Interesting Fantasmic rumor

[Dr. M]

Well, I was lurking on a board for CMs and came across this

Re: Fantasmic, How is it going? With fewer shows. Crowd control?
Well i was speaking with a Show Manager for F! and they said that Sept is going to be the definning moment for the show....
Show managment had to decide to either...
1: Close the show and only open it as a Seasonal Show
or
2: Open it back to full time, do an over haul on key show pieces
The reasoning behind this is mainly that the show costs are apx. 88k per show.
They have to pay out premiums <sp?> such as:
1: Noise
2: Pyro
3: Stunt
4: Face
With char. like John Smith who get paid the most... show ops cant "afford" all this...
Please take all that is said as being conjectual and possably not true... but I report to you what ever anyone tells me... truth or other wise.... Just like CNN... =-P

[Debbie-TN]

As far as I'm concerned they could take out that whole Pocahontas scene. What an odd scene to have in the show. It doesn't have anything to do with the rest of the story.:confused3

[ilovejsparrow]

As far as I'm concerned they could take out that whole Pocahontas scene. What an odd scene to have in the show. It doesn't have anything to do with the rest of the story.:confused3

Agreed! It's so random. Personally, I would like to see it slightly downsized and a year-round show.

[maj42169]

As far as I'm concerned, they could revamp the entire show.........I don't even make plans to see it anymore.

[Dr. M]

I hope they don't make it seasonal--That means closed in Sept. when I'll be there.

[AJKMOM]

My least favorite show but I hope they don't do away with it, just revamp it to save money. It keeps the crowds away from my favorite rides at show time.

[jayandstacey]

Yeah, gotta admit - I didn't really follow the storyline and left wondering why. $88K makes me wonder a bit more...

If it were me, I'd use the existing stage and make a number of smaller shows that cost MUCH less to produce. Rely on the story, not the effects. Some ideas:

Maybe a water based show, a fire based show and a simple very little kids show.

Then run the normal schedule but rotate the shows. So maybe
Thurs: water show
Fri: kids and fire show
Sat: water and fire show
Sun: kids show

Like that. Over time, if attendance and reviews don't like one of the shows, it can be axed or replaced but the others are ready to fill the gap.

It might not be as exciting as Fantasmic, but Disney knows as well as anyone that a solid story can hold people as well as effects can.

[carmiedog]

any relationship between your user name and the user name of the CM who posted that info? :confused: pretty weird if it's coincidence! :upsidedow Didn't know if you'd noticed that or not.:rotfl:

[wildeoscar]

revamping shows like that is not a small or cheap endeavor. and is time consuming. It is the most expensive night time spectacular, but yeah it does need a refresh. What makes it special for me is all the characters on the boat at the end, I find that amazing to see. That is also what makes it expensive.

it has been enough years, they could shut it down and do an overhaul to something with less people in it and make it work

[carmiedog]

...What makes it special for me is all the characters on the boat at the end, I find that amazing to see. That is also what makes it expensive.

the character boat is our favorite part of the show ::yes::

[KimDis]

That would officially make the studios a 1/2 day park for me... just like AKL. Which means less opportunities for Disney to get my dining money as I wouldn't book the dinner package and I wouldn't linger and give them a chance to get more of my retails dollars (which is a shame since I like the merchandise in the studios). I'd also probably book shorter trips to WDW in the off season if they reduced F! showings.

[gk90]

Thanks for the info OP! I agree that F! could do with a revamp--it's a great show but the plot doesn't really flow well and it seems to go on a bit too long. I've seen a number of posters say that while F! at WDW is great, it's not as good as the version at DL and have always wondered--is the plot of the DL show different, or are there other features that are better?

[Dr. M]

any relationship between your user name and the user name of the CM who posted that info? :confused: pretty weird if it's coincidence! :upsidedow Didn't know if you'd noticed that or not.:rotfl:
Didn't notice the cm's user name. No relation--just funny coincidence.

[Planogirl]

the character boat is our favorite part of the show ::yes::
Ours too. It's fun to see the many characters together like that.

I do like the Pocahontas portion even if it doesn't seem to make sense. It's pretty.

