Fantasmic Thread!

[SOCALMouseMommy]

Some final thoughts… we ate the Rancho Del Zocalo cake while we waited for the show to start. I really liked it! It’s very light and has a great fruit flavor from the jam, not sure if it’s raspberry or strawberry? Most Disney desserts are just way too much sugar and artificial coloring for me so I was really happy with this one. My son also loved it.

We ate a late lunch at 3pm and my meal was so filling that I never ate dinner (I basically had my cake for dinner at 8:30). To be fair I ate my son’s potato salad plus my own, two servings of rice (skipped the beans) plus the three shrimp tacos. Super satisfying meal not to mention tasty. For the price I was very happy with it. I remember the old Hungry Bear grab and go meals were awful and not very much food so this is a great upgrade!

We did not have any problems finding an outstanding spot in the section despite the fact that we didn’t show up until 8:30. If you have a larger group you probably want to go at 8pm. But by waiting until 8:30 we didn’t have to do the “pre-lineup” at Harbor Galley … we just walked right up and walked to the section and were seated, it took less than 5 minutes.

We loved the show. It's so great to have it back. I really enjoyed the Peter Pan segment coming back even though I might be in the minority that I loved the Pirates of the Caribbean too. Love them both equally so I'd be happy either way but I do miss the old Tick-Tock float. Water screen is definitely not the same.

Hate to say it, but the show is really not the same without the dragon. That dragon took an incredible show to insane levels of amazing. If you never saw the dragon you wouldn’t miss it but that dragon was my very favorite element of the show (of ANY show), it was just pure MAGIC AND THRILL and with nothing spectacular to replace it, I felt an empty hole in the show.

My son did not share my sentiments as he said he thought the show was just as good without the dragon (and I didn’t share my thoughts about it with him). I do hope Disney adds something to the show at some point, a new magical element that takes it to back to an 11.

I never heard anyone ask us to stand for fireworks. We could have remained seated, and some people at the railing did stay seated, but most people stood, which forced us to stand. Sigh. A lot of people did not stay for the fireworks, which surprised me.

The Pixar fireworks were just OK. I love Pixar but I wasn’t wowed by the fireworks show. Maybe they are better if you watch in front of the castle.

Exiting after the fireworks was not bad at all. I have been in a really bad crush of people before leaving this area after watching Fantasmic and the fireworks but tonight it was just fine navigating our way out.

Finally, we had a bit of pixie dust. We ducked into California Adventure at the last minute for some ice cream at Clarabelle’s before we headed home. There were two people getting some ice cream at the counter and when it was our turn as we stepped up to the counter a cast member set out the “Closed” sign. My son burst into tears (it was a long day) and as I was consoling him a very sweet cast member came over to us and asked what flavor he was planning to order and brought him out a scoop on the house. It was VERY kind and he was kind of in awe that she did that and we talked a lot about kindness on the walk to the tram so she really made our night.

 

[Philsfan77]

Some final thoughts… we ate the Rancho Del Zocalo cake while we waited for the show to start. I really liked it! It’s very light and has a great fruit flavor from the jam, not sure if it’s raspberry or strawberry? Most Disney desserts are just way too much sugar and artificial coloring for me so I was really happy with this one. My son also loved it.

We ate a late lunch at 3pm and my meal was so filling that I never ate dinner (I basically had my cake for dinner at 8:30). To be fair I ate my son’s potato salad plus my own, two servings of rice (skipped the beans) plus the three shrimp tacos. Super satisfying meal not to mention tasty. For the price I was very happy with it. I remember the old Hungry Bear grab and go meals were awful and not very much food so this is a great upgrade!

We did not have any problems finding an outstanding spot in the section despite the fact that we didn’t show up until 8:30. If you have a larger group you probably want to go at 8pm. But by waiting until 8:30 we didn’t have to do the “pre-lineup” at Harbor Galley … we just walked right up and walked to the section and were seated, it took less than 5 minutes.

We loved the show. It's so great to have it back. I really enjoyed the Peter Pan segment coming back even though I might be in the minority that I loved the Pirates of the Caribbean too. Love them both equally so I'd be happy either way but I do miss the old Tick-Tock float. Water screen is definitely not the same.

Hate to say it, but the show is really not the same without the dragon. That dragon took an incredible show to insane levels of amazing. If you never saw the dragon you wouldn’t miss it but that dragon was my very favorite element of the show (of ANY show), it was just pure MAGIC AND THRILL and with nothing spectacular to replace it, I felt an empty hole in the show.

My son did not share my sentiments as he said he thought the show was just as good without the dragon (and I didn’t share my thoughts about it with him). I do hope Disney adds something to the show at some point, a new magical element that takes it to back to an 11.

I never heard anyone ask us to stand for fireworks. We could have remained seated, and some people at the railing did stay seated, but most people stood, which forced us to stand. Sigh. A lot of people did not stay for the fireworks, which surprised me.

