RUMOR!-Fantasmic! to recieve updates or be replaced by 2020.

[CastAStone]

FWIW, the Fantasmic dessert VIP parties were pulled off the calendar after 9/30.

 

[marni1971]

We see it every year and I have no idea why some see it as a terrible show or in a bad condition? I miss the spinning fireworks from the ship but it hardly ruins my evening or anything like that. Perhaps we're just easily pleased?

On a good night it’s a great show. Unless you’ve seen any of the Anaheim versions.

 

[Kman101]

Daytime show will not happen in the Fantasmic arena. There isn’t any shade from the sun and too much of the mountain relays on the cover of darkness to hide things.
They would be better to replace the existing shows as DHS has plenty of shows and theatre spaces, just the content is old.

Wouldn't want them, to, you know, build a shade structure ... granted the ampitheater is massive ... lol so I get it. But let's not pretend they couldn't massively invest in this area if they so wanted to.

 

[Kman101]

On a good night it’s a great show. Unless you’ve seen any of the Anaheim versions.

Personally I don't like the Pirates section (though I can get why they added it and it does sort of "work" but I'm taken right out of the show, IMHO). I think they're both good shows for what they are though. I'm a little tired of Pocahontas (though I appreciate she has a presence). And I wish Anaheim kept Peter Pan. IDK. I think they both have some pros and cons, but it's just a better environment at Disneyland, the Rivers of America coming to life is just amazing. It's not the same feeling in a large ampitheater (though I also hate being packed in like sardines, so see, pros and cons ... lol). Technically (meaning, tech wise), Anaheim is more impressive and I'd love more upgrades to Florida's version, but like you say, if it packs in the crowds ... why would they invest more than they have to?

 

[mergatroid]

On a good night it’s a great show. Unless you’ve seen any of the Anaheim versions.

Never done Disneyland Martin, so can't really compare them myself. I genuinely think it's an incredible show though. I imagine that anything could be improved, it's just I never come away feeling any part of what we saw was weak. Then I read people hating it on here for mostly things I don't pick up on. Will be there watching it in under two weeks now, hopefully enjoying it as much as ever.

 

[EricsBiscuit]

I do like the fireworks at WDW better.

 

[Movielover]

FWIW, the Fantasmic dessert VIP parties were pulled off the calendar after 9/30.

Strange because the Fantasmic Dinner Packages are still up all the way through February.

 

[Walter Elias Disney]

Pretty awesome show at Disneyland...it is in a need of an update at Hollywood Studios.....

This would be an interesting addition during the day for the theater...great crowd eater...Thoughts??

Never done Disneyland Martin, so can't really compare them myself. I genuinely think it's an incredible show though. I imagine that anything could be improved, it's just I never come away feeling any part of what we saw was weak. Then I read people hating it on here for mostly things I don't pick up on. Will be there watching it in under two weeks now, hopefully enjoying it as much as ever.

 

[Movielover]

Pretty awesome show at Disneyland...it is in a need of an update at Hollywood Studios.....

This would be an interesting addition during the day for the theater...great crowd eater...Thoughts??

Man I love either version of the show! The now more simplistic nature of DHS's and of course Disneyland's dragon! IMO opinion though Disneyland's new projection do get a little muddied with just how much there is but oh man once the dragon comes out and the finale kicks in, that amazing theme giving me goosebumps, I can't help but feel so excited and moved!

 

[NeedMoreMickey]

I’ve only seen it once at HS, not a bad show but also not waiting in line for it. I also refuse to wait around world Showcase for an hour to see Illuminations. If I can walk up and get a seat I’ll watch it again. To me it’s basically a parade of boats with characters.

 

[CastAStone]

Strange because the Fantasmic Dinner Packages are still up all the way through February.

It’s probably just the end of that specific offering, which wasn’t really comparable to the other dessert parties. Just thought it worth noting.

 

[DoleWhipDrea]

My criticisms of DHS’s Fantasmic! would take too long to write here. But the most problematic insert is the Pocahontas segment (and it’s choice to feature it so heavily drips of the drama that was occurring inside of TWDC.)
There’s nothing wrong with enjoying the show...it’s just that once you’ve seen Disneyland’s, it’s clear that Florida got jipped.

That said, Disneyland’s current iteration isn’t perfect. TDA should never have replaced the Peter Pan segment with Pirates of the Caribbean.

 

[Disorbust]

I agree about Anaheim. We saw the old version and were stunned with how much better it was. Ruined WDW version forever.

 

[Movielover]

My criticisms of DHS’s Fantasmic! would take too long to write here. But the most problematic insert is the Pocahontas segment (and it’s choice to feature it so heavily drips of the drama that was occurring inside of TWDC.)
There’s nothing wrong with enjoying the show...it’s just that once you’ve seen Disneyland’s, it’s clear that Florida got jipped.

That said, Disneyland’s current iteration isn’t perfect. TDA should never have replaced the Peter Pan segment with Pirates of the Caribbean.