[princessjane]

After seeing it three times. I'm not interested in seeing it again.We will be skipping it this time around. I agree, the Pocahontas thing is out of place. I would like to see something completely different.

[DOOM1001]

Revamp it,change it,modify it,do whatever you want but please don't add more of those water curtains with the projections on them.The show is like 35 minutes and it feels like there's 20 minutes of the water curtains.Fantasmic has never been a must do for me like Illuminations and Wishes or even Spectromagic so a change would be fine with me,but also this is Disney DO NOT make this huge theater a seasonal attraction,people don't come out to Disney to have nighttime shows not showing when they're there.

[Brer Chump]

Revamp it,change it,modify it,do whatever you want but please don't add more of those water curtains with the projections on them.The show is like 35 minutes and it feels like there's 20 minutes of the water curtains.Fantasmic has never been a must do for me like Illuminations and Wishes or even Spectromagic so a change would be fine with me,but also this is Disney DO NOT make this huge theater a seasonal attraction,people don't come out to Disney to have nighttime shows not showing when they're there.

Exactly! I really think F! is over-rated because it is mostly animation on a water curtain, which makes it very grainy.

I say revamp the show completely and remove the sprinklers or remove the stadium completely and put in a theater like in DLR where they show live action Aladdin show which is excellent.

[Brad Bishop]

I saw it back in the 90s at Disneyland and that it was great. It was really cool how part of the park (Tom Sawyer Island) was transformed into this huge show.

I saw the Disney Studios version earlier this year and was less impressed. I don't remember the details well enough to compare the two shows but the fact that the Studios version was in it's own special theater area took a some of the fun away from me.

It's not a 'must do' or anything. I'm not normally at the Studios at night as I've usually kind of run out of stuff to do there by then.

As far as Spectromagic. I've seen that parade once. It's not a must-do, either (or even a 'do' after that one time). The music is Disney-generic to me. I really liked the old Main St Electrical Parade and the music there seemed a lot more fun (Baroque Ho Down by Don Dorsey if anyone wants to look it up - I'm pretty sure that's right).

[Disneycrazy!!]

I agree with others...the whole Pochantas thing doesn't flow with the rest of the show. I think the show is a little to long, by the end of it, my back and butt is hurting sitting on the bleachers and I am ready to get to a bus, and get back to the hotel room.

[lagunn]

the character boat is our favorite part of the show ::yes::

This was not there last Sept instead of the boat all the characters were standing on the island..:eek::confused3
Shame because this was my favourite part of the show.

[dzneelvr]

I agree with the total revamp--changing out the water movies and adding a different slant rather than good .vs. evil part in the middle. My favorite part is the steamboat at the end with all the characters. Some of them, that's the only place they're seen:3dglasses We can all understand how Disney needs to stay cost-efficient. We LOVE the concept though. Hope it can get back to the WOW factor it had the first time we saw it--I was simply blown away:wizard:

[brendaziz]

OK- I LOVE the water curtains.
I LOVE the charcters on the boat.
and i can do w/o pocohantas-
but LOVE all the villain stuff. as long as they don't do away w/ the villains I wont care what they change really.
But I'd rather have it "cheaper" and more often.

And FWIW- Fantasmic is my FAVORITE of the 3 nighttime shows.
I've never watch Wishes except from a distance and I think Illuminations is boring and random and just when you think it might get good, it's over and you're like "what was that?"

[RMulieri]

I hope they don't make it seasonal only...not that I am a huge fan of it, but if it were to go to seasonal only.The other shows and parks ( MK /Epcot) will be alot more packed

[Texas Rob]

I really think the negative reviews are a very small majority. If you ever go out there you see almost the entire park goes there everytime it is open. It is like a crazy house.

I completely agree with the Pocahantas thing....not a big fan or understanding why it is in the show.

I like it, but wouldn't be devistated if disney axed it....as long as they replaced it with something else which we all know they would.

[eliza61]

Well I love Fantasmic and would hate to see some watered down version of it.
Disney is really in a rock and a hard place to me now. All the little cuts are starting to add up and they keep adding surcharges and raising prices.

CM's being cut
shows being cut
food quality in the toilet.

