Fan-Favorite Disneyland Show to Close for Nearly a Year
Disneyland's beloved nighttime spectacle Fantasmic! is shutting down for nearly a year.
A July 26 statement shared by park officials reads, "Our goal is to always deliver the best possible show for our guests. With that in mind, we are planning the return of 'Fantasmic!' with exciting new magic in spring 2024."
When the show returns, its iconic Maleficent fire-breathing dragon will be replaced with new special effects with a new battle scene between Sorcerer Mickey and Maleficent.
This news comes after a fire broke out during a Fantasmic! performance in April, burning the dragon. Disneyland representatives shared a statement, noting that "during the final showing of Fantasmic at Disneyland park on Saturday evening, the dragon caught fire. Anaheim Fire & Rescue quickly responded and the fire was extinguished.”
The representatives added, "All cast members were safely evacuated from Tom Sawyer Island. Due to smoke and wind, attractions near the island were safely evacuated of any guests, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation at this time."
Some park attendees captured the moment on camera, showing the giant prop engulfed in flames as visitors were asked to clear the area for their safety. In one of the clips, a voice is heard announcing, "This performance will not continue due to unforeseen circumstances, thank you."
Though the Disneyland show has been halted until next year, it'll still be running at Disney World's Hollywood Studios with the 40-foot-tall Maleficent dragon.
This marks the second time Fantasmic! has undergone changes. In 2021, it was announced that the spectacle would return the following year with new sequences, including characters from Moana, Frozen, and Aladdin.