I forgot where I heard it but the perfect way someone summed up WDW's Fantasmic is that they "Took Disneyland's show and made it 5 minutes longer by adding 10 minutes of padding".

The show would major heavily from just a quick pacing edit.

 

[DoleWhipDrea]

I forgot where I heard it but the perfect way someone summed up WDW's Fantasmic is that they "Took Disneyland's show and made it 5 minutes longer by adding 10 minutes of padding".

The show would major heavily from just a quick pacing edit.

Yes! One of my first questions was what the time difference between the two shows was. I couldn’t believe how long that bubble sequence went on for...

 

[Touchdown]

Ok you’ve all done it, I have the time to write it now, and it’s time for my whole thoughts on why Fantasmic! At DHS is much more maligned then it should be and DL Fantasmic is not the perfect masterpiece people make it out to be. Full disclosure: I enjoy both, also for simplicity sake I’m going to compare DL F! circa 2015, I’m also going to compare both the story and the quality of the scenes. Allright here we go:

Part 1: The call to Adventure (Opening-the first Sorcerer Mickey segment)

This segment from my memory was identical in each show, as it should because it’s darn near perfect. This opening scene does a great job of first informing the audience what is about to happen and then showing Mickey figuring out and playing with the magic of his imagination.

Winner: Tie

Part 2: Jungle Dreaming

DL: Mickey imagines a flower and then immediately after two villains enter the story the murderous Ka, and the comical kidnapper King Louie. Don’t get me wrong I love the dancing monkeys and the giant snake, it’s a great scene I just think it’s really misplaced as it suggests that Mickey quickly goes dark and starts imagining villains nearly immediately after the dream begins, of course the next vignette explains why, Mickey is drunk ! Look, I love the pink elephants as much as anyone and love the rock and roll riff on the song but there is a reason Walt decided to nix this idea for the spinner. Then we are treated to a very bizarre and out of place I’ve got no strings that seams to be here only to set up Monstro in the next scene. In short a very entertaining scene but a bit of a story telling mess

DHS: After the flower which is identical in both versions, instead of Jungle Book we get Lion King here but instead of focusing on villains we get treated to a stylized version of I just can’t wait to be King with a menagerie of black lit animals and along with the dancing monkeys minus King Louie. After this we have the dancing bubbles section that I happen to enjoy but realize most don’t. However, it’s hard to not see how this segment is designed to show Mickey’s imagination running away from him which sets up the appearance of the first villain appearance in this show.

Winner: DHS, it’s story is much more concise and even if you think the stage elements are better in DL, the snake will eventually come later.

Part 3: Adventure on the High Seas (Monstro, Stunt Sequence)

DL: This section is the highlight for the show in this version, after Monstro comes we are treated to the Peter Pan sequence and start to get an idea of how big Mickey’s imagination is.

DHS: This segment is when danger first presents in this show rising the tension, however it’s not good, especially when compared to DL.

Winner: DL in a landslide

Part 4 and 5: Princess Segment and The Evil Queen

I combined these two because they are identical, but because I’m focusing on DHS’s story I’ll just state it here, Mickey pulls back and has the last “happy segment” until the forces of evil drawn to him attack with the Evil Queen unleashing the mayhem.

Winner:Tie

Part 6: The middle villains (Ursula/Jafar and Churnabog)

DL: The queen calls upon Ursula to wreck havoc, who then passes the baton to Churnabog. While I love the music, and realize it wasn’t always this way, I must point out that this is all one giant water screen section and after the awesomeness of Pan and the tension set up by the Queen this was always a major bummer and a drag on the show.

DHS: While I do not like that they included villains who do not possess magic (Frollo, Scar, Cruella) I do like the idea of all the villains coming down on Mickey, but having the Jafar scene here really helps rising the tension and danger. I also have to call out how great a transition between Genie Jafar, Hades and then Churnabog is. It also makes Mickey’s situation seem hopeless leading up to the Mistress of all Evil showing up.

Winner: DHS

Part 7: Malnificent

Other then the shots and quips of the extra villains and some extra water fountains the script is nearly identical, but DL has such a better dragon that DHS doesn’t stand a chance

Winner: DL

Part 8: Good Triumphs (Tink, Boat Character Calvalcade)

This is another segment with the same script, and another segment where DL stagecraft trumps DHS, as nothing can match seeing the Mark Twain full of Disney characters

Winner: DL

Part 9: Sorcerer Mickey Finale

The finale plays out the same story wise in both versions but here DHS has the upper hand because it more faithfully recreates the dream segment in the short with its mountain background, individual flares moving to Mickey’s command at the beginning. I much prefer the east coast version of this segment

Winner DHS

Summary: I feel they are tied, DHS has a much better put together story, and other then the Pocahontas segment doesn’t have any “bad segments,” that said when DL F! Is good it is far better then DHS, but between the lackluster middle villains segment, the disappointing Mickey finale that is not very faithful to the original short and the muddled Jungle segment can’t quite emerge victorious over DHS.

Also I really like being able to sit down with an unobstructed view at DHS.