Fantasmic! is Getting Dated

[roseandcrownfan]

Fantasmic is one of my must see attractions. I have loved Sorcerer Mickey from long before my first visit to WDW. I swear when I saw it eleven years ago Steamboat Willie Mickey went from B&W to color as the boat traveled around. But on my latest viewing that did not happen so now I'm wondering if I didn't hallucinate that bit because I'm not sure how they would pull it off. But I'm not an imagineer. Maybe they could try that!

 

[morethananyonex]

I think Fantasmic could maybe use some changes, but the last thing I want to see is the current favourites take over the show. I think the character choices are fine, but the water parts are long and just not all that impressive anymore IMO.

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.

You post on the DIS and that surprises you? I think around here you're in the minority .

 

[DNightmare]

. I swear when I saw it eleven years ago Steamboat Willie Mickey went from B&W to color as the boat traveled around. But on my latest viewing that did not happen so now I'm wondering if I didn't hallucinate that bit because I'm not sure how they would pull it off. But I'm not an imagineer. Maybe they could try that!

I believe TDL has been the closest to recreate this effect, but its obvious how is done. I have never seen it done in the states side. Here is a link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIM-0paQL7c

 

[staceyeileen]

We saw F! just this past weekend, and I do agree with a lot of what has already been said in this thread. The water scenes are cool, but there are WAY too many of them. They bored me terribly after the first couple of scenes. The ending is great, however.

 

[siskaren]

You post on the DIS and that surprises you? I think around here you're in the minority .

Seriously. I've not only seen most of the Disney animated movies since The Little Mermaid in the theater (some more than once), I own most of them, going back to Snow White and I'm an adult who doesn't have kids.

 

[Tomader]

I hate to say a lot of attractions in Disney need to be updated. Indian Jones?

 

[MolonLabe]

I like F! but some updating would be good.

I think the parts that really drag lare some of the water projections.

The Mickey parts are classic as is the ending.

I think they could update the water projections and it wouldn't cost them much money to do it and it'd be a better show.

Seems like something easy to do. Back in 1995~ when I saw F! for the first time it was great. 20 years later the water projections aren't as cool.... no matter whats being shown on them.

The best thing they could do for it would be to ask everyone to turn off their stupid flashing head gear during the show.

 

[Bete]

I agree with the original poster. Fantasmic is getting old.

I'm somewhat feeling the same about most of the parks attractions. I could see 50% of the parks getting revamped. I know this doesn't happen overnight, but the time has come.

We are giving Disney World a rest for a while. Maybe, we will feel differently if we don't go back annually. For the money spent I want more new and better.

Over the last three years we have done other vacations and a Disney one, too. We like the other vacations better, now and some of them cost less.

 

[Mamiamjo]

I agree that F! should be revamped, or even totally replaced. It never was my favorite nighttime show anyway, but I remember thinking last time we saw it that we should've skipped it and rode some of the rides instead

 

[disneynewbee]

My family likes the show but I agree it could use a little updating. I think they should stay with the classic shows/characters just update some of the technology. As much as I would appreciate an update I would not be happy if it was closed on our next trip. By time we go again the only parades will be in MK, I don't want to lose one of the nighttime shows too. The shows and parades are our favorite part of the day.

 

[Redarrow5150]

You think it needs updating?

Sincerely,

Soarin

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

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?

~I totally agree with this. The excessive amount water screens just destroy the show for me. World of Color looks so much better than F! We've seen the show as intended once after three attempts and we have no desire to ever go back. The great thing about F! is that the ride lines diminish significantly once the show starts.

 

[DisneyFive]

This usually happens when there is Technical Difficulties.

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

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.

Great!!! Thanks for the replies. Very happy that this was a temporary issue. I thought the steamboat was the coolest surprise in the show. Kind of a magical moment that was totally unexpected. I think I recorded myself saying "Where did that huge steamboat come from?" when I recorded parts of F! on our first trip.

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).

Thanks for looking that up! Not that I dislike Pocahontas per se, I just would rather see a different film highlighed. I would love to see WOC. Hopefully someday on a trip out to Cali we'll get a chance to see it.

F! was our favorite evening show on our first stay, and still is a must do at least once per trip for us, but it has lost some of the wow effect from the first time seeing it.

Dan

 

[Bay Lake]

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

Just saw it Sat night, Big ferry boat came out and all character where there

 

[Davey Jones II]

I still enjoy the show, but that's because I don't compare it to the incredible Disneyland version. Does anyone know why WDW never got the same kind of dragon?

 

[mugenboy]

I saw it for the first time a few weeks ago with my wife,DS and DD and thought it was awesome. While I agree it's more 'classic' than most of the other shows, I think that's part of its appeal, especially to the people of parental age. DS (almost 2) and DD (5) enjoyed it just as much as we did

All the characters danced on the boat when we were there as well.

 

[pascalstongue]

I love Fantasmic too, but after seeing it for the first time in ten years last year, I was surprised to see that it was exactly the same. I don't think it would hurt to update it slightly.

 

[roseandcrownfan]

I believe TDL has been the closest to recreate this effect, but its obvious how is done. I have never seen it done in the states side. Here is a link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIM-0paQL7c

Thanks for that.

 

[PoohsFan1]

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).

We like F in WDW and used to go and see it every trip, but since our trip to DLR last June and we saw their F, well we were blown away by that one. We loved that one so much more that DH said that he doesn't want to spend time watching the one in WDW anymore because he would be comparing it too much. And I do agree that WoC should make its way to WDW, that was one of the most awesome shows that we saw while there .

 

[CassieF]

I still enjoy the show, but that's because I don't compare it to the incredible Disneyland version. Does anyone know why WDW never got the same kind of dragon?

I LOVE the DL version of F! I grew up with it and see it about once a month or so. When I saw it at WDW for my first time last month it was a bit underwhelming, especially the finale boat (I love all your comments about the "big" boat at the end! ) but I loved the amphitheater and the energy of the crowd that you don't get at DL. The Pocahontas segment seemed drawn out, and I prefer the Peter Pan version, and it did seem like there was more time spent on water screenS at WDW vs DL. Still, I love the show and would watch either version again and again!