On May 13, 1992, night would fall over Disneyland and Walt's little slice of magic forever changed with the premiere of Fantasmic! - a true nighttime spectacular in the fullest, most apt sense of the word.
"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 incredible imagination strong enough, and bright enough, to withstand the evil forces that invade Mickey's dream? You are about to find out, for we now invite you to join Mickey, and experience Fantasmic!... a journey beyond your wildest imagination."
Over the 23-and-a-half minutes that followed, I can only imagine the bewilderment and wonder that Disneyland guests must have felt watching the show for the very first time. I know when I first saw it as a kid, I was transfixed. The visuals, the music, the voice acting all came together in harmony for a once-in-a-lifetime feast for the senses you will only ever truly know when you feel the sprinkles of the mist screens and the burning heat of the fire during Mickey's epic showdown with the Disney villains, every action accompanied by Bruce Healey's unrivaled, powerful, and magical (I do not use that word lightly) score.
When Bill Rogers says you are about to witness the "thrilling spectacle of Fantasmic!" in the preshow announcement, he isn't kidding. Disneyland's Fantasmic! truly is a hallmark of Disney theme park entertainment and I will love it forever for the impact both the show and its soundtrack had on little 9-year-old me - the 1992 Fantasmic! CD was my very first Disney theme park album and it would lead to a lifetime appreciation and love for Disney music that still is very much present in me to this day. My favorite part of the show is the finale, featuring these lyrics beautifully written by Barnette Ricci:
"See it in your mind
And you will find, in your imagination
Mysteries and magic, visions fantastic
Leading to strange and wondrous dreams
Dreams, are make-believe
But could they all come true?
Ah
In your imagination
Ah
In your imagination
Here in your mind, it's magic you'll find
When out of the night, dark voices ignite
To blind you with frightening schemes
You use your might to brighten the light
Creating a night of wondrous dreams!"
I want to end this sort of textual tribute by showing you my favorite video of Fantasmic!, one that I think represents the show the best next to actually witnessing this thrilling spectacle with your own eyes.
Thank you for reading this and thank you to everyone who's been involved in the creation of Fantasmic!, from the show directors and composers to the lighting designers and performers.
"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 incredible imagination strong enough, and bright enough, to withstand the evil forces that invade Mickey's dream? You are about to find out, for we now invite you to join Mickey, and experience Fantasmic!... a journey beyond your wildest imagination."
Over the 23-and-a-half minutes that followed, I can only imagine the bewilderment and wonder that Disneyland guests must have felt watching the show for the very first time. I know when I first saw it as a kid, I was transfixed. The visuals, the music, the voice acting all came together in harmony for a once-in-a-lifetime feast for the senses you will only ever truly know when you feel the sprinkles of the mist screens and the burning heat of the fire during Mickey's epic showdown with the Disney villains, every action accompanied by Bruce Healey's unrivaled, powerful, and magical (I do not use that word lightly) score.
When Bill Rogers says you are about to witness the "thrilling spectacle of Fantasmic!" in the preshow announcement, he isn't kidding. Disneyland's Fantasmic! truly is a hallmark of Disney theme park entertainment and I will love it forever for the impact both the show and its soundtrack had on little 9-year-old me - the 1992 Fantasmic! CD was my very first Disney theme park album and it would lead to a lifetime appreciation and love for Disney music that still is very much present in me to this day. My favorite part of the show is the finale, featuring these lyrics beautifully written by Barnette Ricci:
"See it in your mind
And you will find, in your imagination
Mysteries and magic, visions fantastic
Leading to strange and wondrous dreams
Dreams, are make-believe
But could they all come true?
Ah
In your imagination
Ah
In your imagination
Here in your mind, it's magic you'll find
When out of the night, dark voices ignite
To blind you with frightening schemes
You use your might to brighten the light
Creating a night of wondrous dreams!"
I want to end this sort of textual tribute by showing you my favorite video of Fantasmic!, one that I think represents the show the best next to actually witnessing this thrilling spectacle with your own eyes.
Thank you for reading this and thank you to everyone who's been involved in the creation of Fantasmic!, from the show directors and composers to the lighting designers and performers.
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Feels good to be turning 30 with these classics.
