Fantasmic! Show Discussion Thread

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Fantasmic! had its soft opening this weekend, and will open officially tomorrow. Let's use this thread to discuss the show itself.

What do you like about the changes, what don't you like, and what do you hope they'll improve? What are your other thoughts?

I'm going to see it tomorrow, so I'll come back with my own impressions.


FANTASMIC with NEW SCENES IN 4/K (Recorded by the DIS)

 

[ashley0139]

I saw the first soft opening showing yesterday at 9am thanks to D23. I loved the changes. I thought the new projections and technology were beautiful. They use similar technology to what the new night show at Harry Potter uses. I definitely missed Peter Pan, but Pirates felt like an updated version. The new Aladdin part was neat. Kind of sad that Snow got shafted for Rapunzel, but I also love Rapunzel and I guess it was to be expected.

Excited to see it again soon! I will probably never get to see it from the front row like that again though.

 

[McNs]

Keen to hear what it is like. Loved the original, I bought a Disneyland CD after our last trip in 2015 just to listen to that music (well, not just that one, but it is my favourite). We're going again this year but don't think we will be able to catch it - only a two day visit, Thursday 9/28 and Friday 9/29. If it follows standard September hours it will be dark Thursday, and Friday is a party night (that we are going to).

 

[Butterfly123]

Thanks so much for starting this thread, MaryJo! I'm curious whether any changes they've made to the water projections will affect the viewing experience in terms of angle you see the show from. We will be seeing it in a few weeks with just a regular FP, so our viewing experience won't be Blue Bayou front and center unfortunately.
Just want to add that I'm so sorry to see Peter Pan go, but looking forward to seeing Pirates.

 

[jacandjan]

Did they allow you to sit on the ground in the BB, RBT reserved area ??

 

[Davin_Felth]

When sitting in the front, did you get much mist sprayed on to you? How wet did you get?

 

[Reepicheep]

We also caught the 9pm show last night. My family's comments pretty well mirror the comments already made within this thread. The decorations on the snake seem much more elaborate than before, and (personally) I really missed the giant dancing Pinocchio. Technically (sound, light, water), the show is certainly better than before.

When I think of Disney Princesses, I think of Snow White, Cinderella, and Aurora. My teenage daughters think of Belle, Rapunzel, and Ariel (and of course Anna and Elsa). This appears to be some sort of generational thing which I suppose is understandable. Anyway, I think my daughters liked the switch from Snow White to Rapunzel, but as Ashley has pointed out, Rapunzel is a pretty great character, too (I think she's my favorite "recent" Disney princess, now that I think about it).

Does anyone know if changes/improvements were made to the dragon? In the past, we always watched from in front of Pirates, and this time we were in a standby area towards Haunted Mansion. The dragon seemed more elaborate to me, but this could just be illusion caused by us having a viewing angle different from what we've had in the past.

 

[dina444444]

We also caught the 9pm show last night. My family's comments pretty well mirror the comments already made within this thread. The decorations on the snake seem much more elaborate than before, and (personally) I really missed the giant dancing Pinocchio. Technically (sound, light, water), the show is certainly better than before.

When I think of Disney Princesses, I think of Snow White, Cinderella, and Aurora. My teenage daughters think of Belle, Rapunzel, and Ariel (and of course Anna and Elsa). This appears to be some sort of generational thing which I suppose is understandable. Anyway, I think my daughters liked the switch from Snow White to Rapunzel, but as Ashley has pointed out, Rapunzel is a pretty great character, too (I think she's my favorite "recent" Disney princess, now that I think about it).

Does anyone know if changes/improvements were made to the dragon? In the past, we always watched from in front of Pirates, and this time we were in a standby area towards Haunted Mansion. The dragon seemed more elaborate to me, but this could just be illusion caused by us having a viewing angle different from what we've had in the past.

Murphy didn't really physically change. You see her emerge from the stage now and she spits fire a 2nd after being defeated.

 

[Nonsuch]

Fastpass distribution between the Petrified Tree and River Boat. 9:00 show distribution done at 8:35.

10:30 show still being distributed at 9:10, with no line.

 

[22Tink]

Thanks for starting this thread! I'm so excited to see the show next month and look forward to reading the dinner package reviews as they start up tonight!!

