Fantasmic! is Getting Dated

[DisneyRainbow]

I recently saw Fantasmic! for the first time in a long time and I have to say that it is becoming dated. Some of the lesser-known characters projected on the water screens need to be switched out with more current characters from Toy Story, Brave, Frozen, etc. Really, I'd like to see a total revamp of the show. The Pocahontas scene falls flat now as it was not one of Disney's biggest hits. Thoughts?

 

[jelloarms]

I actually LOVE the Pocahontas scene! It was such a good movie but highly underrated because it didn't have your typical happy Disney ending. But that's what I loved about it! It was so much more adult!

Last time I was there, at the end when all the characters came out on the boat, I cheered for John Smith. Ha ha! I yelled "WOOOO JOHN SMITH! YOU'RE UNDER APPRECIATED!!! People sitting next to me probably thought I was a total nut job but I don't care...won't see them again!

 

[flutterby3744]

I yelled "WOOOO JOHN SMITH! YOU'RE UNDER APPRECIATED!!! People sitting next to me probably thought I was a total nut job but I don't care...won't see them again!

I too love Pocahontas. I wouldn't change a thing....not everything needs to be updated. The great thing about Disney and their movies is that they are timeless. My kids love Snow White, so did I, so did my mother, and so did my grandmother when she saw it in the theater for the first time.

 

[goofyintoronto]

I thought fantasmic sucked. I left halfway thru. It was terrible.

From the parts i have seen, I would agree that they need to ditch pocahontas.

 

[DNightmare]

I think Fantasmic can be upgraded a bit, maybe less screen time and more character time during the show. I personally prefer Fantasmic with original 2d Disney characters, it feels more "magical". Pixar is just too hyped up, granted some of the movies have good story-lines and are enjoyable.

 

[DisneyFive]

We still love Fantasmic.

It is definately skewed more towards the classics, and I do agree about updating the scenes on the water fans.

Pocahontas was never one of our favorite Disney films, and it would be nice to see a new skit in place of that section. Was Pocahontas a recent film when Fantasmic was created? I was surprised to see it highlighed in the show so much.

My biggest gripe with the latest Fantasmic was that they got ride of all the characters on the ferry boat at the end! That was such an amazing surprise for us the first time we saw it. (that, and the water catching on fire). I can't believe they took that out! Now, the characters simply come out and dance on the main stage area at the end. LAME!!! ....at least that is how it was in Sept last year versus the other three previous years. Was this temporary or, is this permanent change?

Dan

 

[DNightmare]

We still love Fantasmic.


My biggest gripe with the latest Fantasmic was that they got ride of all the characters on the ferry boat at the end! That was such an amazing surprise for us the first time we saw it. (that, and the water catching on fire). I can't believe they took that out! Now, the characters simply come out and dance on the main stage area at the end. LAME!!! ....at least that is how it was in Sept last year versus the other three previous years. Was this temporary or, is this permanent change?

Dan

This usually happens when there is Technical Difficulties.

 

[Karbase8]

I love he Pochantas part and agree that it is an undderated movie and the music is phenomonal, I wish she was more represented in the park I truly do!

 

[Karbase8]

I too love Pocahontas. I wouldn't change a thing....not everything needs to be updated. The great thing about Disney and their movies is that they are timeless. My kids love Snow White, so did I, so did my mother, and so did my grandmother when she saw it in the theater for the first time.

I agree, I think some of the newer Disney lovers don't appreciate the classics such as Snow White, Lady and the Tramp, and films that came later such as Lion King and Pochantas, even the music from Tarzan was fantastic. I may get killed for this but as I enjoyed Frozen and the song Let it Go, to me its not on the same level as the storylines and music from the Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, etc. I feel the films of the 90's were longer, the character depth was better and that's why I loved Fantasmic, I don't think it's outdate

 

[Pumbaa7287]

I'm a fellow Fantasmic! lover. That being said, I wouldn't hate an update either. While the Pocahontas scene is cool, as are all the other ones, some new scenes would be welcome with the new tech that's available now.

Will it actually change anytime soon? Doubtful, unless it's totally scrapped for a World of Color clone. If I had my dream Fantasmic! show though, it would look something like this:

-Keep the Mickey Intro as is, fading in to the Conductor Water Screens
-Replace the Lion King scene with a medley of small scenes from newer Disney films of the last ten years or so... I picture them using the projection tech they use on the castle at MK now on the mountain with different characters coming out for 30 seconds or so. Ideally you'd have Tangled, Brave, Wreck-it Ralph (not Frozen, hold on)
-Floating Bubbles, but much shorter, showing some intermediate classics like Pocahontas, Hunchback, Hercules, etc...
-Another scene medley, using the boats and the stage, of some of the classics (Snow White, BatB, Cinderella, Little Mermaid)
-Villain water screens
-Jafar Snake Scene
-Mickey is flung from the Cave of Wonders in to Arrendelle, with the mountain projection making it look frozen solid. Let it Go, Let it go, etc... Mickey talks to Elsa and convinces her to thaw the ice, which also inadvertently thaws out... Maleficent!
-The finale of the show remains the same. No need to change perfection.

