Performances of ‘Fantasmic!’ Greatly Reduced for Disneyland Holiday Season

Disneyland Resort has cut back “Fantasmic!” performances to weekends only moving into the holiday season, in a possible response to the unionization of performers.

‘Fantasmic!’ Performances Reduced at Disneyland

A character in a red outfit stands on a rooftop with fireworks exploding in the background. Trees and a lit structure are visible around.

The nighttime spectacular returned to Disneyland in May following a fire that destroyed the Maleficent dragon animatronic. The nighttime spectacular has been struggling to run smoothly in recent memory, following rogue fireworks and Mickey’s finger fireworks misfiring. On Saturday, July 27, the show performed with limited pyrotechnics.

A person in a yellow dress and another in a Beast costume perform on a stage with bright lights and colorful water fountains in the background.

According to the events schedule on the Disneyland Resort website, “Fantasmic!” is only being offered from Friday to Sunday for the foreseeable future.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the show was performed approximately 365 days a year. When the show returned in 2022, performances were reduced to weekends only in the off-season. The nighttime spectacular would still run seven days a week for peak seasons, like the holidays, spring break, and summer.

A large, multi-tiered steamboat named "Mark Twain" is illuminated at night, with people on the decks.

Now, it appears that Disneyland is keeping the show to weekends only, Friday through Sunday, as we head into the busiest time of year at the resort. However, the show will be offered every evening during the week of Thanksgiving, from November 24-30, 2024, according to the “Fantasmic!” dining package schedule. The show will still host two performances each night, at 9 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.

A person dressed as Peter Pan stands on a ship's rigging next to a crow's nest. A black flag with a white skull and crossbones hangs below. The background is dark, creating a truly fantasmic scene.

It is also worth noting that the “Fantasmic!” performers fall under the umbrella of parade and character performers at Disneyland. Cutting back on performances could be a possible response to performers’ recent vote to unionize.

Check out “Fantasmic!” from its return to Disneyland this year:

Have you ever seen “Fantasmic!” at Disneyland? Are you willing to brave the park during the weekend to catch the nighttime spectacular? Let us know in the comments below and on social media what you think of the schedule change.

For more Disneyland Resort news and info, follow Disneyland News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. For Disney Parks news worldwide, visit WDWNT.

The post Performances of ‘Fantasmic!’ Greatly Reduced for Disneyland Holiday Season appeared first on WDW News Today.