Fantasmic! is a breathtaking 25-minute fireworks and water show performed select nights at Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park that brings together all of your favorite Disney Characters-including heroes, princesses and villains-for the very first time.
The Story
Fantasmic! takes you into the colorful imagination of Mickey Mouse as the Sorcerer's Apprentice in this nighttime musical special effects extravaganza! Join Mickey as he invokes the characters and spirit of such favorite Disney classics as Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Cinderella, Aladdin, Pinocchio, The Lion King, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, Dumbo, Tarzan, and more.
But when the Evil Queen from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs gathers such classic villains as Ursula, Cruella de Vil, Scar, Frollo, Jafar and a larger-than-life Maleficent to turn Mickey's dreams into a nightmare, leave it to Mickey and the power of imagination to save the day.
The Show
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 centre 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 begin to herd in the mountain. Neon animals make noise and dance around on the island while Rafiki and monkeys do a dance on floats traveling across the water. Simba and Nala from The Lion King romp together. Next, a large Bubble Montage takes place, where scenes and characters from major classic animated Disney movies appear in floating bubbles. Scenes from 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, Bambi, Beauty and the Beast, and The Little Mermaid pop and float across the screen.
An animated Monstro next appears onscreen, accompanied by a heavy musical score as he crashes through the waters. The chaotic sea morphs into one of the opening scenes from Pocahontas, with the ship caught in a storm. The screens disappear, and the lights immediately darken.
A loud cannon blast erupts. Live characters re-enact battle scenes from the film, Pocahontas. Governor John Ratcliffe and his fellow Englishmen fight against the Native Americans, followed by John Smith. As John Smith climbs to the very top of the mountain, a Native American warrior moves to strike Smith when Pocahontas arrives; the water screens spring back up, and Grandmother Willow appears, with a quote from the movie; the lights dim on the battle, and the "Colors of the Wind" scene plays out on the screens. The show then moves into classic dancing scenes with Princess Aurora and Prince Phillip, Cinderella and Prince Charming, and Princess 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 centre, the spotlight shines on it, with the accompanying signature melody from each movie - "Beauty and the Beast," "Part of Your World," and "Some Day My Prince Will Come", respectively.
The music takes on an ominous tone as Mickey's dream takes a turn for the worse. The Wicked Queen from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs on stage, calling for her magic mirror - which appears onscreen in animated form. The mirror informs the Queen that the three princesses are fairer than she, and that "in Mickey's imagination, beauty and love will always survive." Angered by this, she concocts a spell amidst pyrotechnics and other special effects, and turns herself into a hag. Upon being told by the Magic Mirror that she now has the power to control Mickey's mind, she invokes some of the most infamous Disney villains: Ursula from The Little Mermaid, Cruella de Vil from 101 Dalmatians, Scar from The Lion King, Frollo from The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Jafar from Aladdin.
Jafar uses his magic to send Mickey to the Cave of Wonders. After escaping a wave of lava, Mickey encounters Jafar, who transforms into a giant black cobra 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 (Hercules) and Chernabog (Fantasia) with the latter summoning the spirits from the dead.
On stage, Mickey encounters Maleficent, who transforms into a 40-foot-tall fire-breathing dragon that sets the waters ablaze. Guests as far as halfway back in the theater can feel the heat from the fire. Mickey, now in his Brave Little Tailor outfit, manages to create a wall of water around the island, smothering the flames and defeating the dragon. He destroys the villains using the power of his imagination and his sword (similar to The Sword in the Stone). Maleficent also dies as the water splashes with a large firework bang. All is quiet, until Tinker Bell appears and flies to restore the mountain. Magical stars sparkle in the mountain as the Steamboat Willie River Boat approaches. Then a spark of pyrotechnics ignite from the riverboat, revealing Mickey controlling the boat.
