including regular Mickey. The barges stop and Sorcerer Mickey reappears on the tower, clad in a flowing white robe to conduct the final fireworks and fountains as the theme builds. Mickey then remarks "Imagination! Haha!" translated to Japanese "イマジネーション！ ハハ！" and disappears, with a few notes of the Sorcerer's Apprentice theme and the final fanfare. The tower takes on the appearance of the Sorcerer's Hat and the exit music plays.

Featured Disney films

• Mickey Mouse & Friends/ DuckTales ( Launchpad McQuack was the only character from the series to appear in the finale)
• Fantasia / Fantasia 2000
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh / Winnie the Pooh
• Toy Story / Toy Story 2 / Toy Story 3
• The Hunchback of Notre Dame
• One Hundred and One Dalmatians
• Finding Nemo / Finding Dory
• Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
• Frozen / Frozen II
• Wayne Allwine – Mickey Mouse (DL 1992 Version and DHS 1998 Version)
• Suzanne Waters – Female Vocalist (Princess Medley) (DL 1992 Version and DHS 1998 Version/2022 Version)
• Fletcher Sheridan - Male Vocalist (Princess Medley) (DL 1992 Version and DHS 1998 Version/2022 Version)
• Louise Chamis – The Evil Queen
• Tony Jay – Magic Mirror (DL 1992 Version and DHS 1998/2022 Version), Judge Claude Frollo (DHS 1998/2022 Version)
• Eddie Carroll – Jiminy Cricket
• Chris Steele - Peter Pan (DL 1992 Version)
• Kathryn Beaumont - Wendy Darling (DL 1992 Version)
• Corey Burton – Chernabog , Captain Hook (DL 1992 Version), Mr. Smee (DL 1992 Version), Magic Mirror (DL 2017 Version)
• Linda Gary – Maleficent , Opening Announcer
• Pat Carroll – Ursula
• Susanne Blakeslee - Cruella De Vil (DHS 1998/2022 Version)
• Jonathan Freeman – Jafar (DHS 1998/2022 Version)
• Jim Cummings – Scar (DHS 1998/2022 Version)
• Linda Hunt – Grandmother Willow (DHS 1998 Version)
• David Ogden Stiers – Governor Ratcliffe (DHS 1998 Version)
• James Woods – Hades (DHS 1998/2022 Version)
• Robin Williams – Genie (DL 2017 Version/Archived Recordings)
• Geoffrey Rush – Hector Barbossa (DL 2017 Version/Film Footage)
• Jared Butler – Jack Sparrow (DL 2017 Version/Voice Only)
• Heather Headley – Female Vocalist (Princess Medley) (DL 2017 Version)
• Chris Mann – Male Vocalist (Princess Medley) (DL 2017 Version) [2]
• Judy Kuhn - Pocahontas (DHS 2022 Version)
• Brad Kane - Aladdin (DHS 2022 Version)
• Idina Menzel - Elsa (DHS 2022 Version)
• Auli'i Cravalho - Moana (DHS 2022 Version)
• Takashi Aoyagi – Mickey Mouse (TDS 2011 Version)
• Kyoko Satomi – The Evil Queen (TDS 2011 Version)
• Tamio Ōki – Magic Mirror (TDS 2011 Version)
• Toshiko Sawada – Maleficent (TDS 2011 Version)
• Kujira – Ursula (TDS 2011 Version)
• Kōichi Yamadera – Genie , Stitch (TDS 2011 Version)

Featured characters

Heroes and heroines.

• Brave Little Tailor Mickey (1992 Disneyland version and Disney's Hollywood Studios version only)
• Peter Pan (1992 Disneyland version only)
• Wendy Darling (1992 Disneyland version only)
• Jack Sparrow (2017 Disneyland version only)
• Elizabeth Swann (2017 Disneyland version only)
• Tinker Bell
• Genie (2017 Disneyland and Tokyo versions)
• Nala (Disney's Hollywood Studios version only)
• Pocahontas (Disney's Hollywood Studios version only)
• John Smith (1998 Disney's Hollywood Studios version)
• Nemo (2017 Disneyland and Tokyo versions)
• Marlin (2017 Disneyland version only)
• Dory (2017 Disneyland and Tokyo versions)
• Mr. Ray (2017 Disneyland version only)
• Prince Charming
• Prince Eric
• Rapunzel (2017 Disneyland version only)
• Flynn Rider (2017 Disneyland version only)
• Prince Phillip
• Prince Naveen
• Lilo (Disney's Hollywood Studios version only)
• Stitch (Disney's Hollywood Studios and Tokyo versions only)
• Moana (2022 Disney's Hollywood Studios version only)
• Anna (2022 Disney's Hollywood Studios version only)
• Elsa (2022 Disney's Hollywood Studios version only)
• Olaf (2022 Disney's Hollywood Studios version only)
• Tarzan (2022 Disney's Hollywood Studios and Tokyo version only)
• Mirabel Madrigal (2022 Disney's Hollywood Studios version only)
• Quasimodo (2022 Disney's Hollywood Studios version only)
• Hercules (Florida version only)
• Fa Mulan (2022 Disney's Hollywood Studios version only)
• Li Shang (2022 Disney's Hollywood Studios version only)
• Angel (Tokyo Disneysea version only)
• Woody (Disneyland version only)
• Buzz Lightyear (Disneyland version only)
• Jessie (Disneyland version only)
• Pink Elephants *
• Captain Hook * (1992 Disneyland version)
• Mr. Smee * (1992 Disneyland version)
• Hector Barbossa * (2017 Disneyland version)
• Talking Skull * (2017 Disneyland version)
• The Evil Queen
• Magic Mirror
• Facilier's Friends on the Other Side (2017 Disneyland version)
• Flotsam and Jetsam
• Governor Ratcliffe * (1998 Disney's Hollywood Studios version)
• Cruella De Vil
• Claude Frollo
• Jafar (featured in the Night on Bald Mountain segment)
• Hades (featured in the Night on Bald Mountain segment)

Villains with an * aren't involved in the takeover.

Characters appearing in the Finale

The characters riding Steamboat Willie at the end of the Disneyland version of the show.

Disneyland's version of the finale has included many different characters since its 1992 debut and has changed throughout the years, such as to replace older characters with newer ones.

The current finale character line-up includes Mickey, Minnie Mouse , Chip and Dale , Goofy , Pluto , Donald Duck , Cinderella, Prince Charming, Suzy and Perla , Snow White and her Prince, Aladdin, Jasmine, Aurora , Prince Phillip , Tiana , Ariel, Prince Eric, Belle, the Beast, Rapunzel, Flynn Rider, Mary Poppins , the Chimney Sweeps, Alice , the White Rabbit , the Mad Hatter , Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum , Woody , Buzz Lightyear , Jessie , and two Green Army Men .

However, the character line-up can sometimes vary between shows as other random characters are occasionally featured instead. These include Clarabelle Cow , Winnie the Pooh , Piglet , Eeyore , Tigger , Genie , Dopey , Pinocchio , Mirabel Madrigal , Pocahontas , Meeko , Esmeralda , Bo Peep , Jane Porter , Terk , Princess Elena , and Merida .

Also, during the special 20th-anniversary performances of the show in May 2012, Roger Rabbit , Br'er Rabbit , Br'er Fox , Br'er Bear , the Three Little Pigs , and the Big Bad Wolf (all of whom previously appeared in the finale during the earlier years of the show's existence) made appearances.

Other characters that have appeared in the finale over the years include Clara Cluck , Max Goof , Doc , Grumpy , Happy , Sleepy , Sneezy , Bashful , Geppetto , Gideon , Baloo , Friar Tuck , Prince John , Timon , Rafiki , John Smith , Quasimodo , Hercules , Phil , Fa Mulan , Mushu , Tarzan , Stitch , Launchpad McQuack , Monterey Jack , and Rebecca Cunningham .

Walt Disney World version

The characters riding the Steamboat Willie Riverboat at the end of the Florida version of the show.

Walt Disney World's version of the finale currently includes Mickey, Minnie, Chip, Dale, Goofy, Pluto, Donald, Pinocchio, Geppetto, Snow White, and her Prince, Doc, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy, Sneezy, Bashful, Dopey, Aladdin, Jasmine, Genie, Moana, Belle, Beast, Ariel, Prince Eric, Tiana, Rafiki, Stitch, Pocahontas, Meeko, Fa Mulan, Elsa , Baloo, and Mary Poppins.

However, the character line-up can sometimes vary between shows as other random characters are occasionally featured instead. These include Daisy Duck , Judy Hopps , Nick Wilde , Anna , Scrooge McDuck, Alice, Peter Pan, Jiminy Cricket , Aurora , Cinderella , Mei Lee and Mirabel Madrigal .

As in Disneyland, the character line-up has gone through changes since its debut. For example: Br'er Bear, John Smith, Hercules, Megara , Phil, Bert , and the Chimney Sweeps appeared on the boat regularly in the past.

Other characters who appeared in the finale over the years include Mr. Smee , Mushu, Tigger, Br'er Fox, Fairy Godmother , Quasimodo, Lilo , Timon, Max Goof, and Robin Hood .

Characters may vary in this version as well, though not quite as often.

Tokyo DisneySea's version of the finale included the following characters, besides the Fantasmic! dancers (in a clockwise direction):

• Barge 1: Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Snow White, The Prince, Dopey
• Barge 2: Chip, Dale, Clarice, Marie, Aurora, Prince Phillip
• Barge 3: Pinocchio, Gepetto, Jiminy Cricket, Ariel, Prince Eric, Max the Sheepdog
• Barge 4: Donald, Daisy, Goofy, Aladdin, Jasmine, Abu

For a while, however, only 3 barges were operational, holding the following characters:

• Barge 2: Chip, Dale, Clarice, Ariel, Prince Eric, Max the Sheepdog
• Barge 3: Donald, Daisy, Goofy, Aladdin, Jasmine, Abu

Differences between the versions

Although the shows in Disneyland, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Tokyo DisneySea are similar in many respects, there are some differences between the three versions.