The Pixar fireworks were just OK. I love Pixar but I wasn’t wowed by the fireworks show. Maybe they are better if you watch in front of the castle.

Exiting after the fireworks was not bad at all. I have been in a really bad crush of people before leaving this area after watching Fantasmic and the fireworks but tonight it was just fine navigating our way out.

Finally, we had a bit of pixie dust. We ducked into California Adventure at the last minute for some ice cream at Clarabelle’s before we headed home. There were two people getting some ice cream at the counter and when it was our turn as we stepped up to the counter a cast member set out the “Closed” sign. My son burst into tears (it was a long day) and as I was consoling him a very sweet cast member came over to us and asked what flavor he was planning to order and brought him out a scoop on the house. It was VERY kind and he was kind of in awe that she did that and we talked a lot about kindness on the walk to the tram so she really made our night.

Thank you for all of your feedback and information...we have a rancho and a blue bayou booked for our trip, and I feel good about cancelling blue bayou at this point and spending that saved money elsewhere.

 

[starlite_]

Hate to say it, but the show is really not the same without the dragon. That dragon took an incredible show to insane levels of amazing. If you never saw the dragon you wouldn’t miss it but that dragon was my very favorite element of the show (of ANY show), it was just pure MAGIC AND THRILL and with nothing spectacular to replace it, I felt an empty hole in the show.

Thank you! I felt like the crazy one for thinking the same. I was expecting something to take the dragon's spot, anything really. A cool water screen, a giant puppet a la Lion King, an inflatable balloon, a drone troupe, ANYTHING. And then nothing did. It feels incomplete.

 

[joseph821]

Thank you! I felt like the crazy one for thinking the same. I was expecting something to take the dragon's spot, anything really. A cool water screen, a giant puppet a la Lion King, an inflatable balloon, a drone troupe, ANYTHING. And then nothing did. It feels incomplete.

I have not seen the new F! live but I will during my August trip. I watched online. I liked it. Enjoyed Peter Pan but the dragon missing and no replacement, or water projection...it felt to me definitely something is missing.

 

[starlite_]

I have not seen the new F! live but I will during my August trip. I watched online. I liked it. Enjoyed Peter Pan but the dragon missing and no replacement, or water projection...it felt to me definitely something is missing.

I have nothing against Peter Pan, I think I could probably quote the show from memory...but I missed the Pirates. The ship entering view surrounded by fog was just such an epic visual. The Peter Pan version has nothing like it, and without the croc it also feels lacking imo.

All around just sad disappointment at Fantasmic for me. I truly hope they add something to it to make the show pop again.

 

[joseph821]

I have nothing against Peter Pan, I think I could probably quote the show from memory...but I missed the Pirates. The ship entering view surrounded by fog was just such an epic visual. The Peter Pan version has nothing like it, and without the croc it also feels lacking imo.

All around just sad disappointment at Fantasmic for me. I truly hope they add something to it to make the show pop again.

I missed seeing the croc too !!! F! should be better.

 

[OlliePop27]

It seems like they brought the show back as their big summer promotion, and the consensus is it's disappointing compared to what it used to be. Pixar Fest is also underwhelming to most people and the Pixar fireworks are almost universally liked less than Wondrous Journeys.

It's really surprising, given the soft attendance this summer, that they did not bring back MSEP or PTN.

Now THAT is something that might actually get people to plan visits if they're on the fence because of cost/construction, etc.

 

[joseph821]

It seems like they brought the show back as their big summer promotion, and the consensus is it's disappointing compared to what it used to be. Pixar Fest is also underwhelming to most people and the Pixar fireworks are almost universally liked less than Wondrous Journeys.

It's really surprising, given the soft attendance this summer, that they did not bring back MSEP or PTN.

Now THAT is something that might actually get people to plan visits if they're on the fence because of cost/construction, etc.

I agree. And the large HM refurb should have been done before Splash Mountain closed. Having major attractions closed, an entire land closed, paths closed and constryction walls keeps people away. I do not expect attendance to go up until everything is open.

 

[LKing]

It seems like they brought the show back as their big summer promotion, and the consensus is it's disappointing compared to what it used to be. Pixar Fest is also underwhelming to most people and the Pixar fireworks are almost universally liked less than Wondrous Journeys.

It's really surprising, given the soft attendance this summer, that they did not bring back MSEP or PTN.

Now THAT is something that might actually get people to plan visits if they're on the fence because of cost/construction, etc.

I am pretty underwhelmed with Pixar Fest. The parade is nice but it is not one that I need to watch multiple times. Pixar Pals Playtime Party is cute for little ones. There are only a handful of new characters in DCA and the lines are too long. Food booths are getting old and are not novel anymore. Fireworks were okay but nothing spectacular.

Last summer the attendance was relatively soft as well. It was actually very nice. Halloween hit (in August) and the craziness began.

@SOCALMouseMommy I'm glad everything worked out for you with food and the show. Did you get to ride Hyperspace Mountain after the two hour wait?

