by Beth Keating
News
DisneyBizJournal.com
October 19, 2022
Cue the fireworks… literally! At long last, “Fantasmic!” is returning to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, following its two-and-a-half year long hiatus after the COVID closures. The nighttime extravaganza has long been a favorite of Disney fans, and it makes its triumphant return on November 3, 2022, with all new pyrotechnics, as well as upgraded lasers, sound, and lighting. A brand new hero scene adds to the updated show’s storyline.
Fantasmic! takes place in the Hollywood Hills outdoor amphitheater off Sunset Boulevard, and features dozens of performers bringing to life many of guests’ most beloved Disney characters, along with inspiring music, colorful water elements, and larger-than-life scenery. In the show, Mickey’s imagination takes flight as he dreams that he is the sorcerer’s apprentice “with the power to control water, color and magic.” Things take a dark turn, however, as the Disney Villains, including a 40-foot-tall Maleficent in dragon form, invade the dream. Along the way, characters from Disney’s animated films, including Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, and The Lion King, among others, put in an appearance.
According to the Disney Parks Blog, Disney Live Entertainment Show Director Matthew Hamel says of the new show scene, “Through this entire sequence, we go on a journey with our heroes. We see them faced with a decision, and how hard that can be for them, then watch as they find that strength within themselves to push through in a truly spectacular way.”
The new heroes’ sequence incorporates an Aladdin chase with stunts, and Frozen’s Elsa singing “Show Yourself.” Pocahontas will still be part of the show, and Moana will be making an appearance as well. In preparing for the show’s return, Disney’s choreographers even brought in Mimi Chan, the original model who helped animators create Mulan for the 1998 animated film, to help them choreograph the martial arts moves during Mulan’s scene.
Beginning October 26, Disney will also offer “Fantasmic!” dining packages for select restaurants at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The dining packages will be available for performances after November 30 at Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater ($49.00); 50’s Prime Time Café ($51.00); Hollywood & Vine Breakfast ($54.00); Hollywood & Vine lunch and dinner ($71.00); Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano ($54.00); and Hollywood Brown Derby ($73.00). (Prices listed are for adult meals. Children’s pricing is also available on the dining package webpage.)
Dining packages include an entrée, and appetizer or dessert at select full-service restaurants or one full buffet, along with a non-alcoholic beverage. Guests will also receive a voucher for guaranteed seating at Fantasmic! in a reserved area for dining package guests, but the individual seats are not assigned seats. (Note that both a theme park reservation and valid theme park admission are required. Disney’s Hollywood Studios admission is not included in the price of the dining package.)
As of this writing, Disney had not yet posted showtimes for “Fantasmic!” but since there are fireworks involved, guests will need to wait until at least sundown to see the show. Consult the My Disney Experience app as November gets closer for updated show dates and times.
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Beth Keating is a theme parks, restaurant and entertainment reporter for DisneyBizJournal.
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