Any updates coming to Fantasmic at DHS?

[CinderellasKastle]

Just curious if anyone has heard anything regarding updates for Fantasmic. My friend, who is a cast member with Animal Kingdom, said to me in Fall of 2014 that they're completely redoing Fantasmic soon.

I saw the show on Monday evening (January 11th) and while this show has been my favorite firework show since I first saw it in 1998, it needs a serious update.

I bought the soundtrack for it in the early 2000's and the CD doesn't even work anymore, I played it so much. I have the entire show memorized, and the fact that they haven't changed a thing about it since it first opened back in the late 90's surprises me. When I first saw it, Pocahontas was still a fairly new movie and everyone in the audience got excited when she appeared. Yet when I went on Monday, Pocahontas appeared and maybe a few people in the audience made an "Ohhh!" sound. All the kids whooped and cheered at the end of the "Bubbles" animation when they threw in a 3 second clip of Anna and Elsa though. That's when I realized this show is severely outdated.

I fear for the future of DHS. It used to be my favorite park, but now I feel like Star Wars has taken over and there's very little Disney magic left at the park (I'm talking MICKEY magic, not a franchise Disney bought out and is overusing left and right) aside from this show and maybe a few other things. I'm sure they won't be closing Fantasmic's gates anytime soon, but it definitely needs some attention renovation-wise. I'd hate to see them close it altogether, much like they have everything else at DHS. But seeing how I went 2 days ago and every seat was filled, it'd be a lousy move on Disney's part to ever cancel this show.

I'm hoping once the Star Wars Land renovation is done and over with that they will focus on Fantasmic.

And I'm not looking to compare it with the show in DL - I have never been there, but I'm sure it's fantastic/Fantasmic.

 

[rteetz]

There have been a few updates to fantasmic over the last year already. The projectors have been updates and the bubble scene had more things like frozen added to it.

Also more recently the fiber optic effect on the dragons wings were updated.

I have heard more may be coming.

 

[CinderellasKastle]

There have been a few updates to fantasmic over the last year already. The projectors have been updates and the bubble scene had more things like frozen added to it.

Also more recently the fiber optic effect on the dragons wings were updated.

I have heard more may be coming.

Those changes I definitely noticed, but I am wondering about more noticeable changes - specifically the Pocahontas scene. Not many are familiar with the movie, which is a shame since it is one of my favorites (very underrated as well).

 

[zaccaglin]

I did notice over the last few years that the robo lights have all been upgraded. I did hear a rumor about them draining the lagoon and doing some upgrades just no timeframe on it.

 

[rteetz]

I did notice over the last few years that the robo lights have all been upgraded. I did hear a rumor about them draining the lagoon and doing some upgrades just no timeframe on it.

Yep everything is really supposed to be updated over time but I haven't heard anything about any major show changes. The updates will continue through the DHS work.

 

[luisov]

Well, some people say that an updated Fantasmic is coming to Disneyland once the work in Rivers of America is done (perhaps next year). DHS might be getting some updates as well.

 

[CinderellasKastle]

I did notice over the last few years that the robo lights have all been upgraded. I did hear a rumor about them draining the lagoon and doing some upgrades just no timeframe on it.

Yeah...I have seen quite possibly every DHS Fantasmic performance video there is on Youtube, and I have that show down in my head. So much that I noticed some errors when I went the other night. It looks like they updated the dragon and the snake a bit over the years, as well as some other pyro things. The lighted hats were something I haven't seen there before. Those were cool.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

They're set to dump a boatload of increasingly hard to comeby cash in that park...

Does it make sense to redo a once a day show now?

If they haven't "gotten around" to rethinking the millenium globe show in Epcot near 18 years from when they floated it?

 

[CinderellasKastle]

They're set to dump a boatload of increasingly hard to comeby cash in that park...

Does it make sense to redo a once a day show now?

If they haven't "gotten around" to rethinking the millenium globe show in Epcot near 18 years from when they floated it?

I would think it makes more sense to work on it in the winter season than the summer season when they'll have it back to 2 shows a night

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I would think it makes more sense to work on it in the winter season than the summer season when they'll have it back to 2 shows a night

I think you missed my point:

They don't have interest in redoing shows and fireworks because the customers give them none...

Not only do they flock to the old shows...they book "fastpasses" and pay $60 a head for roped off sections of concrete to get cupcakes and stare at them...

And just to prove I'm not accusing anyone but me...we had the Epcot fireworks party after our wedding...


Of course...it was 12 years ago...better fireworks...and $22 a person...but I digress.

And the spread was better too. Those were the days.

 

[rteetz]

They're set to dump a boatload of increasingly hard to comeby cash in that park...

Does it make sense to redo a once a day show now?

If they haven't "gotten around" to rethinking the millenium globe show in Epcot near 18 years from when they floated it?

Apparently both wishes and illuminations are on the table for updates or new shows but it's if they green light or not. I don't think fantasmic will change drastically but it will continue to get updates through the construction.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Apparently both wishes and illuminations are on the table for updates or new shows but it's if they green light or not. I don't think fantasmic will change drastically but it will continue to get updates through the construction.

The original run for illuminations was to be about 3 years...just saying.

And the magic kingdom ones are just as tired and have been stripped down to a flying gascan as well long ago...

What does that seem to indicate? That they've "been busy"...or my theory is pretty on target?

 

[101disneyfan]

Well, some people say that an updated Fantasmic is coming to Disneyland once the work in Rivers of America is done (perhaps next year). DHS might be getting some updates as well.

I don't think that a Disneyland Fantasmic update built around the new RoA would necessitate an update for Hollywood Studios. Maybe an update to the show as part of the new entertainment offering during the construction years...?

 

[Musicman20]

I haven’t seen Fantasmic in MANY many years.


Our family spent 2 weeks of October 2015 in Florida, and myself and my partner spent days and days loving the parks. BUT, I feel like I rushed through HS and it was also EXTREMELY humid.


We so wanted a few extra hours in HS, at least to see Fantasmic. Apparently it was full on one evening and the next time we went we had to leave for other plans.


I think the first and only time I saw it was probably before my 2005 visit! So, it could have been 98/99. I really can’t remember now.


Anyway, I hope it is still up and running in whatever format in Sept/Oct 2016 when we are back again! 3 weeks this time, so no excuses not to do everything!

 

[zaccaglin]

Apparently both wishes and illuminations are on the table for updates or new shows but it's if they green light or not. I don't think fantasmic will change drastically but it will continue to get updates through the construction.

Illuminations did have a special holiday ending this year, that included more pyro and a few extra small barges. Maybe that was them playing around with some ideas.

 

[cranbiz]

From what I remember, Illuminations always had a special holiday ending. I remember NYE 2005 at Epcot and there was the "special" holiday ending. I worked every NYE from 2006 to 2010 and always remember Illuminations with extra fireworks at the end.

 

[rteetz]

From what I remember, Illuminations always had a special holiday ending. I remember NYE 2005 at Epcot and there was the "special" holiday ending. I worked every NYE from 2006 to 2010 and always remember Illuminations with extra fireworks at the end.

Yes they have always had the tag at the end but this year's was different from years past. They really utilized the new lasers this year.

 

[cranbiz]

Nice. I love Illuminations but would love to see it freshened up.

 

[DebbieB]

I thought I heard a rumor awhile ago about a daytime show in the Fantasmic theatre????

 

[rteetz]

I thought I heard a rumor awhile ago about a daytime show in the Fantasmic theatre????

That rumor is still on the table and we may be hearing about that sooner than later.