• In the old Disneyland version of the finale, as soon as Mickey says "Some imagination, huh? Haha!", the cone of lights immediately turns on and fireworks from the barges surrounding the stage ignite. This caused the audience to view how Mickey "vanishes". Now, like the Disney World version, there is a spark of bright pyrotechnics as soon as the line is said. In the Tokyo DisneySea version, this illusion is created by pyrotechnics at Mickey's platform, followed by a quick release trap set within the platform.
• The choreography of the Opening Mickey and Sorcerer Mickey in both Disneyland and Disney's Hollywood Studios are different in their own ways. At Tokyo DisneySea, this choreography is completely removed, as this show has a different opening.
• Whereas the show is performed on the Rivers of America at Disneyland, Disney needed a new nighttime draw for Disney's Hollywood Studios. The Hollywood Hills Amphitheater built at Disney's Hollywood Studios was made specifically for Fantasmic!
• At Disney's Hollywood Studios, the show runs for almost 27 minutes (due to the montage of Disney clips inside bubbles, the additional villains, and the wall of water at the climax), compared to Disneyland's which is only 22 minutes. The Tokyo DisneySea version runs at approximately 23 minutes.
• The Jungle Scene with Kaa, King Louie, and the monkeys from The Jungle Book at Disneyland is replaced with a tribute to The Lion King at Disney's Hollywood Studios. However, King Louie and the monkeys do appear briefly in the bubble scene. Tokyo DisneySea uses characters from both films series, as well as video from Tarzan to accent the "Circle of Life" scene from the Lion King. The 2017 and 2022 incarnation from Disneyland and Disney's Hollywood Studios also now uses both films.
• In 2022, the Pocahontas segment was replaced with a Heroes segment for the Hollywood Studios version of Fantasmic which utilizes scenes of Mulan , Tarzan , Encanto , The Princess and the Frog , The Hunchback of Norte Dame , Hercules , Aladdin , Frozen II and Moana . However, Pocahontas was still utilized within the beginning of the segment with Pocahontas singing " Just Around the Riverbend ".
• Since July 2015, clips of Tangled , The Princess and the Frog , and Frozen were included in the bubble montage scenes at the Hollywood Studios version.
• In 2017, the Rock version of "Pink Elephants" is replaced with a Dubstep remix version at Disneyland.
• Genie turning Mickey into Pinocchio complete with dancers that look like Minnie Mouse and Daisy Duck served as a tribute to the original Pinocchio sequence. Pinocchio still appears in the undersea segment as well as Jiminy.
• There was a little scene of Ariel, Cinderella, and Belle as belly dancers. Eventually, however, the segment was considered to be a little adult for young audiences, forcing the show to use different characters/effects from "Friend Like Me".
• Ursula's reprisal of " Poor Unfortunate Souls " is taken out at Disney's Hollywood Studios to introduce the other Disney villains. She plays a smaller role in the Florida show than in the California one. In Tokyo DisneySea's version, her role is identical to California's version, with the exception that the song is in Japanese.
• More villains are featured in the Florida version. Many of the additions are villains from Disney animated features released after the Disneyland version was first introduced.
• In California, Mickey destroys the villains by pointing a sword at the Dragon and saying, "You may think you're so powerful, well, this is my dream!" before light shoots from his sword toward the villains. But as of 2017, he appears in his sorcerer form and instead makes fireworks to defeat them. In Florida, he still says this, but before he destroys the villains, he causes a wall of water to block out the island and douse the flames; he then marches over to the sword in the stone and pulls it out.
• Instead of the Mark Twain riverboat, the characters in the Florida show dance on a smaller boat based on the Steamboat Willie boat . Tokyo DisneySea uses four barges refurbished from previous shows performed in the Mediterranean Harbor.
• In the California version, the giant snake that comes out on the stage is Kaa from The Jungle Book ; in the Florida version, the snake is Jafar from Aladdin . Also, Jafar has a much bigger role in the show than any other villain except for Maleficent. Tokyo DisneySea uses a redesigned Kaa as a moving float during the "Circle of Life" segment.
• Having been updated, the California version's Maleficent dragon is considerably more advanced than its Florida counterpart and has a wider range of movement. Tokyo's dragon consists only of the head and neck emerging from a mirror. It is unknown if it is a puppet or an animatronic.
• The final battle scene in California and Tokyo DisneySea's shows differ from their Florida counterpart. While the Florida version put Brave Little Tailor Mickey against the dragon Maleficent , Sorcerer Mickey is the one who battles Maleficent at Disneyland where he uses his magic controls and Tokyo DisneySea where he, instead of using a sword, shoots fireworks from a magic wand topped with a Hidden Mickey emblem.
• Unlike the US versions, Tokyo DisneySea's show does not open with the "Welcome to Fantasmic!..." phrase as part of the opening act; instead, it starts off with Dukas' Sorcerer's Apprentice . The narration is recited as part of the pre-show announcements in both Japanese and English, by two male voices, instead of a female voice.
• The music of the Villain segment of the show is almost identical to Disneyland's version, with two notable exceptions: in the Chernabog scene, the music is instead a mixture of "Night on Bald Mountain" and "Hellfire"; and instead of the Evil Queen's transformation into the Old Hag, Mickey is the one who summons the Magic Mirror and the power of evil.
• The dialog in Tokyo DisneySea's version is in Japanese. When translated from Japanese to English, Mickey's dialog in Tokyo DisneySea's version is literally the same as the US versions (except when Mickey calls the Magic Mirror and the magic of romance).
• In the Florida and Tokyo versions, Bruce Healey's exit music can be heard after each performance. In 2017, Disneyland's version replaced Bruce Healey's exit music with the "Imagination" song from Tokyo's version, but the original exit music can still be heard in the entrance plaza in between the two theme parks.
• Tokyo's version features Ariel (as both human and mermaid), Beauty and the Beast , The Princess and the Frog (as animation), and Snow White (Theme and Finale). Cinderella is the only featured Princess who does not appear in all three versions. Belle and the Beast are featured as animation only; they do not appear in the Finale.
• During Walt Disney World's years Mickey has had a total of 3 three different swords. The first one that was used from (1999-2003) was thin and long, the second one that was used from (2003-2011) was remodeled and was a bit bigger and pointier, and the current one is a lot larger and has more effects that include a red light beam effect that shoots toward the dragon.
• In early 2014, Disneyland got new World of Color fountains that move to Mickey's movements, but were shortly taken down due to problems. In 2017 the new fountains were replaced with improved versions which move more like their World of Color counterparts.
• In late 2011, Walt Disney World was given new firework effects in the finale which includes Mickey's new fireworks that appear behind him and new finale fireworks. Likewise, Disneyland got new firework blasts at the end of the show. During the 2011 refurbishment, the show returned to 7 shows a week and was given new dragon lighting effects. During the 15th anniversary, Walt Disney World was given new lights on the princess barges, like Disneyland's, and new low smoke effects and new fire in the dragon's mouth where it hits the water, the lift at the top of the mountain was experiencing problems and now comes up slower than it normally does for the performers' safety.
• In 2010, Disneyland was given new lasers for the finale that move.
• In (1999-2002), Mickey disappeared with flash fireworks all around the stage and so from any angle, you could not see how he disappeared, but in 2002 Mickey was given a spark blast around his elevator to make it more magical for the audience.
• In the intro of the WDW version, almost anyone can see Mickey coming up the lift; Disneyland's lift is so fast when the lights hit Mickey he just came up.
• In 2017, the original female singer in Disneyland's Fantasmic! was replaced by Heather Headley who also provided vocals on other Disney nighttime shows like World of Color Winter Dreams, Season of Light and Disney Illuminations in Paris. The original female singer can still be heard in the Orlando version.

A Taste of Fantasmic!

Due to the typical rainy weather in Florida, Disney Hollywood Studios will present a Taste of Fantasmic! which contains just the fountains and launches off the preloaded pyro, as it is too dangerous to unload it. This show is about 5 minutes.

With the success of FastPass viewing for the World of Color show at Disney's California Adventure, Fantasmic! at Disneyland started to offer the service. On December 12 , 2013 , Outdoor Vending Carts converted to FastPass machines were placed along the Big Thunder Trail offering Blue, Yellow, and Green Section FastPass tickets. Only guests with FastPass tickets are allowed in the viewing areas. Limited stand by viewing is available in small sections around the viewing area. In addition to FastPasses guests may also purchase a Dining Package at Blue Bayou or Riverbelle Terrace for a reserved viewing section. Aladdin's Oasis also offers a To-Go dinner package but it only grants the purchaser access to the Blue Section. For a limited time, Hungry Bear restaurant also offered a reserved viewing section called the Dessert Party.

In 2017 , the FastPass for Fantasmic was redone with the distribution now occurring next to the Mark Twain/Columbia dock. The regular Fastpass tickets are now for just one section of the viewing area with the rest reserved for those with dining packages from Riverbelle Terrace, Blue Bayou or Hungry Bear Restaurant with Aladdin's Oasis no longer offering the Fantasmic On-the-Go package and the package itself moved to Hungry Bear.

• From 1992 to 2016, cast members working traffic control at the Disneyland version wore shirts that were yellow with a black stripe. They quickly gained the affectionate nickname "Fantasmic Bumblebees". When the show returned in 2017, the shirts were replaced with a simpler blue design.
• Before the nighttime Rivers of America show project settled on what we now know as Fantasmic! , a show themed around The Haunted Mansion 's 999 ghosts taking over the Rivers of America with the working title "The River Haunt" was proposed but ultimately deemed too expensive.
• The barges in the Jungle segment is also used for the Princess segment.
• Since January 27 , 2023 , the show area at Disneyland is also used for the nighttime firework show Wondrous Journeys .
• On April 22, 2023, the Maleficent dragon at the Disneyland version of the show caught fire during the scene where Mickey vanquishes Maleficent in defeat, sending plumes of smoke and fire into the air. The Anaheim Fire Department was called to the scene and the audience viewing area was quickly evacuated. No injuries were reported.