 

[ashley0139]

When sitting in the front, did you get much mist sprayed on to you? How wet did you get?

Got misted at a couple parts, but at no point would I have considered myself wet.

 

[CassieF]

I really miss the Queen, it felt weird just cutting her part out and going straight to hag....I loved how the old transition from snow to Queen was beautful and seemless. I feel like even with rapunzel they could have left the queen in but I guess they'd rather have genie on a water screen than actual performers. That's my biggest issue with the changes...there are now more projections than before, something WDW Fan does much more of, which makes me like it less. It's a performer based show, and replacing them with projections just rubs me wrong. Also, why are Kaa and King Louie in the lion king segment?!? Clearly Mickey did not pay attention in geography...India is not in africa and I feel like it was a cost/time saver to just keep them while updating the music. The projections are amazing, as are the updated movies, but why not just fully embrace the change and do it fully Lion King?!

I saw the first show on Saturday and am going back for the first show with RBT dinning tonight so maybe seeing it more will make the changes seem less harsh and I'll like it better. I did enjoy it, but original fan will always hold me heart

 

[dsny1mom]

Thanks so much for starting this thread, MaryJo! I'm curious whether any changes they've made to the water projections will affect the viewing experience in terms of angle you see the show from. We will be seeing it in a few weeks with just a regular FP, so our viewing experience won't be Blue Bayou front and center unfortunately.
Just want to add that I'm so sorry to see Peter Pan go, but looking forward to seeing Pirates.

I Saw it 3 x's once from the dock on the river that is the smoking section during the day and twice from dead center by the main light tower.

I feel viewing from off to the left side of the stage area is improved. Mickey turns from side to side as if to acknowledge everyone not just those dead center. The only thing you miss from the side views is the extensive image mapping on the island. I am not a fan of that so no real loss in my eyes!

 

[dsny1mom]

When sitting in the front, did you get much mist sprayed on to you? How wet did you get?

It was a definite misting and this was with very light breezes. Not wring out your clothing wet but enough to feel damp. If the wind is blowing in the right direction I could see people getting more than damp but not anywhere near soaked!Hope this helps!

 

[Davin_Felth]

It was a definite misting and this was with very light breezes. Not wring out your clothing wet but enough to feel damp. If the wind is blowing in the right direction I could see people getting more than damp but not anywhere near soaked!Hope this helps!

Thanks. We have RBT reservations for next month. I'm just wondering if I want to be in the line for our section right away to be in the front, of if we'll be fine sitting a bit back. Don't want to get the kids too wet and cold, they're not used to staying up that late as it is.

 

[DaveNinja]

Sitting near the back of the RBT/BB seating section is fine. Some people like it better since if you sit too close to the water, you have the railing in the way of your view.

 

[22Tink]

Anyone have dining package reservations for tonight? I'm so excited to hear the reviews!!

 

[jrjankowski8]

For what it's worth, I was trying to book River Bell either September 9 or 10 and while you can search it online, I wasn't having any luck with a party of 2. I was thinking of doing the premium seated reservation during the show so I called. They said River Bell will be closed for refurbishment that week. Weird that's fantasmic just opens and they decide to close the restaurant

 

[Curlyxz]

Was also able to catch the first showing on Saturday thanks to the Parks panel, I loved it! It brings Fantasmic up to speed with the latest technology along with a nice refresh of certain sections. I was cautiously optimistic when I first heard they were going to make changes but i'm glad to say this new version delivered. Love the new music of the Pink Elephants section as well!

Did they allow you to sit on the ground in the BB, RBT reserved area ??

Yes, the reserved sections closest to the river were allowed to sit. If FP sections remain the same, the yellow section will be allowed to remain seated along with the BB section.

When sitting in the front, did you get much mist sprayed on to you? How wet did you get?

Didn't sit at the front for Fantasmic but sat at the front to watch the fireworks and projections, there was a decent amount of mist at certain points due to wind. Nothing too over the top though.

 

[onlyoneash]

For what it's worth, I was trying to book River Bell either September 9 or 10 and while you can search it online, I wasn't having any luck with a party of 2. I was thinking of doing the premium seated reservation during the show so I called. They said River Bell will be closed for refurbishment that week. Weird that's fantasmic just opens and they decide to close the restaurant

Did the same think for the 15th. RBT is still closed then as well.