As it glides past the audience, various Disney characters appear aboard the River Boat, dancing with golden streamers. A celebratory atmosphere prevails amid a flurry of fireworks. With another flash of pyrotechnics, Mickey appears atop the highest point of the mountain as the Sorcerers Apprentice 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? Ha ha!" 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. And for the last note of the song they use one big bolt of white pyrotechnics. Then the lights return to normal and the show is concluded.
Touring Tips
- Fantasmic! is performed on select nights only. Be sure to check the Times Guide at Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park for schedule and show times. Since Fantasmic! is an outdoor show, it is also subject to cancellation due to inclement weather.
- Have your entire party together before entering the theater. Seating begins 90 minutes prior to each show, so arrive early to ensure you get a seat. Guests sitting in the first couple of rows may get wet during the performance.
- Fantasmic! is a 25-minute show, usually presented two or three nights a week with times varying based on park hours. During the holidays and peak season, the show is often performed twice. If possible, take advantage of the second showing of Fantasmic! It's typically much easier to get a seat.
- Due to its popularity, you should arrive at the amphitheater at least one hour before showtime, particularly during busy seasons. Doors usually open about two hours before the first show of the night. There are concession stands located at the rear of the Fantasmic! amphitheater - many folks choose to buy food there and eat dinner in their seats while they wait for Fantasmic! to begin.
- Several restaurants (currently Hollywood Brown Derby, Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano and Hollywood & Vine) offer a Fantasmic! Dinner Package at no extra charge. Diners at these restaurants receive a pass that guarantees them a seat at one of the Fantasmic! performances, as long as they enter the theater 1/2-hour prior to show time.
- Guests seated toward the front of the amphitheater are likely to get wet from the mist sprayed by the water screens and from splashes during several scenes. Sitting a dozen or so rows back is probably a wise choice if you prefer to stay dry.
- Although many people try to sit in the center of the amphitheater, there really isn't a bad seat in the house. The action is staged all around the island, so you're pretty much guaranteed a good view no matter where you sit.
- Fantasmic! takes place during the night-time hours and is very dark in some places. Some scenes, especially those including the giant snake and the black dragon, may be too intense for children and some adults.
Facts
- Fantasmic! premiered at Disneyland in California in 1992. It debuted at the Disney's Hollywood Studios in October 1998.
- Estimated at $45,000 per showing.
- Show times: 9:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. (frequently only a single show; times vary based on Hollywood Studios operating hours).
- Fantasmic! was originally going to be called "Imagination", but Disney could not register that title as a trademark, so they changed it to Fantasmic! The attraction was designed to run for 5 years only, but due to continuing positive crowd response in both parks, it still runs today.
- The Fantasmic! island features a 59-foot man-made mountain, making it the fourth highest "mountain" at the Walt Disney World Resort.
- The water screens in Fantasmic! pump 2,400 gallons of water into the air every minute and, if called upon, could fill the 500,000-gallon Earffel Tower in less than three hours.
- Fantasmic! features 50 performers. In the grand finale, at least 26 Disney characters cruise across the moat aboard an 80-foot replica of the Steamboat Willie boat.
- In addition to seating 6,500 guests, specially designed Hollywood Hills Amphitheater also can accommodate 2,500 standing guests.
History
The original version of Mickey destroying the dragon for the Florida version of the show was said to involve Mickey walking on the surface of the river and rising up in a column of water to slay the dragon. While some say the effect suffered from technical problems, others suggest former Disney CEO Michael Eisner felt the concept had too many religious parallels. A simpler ending of Mickey using the sword in the stone was used instead. However, the "Fantasmic! Good Clashes with Evil in a Nighttime Spectacular" soundtrack had already been produced with the last track called "Mickey Walks On Water/Evil Destroyed."
In January 2009 the Florida show's schedule was reduced from 7 to 2 nights a week to selected nights each week. These schedule cuts coincided with the opening of The American Idol Experience. It was announced in 2010 that during peak park attendance periods it would be performed three nights a week with two shows per night.