Concept art

• World of Color
• ↑ " OLC Announces Tokyo DisneySea to Reopen on April 28th - LaughingPlace.com: Disney World, Disneyland and More ". LaughingPlace.com. Retrieved on September 21, 2011.
• ↑ Wonderful Union. " Official Site ". Chris Mann .
• 1 Inside Out 2
• 3 Once Upon a Studio

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Disneyland | disneyland bringing back ‘fantasmic’ for summer 2024 kickoff, the nighttime spectacular will return on memorial day weekend after a yearlong hiatus following a fire that engulfed the show’s problematic animatronic dragon..

Disneyland fans will be able to kick off the summer with Sorcerer Mickey and a host of pink elephants, swashbuckling pirates and dancing princesses when “Fantasmic” returns after a yearlong hiatus following a fire that engulfed the show’s problematic animatronic dragon.

The “Fantasmic” nighttime spectacular will return to Disneyland’s Rivers of America on May 24, according to Disneyland officials.

ALSO SEE: Has Disneyland’s Fantasmic lost its magic?

The return date falls on the Friday of Memorial Day Weekend — the unofficial kickoff of the summer season.

Disneyland crews have been working to repair the “Fantasmic” dragon since the technically impressive 45-foot-tall audio-animatronic burst into flames during a performance of the nighttime spectacular in April.

ALSO SEE: The cursed history of Disneyland’s problematic ‘Fantasmic’ dragon that burst into flames

“Fantasmic” won’t include the dragon figure when the show returns, but will instead feature new special effects during the battle scene between Sorcerer Mickey and Maleficent.

The temperamental 18,000-pound Disneyland dragon — mockingly nicknamed Murphy by fans after Murphy’s Law — had a troubled history of malfunctions and breakdowns stretching back more than a decade.

While “Fantasmic” remains on hiatus, Disneyland has replaced the nighttime spectacular with performances of the Jambalaya Jazz band floating on the Rivers of America and the “ Heartbeat of New Orleans ” projection show.

The “Fantasmic” cast and crew were notified of the show’s return date earlier this week, according to Disneyland officials.

Disneyland officials will share more information about the return of “Fantasmic” in the coming months.

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Fantasmic! is a long-running nighttime show at both Disneyland in California and Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida , and formerly at Tokyo DisneySea . It is about the power of the imagination, showcased by Mickey experiencing a dream during a night in which he is asleep. It originated at Disneyland in 1992 after Disneyland's entertainment department was asked to create a nighttime spectacular involving water and fireworks to invigorate the space in front of the Rivers of America . Disneyland Entertainment employed the resources of Walt Disney Feature Animation and Walt Disney Imagineering as collaborators. Much of the area around the Rivers of America needed to be reworked, including terracing the walkways to accommodate viewing and modifying part of Tom Sawyer Island so that it could act as a stage for much of the show's live-action. The show temporarily closed at Disneyland in 2016 to make room for Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge , but was brought back with completely new scenes on the park's 62nd birthday on July 17, 2017 . On April 22, 2023, the animatronic dragon burst into flames during the finale. While no cast members or crew were hurt, the dragon and much of the show equipment in their pit were severely damaged.

In 1996 , Walt Disney Entertainment in Florida partnered with Imagineering and Feature Animation to bring a new version of the show to Disney's Hollywood Studios (formerly the Disney-MGM Studios), featuring newly animated and live-action scenes. The Rivers of America at the Magic Kingdom was not conducive to a duplication of the layout at Disneyland, so a new purpose-built 10,000 seat amphitheater was built at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Intended to boost low attendance numbers at that park, the new Fantasmic! show was also seen as a needed replacement for Sorcery in the Sky , an aging nighttime fireworks show. On March 12, 2020, the show temporarily closed at Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disneyland due to the coronavirus pandemic. On August 17, the show's water feature was drained after Walt Disney World reopened during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in July 2020. However, following Disney Parks' reopening, Disneyland announced that the updated version of the show would return on May 28, 2022, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Disneyland version, while Walt Disney World announced that a newly revised and upgraded version of the show would return on November 3, 2022 at Disney's Hollywood Studios as part of Walt Disney World's 50th anniversary celebration.

The third edition of Fantasmic! debuted on April 28, 2011 and ended on February 28, 2020 at Tokyo DisneySea in Japan. It featured a new theme song and, being set in the Mediterranean Harbor area of the park, was done on a series of barges, with a central "hat" tower instead of a stage on which Mickey and other characters could appear. Prior to the start of the show, guests would engage in doing the wave to get others excited and pumped up for the event. This is quite common at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. As of 2022, some of the elements from the defunct Tokyo version are now shown in the revamped Disneyland and Disney's Hollywood Studios version as well as the Imagination song in the post-show.

• 1.1 Disneyland version
• 1.2 Disney's Hollywood Studios version
• 1.3 Tokyo DisneySea version
• 2 Featured Disney films
• 3.1 English
• 3.2 Japanese
• 4.1 Heroes and heroines
• 4.2 Villains
• 4.3.1 Disneyland version
• 4.3.2 Walt Disney World version
• 4.3.3 Tokyo DisneySea version
• 5 Differences between the versions
• 6 A Taste of Fantasmic!
• 9.1 Posters
• 9.2 Concept art
• 10 See also
• 11 References

Synopsis [ ]

Disneyland version [ ].

The show is located on the waters of the Rivers of America at Disneyland and on a stage across the waterway. A tavern and tall trees act as a backdrop for the show. To begin, lights around the Rivers of America fade and a female narrator introduces the story.

Welcome to Fantasmic! Tonight, our friend and host Mickey Mouse uses his vivid imagination to create magical imagery for all to enjoy. Nothing is more wonderful than the imagination, for, in a moment, you can experience a beautiful fantasy or an exciting adventure. But beware, nothing is more powerful than the imagination, for it can also expand your greatest fears into an overwhelming nightmare. Are the powers of Mickey's imagination strong enough, and bright enough, to withstand the evil forces that invade Mickey's dreams? You are about to find out. For we now invite you to join Mickey, and experience Fantasmic! ... a journey beyond your wildest imagination.

The show follows a dream of Mickey Mouse that he has one night while fast asleep, which begins with him in a tuxedo discovering the water and light effects while he tests them out. He then proceeds to direct the effects like a conductor. Then he shoots pyrotechnics from his index fingertips just like in the " When You Wish Upon a Star " number in the Sing-Along Songs Disneyland Fun . The show's signature water projection screens are eventually activated, onto which animation from " The Sorcerer's Apprentice " sequence from Fantasia . Musical scores from "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" and the "Imagination" theme accompany the animation as Mickey conducts animated shooting stars pyrotechnics launched from the six pyrotechnic barges on the river.

The animation then blends with live performers interpreting different flowers. The petals then become huge green leaves and combine with onscreen animation to become flora and fauna of the jungle. The projections then show Sorcerer Mickey walking into the " Circle of Life " scene from The Lion King , as Rafiki then goes and lifts a baby Simba into the air. The lighting and music change to a jungle beat, and Kaa from The Jungle Book makes his way across the island with hypnotic beams of light firing from his eyes. Accompanying this scene are three floating barges carrying King Louie and black-lit monkeys (from the Tokyo version) across the river, dancing along to the beat; with images of pink elephants playing the tune to Hakuna Matata as Timon , Pumbaa , and a growing-up Simba walk across a log like in the song, followed by more pink elephants.

The music segues to a contemporary rendition of " Pink Elephants on Parade " from Dumbo , as more pink elephants appear onscreen and in the form of performers on the island. The elephants continue to dance until Mickey discovers a magical lamp. He rubs it, causing Genie to be freed via onscreen animation. He then shows Sorcerer Mickey his powers while singing " Friend Like Me ". Some of the transformations include turning into Donald Duck and Goofy , as well as turning Mickey into Pinocchio complete with dancers that look like Minnie Mouse and Daisy Duck , as a tribute to the original Pinocchio sequence. Genie then disappears causing Sorcerer Mickey to go underwater.

Sorcerer Mickey then finds the kingdom of Atlantica . As the guests see Ariel swimming around on the projections, it then transforms into the world of Finding Nemo , as Mr. Ray takes Nemo , Dory , and the rest of their classmates on a trip to see the stingray migration. Onscreen animation then shows Cleo , Pinocchio , and Jiminy Cricket underwater. An animated Monstro the Whale interacts with live splash effects on the river. The storyline progresses as Sorcerer Mickey notices his dream becoming darker as he has sucked down a whirlpool on a spellbook. After his eyes were shown wondering where he is, a ship lost in a stormy sea at night is shown. A concussion cannon is fired from Sailing Ship Columbia , which has been transformed into the Black Pearl , where Hector Barbossa , Jack Sparrow , Elizabeth Swann , and the pirates participate in a stunt sequence as the ship makes its pass. Originally, this sequence was themed to Peter Pan , but it was transformed into a Pirates of the Caribbean scene following the 2017 refurbishment. However, you can see silhouettes of Peter, Wendy, Michael, and John flying over the moon after Sorcerer Mickey paints it.

The projections then transform into Agrabah , where Aladdin and Jasmine are on the stage as if they're flying on the Magic Carpet (set to A Whole New World ). Rapunzel and Flynn Rider , Ariel and Eric , and Belle and the Beast appear on three floating stages (transformed since the jungle scene earlier) on the river, dancing to a medley of each princess' signature song (" Beauty and the Beast ", " Part of Your World ", and " I See the Light " respectively) accompanied by lighting and water effects.

The music turns darker, Mickey in his Sorcerer's Apprentice outfit encounters the Magic Mirror as he tells him "True magical power lies within the mirror, gaze deep into your own reflection and see powers better than you could even imagine." Mickey is skeptical at first, but he eventually decides to take a look. Mickey then gets trapped inside the mirror where he eventually encounters The Evil Queen who has been transformed into The Old Hag . The hag summons Dr. Facilier's Shadow Demons as the "forces of evil" to transform Mickey Mouse's dream into a "nightmare Fantasmic." Onscreen, we see her face dissolve into that of Ursula . Ursula sings a bit of " Poor Unfortunate Souls " and joins the plot against Mickey as her two pet eels, Flotsam and Jetsam , glide across the river. Onscreen, the face of Ursula transforms into Chernabog . Animation from the "Night on Bald Mountain" sequence from Fantasia accompanies Mussorgsky's score. Luckily, Mickey eventually manages to escape the mirror.