My concern is that generally when companies start making cuts, they rarely return to "pre cut" status even when the economy turns around. So in a few years I'm afraid what will be left is a disney that is just a "shell" plus they will get rid of all the discounts they've been offering to lure people in.

As it stands now. No fantasmic for me would mean as another poster said
AK 1/2 day park
HS 1/2 day park.
Do I want to spend the very expensive ticket price for 1/2 day parks. :confused3

[ShannonMB]

OK- I LOVE the water curtains.
I LOVE the charcters on the boat.
and i can do w/o pocohantas-
but LOVE all the villain stuff. as long as they don't do away w/ the villains I wont care what they change really.
But I'd rather have it "cheaper" and more often.


I could have written this myself, Brendaziz! Totally! :thumbsup2

[nurse.darcy]

In March I saw both the Disneyland Fantasmic and the WDW Fantasmic. I must say, the Disneyland version (though I have seen it many times) still has the WOW factor. I was a bit disappointed with the WDW version. It has some similar stuff but there are quite a few differences. I also don't remember Disneyland's version being 35 minutes long. Of course, I really don't pay attention to the length when I am enjoying myself.

[5intexas]

In March I saw both the Disneyland Fantasmic and the WDW Fantasmic. I must say, the Disneyland version (though I have seen it many times) still has the WOW factor. I was a bit disappointed with the WDW version. It has some similar stuff but there are quite a few differences. I also don't remember Disneyland's version being 35 minutes long. Of course, I really don't pay attention to the length when I am enjoying myself.


I completely agree. We are originally from Southern CA and have seen Fantasmic at DL several times. When we saw the one at WDW, we felt the same...it lacked the WOW factor. I am not really sure I can say exactly why, but the thing that stands out the most is the venue. At DL, there is not theater, you just grab some pavement and watch the show as it is done on Tom Sawyer's island out on the river. There are still many of the same spectacular elements to the show, but all in all I thin it flows better and seems more natural and less staged (if that even makes sense!)

[thesimson01]

I hope that it will be ''seasonal'' from Jan 1st t'ill decembre 31.:rotfl::rotfl:

[ryley26]

I moved this to the rumor board thanks Rich

[JulieGS]

We saw the Fantasmic show in DL last June. I wasn't even sure that we should, because we'd seen the WDW version in 2004 and I wasn't that impressed, but we got the preferred seating w/snacks and settled in...it was amazing! SO much better than WDW. Part of it is that you're so much closer to everything in DL. It feels much more intimate. Also, it's shorter. The water animation in WDW goes on for freakin' ever...the DL show is more streamlined, seems to make more sense. And it is fun to watch the transformation process as they set everything up. Anyway, I wouldn't go to see Fantasmic again in WDW, but at DL it was one of my favorite experiences.

[zulemara]

wow, I can't believe so many people don't like the show! I live here, I've seen it many many times, and I always enjoy it when I decide to go see it. To me it's a must do for any vacation.

[tjkraz]

wow, I can't believe so many people don't like the show! I live here, I've seen it many many times, and I always enjoy it when I decide to go see it. To me it's a must do for any vacation.

The show is much better in Disneyland.

Having seen the WDW version first, I always felt it was a very disjointed story with seemingly random elements thrown in. I get the "Mickey's nightmare" theme, but from my very first viewing was left with the impression that Disney could have written a much better story when building a 9000-seat arena for a show that (used to) run a dozen times per week.

Years later I saw the DL version and a lot fell into place. When they created the show for DL, designers worked with what they had available--the riverboat, the Columbia (which hosts a Peter Pan segment instead of WDW's Pocahontas), a "stage" on Tom Sawyer's Island, the makeshift video screens, etc.

The DL show was a marvel of making do with what designers had accessible. The WDW clone feels cold and impersonal by comparison.

[anthony2k7]

WDW losing fantasmic when disneyland is to have world of color AND fantasmic would be a very strange decision!

:confused3

[tag98]

I have never yet to see this show through out all the times Ive visited. We will be there again this Saturday (WOOOHHHHOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!) for 8 days and I plan on seeing it for the first time!! I have been looking forward to it. Cant wait!!!!! Esp, now that it might be our last time...

