RUMOR: Pirates of the Caribbean Replacing Peter Pan in “FANTASMIC 2.0” Show at Disneyland in 2017

VJ

VJ

Well-Known Member
As I've said elsewhere, being cautiously optimistic about the new (or refreshed?) show. But considering POTC is my favorite movie series (and what they're planning for the show sounds amazing), they're off to a great start. Can't wait to hear more in the months leading up to the premiere!
 
FerretAfros

FerretAfros

Well-Known Member
At its core, Fantasmic! has always had a wacky nonsensical storyline. Where it hits its stride is in the show's pacing and energy/emotional arc; although the show has been copied and presented in a variety of formats (Splashtacular at Epcot/TDL's 10th anniversary show, clone in MGM, Fantillusion, clone in TDS), none of them have ever matched the tight pace of the original. Even other major nighttime shows fail to capture that energy, which gives me some concern with any changes, though I fully admit it's time for some fresh blood after all these years

With things like changing Peter Pan to POTC, it will be very easy to make direct 1-to-1 comparisons; if they're making massive changes like that, they need to be sure that the new version is an improvement on the old one. WDW's Pocahontas segment is the obvious substitution for DL's Pan scene, and continues to fall flat with audiences. I'll also be curious to see which princesses get featured in the new show; I'd be shocked if it didn't snow at some point

From a purely personal perspective, I've always thought that Captain Nemo on the Nautilus battling the giant squid around the river would make a really cool scene, though I fully recognize there is no way it would actually happen
 
Rich T

Rich T

Well-Known Member
TP2000 said:
It also shows what level of funding and energy is going in to upgrading Fantasmic! for its reintroduction next summer. TDA is clearly committed to refreshing this aging show. I can't wait!
Click to expand...
I just hope the show holds together emotionally the way the original did, but--Yes, it's good to see they're spending big bucks on this. Anyone who saw Fantasmic during its first summer remembers how blown away everyone was by the spectacle and new technology at the time. If they can recreate that sense of awe on that scale with the new ideas, they'll have something to crow about (had to slip one Pan nod in there.)
 
TP2000

TP2000

Well-Known Member
The real magic of Disneyland's Fantasmic! is that it takes place on the Rivers of America, using the two big boats that many visitors rode and/or saw earlier in the day. And then the whole thing is transformed into this jaw-dropping spectacle. And on a gorgeously cool SoCal summer evening, or a crisp Christmastime night, it's just electric. It could only happen at Disneyland.

I've seen Fantasmic! at WDW several times, and it's all rather sad because of the cheaper sets and stagecraft they use there. But then it's also in this cheesy Shamu Stadium thing that can only look like Theme Park Water Show Facility that is sealed off from the park until showtime and lacks any sense of magic or drama or mystery.

Welcome to Shamu Nights!... er, Fantasmic!
Hollywood-Studios-Fantasmic-hollywood-hills-ampitheater-1.jpg


I get why they did it that way, but it just falls so flat and kills the special vibe of Disneyland's show. That the WDW management there lets the show's physical plant rot for decades hasn't helped. Disneyland's version has had three big rehabs just in the last decade with major stagecraft improvements, while WDW's is still stuck in 1998.

I've also seen Fantasmic! at Tokyo DisneySea. Being Tokyo it's a triumph of technology and impressive visuals. And the DisneySea lagoon is a big improvement over WDW's Shamu Stadium. But at Tokyo it's all so big, and so distant from the audience, that it loses something. It's impressive, but it lacks heart. (It doesn't help that the dialogue is in Japanese, but the scale is just too massive to connect.)

If you squint you might be able to spot a Princess. And maybe Mickey.
disneysea_update_098.jpg


Disneyland USA truly has the best Fantasmic!, and this 2.0 version should ensure it stays that way.
 
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GiveMeTheMusic

GiveMeTheMusic

Well-Known Member
TP2000 said:
The real magic of Disneyland's Fantasmic! is that it takes place on the Rivers of America, using the two big boats that many visitors rode and/or saw earlier in the day. And then the whole thing is transformed into this jaw-dropping spectacle. And on a gorgeously cool SoCal summer evening, or a crisp Christmastime night, it's just electric. It could only happen at Disneyland.

I've seen Fantasmic! at WDW several times, and it's all rather sad because of the cheaper sets and stagecraft they use there. But then it's also in this cheesy Shamu Stadium thing that can only look like Theme Park Water Show Facility that is sealed off from the park until showtime and lacks any sense of magic or drama or mystery.

Welcome to Shamu Nights!... er, Fantasmic!
Hollywood-Studios-Fantasmic-hollywood-hills-ampitheater-1.jpg


I get why they did it that way, but it just falls so flat and kills the special vibe of Disneyland's show. That the WDW management there lets the show's physical plant rot for decades hasn't helped. Disneyland's version has had three big rehabs just in the last decade with major stagecraft improvements, while WDW's is still stuck in 1998.

I've also seen Fantasmic! at Tokyo DisneySea. Being Tokyo it's a triumph of technology and impressive visuals. And the DisneySea lagoon is a big improvement over WDW's Shamu Stadium. But at Tokyo it's all so big, and so distant from the audience, that it loses something. It's impressive, but it lacks heart. (It doesn't help that the dialogue is in Japanese, but the scale is just too massive to connect.)