Dragon Maleficent.

A pyrotechnic burst of flames heralds the arrival of Maleficent , beginning the climactic showdown sequence. Maleficent rises 30 feet from the stage and transforms into a dragon onscreen. The animation gives way to a 45-foot animatronic dragon, who rises from the stage before breathing fire onto the river. Sorcerer Mickey appears as he eventually uses his mind and sorcerer powers to destroy the dragon. As the dragon screams, the villains who have appeared are also destroyed onscreen (resulting in Chernabog vanishing away, destroying him, Ursula screams in agony as she is struck by bolts of lightning, destroying her too, The hag transforms back into the Evil Queen, causing her to also be destroyed and Maleficent falls to her death causing her to be destroyed lastly), and the sequence ends with a pyrotechnic burst from the river.

Following an appearance by Tinker Bell , the Mark Twain Riverboat crosses the stage, piloted by a black and white Mickey Mouse, dressed in attire from Steamboat Willie . Approximately fifty Disney and Pixar characters dance on the ship in a ribbon routine. The sequence is accompanied by searchlights, fountains, and pyrotechnic effects.

Mickey appears on top of the tavern (sometimes on the stage when the lift isn't working) as Sorcerer Mickey , and "conducts" laser beams, fireworks, and lighting effects that span the length of the river stage. In a flash, he disappears from atop the tavern, and re-appears center stage, resuming his tuxedo. Mickey says to the audience, "Some imagination, huh? Haha!" and with a laugh, he disappears in a flash. A final burst of pyrotechnics is accompanied by searchlights placed around the tavern and stage. As a finale, a brilliant green flash of pyrotechnics ignites on the water where the river once again becomes quiet and dark.

Disney's Hollywood Studios version [ ]

The show follows a dream of Mickey Mouse that he has one night while fast asleep. As the lights fade, a female narrator gives a brief welcome and mentions of the powers of imagination. A very faint musical note is heard, swelling and growing into a dramatic chord in the complete darkness. Once the chord strikes, two tall columns rise on stage left and right, with roving spotlights, until finally, Mickey appears center stage. He conducts various water fountain effects, until bringing up the giant water-mist "screens", which, in conjunction with a few flares, fade into the famous "Sorcerer's Apprentice" scene from Fantasia .

From there, the falling stars of the Sorcerer's Apprentice scene morph into flowers, and after a brief interlude, into a jungle scene. Elephants, giraffes, monkeys, birds, ostriches, rhinos, crocodiles, and cheetahs in black-lit fluorescent colors begin to herd in the mountain. The neon animals make noise and move around on the island while Rafiki and monkeys do a dance on floats traveling across the water, and Simba and Nala romp together on the water-mist screen. Next, a large bubble montage takes place, where scenes and characters from major classic animated Disney movies ( The Lion King , The Jungle Book , Dumbo , Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs , Alice in Wonderland , Hercules , Pinocchio , Aladdin , Mulan , Cinderella , Lady and the Tramp , Fantasia , The Princess and the Frog , Tangled , Moana , Frozen , Bambi , Tarzan , Beauty and the Beast , and The Little Mermaid ) appear in floating bubbles. An animated Monstro then appears onscreen, accompanied by a heavy musical score as he crashes through the waters. The chaotic sea morphs into Mickey lost in an overflowed room as he is whisked into a whirlpool. After Mickey wonders where he is, he makes a cry for help, and the scene shifts to a medley of Disney heroes and heroines. First is a scene from Pocahontas , with Pocahontas singing Just Around the Riverbend , then it transitions to scenes of Mulan , Tarzan , Encanto , The Princess and the Frog , The Hunchback of Notre Dame , Hercules , Aladdin , Frozen II , and Moana .

Sorcerer Mickey in the Florida version.

The show then moves into classic dancing scenes with Aurora and Prince Phillip , Cinderella and Prince Charming , and Jasmine and Aladdin . Three small floats now arrive, with Belle and the Beast , Ariel and Prince Eric , and Snow White and her Prince each contained in their own float. As each float reaches the center, the spotlight shines on it, with the accompanying signature melody from each movie — " Beauty and the Beast ", " Part of Your World ", and " Someday My Prince Will Come ", respectively.

The music takes on an eerie tone as Mickey's dream takes a turn for the worse. The Queen appears and concocts a spell amidst pyrotechnics and other special effects, and turns herself into a hag. She invokes the help of Ursula , Cruella De Vil , Scar , Frollo , and Jafar . Jafar uses his magic to send Mickey to the Cave of Wonders. After escaping a wave of lava, Mickey encounters Jafar, who transforms himself into a giant black cobra to squeeze him and possibly drain him dry, appearing on both the stage and the mist screens. Seeing a magic lamp, Mickey rubs it, assuming it will help him . Unfortunately, Jafar is transformed into a genie and calls upon Hades , who laments on how "noble" Mickey's thoughts are before he calls Chernabog , who summons spirits from the dead .

As Chernabog finishes, Mickey, now in his Brave Little Tailor outfit, comes face to face with Maleficent, who tells the mouse that he'll now deal with her and all the forces of her imagination. As her pinnacle rises, she transforms into a 40-foot-tall fire-breathing dragon that sets the waters ablaze as the villains laugh at Mickey and his imagination. Guests as far as halfway back in the theater can feel the heat from the fire. Mickey, finally deciding to stand up to the villains for his dream, manages to pulls a nearby sword out from its stone (similar to The Sword in the Stone ) and creates a wall of water around the island, smothering the flames and defeating the dragon. He eliminates the villains from the dream world using the power of his imagination and his sword. The villains feel the wrath of the magical electricity from the sword; resulting in Chernabog attempting to shield himself from the light of the electricity as he vanishes away, Hades cringes in surprise from the effects as he too disappears, Jafar screams in agonizing pain decimating him as well, Frollo looks back in shock as he yells out "Witchcraft!" as he is overpowered, Scar snarls in a fury as he is overtaken, Cruella looks back in shock, yelling out "What is this?!" before also being vanquished, then Ursula is also taken down as she screams in agony while being struck by bolts of lightning, followed by the hag who transforms back into the Evil Queen causing her to also be annihilated, and finally Maleficent dies as the water splashes with a large firework bang.

Mickey controlling Steamboat Willie.

All is quiet until we see Tinker Bell fly to restore the mountain. Magical stars sparkle in the mountain as the Steamboat Willie riverboat approaches. Then a spark of pyrotechnics ignites from the riverboat, revealing Mickey, looking as he did in the original short, controlling the boat. As it glides past the audience, various Disney characters appear aboard the boat, usually waving streamers. A celebratory atmosphere prevails amid a flurry of fireworks.

With another flash of pyrotechnics, Mickey disappears from Steamboat Willie riverboat and re- appears atop the highest point of the mountain in his Sorcerer outfit as fireworks, fire, and water light up the stage. As the finale concludes, Mickey disappears from the top of the mountain with another spark of pyrotechnics, a small explosion in the main stage and simultaneously reappears in his shiny tuxedo suit. A small applause from the crowd and Mickey says, "Some imagination, huh? Haha!" Pyrotechnics shoot out of the main stage and barges on the moat, he vanishes one last time to the final notes of the music while a cone of lights and searchlights bright up the stage for a few seconds. All turns dark once again and the show has concluded.

Tokyo DisneySea version [ ]

Like the other incarnations, the show follows a dream of Mickey Mouse that he has one night while fast asleep. The show begins with the tune of the Sorcerer's Apprentice as out of the stars, Sorcerer Mickey emerges on a tower of stars in a comet. The new theme song, Imagination plays as Mickey conducts the water and images of different characters appear on the tower. The music shifts into the instrumental Fantasmic theme and continues into Sorcerer's Apprentice as Mickey conducts the stars and sea and calls on the Magic Brooms . The waters rise and we enter the sea with Ariel singing " Part of Your World ", with Crush and his sea turtles swimming in the background. The dancing fish from Fantasia's Nutcracker suite also appears as does Jiminy Cricket in his bubble, who pops it and fills the sky with bubbles.

Mickey's eyes appear in the dark asking what's going on and the show enters the jungle. While Tarzan and Jane Porter appear swinging on the projection tower, floats featuring giant inflatable versions of Baloo , King Louie , Pumbaa , and Simba as a cub appear along with a floating Kaa . A medley of music from Tarzan , " I Just Can't Wait to Be King ", " The Bare Necessities ", " I Wan'na Be Like You ", and " Hakuna Matata " plays, eventually building up into the Circle of Life .

Sorcerer Mickey controlling the fountain at Tokyo DisneySea .

When Rafiki is about to hold up Simba though, Stitch appears instead (similar to one of the Inter-Stitch-al trailers of the film) and the music goes into an electric guitar version of Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride with Stitch conducting the water while Angel pilots Stitch's red speeder shooting plasmablasts. Mickey appears again, accompanied by the show's theme song and When You Wish Upon A Star and sets the stage for an appearance by the Genie singing Friend Like Me as well as the scene of A Whole New World . As Aladdin and Jasmine fly off, the music segues into Cinderella and a sequence based on the Disney Princesses.

After the Princess medley, Mickey encounters the Magic Mirror and asks "Who's the most powerful Sorcerer of all?" The Mirror tells him "True magical power lies within the mirror, gaze deep into your own reflection... Look closer... That's it, closer...". Mickey is then trapped inside, allowing the Witch and the villains to take control, each one appearing within the mirror. The Witch calls on the assistance of Ursula (singing " Poor Unfortunate Souls ") and Chernabog (whose appearance is accompanied with a mix of Night on Bald Mountain and " Hellfire "). The witch laughs at the power of Imagination and the last villain emerges from the mirror: Maleficent who shows the power of her imagination by turning into her dragon form. Mickey defeats Maleficent (along with Chernabog, Ursula and the Witch who transforms back into the Evil Queen) with his magic wand and the power of his imagination. He falls back into his sleeping body and with a wave of Tinker Bell 's wand, the show moves into the finale, with a reprise of the song and many of the good characters appearing on the barges, including regular Mickey. The barges stop and Sorcerer Mickey reappears on the tower, clad in a flowing white robe to conduct the final fireworks and fountains as the theme builds. Mickey then remarks "Imagination! Haha!" translated to Japanese "イマジネーション！ ハハ！" and disappears, with a few notes of the Sorcerer's Apprentice theme and the final fanfare. The tower takes on the appearance of the Sorcerer's Hat and the exit music plays.