[mum24grlz]

We saw this show again this past winter and I was not impressed. I vaguely recall it from several yrs ago but overall I was disappointed in the whole show. I won't be returning to it any time soon.

[Curious Yellow]

I absolutely LOVE Fantasmic and cant believe many people arent sticking up for it! lol Agreed - it has been there a good while now, and no doubt if it goes Disney will make something better to go on the purpose built theatre.

Gotta also disagree about the Pocahontas part. I love the music, and the whole point of Fantasmic is it is a dreamscape and doesnt make sense. It has alot of elements of surrealistic films.

Not to mention - the ending where Mickey disappears and appears - "Some Imagination Huh?" has me in tears EVERYTIME! Even when i listen to the soundtrack lol Its just genius and an obvious and emotional homage to Walt. (think i might be toooo attatched to this show lol)

I'd be gutted if it went, but I've just come back and had a chance to see it after 5 years away from Disney.

And i know they'll come up with something to go in its place, most probably something better - they know there's alot to live up to following Fantasmic!

[Michael623]

I agree that the show at DL is better but to me sitting to watch a show (WDW) beats standing for a show (DL) any time.

[goalie5hole]

Have you people lost your minds? Fantasmic is incredible. And isn't the whole show random since it is a dream?

[peterandlisa]

I hope they do not reduce or remove the show, my girls love it and look forward to seeing it in the summer!:sad2:

[NoLineOntheHorizon]

Fantasmic! is one of the all-time classic Disney shows. You are immersed in a world of Disney sights and sounds for over half an hour...not to mention Mickey's imagination. Isn't that what Disney is all about? Fantasmic! captures it. There is no better theme park show. I've seen both of them (Disneyland and WDW) and both are excellent in their own way.

[KimDis]

I love it too! I love the show and I love the fact that you can actually sit and enjoy it. I also always enjoy it way more than I expect to.

[PatriciaH]

WDW losing fantasmic when disneyland is to have world of color AND fantasmic would be a very strange decision!

:confused3

And they are getting an awesome new fireworks show where Dumbo flies around the castle!

[FLUFFYCAT]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Fantasmic show!!!!! It would be nice if they updated the show but I would be so upset if they cut the days.
~Darlene~

[Spassvogel]

We're here at Disneyland through this coming Friday (6/12) and I believe that's supposed to be the debut of the new version of Fantasmic. (I saw a rumor on another board that the new dragon had already broken, but I hope it was incorrect). Friday is the only day it's running during our stay, so it's all or nothing. The real trick will be to deal with the increased crowds there to see the debut.

[lawsonsontour]

when ever we go to the world we will do this show at least 3 or 4 times.we would be totaly devistated if they got rid of it.even the water screens have great moments. when you see the flash of light and then hear all the kids when they realise that its tink always brings a lump to the throat...not seen the new american idol show yet but surly a show with dragons and pirates and fireworks beats a vamped up karaoke any day

[Jessfrogger88]

:scared1:

I can't believe all the negative comments about my favorite show in this thread!!!

I think it's the most magical thing that disney has going right now and always makes me feel like a kid again... I drug my parents and adult sister to the show and they were equally amazed by it.

Maybe things might be a bit slightly disjointed, but the effects, water, fire, fireworks, music, huge props, characters... it's awesome... Plus i've always credited the disjointedness to the fact that is indeed a long dream sequence.

I'm sure if they revamped it ... the main focus would be to cut cost... and with how things like this have been done lately I don't think it would be comparable to the current version because dinsney has been all about maximizing profits not creating state of the art attractions as of late. (See The Seas with Nemo and Friends for example)

I wouldn't be completely opposed to a new storyline with a lot of the same elements, but I fear it just wouldn't live up to the original.

Besides

Fantasmic>>>>>>>>>>>>> Wishes&Illuminations (These are both ok firework shows, but they are mostly just fireworks, music, lights and a spinning globe that is really hard to see)

[Tink's Tormentor]

WDW is becoming a place where you get less bang for your buck. Cut this, cut that, then raise ticket prices. Let's call this what it really is though, a justification for AIE. Shutting Fantasmic completely will force people to AIE for the night show. DHS will be a half day park for me, if I do it at all.

