Fantasmic! at Disneyland has been presented without pyrotechnics since Wednesday night, adding to a growing list of technical and operational issues affecting the nighttime spectacular since the April 2023 fire that lost the iconic dragon in the show.
Ongoing Fantasmic! Issues at Disneyland
While it is unknown why the show has gone so many nights without fireworks and pyrotechnics, it is far from the only issue plaguing the nighttime spectacular right now.
During the first Saturday evening performance, only 15 of the shows 21 fountains appeared to be functional. Several broken fountains were concentrated near the stage-right seawall, where the pyrotechnic barges have also been absent —even during some recent performances that otherwise included pyrotechnics.
The lack of pyrotechnics has forced additional changes throughout the show. Mickey no longer performs his disappearing and reappearing effect during the finale, while Maleficent is presented using a simplified “porch contingency” staging rather than her more elaborate appearance. This is not-so-lovingly referred to by some as her “standing on an apple crate”.
One of the character barges that typically features Rapunzel and Flynn Rider, but also carries some of the dancing monkeys in an earlier segment, was noticeably absent. Belle and the Beast were cut from the show so the Tangled characters could utilize their vessel instead.
Other elements have reportedly been removed or reduced during select performances, including Kaa the snake, other character barges, and noticeable reductions in the number of characters appearing on the Mark Twain Riverboat in the finale sequence.
These problems come in addition to several major effects that have remained absent for an extended period. Perhaps most famously, the Maleficent dragon has not returned following its destruction in the April 2023 fire, and Aladdin’s flying magic carpet effect has also never been restored. Reportedly, the carpet was close to returning when the fire took place, but the incident led to the planned reinstatement being canceled.
You can watch the full show from Saturday evening to bare witness to the awful state of operations:
The wretched state of Disneyland’s Fantasmic is not something the fan community has allowed to go unnoticed, but the issues seem to be compounding rather than being addressed. Disney remained silent on any updates or repairs to the show at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event. According to WDWNT sources, a new Maleficent dragon has been in the works for some time, however, a larger long-term closure and refurbishment of the show to restore and improve other effects has been shelved in favor of other projects, perhaps even the recently announced Tomorrowland overhaul.
Fantasmic can not be allowed to continue on in this state. This is one of the most beloved and iconic parts of the Disneyland experience, and it is now a shell of its former self. It has been a remarkably rough number of years for Disneyland entertainment, with so many cuts, modifications, or even severe dips in quality like what has happened to the spectacle on the Rivers of America. Disneyland’s entertainment department was once the envy of the entire themed entertainment world, but now it is struggling to keep up with several other Disney Parks, including those who are far less profitable.
In a world where there are guests paying for dining packages nightly to see this show from a preferred viewing area, it is unacceptable that they are being served a product that is so below standards. We recommend guests (very kindly) complain to Guest Relations about the current state of Fantasmic in the hopes a budget will be provided to bring this incredible, indelible piece of The Happiest Place on Earth back to life as it was intended to be.
Did you experience any modifications or cuts during your last Fantasmic! experience at Disneyland? Tell us what you might have noticed on social media.
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The post A NIGHTMARE FANTASMIC! – Several Nights with No Fireworks Compound Disgraceful Maintenance Issues at Disneyland appeared first on WDW News Today.