Featured Disney films [ ]

• Mickey Mouse & Friends/ DuckTales ( Launchpad McQuack was the only character from the series to appear in the finale)
• Fantasia / Fantasia 2000
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh / Winnie the Pooh
• Toy Story / Toy Story 2 / Toy Story 3
• The Hunchback of Notre Dame
• One Hundred and One Dalmatians
• Finding Nemo / Finding Dory
• Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
• Frozen / Frozen II

English [ ]

• Wayne Allwine – Mickey Mouse (DL 1992 Version and DHS 1998 Version)
• Suzanne Waters – Female Vocalist (Princess Medley) (DL 1992 Version and DHS 1998 Version/2022 Version)
• Fletcher Sheridan - Male Vocalist (Princess Medley) (DL 1992 Version and DHS 1998 Version/2022 Version)
• Louise Chamis – The Evil Queen
• Tony Jay – Magic Mirror (DL 1992 Version and DHS 1998/2022 Version), Judge Claude Frollo (DHS 1998/2022 Version)
• Eddie Carroll – Jiminy Cricket
• Chris Steele - Peter Pan (DL 1992 Version)
• Kathryn Beaumont - Wendy Darling (DL 1992 Version)
• Corey Burton – Chernabog , Captain Hook (DL 1992 Version), Mr. Smee (DL 1992 Version), Magic Mirror (DL 2017 Version)
• Linda Gary – Maleficent , Opening Announcer
• Pat Carroll – Ursula
• Susanne Blakeslee - Cruella De Vil (DHS 1998/2022 Version)
• Jonathan Freeman – Jafar (DHS 1998/2022 Version)
• Jim Cummings – Scar (DHS 1998/2022 Version)
• Linda Hunt – Grandmother Willow (DHS 1998 Version)
• David Ogden Stiers – Governor Ratcliffe (DHS 1998 Version)
• James Woods – Hades (DHS 1998/2022 Version)
• Robin Williams – Genie (DL 2017 Version/Archived Recordings)
• Geoffrey Rush – Hector Barbossa (DL 2017 Version/Film Footage)
• Jared Butler – Jack Sparrow (DL 2017 Version/Voice Only)
• Heather Headley – Female Vocalist (Princess Medley) (DL 2017 Version)
• Chris Mann – Male Vocalist (Princess Medley) (DL 2017 Version) [2]
• Judy Kuhn - Pocahontas (DHS 2022 Version)
• Brad Kane - Aladdin (DHS 2022 Version)
• Idina Menzel - Elsa (DHS 2022 Version)
• Auli'i Cravalho - Moana (DHS 2022 Version)

Japanese [ ]

• Takashi Aoyagi – Mickey Mouse (TDS 2011 Version)
• Kyoko Satomi – The Evil Queen (TDS 2011 Version)
• Template:WikipediaLink – Magic Mirror (TDS 2011 Version)
• Toshiko Sawada – Maleficent (TDS 2011 Version)
• Kujira – Ursula (TDS 2011 Version)
• Kōichi Yamadera – Genie , Stitch (TDS 2011 Version)

Featured characters [ ]

Heroes and heroines [ ].

• Brave Little Tailor Mickey (1992 Disneyland version and Disney's Hollywood Studios version only)
• Peter Pan (1992 Disneyland version only)
• Wendy Darling (1992 Disneyland version only)
• Jack Sparrow (2017 Disneyland version only)
• Elizabeth Swann (2017 Disneyland version only)
• Tinker Bell
• Genie (2017 Disneyland and Tokyo versions)
• Nala (Disney's Hollywood Studios version only)
• Pocahontas (Disney's Hollywood Studios version only)
• John Smith (1998 Disney's Hollywood Studios version)
• Nemo (2017 Disneyland and Tokyo versions)
• Marlin (2017 Disneyland version only)
• Dory (2017 Disneyland and Tokyo versions)
• Mr. Ray (2017 Disneyland version only)
• Prince Charming
• Prince Eric
• Rapunzel (2017 Disneyland version only)
• Flynn Rider (2017 Disneyland version only)
• Prince Phillip
• Prince Naveen
• Lilo (Disney's Hollywood Studios version only)
• Stitch (Disney's Hollywood Studios and Tokyo versions only)
• Moana (2022 Disney's Hollywood Studios version only)
• Anna (2022 Disney's Hollywood Studios version only)
• Elsa (2022 Disney's Hollywood Studios version only)
• Olaf (2022 Disney's Hollywood Studios version only)
• Tarzan (2022 Disney's Hollywood Studios and Tokyo version only)
• Mirabel Madrigal (2022 Disney's Hollywood Studios version only)
• Quasimodo (2022 Disney's Hollywood Studios version only)
• Hercules (Florida version only)
• Fa Mulan (2022 Disney's Hollywood Studios version only)
• Li Shang (2022 Disney's Hollywood Studios version only)
• Angel (Tokyo Disneysea version only)
• Woody (Disneyland version only)
• Buzz Lightyear (Disneyland version only)
• Jessie (Disneyland version only)

Villains [ ]

• Pink Elephants *
• Captain Hook * (1992 Disneyland version)
• Mr. Smee * (1992 Disneyland version)
• Hector Barbossa * (2017 Disneyland version)
• Talking Skull * (2017 Disneyland version)
• The Evil Queen
• Magic Mirror
• Facilier's Friends on the Other Side (2017 Disneyland version)
• Flotsam and Jetsam
• Governor Ratcliffe * (1998 Disney's Hollywood Studios version)
• Cruella De Vil
• Claude Frollo
• Jafar (featured in the Night on Bald Mountain segment)
• Hades (featured in the Night on Bald Mountain segment)

Villains with an * aren't involved in the takeover.

Characters appearing in the Finale [ ]

The characters riding Steamboat Willie at the end of the Disneyland version of the show.

Disneyland's version of the finale has included many different characters since its 1992 debut and has changed throughout the years, such as to replace older characters with newer ones.

The current finale character line-up includes Mickey, Minnie Mouse , Chip and Dale , Goofy , Pluto , Donald Duck , Cinderella, Prince Charming, Suzy and Perla , Snow White and her Prince, Aladdin, Jasmine, Aurora , Prince Phillip , Tiana , Ariel, Prince Eric, Belle, the Beast, Rapunzel, Flynn Rider, Mary Poppins , the Chimney Sweeps, Alice , the White Rabbit , the Mad Hatter , Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum , Woody , Buzz Lightyear , Jessie , and two Green Army Men .

However, the character line-up can sometimes vary between shows as other random characters are occasionally featured instead. These include Clarabelle Cow , Winnie the Pooh , Piglet , Eeyore , Tigger , Genie , Dopey , Pinocchio , Mirabel Madrigal , Pocahontas , Meeko , Esmeralda , Bo Pee Jane Porter , Terk , Princess Elena , and Merida .

Also, during the special 20th-anniversary performances of the show in May 2012, Roger Rabbit , Br'er Rabbit , Br'er Fox , Br'er Bear , the Three Little Pigs , and the Big Bad Wolf (all of whom previously appeared in the finale during the earlier years of the show's existence) made appearances.

Other characters that have appeared in the finale over the years include Clara Cluck , Max Goof , Doc , Grumpy , Happy , Sleepy , Sneezy , Bashful , Geppetto , Gideon , Baloo , Friar Tuck , Prince John , Timon , Rafiki , John Smith , Quasimodo , Hercules , Phil , Fa Mulan , Mushu , Tarzan , Stitch , Launchpad McQuack , Monterey Jack , and Rebecca Cunningham .

Walt Disney World version [ ]

The characters riding the Steamboat Willie Riverboat at the end of the Florida version of the show.

Walt Disney World's version of the finale currently includes Mickey, Minnie, Chip, Dale, Goofy, Pluto, Donald, Pinocchio, Geppetto, Snow White, and her Prince, Doc, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy, Sneezy, Bashful, Dopey, Aladdin, Jasmine, Genie, Moana, Belle, Beast, Ariel, Prince Eric, Tiana, Rafiki, Stitch, Pocahontas, Meeko, Fa Mulan, Elsa , Baloo, and Mary Poppins.

However, the character line-up can sometimes vary between shows as other random characters are occasionally featured instead. These include Daisy Duck , Judy Hopps , Nick Wilde , Anna , Scrooge McDuck, Alice, Peter Pan, Jiminy Cricket , Aurora , Cinderella , Mei Lee and Mirabel Madrigal .

As in Disneyland, the character line-up has gone through changes since its debut. For example: Br'er Bear, John Smith, Hercules, Megara , Phil, Bert , and the Chimney Sweeps appeared on the boat regularly in the past.

Other characters who appeared in the finale over the years include Mr. Smee , Mushu, Tigger, Br'er Fox, Fairy Godmother , Quasimodo, Lilo , Timon, Max Goof, and Robin Hood .

Characters may vary in this version as well, though not quite as often.

Tokyo DisneySea's version of the finale included the following characters, besides the Fantasmic! dancers (in a clockwise direction):

• Barge 1: Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Snow White, The Prince, Dopey
• Barge 2: Chip, Dale, Clarice, Marie, Aurora, Prince Phillip
• Barge 3: Pinocchio, Gepetto, Jiminy Cricket, Ariel, Prince Eric, Max the Sheepdog
• Barge 4: Donald, Daisy, Goofy, Aladdin, Jasmine, Abu

For a while, however, only 3 barges were operational, holding the following characters:

• Barge 2: Chip, Dale, Clarice, Ariel, Prince Eric, Max the Sheepdog
• Barge 3: Donald, Daisy, Goofy, Aladdin, Jasmine, Abu

Differences between the versions [ ]

Although the shows in Disneyland, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Tokyo DisneySea are similar in many respects, there are some differences between the three versions.