If you squint you might be able to spot a Princess. And maybe Mickey.
disneysea_update_098.jpg


Disneyland USA truly has the best Fantasmic!, and this 2.0 version should ensure it stays that way.
Click to expand...

As usual, @TP2000 nails it. Disneyland's Fantasmic is unique worldwide and no attempt to replicate it has been truly successful. And no one can deny there are portions of the original show that aren't exactly highlights. A refresh has been needed for some time.
 
Disney Analyst

Disney Analyst

Well-Known Member
Excited to see what they can cook up, just hope it stays true to the original. DHS's version added too much water screen action, TDS's tried to contemporize too much, and the alterations to the music just aren't good.

As said above, the magic of Disneyland's has always been that it takes place in areas you have visited during the day. It transforms the riverfront and this seemingly normal cabin into a spectacular beyond anything you could ever imagine. The best part is, as it all rises out and appears before you, by the last stroke of music it is all gone again, as if nothing happened.

I always took issue with the arena of DHS, you know you are seeing a show, it's obvious.. There's no crazy reveal, or built up anticipation. I do enjoy the mountain, but the sides of it are cheap and ugly. I would however love to see their full fountain wrap replicated in Disneyland.
 
TP2000

TP2000

Well-Known Member
Evan-500 said:
The best part is, as it all rises out and appears before you, by the last stroke of music it is all gone again, as if nothing happened.
Click to expand...

Yeah, isn't that great!?! You are right, that is a big part of how special it is, when it all just packs up and disappears into thin air at the end.

Dr. Hans Reinhardt said:
As long as they keep the dinner packages I'll be fine.
Click to expand...

The Blue Bayou package with the seat cushions was really nice. But I keep hoping they'll bring back the Dessert Viewing with the folding chairs and a waitress to bring you hot cocoa and little cakes and cookies.

I'm sure Fantasmic! 2.0 next summer will launch with plenty of dining package options. That seems to be a thing now.
 
brb1006

brb1006

Well-Known Member
Evan-500 said:
Excited to see what they can cook up, just hope it stays true to the original. DHS's version added too much water screen action, TDS's tried to contemporize too much, and the alterations to the music just aren't good.

As said above, the magic of Disneyland's has always been that it takes place in areas you have visited during the day. It transforms the riverfront and this seemingly normal cabin into a spectacular beyond anything you could ever imagine. The best part is, as it all rises out and appears before you, by the last stroke of music it is all gone again, as if nothing happened.

I always took issue with the arena of DHS, you know you are seeing a show, it's obvious.. There's no crazy reveal, or built up anticipation. I do enjoy the mountain, but the sides of it are cheap and ugly. I would however love to see their full fountain wrap replicated in Disneyland.
Click to expand...
The ending to WDW leaves no wow factor to the ending compared to Disneyland now that I think about it.
 
brb1006

brb1006

Well-Known Member
Rich T said:
This has always been my very favorite thing about DL's Fantasmic. It's a brilliant, brilliant ending. Hope the new show retains that.
Click to expand...
Hopefully this might be the first time Mickey's given an accelerated head for the show. It's already at the Mickey And The Magical Map show.
 
BrianLo

BrianLo

Well-Known Member
TP2000 said:
The real magic of Disneyland's Fantasmic! is that it takes place on the Rivers of America, using the two big boats that many visitors rode and/or saw earlier in the day. And then the whole thing is transformed into this jaw-dropping spectacle. And on a gorgeously cool SoCal summer evening, or a crisp Christmastime night, it's just electric. It could only happen at Disneyland.

I've seen Fantasmic! at WDW several times, and it's all rather sad because of the cheaper sets and stagecraft they use there. But then it's also in this cheesy Shamu Stadium thing that can only look like Theme Park Water Show Facility that is sealed off from the park until showtime and lacks any sense of magic or drama or mystery.

Welcome to Shamu Nights!... er, Fantasmic!
Hollywood-Studios-Fantasmic-hollywood-hills-ampitheater-1.jpg


I get why they did it that way, but it just falls so flat and kills the special vibe of Disneyland's show. That the WDW management there lets the show's physical plant rot for decades hasn't helped. Disneyland's version has had three big rehabs just in the last decade with major stagecraft improvements, while WDW's is still stuck in 1998.

I've also seen Fantasmic! at Tokyo DisneySea. Being Tokyo it's a triumph of technology and impressive visuals. And the DisneySea lagoon is a big improvement over WDW's Shamu Stadium. But at Tokyo it's all so big, and so distant from the audience, that it loses something. It's impressive, but it lacks heart. (It doesn't help that the dialogue is in Japanese, but the scale is just too massive to connect.)

If you squint you might be able to spot a Princess. And maybe Mickey.
disneysea_update_098.jpg


Disneyland USA truly has the best Fantasmic!, and this 2.0 version should ensure it stays that way.
Click to expand...

Honestly, it's safe to say Disneyland has four of the best night entertainment options period.

Dreamlights, DLP's Dreams and Illuminations are the only things that really measure up, though all castle pyro shows are fun.

DLR is spoiled.
 

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