[suferchick]

that would be the dumbest thing ever if they closed Fantasmic! Thats like the best show at disney besides wishes! I loved it soooooooo much! :( This is kinda sad news i just hope it doesnt happen

[movie77]

wow, I can't believe so many people don't like the show! I live here, I've seen it many many times, and I always enjoy it when I decide to go see it. To me it's a must do for any vacation.

Interesting, I totally agree with you. I think its the best show WDW does by far.

[scooter15]

The show is much better in Disneyland.

Having seen the WDW version first, I always felt it was a very disjointed story with seemingly random elements thrown in. I get the "Mickey's nightmare" theme, but from my very first viewing was left with the impression that Disney could have written a much better story when building a 9000-seat arena for a show that (used to) run a dozen times per week.

Years later I saw the DL version and a lot fell into place. When they created the show for DL, designers worked with what they had available--the riverboat, the Columbia (which hosts a Peter Pan segment instead of WDW's Pocahontas), a "stage" on Tom Sawyer's Island, the makeshift video screens, etc.

The DL show was a marvel of making do with what designers had accessible. The WDW clone feels cold and impersonal by comparison.

I couldn't agree more. My first summer working at DL was when Fantasmic premiered. My husband was actually part of the opening guest control crew for it. When we got married back in '99 we went to see WDW's version and walked out. DL's version is so much better that we used to wait for it but now we know the tricks to see it so we won't have to wait. With the upgrade in the dragon though this summer, those tricks probably wont work and we'll be back to saving spaces and camping out again.

[KimDis]

WDW is becoming a place where you get less bang for your buck. Cut this, cut that, then raise ticket prices. Let's call this what it really is though, a justification for AIE. Shutting Fantasmic completely will force people to AIE for the night show. DHS will be a half day park for me, if I do it at all.

I'm not so keen to see the AIE. We might see it once because I'm taking my two teenage nieces with me but I doubt the show has a lot of re-watch potential, even with different acts. And as I'm not an AI watcher to begin with (watched parts of the 1st two seasons and then was over it), why would I spend precious Disney vacation time on something so non-Disney?:confused3

[Donald4Life]

I'm also kinda sad/confused about the harsh comments dealing with Fantasmic!:confused: It may not be the best show to some but in my opinion, getting rid of it would not be so good. I actually like looking around at all the people and how excited they get!:goodvibes. Fantasmic is fun to me and I enjoy it every time! :wizard:

Dec. 2008- POP
Nov.2007- FW
Nov.2006- CBR
Dec. 2004- FW
Oct. 2003- CBR
Nov.2000- CBR
Dec.1997- FW

[heatherbabydoll1]

I can understand peoples views about some of the scences but it is our families favorite show and make a point to see it every year. This Christmas I am bringing other members of my family that haven't seen it yet and I would hate it if they couldn't see it!

[mitros]

My least favorite show but I hope they don't do away with it, just revamp it to save money. It keeps the crowds away from my favorite rides at show time.

Our thoughts exactly! That place sucks up a lot of bodies, leaving some breathing room in the park {but not much these days, as it seems like the parks are always mobbed}} We saw it twice, and have no need to ever see it again. {nothing in the show excites us that much, and we CANNOT stand that "wave" thing that goes on there.}

[NoLineOntheHorizon]

I think some people are forgetting many of us have had the opportunities to see it many times....imagine how those feel that may only get to see it once in their lifetime. From that perspective, the show is an event. From reading some of the comments here, some of us may have over-indulged. I am one of those people that has seen it many times, and hopes it is around to see many times more. We just had our first child, and I know his eyes will light up at seeing this show someday.

[kydisneyfans]

While the show is OK, the hour+ long waits and crowds do not make this a must do event every year. The storyline and show need an update. There needs to be pre performance entertainment, similar to the mime at Sea World, Basically you set there for an hour and watch people come into the theatre, do the wave, get asked 5,000 times by your kid for a lighted spinning thing, while waiting for this thing to begin.

[Murphman]

I really like Fantasmic! Although I agree the Pocahontus scene is a bit out of left field. When the show first opened, was it extremely popular then or released around the same time or something? Never got it....but I love the show overall.