• In the old Disneyland version of the finale, as soon as Mickey says "Some imagination, huh? Haha!", the cone of lights immediately turns on and fireworks from the barges surrounding the stage ignite. This caused the audience to view how Mickey "vanishes". Now, like the Disney World version, there is a spark of bright pyrotechnics as soon as the line is said. In the Tokyo DisneySea version, this illusion is created by pyrotechnics at Mickey's platform, followed by a quick release trap set within the platform.
• The choreography of the Opening Mickey and Sorcerer Mickey in both Disneyland and Disney's Hollywood Studios are different in their own ways. At Tokyo DisneySea, this choreography is completely removed, as this show has a different opening.
• Whereas the show is performed on the Rivers of America at Disneyland, Disney needed a new nighttime draw for Disney's Hollywood Studios. The Hollywood Hills Amphitheater built at Disney's Hollywood Studios was made specifically for Fantasmic!
• At Disney's Hollywood Studios, the show runs for almost 27 minutes (due to the montage of Disney clips inside bubbles, the additional villains, and the wall of water at the climax), compared to Disneyland's which is only 22 minutes. The Tokyo DisneySea version runs at approximately 23 minutes.
• The Jungle Scene with Kaa, King Louie, and the monkeys from The Jungle Book at Disneyland is replaced with a tribute to The Lion King at Disney's Hollywood Studios. However, King Louie and the monkeys do appear briefly in the bubble scene. Tokyo DisneySea uses characters from both films series, as well as video from Tarzan to accent the "Circle of Life" scene from the Lion King. The 2017 and 2022 incarnation from Disneyland and Disney's Hollywood Studios also now uses both films.
• In 2022, the Pocahontas segment was replaced with a Heroes segment for the Hollywood Studios version of Fantasmic which utilizes scenes of Mulan , Tarzan , Encanto , The Princess and the Frog , The Hunchback of Norte Dame , Hercules , Aladdin , Frozen II and Moana . However, Pocahontas was still utilized within the beginning of the segment with Pocahontas singing " Just Around the Riverbend ".
• Since July 2015, clips of Tangled , The Princess and the Frog , and Frozen were included in the bubble montage scenes at the Hollywood Studios version.
• In 2017, the Rock version of "Pink Elephants" is replaced with a Dubstep remix version at Disneyland.
• Genie turning Mickey into Pinocchio complete with dancers that look like Minnie Mouse and Daisy Duck served as a tribute to the original Pinocchio sequence. Pinocchio still appears in the undersea segment as well as Jiminy.
• There was a little scene of Ariel, Cinderella, and Belle as belly dancers. Eventually, however, the segment was considered to be a little adult for young audiences, forcing the show to use different characters/effects from "Friend Like Me".
• Ursula's reprisal of " Poor Unfortunate Souls " is taken out at Disney's Hollywood Studios to introduce the other Disney villains. She plays a smaller role in the Florida show than in the California one. In Tokyo DisneySea's version, her role is identical to California's version, with the exception that the song is in Japanese.
• More villains are featured in the Florida version. Many of the additions are villains from Disney animated features released after the Disneyland version was first introduced.
• In California, Mickey destroys the villains by pointing a sword at the Dragon and saying, "You may think you're so powerful, well, this is my dream!" before light shoots from his sword toward the villains. But as of 2017, he appears in his sorcerer form and instead makes fireworks to defeat them. In Florida, he still says this, but before he destroys the villains, he causes a wall of water to block out the island and douse the flames; he then marches over to the sword in the stone and pulls it out.
• Instead of the Mark Twain riverboat, the characters in the Florida show dance on a smaller boat based on the Steamboat Willie boat . Tokyo DisneySea uses four barges refurbished from previous shows performed in the Mediterranean Harbor.
• In the California version, the giant snake that comes out on the stage is Kaa from The Jungle Book ; in the Florida version, the snake is Jafar from Aladdin . Also, Jafar has a much bigger role in the show than any other villain except for Maleficent. Tokyo DisneySea uses a redesigned Kaa as a moving float during the "Circle of Life" segment.
• Having been updated, the California version's Maleficent dragon is considerably more advanced than its Florida counterpart and has a wider range of movement. Tokyo's dragon consists only of the head and neck emerging from a mirror. It is unknown if it is a puppet or an animatronic.
• The final battle scene in California and Tokyo DisneySea's shows differ from their Florida counterpart. While the Florida version put Brave Little Tailor Mickey against the dragon Maleficent , Sorcerer Mickey is the one who battles Maleficent at Disneyland where he uses his magic controls and Tokyo DisneySea where he, instead of using a sword, shoots fireworks from a magic wand topped with a Hidden Mickey emblem.
• Unlike the US versions, Tokyo DisneySea's show does not open with the "Welcome to Fantasmic!..." phrase as part of the opening act; instead, it starts off with Dukas' Sorcerer's Apprentice . The narration is recited as part of the pre-show announcements in both Japanese and English, by two male voices, instead of a female voice.
• The music of the Villain segment of the show is almost identical to Disneyland's version, with two notable exceptions: in the Chernabog scene, the music is instead a mixture of "Night on Bald Mountain" and "Hellfire"; and instead of the Evil Queen's transformation into the Old Hag, Mickey is the one who summons the Magic Mirror and the power of evil.
• The dialog in Tokyo DisneySea's version is in Japanese. When translated from Japanese to English, Mickey's dialog in Tokyo DisneySea's version is literally the same as the US versions (except when Mickey calls the Magic Mirror and the magic of romance).
• In the Florida and Tokyo versions, Bruce Healey's exit music can be heard after each performance. In 2017, Disneyland's version replaced Bruce Healey's exit music with the "Imagination" song from Tokyo's version, but the original exit music can still be heard in the entrance plaza in between the two theme parks.
• Tokyo's version features Ariel (as both human and mermaid), Beauty and the Beast , The Princess and the Frog (as animation), and Snow White (Theme and Finale). Cinderella is the only featured Princess who does not appear in all three versions. Belle and the Beast are featured as animation only; they do not appear in the Finale.
• During Walt Disney World's years Mickey has had a total of 3 three different swords. The first one that was used from (1999-2003) was thin and long, the second one that was used from (2003-2011) was remodeled and was a bit bigger and pointier, and the current one is a lot larger and has more effects that include a red light beam effect that shoots toward the dragon.
• In early 2014, Disneyland got new World of Color fountains that move to Mickey's movements, but were shortly taken down due to problems. In 2017 the new fountains were replaced with improved versions which move more like their World of Color counterparts.
• In late 2011, Walt Disney World was given new firework effects in the finale which includes Mickey's new fireworks that appear behind him and new finale fireworks. Likewise, Disneyland got new firework blasts at the end of the show. During the 2011 refurbishment, the show returned to 7 shows a week and was given new dragon lighting effects. During the 15th anniversary, Walt Disney World was given new lights on the princess barges, like Disneyland's, and new low smoke effects and new fire in the dragon's mouth where it hits the water, the lift at the top of the mountain was experiencing problems and now comes up slower than it normally does for the performers' safety.
• In 2010, Disneyland was given new lasers for the finale that move.
• In (1999-2002), Mickey disappeared with flash fireworks all around the stage and so from any angle, you could not see how he disappeared, but in 2002 Mickey was given a spark blast around his elevator to make it more magical for the audience.
• In the intro of the WDW version, almost anyone can see Mickey coming up the lift; Disneyland's lift is so fast when the lights hit Mickey he just came up.
• In 2017, the original female singer in Disneyland's Fantasmic! was replaced by Heather Headley who also provided vocals on other Disney nighttime shows like World of Color Winter Dreams, Season of Light and Disney Illuminations in Paris. The original female singer can still be heard in the Orlando version.

A Taste of Fantasmic! [ ]

Due to the typical rainy weather in Florida, Disney Hollywood Studios will present a Taste of Fantasmic! which contains just the fountains and launches off the preloaded pyro, as it is too dangerous to unload it. This show is about 5 minutes.

FastPass [ ]

With the success of FastPass viewing for the World of Color show at Disney's California Adventure, Fantasmic! at Disneyland started to offer the service. On December 12 , 2013 , Outdoor Vending Carts converted to FastPass machines were placed along the Big Thunder Trail offering Blue, Yellow, and Green Section FastPass tickets. Only guests with FastPass tickets are allowed in the viewing areas. Limited stand by viewing is available in small sections around the viewing area. In addition to FastPasses guests may also purchase a Dining Package at Blue Bayou or Riverbelle Terrace for a reserved viewing section. Aladdin's Oasis also offers a To-Go dinner package but it only grants the purchaser access to the Blue Section. For a limited time, Hungry Bear restaurant also offered a reserved viewing section called the Dessert Party.

In 2017 , the FastPass for Fantasmic was redone with the distribution now occurring next to the Mark Twain/Columbia dock. The regular Fastpass tickets are now for just one section of the viewing area with the rest reserved for those with dining packages from Riverbelle Terrace, Blue Bayou or Hungry Bear Restaurant with Aladdin's Oasis no longer offering the Fantasmic On-the-Go package and the package itself moved to Hungry Bear.

• From 1992 to 2016, cast members working traffic control at the Disneyland version wore shirts that were yellow with a black stripe. They quickly gained the affectionate nickname "Fantasmic Bumblebees". When the show returned in 2017, the shirts were replaced with a simpler blue design.
• Before the nighttime Rivers of America show project settled on what we now know as Fantasmic! , a show themed around The Haunted Mansion 's 999 ghosts taking over the Rivers of America with the working title "The River Haunt" was proposed but ultimately deemed too expensive.
• The barges in the Jungle segment is also used for the Princess segment.
• Since January 27 , 2023 , the show area at Disneyland is also used for the nighttime firework show Wondrous Journeys .
• On April 22, 2023, the Maleficent dragon at the Disneyland version of the show caught fire during the scene where Mickey vanquishes Maleficent in defeat, sending plumes of smoke and fire into the air. The Anaheim Fire Department was called to the scene and the audience viewing area was quickly evacuated. No injuries were reported.

Gallery [ ]

Posters [ ], concept art [ ], see also [ ].

• World of Color

References [ ]

• ↑ OLC Announces Tokyo DisneySea to Reopen on April 28th - LaughingPlace.com: Disney World, Disneyland and More . LaughingPlace.com. Retrieved on September 21 , 2011 .
• ↑ Wonderful Union. Official Site .