 

[starlite_]

I agree. And the large HM refurb should have been done before Splash Mountain closed. Having major attractions closed, an entire land closed, paths closed and constryction walls keeps people away. I do not expect attendance to go up until everything is open.

They would have been doomed either way because it would mean:
1) the train station would have to remain closed longer
2) construction in general would have lasted a year longer
3) those waiting for Tiana's to open might delay trips if HM was closed (this is me)

They're faced with the choice of longer construction time for the land over all or closing the land to finish faster. Personally I think they made the right choice to get it all done in one swoop, hopefully they are finished for the holiday season which is arguably busier than summer.

 

[joseph821]

They would have been doomed either way because it would mean:
1) the train station would have to remain closed longer
2) construction in general would have lasted a year longer
3) those waiting for Tiana's to open might delay trips if HM was closed (this is me)

They're faced with the choice of longer construction time for the land over all or closing the land to finish faster. Personally I think they made the right choice to get it all done in one swoop, hopefully they are finished for the holiday season which is arguably busier than summer.

Disney has known about the HM issues and the ADA complliance for over 5 years. Let's see if they finish faster. Dinsey should have dealt with HM a long time ago.

 

[starlite_]

Disney has known about the HM issues and the ADA complliance for over 5 years. Let's see if they finish faster. Dinsey should have dealt with HM a long time ago.

I wouldn't really count the covid years, so lets say they knew about it, it's not like they could do much when they could do work in the parks. And right after they opened, closing up one of the most popular rides would have been another way to discourage guests from going, which they didn't want since they had been closed for 1.5ish years. They needed guests in the parks.

I get what you are saying, but there really isn't a good time to do construction on rides like HM. You can only try for the least bad option possible.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

Thank you for all of your feedback and information...we have a rancho and a blue bayou booked for our trip, and I feel good about cancelling blue bayou at this point and spending that saved money elsewhere.

If you wanted to eat at Blue Bayou anyway I think it’s worth it. But if you’re just choosing one of the available packages to see the show, Rancho Del Zocalo is a great value.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

Thank you! I felt like the crazy one for thinking the same. I was expecting something to take the dragon's spot, anything really. A cool water screen, a giant puppet a la Lion King, an inflatable balloon, a drone troupe, ANYTHING. And then nothing did. It feels incomplete.

I hope they add something at some point. But I am very glad Fantasmic is back. It’s a great show.

 

[joseph821]

I wouldn't really count the covid years, so lets say they knew about it, it's not like they could do much when they could do work in the parks. And right after they opened, closing up one of the most popular rides would have been another way to discourage guests from going, which they didn't want since they had been closed for 1.5ish years. They needed guests in the parks.

I get what you are saying, but there really isn't a good time to do construction on rides like HM. You can only try for the least bad option possible.

They have known for several years and way before COVID when ADA made changes and requirements. Yes they needed guests. They could have done it during the COVID closure as well. The accessibility issues about HM have long been known. The hotel and ticket sales speak for themselves. They need guests now but people are delaying vacations and visits because of all the construction.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

@SOCALMouseMommy I'm glad everything worked out for you with food and the show. Did you get to ride Hyperspace Mountain after the two hour wait?

Yes! That wait was miserable but my son really wanted to ride HyperSpace Mountain and I recently had shoulder surgery so we haven’t been in the parks much and I’ve not been on rides for many months so I sucked it up. But before we got on I asked if we could run and use the restroom which everyone was really nice about because I was worried my son wasn’t going to make it!

 

[OlliePop27]

They would have been doomed either way because it would mean:
1) the train station would have to remain closed longer
2) construction in general would have lasted a year longer
3) those waiting for Tiana's to open might delay trips if HM was closed (this is me)

They're faced with the choice of longer construction time for the land over all or closing the land to finish faster. Personally I think they made the right choice to get it all done in one swoop, hopefully they are finished for the holiday season which is arguably busier than summer.

You make good points. I think it is without question now that Halloween and Christimas (Sep-Dec) are now more crowded times of the year then summer. This is why, in recent years, they've been doing more construction in July and August. Last summer, they also closed a bunch of stuff right after 4th of July, just like they're doing again this year.

In years past, not one single ride would ever be closed during July. I think those days are long gone.

 

[nalababybear]

It's still an amazing show in its own right. Is it missing those who can recite the show? Sure. Same said for many rides with permanent B mode.

Hm needs to be done for overlay holidays which is arguably more popular than spring summer for HM.

 

[katyringo]

We got a little off topic- but I'll agree with the posts about Pixar fest being kinda meh. The parade is cute. But I was surprised that the big area for the characters in DL didn't open until 1145. The festival booths were alight- but nothing was a wow. And when I was there a lot of the food places were sold out of the fun straws, etc.

 

[JerrodDragon89]

To me whats more insane is Fantasmic a 30 year old show seemed to draw in more people then Season of the Force or Pixar fest

Like blows my mind