[yitbos96bb]

As far as I'm concerned they could take out that whole Pocahontas scene. What an odd scene to have in the show. It doesn't have anything to do with the rest of the story.:confused3

Agreed. Bad Movie, the only scene I dislike in Fantasmic. I wish they had Peter Pan like in Disneyland.

[tjkraz]

:scared1:

I can't believe all the negative comments about my favorite show in this thread!!!

I think it's the most magical thing that disney has going right now and always makes me feel like a kid again... I drug my parents and adult sister to the show and they were equally amazed by it.

Maybe things might be a bit slightly disjointed, but the effects, water, fire, fireworks, music, huge props, characters... it's awesome... Plus i've always credited the disjointedness to the fact that is indeed a long dream sequence.


Like I said in my first post, it's not that I dislike the show rather that I'm left thinking they could have done better. At Disneyland where the show originated, I'm willing to forgive since designers were making use of existing elements they had on hand. The show just "fits" better at DL.

At WDW they started with a blank canvas. All of those elements that you like in Fantasmic could have been woven into a more original show that better fit the dedicated venue at WDW.

[MountNittany]

I love Fantasmic, and I'd probably rather see it as a seasonal show, because I really like all of the characters on the boat at the end. That is obviously a very expensive part, and I'm sure that would be one of the first parts to go.

[lawsonsontour]

why does the boat at the end cost so much? surley the costumes are bought and paid for...the staff will get paid to be in the park for the day anyway..(or do they only work on this show).you dont get people in to your parks by being the same as all the others.
i dont get to go again till next year so i will be waiting with baited breath to see what they decided this year.

[Justin the Hook]

I really hope that this show doesn't get cut. My family really enjoys this show. I really enjoy the show. I like Illuminations, but really it is just a tv show on a ball with some fireworks and Fantasmic is a show on water curtains with some fire and Mickey. I think both shows need a revamp and The Electrical Light Parade needs brought back. Just thoughts that is all

[MountNittany]

why does the boat at the end cost so much? surley the costumes are bought and paid for...the staff will get paid to be in the park for the day anyway..(or do they only work on this show).you dont get people in to your parks by being the same as all the others.
i dont get to go again till next year so i will be waiting with baited breath to see what they decided this year.

Well, I guess they can just re-costume, since there are really not any characters out on the park grounds around 10.

[yitbos96bb]

I love Fantasmic, and I'd probably rather see it as a seasonal show, because I really like all of the characters on the boat at the end. That is obviously a very expensive part, and I'm sure that would be one of the first parts to go.

Its expensive only because of the numbers. The performers are not paid more than regular costumed characters. I've had friends in Fantasmic... Playing Malificent (and this was a guy playing her), Mickey, and others. They did not get paid extra... the only ones I could think might would be John Smith and Pocahantas since they actually sing. The rest are face characters, costumed characters etc.

I believe the costs are in the technical arena, fireworks, etc.

[hellokitty9016]

we loved Fantasmic when we went! Lots of people haven't seen it yet and I think it would be a tragedy to do away with such a WDW staple!



Oct 2008 MNSSHP @ All-Star Sports
Oct 2009 MNSSHP @ All-Star Music

[bkanerva]

I thought that all the characters in shows just mouthed the words to the songs.

Yeah, I love Fantasmic, but it does need some updating. They could get rid of illuminations for all I care. That show is boring and too short for all the hype.

[YoHo]

Reasons why Disneyland Fantasmic is better:
1: Peter Pan sequence
2: See number 1
3: Preshow entertainment. (in the form of the Jazz band on one of the TSI rafts)

It's amazing to me that DL added new fireworks, is adding a water show, runs the MSEP and they still spent the money and effort to refresh Fantasmic including a new dragon and new floats (the floats aren't THAT great). While WDW is deciding whether to get rid of it and offer nothing.

As others have said, at Disneyland, the show is organic to the park. It utilizes TSI, the Mark Twain and the Columbia as show elements. Lighting effects occur off of the HM and Frontierland. It's an entirely different type of experience.


And yes, sadly, the Dragon was non-functional yesterday.