Template:Disneyland Template:Disney's Hollywood Studios Template:Tokyo DisneySea Template:Kingdom Keepers Template:Fantasia Template:The Jungle Book Template:Dumbo Template:Pinocchio Template:Peter Pan Template:Beauty and the Beast Template:Snow White Template:The Princess and the Frog Template:The Little Mermaid Template:Sleeping Beauty Template:The Lion King Template:Pocahontas Template:The Hunchback of Notre Dame Template:Aladdin Template:Moana Template:Frozen Template:Finding Nemo Template:Tarzan Template:Encanto Template:Mulan Template:Lilo & Stitch Template:Cinderella Template:Hercules Template:Pirates of the Caribbean Template:Tangled Template:Toy Story Template:Disney Villains es:Fantasmic! pt-br:Fantasmic zh:Fantasmic! }} Template:Toy Story Template:Disney Villains es:Fantasmic! pt-br:Fantasmic zh:Fantasmic!

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NEWS: Fantasmic! Dining Packages Will Be Eligible For The Disney Dining Plan in 2024!

If you’re anything like us, then you’re probably counting down the days until the Disney Dining Plan returns!

That’s right, the pre-paid service allows you to eat based on credits at a wide variety of Disney World restaurants . This is a great way for those who are dining on a budget, as everything will be paid for before you even arrive, and it’s also great for those who LOVE to eat all the food. Now, though, we’ve found an update on the Disney Dining Plan and a fan-favorite nighttime spectacular. Let’s talk about it!

According to the Disney World website, the Disney Dining Plan (DDP) will now be accepted for Fantasmic! dining packages !

That’s right! You can use your meal credits in exchange for a Fantasmic! dining package at the following restaurants:

• 50’s Prime Time Cafe
• Hollywood and Vine
• Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano

• Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant
• Hollywood Brown Derby (but it’ll redeem TWO table service meal credits)

When you book a dining package, you’ll be able to eat at the aforementioned restaurants as well as score reserved seating for the Fantasmic! show. It’s so helpful for fans of the show to be able to pre-pay for the experience.

Previously, the Disney website was telling us that the DDP would NOT be accepted, which may have been a glitch. Now, things seem to be good to go for those of you who will be utilizing the meal service!

We’ll continue to keep you updated with more Disney news, so make sure to follow along so that you never miss a thing and are always in the loop.

Looking for MORE on the Disney Dining Plan? Click here! 

Join the allears.net newsletter  to stay on top of all the breaking disney news you'll also get access to allears tips, reviews, trivia, and more click here to subscribe.

Will you be utilizing the Disney Dining Plan in 2024? Let us know in the comments! 

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Walt Disney World Resort

More Disney Jollywood Nights Details and a Behind-the-Scenes Look at Preparing for the 2023 Walt Disney World Holidays

by Brooke Fehr , Walt Disney World Public Relations Manager

Santa may have elves, but our cast members are working their merry magic preparing for the Walt Disney World Resort holiday season, which officially begins Nov. 11, 2023!

I’ve spent the last month getting a firsthand look at preparations that go into holidays across the resort. (Here’s a hint: They never really stop!) From new details about Disney Jollywood Nights , a new separately ticketed event coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, to a first look at your favorite Disney holiday traditions, come along for a behind-the-scenes peek at what’s in store.

Holiday Happenings: Disney Jollywood Nights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

It’s the glam holiday event we’ve all been waiting for: Disney Jollywood Nights ! This swanky Hollywood party filled with merriment, music and spirited good times on select nights Nov. 11 to Dec. 20.

The all-new separately ticketed event features new live stage shows, special character greetings and the “Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!” Nighttime spectacular finale. You can also indulge in delectable treats and cheerful sips, dance the night away and enjoy many of your favorite attractions.

We’ve already shared a sneak peek at the Latin street party Holiday Fiesta en la Calle and fabulous food and drinks that guests can enjoy. But we’re excited to share more details today!

Extravagant Entertainment

Two mesmerizing new shows will immerse guests in the joy of the holidays. Head to Theater of the Stars and get ready for “ Disney Holidays in Hollywood ,” a star-studded variety show in the grand tradition of Tinseltown holiday specials – all with a twist of today’s Hollywood magic.

With special guest stars including Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Tiana, Belle, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, there are plenty of surprises in store, including a brand-new original song by Tiana. Singers, dancers and live jazz musicians round out the talented cast of entertainers in this dazzling performance. Jolly vignettes remind everyone that the holidays mean something special to each and every one of us.

You also won’t want to miss “ What’s This? Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along.” Enter a dreamlike adventure in The Hyperion Theater where Jack Skellington takes us on an ethereal exploration of “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas.” Sing along to beloved songs from the iconic film and discover peculiar magic in unexpected places. Along the way, you’ll conquer Oogie Boogie and be encouraged to follow your curiosity.

New ‘Fits for the Fête

@disneyparks The Sensational Six are ready for Disney Jollywood Nights 🤩🧣 #Disney #DisneyParks #DisneyWorld #HollywoodStudios #JollywoodNights #Holidays #HolidayDecor #Fits ♬ original sound – Disney Parks

Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and friends are wearing new outfits exclusively for this glitzy celebration – and they invite you to do the same. The new outfits are inspired by the party’s vintage vibe, which celebrates the glitz and glam of Hollywood. Art directors, show producers and designers worked together to land on just the right combination of colors and fabric for these special looks. Delve into any old collection of ornaments from the ‘30s, ‘40s or ‘50s, and you’re sure to find an array of colorful pastels. And that’s exactly what we see here! Mint green and soft reds in sumptuous fabrics set the tone as you encounter Mickey & Friends Holiday Greetings in Animation Courtyard. The gang has just wrapped on the set of their new holiday film, and you’re invited to catch a glimpse of the magic!

Even More to Adore

A DJ will play the merriest of mash-ups, featuring a mix of smooth classics layered with modern beats. While tunes at the entrance set the tone for the evening, stroll around Echo Lake for a trip down a more recent memory lane featuring holiday music and characters from classic Disney Channel favorites, including Powerline Max, Rescue Rangers Chip ‘n’ Dale and Phineas and Ferb.

Throughout the event, revel in oodles of spectacular entertainment. At Welcome to Disney Jollywood Nights , strike your best pose for “The Gram” in front of a stunning new neon sign before joining the dance party. Disney PhotoPass photographers will be there to capture the moment, and complimentary digital downloads of your Disney PhotoPass photos captured during the event are included with the price of your ticket.**

Beyond marvelous entertainment, there’s so much more that’s new and fun. Since the night is Hollywood – get ready to pose for special photo opportunities. A Robotic Arm Magic Shot will capture your red carpet moment with a glamorous, show-stopping video. There’s also a Camera Array Magic shot – nine cameras that will shoot a boomerang-style photo of your group in front of a Disney Jollywood Nights backdrop.

Plus, you can enjoy favorite attractions with lower wait times during this limited-capacity event, and a virtual queue will be in place for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.* Remember to link your event tickets in the My Disney Experience app to be eligible for this virtual queue opportunity.

And don’t forget: Disney’s Hollywood Studios will once again present Sunset Seasons Greetings nightly throughout the season, as The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is magically transformed into an array of holiday scenes as snow falls along Sunset Boulevard.

Fractal Frenzy: NEW Frozen Holiday Surprise at Magic Kingdom Park

At Magic Kingdom Park, “Frozen” friends from Arendelle are conjuring up something new and extra-special for the holidays.  

Join in the celebration of the new “ Frozen Holiday Surprise ” as Olaf and more than 100 of his Snowgie siblings decorate Cinderella Castle with festive touches. Appearing live on stage in new holiday looks, Anna, Elsa, Olaf and Kristoff each bring something special to the gathering. Festivities culminate as Elsa adds sparkling finishing touches, transforming Cinderella Castle into a shimmering crystallized palace – a look that will remain throughout the evening.

Bringing this spectacle to life is no small feat, as lighting designers, video technicians, composers and even a full orchestra worked together to create this new holiday magic.

Debuting Nov. 7, “Frozen Holiday Surprise” will occur nightly throughout the holiday season.

Also, families and kids of all ages can enjoy the most wonderful time of the year at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party , a separately ticketed event offering warm-hearted fun at Magic Kingdom on select nights Nov. 9-Dec. 22.

Making Magic: Walt Disney World Holiday Services

The magic makers at Holiday Services neither sleep nor slumber. Okay, that may be an exaggeration, but this team of designers, decorators and other professionals ready more than 600 trees and 1,700 wreaths and hang nearly nine miles of garland each year. Santa would be proud! How long does all this merry-making take? Almost a full year. As soon as one holiday season wraps up, the Holiday Services team begins preparing for the next year.

Whether they’re creating new items or making sure that existing decor remains merry and bright, our band of specialists ensures that the entire resort sparkles.

Comfort & Joy: Gingerbread Galore at Disney Resort Hotels

If you’ve ever gazed in fascination at the larger-than-life gingerbread displays that appear each holiday season at Disney Resort Hotels , you’ve probably asked yourself how long it takes to create such wonders. Planning and preparation begin a full seven months ahead! The culinary team at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa starts mixing the fragrant dough for its life-size gingerbread house in May ahead of a two-month curing process. Individual shapes, from shingles to Mickey cookies, are baked and decorated throughout the summer and then stored for “construction” in November. The house itself takes three days to build.

This year, guests can once more enjoy these stunning works of art in six Disney Resort Hotels, including a new display at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. I can’t wait to see the incredible creations that our cast members have in store for us! Look for displays – no doubt, with a few new surprises – at these locations.

• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
• Disney’s Beach Club Resort
• Disney’s BoardWalk Resort
• Disney’s Contemporary Resort
• Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
• Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

Delicious Doings: EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays

At EPCOT , cast members have been dreaming up the menu and testing new recipes for the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays presented by AdventHealth. Planning for this popular event starts a year in advance. The team focuses on creating dishes and drinks that celebrate the diversity of holiday traditions with comfort foods that inspire warm memories.