Dreaming is fun... lol

 

[ses1230]

We still love Fantasmic. It is definately skewed more towards the classics, and I do agree about updating the scenes on the water fans. Pocahontas was never one of our favorite Disney films, and it would be nice to see a new skit in place of that section. Was Pocahontas a recent film when Fantasmic was created? I was surprised to see it highlighed in the show so much. My biggest gripe with the latest Fantasmic was that they got ride of all the characters on the ferry boat at the end! That was such an amazing surprise for us the first time we saw it. (that, and the water catching on fire). I can't believe they took that out! Now, the characters simply come out and dance on the main stage area at the end. LAME!!! ....at least that is how it was in Sept last year versus the other three previous years. Was this temporary or, is this permanent change? Dan

We did F! In January and the characters were on the boats at the end.

 

[Itinkso]

We still love Fantasmic. It is definately skewed more towards the classics, and I do agree about updating the scenes on the water fans. Pocahontas was never one of our favorite Disney films, and it would be nice to see a new skit in place of that section. Was Pocahontas a recent film when Fantasmic was created? I was surprised to see it highlighed in the show so much. My biggest gripe with the latest Fantasmic was that they got ride of all the characters on the ferry boat at the end! That was such an amazing surprise for us the first time we saw it. (that, and the water catching on fire). I can't believe they took that out! Now, the characters simply come out and dance on the main stage area at the end. LAME!!! ....at least that is how it was in Sept last year versus the other three previous years. Was this temporary or, is this permanent change? Dan

They only danced on the island when Steamboat Willie was getting refurbed prior to the 15th Anniversary Celebration.

The Princess barges now have new lighting and there are graphics projected on the mountain during certain scenes to match the water screens.

 

[JRawkSteady]

I don't think Fantasmic! is dated at all! In fact, I believe it is timeless! It is the best show on property. However, I DO agree that Pocahontas is completely out of place. It has nothing to do with the rest of the story..If they took that out or switched it for something else, the show would flow a lot better. But anyone whose heart doesn't race during the princess medley is doing it wrong!

 

[Art 1]

I recently saw Fantasmic! for the first time in a long time and I have to say that it is becoming dated. Some of the lesser-known characters projected on the water screens need to be switched out with more current characters from Toy Story, Brave, Frozen, etc. Really, I'd like to see a total revamp of the show. The Pocahontas scene falls flat now as it was not one of Disney's biggest hits. Thoughts?

Last time I saw it I left half way through. I don't see what he huge attraction if to seeing this.

 

[AliceandAriel]

I recently saw Fantasmic! for the first time in a long time and I have to say that it is becoming dated. Some of the lesser-known characters projected on the water screens need to be switched out with more current characters from Toy Story, Brave, Frozen, etc. Really, I'd like to see a total revamp of the show. The Pocahontas scene falls flat now as it was not one of Disney's biggest hits. Thoughts?

Maybe, but maybe not.

You want to talk outdated? Head to Tomorrowland in MK. Ahh, the days we thought everyone would have hovercrafts and robots that looked like humans doing basic daily chores.

 

[wdw&sonny]

We love F!
BUT, just because you CAN project a movie scene on water doesn't mean you should. It may be a technological first, but the result is merely a blurry picture.

 

[AJPPGH]

I saw it for the first time on this past trip. Liked it a lot but totally agree about Pocohantas...I really didn't even know who it was until my older son told me. I doubt many kids would figure it out either. That whole part of it was a snooze I thought.

 

[Karbase8]

It saddens me that parents only become fans of Disney when they have young kids and miss the points of good movies such as Pochantas, Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, The Aristocats, Snow White and Lady and the Tramp. F! is great I really enjoyed it!

 

[AJPPGH]

And it surprises me when adults watch Disney movies when they aren't with kids. There is not way in the world I could sit through most of them without my kids. Toy Story might be it.

 

[JimmyV]

Pocahontas was never one of our favorite Disney films, and it would be nice to see a new skit in place of that section. Was Pocahontas a recent film when Fantasmic was created? I was surprised to see it highlighed in the show so much.

The movie came out in 1995 when F! was in development at WDW. (A different version was already up and running at DL). F! debuted at WDW in 1996. So your suspicion about the temporal proximity being the reason why Pocahontas is so prominently featured is probably correct. The movie has its fans, no doubt. But had F! debuted in 1994, they never would have retro-fitted it to include Pocahontas due to her popularity. I was never impressed with the show, and couldn't get my family excited about seeing it last month even though we could have fit in the late show. Now, having seen World of Color, I am waiting for the day when F! is retired and WoC debuts at WDW. (Though I suspect due to its scope, some form of WoC will likely replace Illuminations. The Hollywood Hills Amphitheater isn't really big enough for WoC).