[MJMcBride]

As far as I'm concerned they could take out that whole Pocahontas scene. What an odd scene to have in the show. It doesn't have anything to do with the rest of the story.:confused3

I agree

[HolidayRose]

I'm not crazy about Fantasmic. I read here...http://www.dapsmagic.com/disneynews/disneynewsarticle.php?id=9819 that the boat used in Fantasmic caught fire last night.:eek:

[Maistre Gracey]

I never cared much for the show. I really don't see what the fuss is all about. My wife drags me through it every couple of years... Thank God for the beer booth...
(I also don't see what is so great about Cirque.)

$88,000 per show? Is that number verified or just what was read on the forum? That seems entirely too much, but than again, I have never put together such a show.

MG

[Jessfrogger88]

Its expensive only because of the numbers. The performers are not paid more than regular costumed characters. I've had friends in Fantasmic... Playing Malificent (and this was a guy playing her), Mickey, and others. They did not get paid extra... the only ones I could think might would be John Smith and Pocahantas since they actually sing. The rest are face characters, costumed characters etc.

I believe the costs are in the technical arena, fireworks, etc.

Eeek... i'm almost positive this is incorrect. All of the fantasmic performers are Equity performers. They along with the folks in the beauty and the beast show, high school musical, indiana jones, parades etc... all get paid a significant amount more than those that do character dining and scheduled photo ops in Town Town and Chracter Connection etc.... Those folks make min wage I think.

[amberg@eastlink.ca]

oy!!! this might just solve the financial part for disney afterall....

I'm not crazy about Fantasmic. I read here...http://www.dapsmagic.com/disneynews/disneynewsarticle.php?id=9819 that the boat used in Fantasmic caught fire last night.:eek:

[KimDis]

oy!!! this might just solve the financial part for disney afterall....
Isn't this in Disneyland? I thought Rivers of America was there.. not at Disney Studios.

[amberg@eastlink.ca]

dont know, thought it was ds since were basically speaking of the ds fantasmic.

Isn't this in Disneyland? I thought Rivers of America was there.. not at Disney Studios.

[YoHo]

Nope, that's DL. THe Mark Twain is at Disneyland in Anaheim.

[MN Dis Fans]

We love this show! DH has the music as his ring tone.

[DisneyMom14]

Fantasmic is my favorite show at Disney and I love seeing the wonder on my kids faces when they are watching. I would be heartbroken if/when it isn't around for my future trips.

[Tomh]

We'll be visiting DHS Aug 25th, and hope to see Fantasmic for our second time (1st time for DS5). I thought it was a great show, and will be quite disappointed if Disney decides to end it.

[CharacterFan]

My DFi would like to see it everyday. I'd like to see the pocahontas scene done away with it. It doesn't it in anymore.

When the show came out Pocahontas was just coming out so it was a good way to cross promotion I guess, but now 10+ years later, it needs to go.

[stego]

I've seen the show a number of times over the years and thought I'd share about what I see happening.

I remember reading about the dinner package and thought: swell, I'd avoid waiting and long lines and get in without a long wait. All well and good, but at 100 for a party of 4 minimum, it got old fast. The latest round with elimating the private entrance just sealed it for me.

I concur with the water screens. I have videotaped it a time or two and it is just really grainy...kind of takes the fun out of it. Now that the world of color is coming to DCA in the next couple of years, that will be the benchmark. How Fantasmic competes with that is unclear.

I've read a few horror stories about people doing the dinner package and not getting into the seating area. As they have designed this venue, it has become a virtual nightmare in the easement of crowds and exiting. I have learned to read reports about people being concerned about their safety in that size crowd and that is hard to ignore. I am always thinking 2 steps ahead and my vacation should not be a chore. It has become even more so in the last few years because everyone has the internet now and there are no "secret" touring plans.

I believe Disney has made it difficult now in the sense to discourage people from going to this attraction through the few times they do schedule. I am just thankful I have been able to see the show and at this time don't plan on seeing it in 2010. I don't believe a quick fix will happen but more that we'll see it go away in the not too far future.

[Crazy4Disney72]

I loved Fantasmic at WDW and it was a must-do every trip....until I went to DL and saw their version. Now WDW's version seems like a cheap copy, while DL's remains the must-do. That said, I hope they don't do away with the WDW version, because if you've never seen DL's, WDW's is still pretty impressive.