Ensuring that each guest has a delicious encounter every time is top of mind for the team, so thorough testing is imperative. And, once that’s complete, it’s on to production. During last year’s festival, the culinary team baked more than 250,000 cookies in just five weeks for the event’s Holiday Cookie Stroll .

Be sure to mark your calendars for Festival of the Holidays, which begins Nov. 24. This year will bring several “firsts” to the festival. The all-new fireworks-and-laser spectacular “Luminous: The Symphony of Us” will debut Dec. 5, 2023. And, with EPCOT being home to The Walt Disney Company’s 100 th anniversary celebration, guests will find beautiful holiday decor at the park entrance commemorating the Disney100 celebration.

More Merriment: Holidays Around Our World

At Disney Springs , guests can shop, dine and play amidst a wonderland of beautiful decor and an incredible array of dining options beginning Nov. 10. Be sure to save time to visit Santa Claus at Once Upon a Toy, and don’t miss the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll presented by AdventHealth. 19 Disney-themed trees will be on display throughout the shopping, dining and entertainment district. Plan at least one nighttime visit to experience snowfall in Town Center for more unforgettable memories.

Cheerful decor and festive flotillas are some of the holiday highlights at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park . In addition to meetings with favorite Disney characters and Santa himself, guests can interact with a Merry Menagerie of life-size, artisan-sculpted animal puppets daily on Discovery Island. The park’s iconic Tree of Life also awakens each evening with a colorful tableau of wintry tales accompanied by a musical score.

With so much to see and experience, there’s no end to the delight that holidays inspire at Walt Disney World Resort. Plan your visit today.

*Guests attending the event can request to join the queue beginning at 8:00 p.m. Each guest can request to enter this virtual queue no more than once per event. This is only available for guests on the day of the event they are attending, and their specific event tickets must be linked to their My Disney Experience account in order to join the virtual queue. Guests attending this special ticketed event do not need to be in Disney’s Hollywood Studios to request to join at the time the queue becomes available.

** Disney PhotoPass service is subject to Disney PhotoPass terms and expiration policy at https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/photopass-terms-conditions . Online registration required. Subject to restrictions and change without notice.

(The Twilight Zone® is a registered trademark of CBS, Inc. and used with permission pursuant to a license with CBS, Inc.)

Destinations: Walt Disney World Resort , Magic Kingdom , Disney's Animal Kingdom , Disney's Hollywood Studios , Epcot

Topics: Holidays at Disney

We will be in the Magic Kingdom on NYE- any special tickets we should have or events to ring in 2024?

Hello! We are so excited to assist “Jollywood Nights” this year. Would it be possible to watch Fantasmic that day for regular day visitors and event guests?

Will Savi’s Workshop – Handbuilt Lightsabers be open during Jollywood Nights?

Does this mean the Christmas Village and train display our gone at the Yacht Club? I hope not

Quick question- When in November are the gingerbread house displays up at the resorts by chance? We are coming November of 2024 for a stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge and would love to be able to see this! Thank you

Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog. We’ll have an update on gingerbread coming soon!

At Hollywood Studios, will “Sunset Seasons Greetings” play even on non-party nights, or do we need to attend the party to see that show?

At Magic Kingdom, will “Frozen Holiday Surprise” play on non-party nights or do we need to attend the party to see that show?

Hi! Sunset Seasons Greetings will run on both Disney Jollywood Nights and non-event nights. Frozen Holiday Surprise will run on Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Nights and non-event nights.

Hi! I am so excited to hear about Frozen Holiday Surprise! Will Happily Ever After still run on nights when there is not a Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party?

Hello, we’re so happy to hear you’re excited! Yes, Happily Ever After will run on non-event nights.

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Disney Jollywood Nights is no Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. So, what's different?

Posted: November 15, 2023 | Last updated: November 15, 2023

Do not go to Walt Disney World’s new holiday event , Disney Jollywood Nights, expecting Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in another setting.

From theming to audience to exclusive experiences, the after-hours events are as different as the parks themselves, as I experienced on their opening nights.

“ Jollywood Nights isn't meant to compete. It's actually meant to enhance,” said Tom Vazzana, executive creative director for Disney live entertainment at Disney World. “I think the same guests would like both, but there's this choice you could make now.”

Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning.

Here’s what travelers should know about the new holiday event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. 

Jollywood Nights leans heavily into the retro Tinseltown vibe of Disney’s Hollywood Studios and invites guests to dress up for a night out.

“Come with your best friends. Maybe leave the kids at home if you want to, because it's skewed a little bit more towards young adults/adults,” Vazzana said. “But if you want to bring the kids, we made sure there was something for the kids, too.”

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, meanwhile, makes guests of all ages feel like kids again with its character-filled parade and shows, classic Disney Christmas decor, and free cookies and cocoa. Some families even attend the party in matching pajamas.

Entertainment

There are two new event-exclusive shows at Jollywood Nights and several other venues for live music, all of which drew crowds on opening night.

“I'm a big song-and-dance, Broadway show kind of guy, and I thought we should use the Theater of the Stars after ‘Beauty and the Beast’ runs, and let's put on just an old fashioned variety special,” Vazzana said.

Disney Holidays in Hollywood features performances by Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, Mickey and Minnie, Tiana and Belle. There are four showtimes throughout the night, but seating is limited unlike with stage shows in front of Magic Kingdom’s Cinderella Castle.

Showing up shortly before the 10:45 p.m. Disney Holidays in Hollywood show and seeing the line stretched down Sunset Boulevard like during Fantasmic!’s pandemic return , I wasn’t sure I would get in, but I wound up scoring a seat in the very back row.

Guests wanting a better view should plan to line up early. The same goes for What’s This? Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along at the Hyperion Theater. It has four showtimes as well, but more limited seating and as with anything related to “Nightmare Before Christmas,” high demand.

“Our guests have been telling us for a long time ‘We want to see more Tim Burton,’” Vazzana said. 

Not being a “Nightmare Before Christmas” fan myself, I skipped the show to make space for others for whom it’s a priority. I also skipped Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! , a returning holiday fireworks, laser and projections show that caps the night, because it started to rain and I had forgotten to bring a poncho or umbrella, even though I always recommend packing one for the parks.

I was, however, able to peek into the Hollywood Brown Derby, which turns into a piano bar with event-exclusive food and drinks and an hours-long wait list on opening night. The jazz musician happened to be on a break when I stopped by, but the live bands were going strong when I swung by the swinging Tip Top Club in the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror courtyard and lively Holiday Fiesta en la Calle along Commissary Lane. 

Food and drinks

Unlike Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, there are no free snacks at Jollywood Nights, but there are tons of special food and drink offerings available for purchase, if you’re willing to wait.

“The Food and Beverage team stepped up really and created new delicacies, some craft cocktails – and this is something that we don't really offer at Magic Kingdom because it's not part of that brand,” Vazzana said. “But here, we're able to offer wonderful food and some wonderful, unique beverages.”

The line was out the door at ABC Commissary and lengthy at just about every place serving event-exclusive snacks. Tweaks could be made after opening night, but limited time treats always draw crowds. And unlike during the day, mobile ordering is not available at either Jollywood Nights or Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. I’d actually eaten before I arrived at Hollywood Studios for this very reason.

One thing I was willing to wait for, though, was coffee, because halfway through the night, I was fading. Fortunately, there was no line at the Joffrey’s coffee stand beside the Tip Top Club in the Tower courtyard. The open-air bar just steps away, however, was jam-packed. 

As with event-exclusive snacks, I knew lines for certain characters would be long even before seeing people queuing up an hour early to meet Phineas and Ferb at Echo Lake. Lines for rare characters like Jack Skellington and Sally easily top an hour at Magic Kingdom’s parties.

But lines to meet Mickey and his friends were modest when I swung by Animation Courtyard at around 11 p.m. Saturday. They weren’t quite as short as my 5-minute wait for Mickey at Town Square Theater during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, but they were much shorter than daytime waits.

And unlike at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, unlimited PhotoPass downloads are included with Jollywood Nights tickets.

The one thing that had virtually no waits was rides. 

Nearly every ride was a walk-on during Jollywood Nights, including The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, whose standby waits regularly exceed an hour. My longest wait was 20 minutes for Slinky Dog Dash, one of the most popular attractions at the park and one I usually skip because of its habitually staggering wait times. Even Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, which operates a virtual queue that guests can join at 8 p.m. for Jollywood Nights, was a breeze, though it apparently went down later that night.

Wait times were notably longer for comparable attractions on the first night of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, though they were still shorter than during the day. Space Mountain and Jingle Cruise, with their holiday overlays, each had about a 45-minute wait when I checked. The line for Peter Pan’s Flight, one of the most popular rides at Magic Kingdom, took about 20 minutes. I missed my chance to join the virtual queue for TRON Lightcycle Run at 6 p.m. because I lost track of time at dinner.

As with Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, guests should note that some experiences are not available during Jollywood Nights. Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage, For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration, Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy, Disney Junior Play and Dance! and Vacation Fun – An Original Animated Short with Mickey & Minnie wrap up before guests are allowed in for Jollywood Nights at 7 p.m. 

The after-hours event officially runs from 8:30 p.m. until 12:30 a.m. That’s shorter than Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, which runs from 7 p.m. until midnight. Party guests may enter Magic Kingdom starting at 4 p.m.

Jollywood Nights attendees may not get free cookies, but they do get a souvenir as they’re leaving: branded coasters in line with the event’s relatively grown-up theme. 

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party attendees get a free toy soldier ornament. 

Is Disney Jollywood Nights worth it?

Tickets to Disney Jollywood Nights are not cheap. They range from $159 to $179 for guests ages 3 and up, which is about the same as standard admission to Hollywood Studios on the same dates the event is offered. 

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party tickets range from $159 to $199 for guests age 10 and up and $149 to $189 for children ages 3 through 9.

For the price, you are getting much less time in the parks. However, with low to no wait times, you can easily ride as much or even more than you would on a normal park day in those limited hours. If your main objective is to ride rides, either event is absolutely worth it. Just know that there will likely be lines for other event offerings at Jollywood Nights. 

The reporter on this story received access to this event from Disney. USA TODAY maintains editorial control of reviews.  

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Disney Jollywood Nights is no Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. So, what's different?

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