Fantasmic!
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| Fantasmic! | |
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| Locations, openings and status | |
| Disneyland May 13, 1992 | |
| Open | |
| Disney-MGM Studios October 15, 1998 | |
| Open |
Fantasmic! is the night-time fireworks and visual hydrotechnic show at Disneyland in California and Disney-MGM Studios, Florida. It originated at Disneyland in 1992 when Disneyland Entertainment was asked to create a night-time spectacular involving water and fireworks to fill the space at the Rivers of America. Disneyland Entertainment employed the resources of Walt Disney Feature Animation and Walt Disney Imagineering as collaborators. In 1996, Walt Disney Entertainment in Florida, partnering with Imagineering and Feature Animation as well, worked to adapt the show for performing at the Disney-MGM Studios, featuring brand new animated and live action scenes.
At Disneyland, the Rivers of America had to be drained in order to install the extensive lighting, effects and sound equipment in addition to a new track for the S.S. Columbia and the Mark Twain to travel for the show. The walkways in New Orleans Square were also modified, but were already considered one of the benefits of building the show in that location.
When Team Disney Orlando commissioned a Fantasmic! of its own in 1996, a purpose-built 8,000 seat amphitheater was built at the Disney-MGM Studios[1], which was suffering from low attendance and was in drastic need of a replacement for Sorcery in the Sky, the night-time entertainment fireworks show that the park opened in 1992. The Rivers of America at the Magic Kingdom was not conducive to a replication of the layout at Disneyland.
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[edit] Synopsis: Disneyland
As the lights fade, the river is quiet and dark. Then, a very faint musical note is heard, swelling and growing into a dramatic chord. A brilliant cone of light shoots up from the island into the sky, circling -- but with nothing inside.
Another chord is struck, and the cone vanishes, the lights shine on a dark shadow and revealing Mickey Mouse. The music becomes glorious and exciting, as Mickey brings the river to life. Mickey lifts his arms upward as sparks shoot from his fingers. He then appears on giant water-mist "screens" as the Sorcerer's Apprentice, from the film Fantasia. The musical score from "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" and the theme "Imagination" interweave to accompany the action, as Mickey conducts animated shooting stars and live firework comets flying across the sky.
The mist screens are filled with twinkling stars that dissolve into colorful, blooming flowers. On stage can be seem huge flower petals, changing color and transforming from a pink Camellia to a yellow and white daisy to a purple pansy to a red rose. The petals then become huge green leaves and combine with on-screen animation to become the flora and fauna of the jungle.
As fog begins to float over the river, the rhythm and exotic sounds of the jungle can be heard. Through the fog can be seen an enormous Kaa, the snake from Jungle Book, slithering across the island with piercing beams of light for eyes, searching the audience as he makes his way through the jungle foliage. The Jungle beat grows as floating stages carry King Louie and neon-colored monkeys across the river, which has been transformed into an imaginative jungle where everything moves to the wild beat.
The music changes abruptly to a pulsing, contemporary rendition of "Pink Elephants on Parade" from Dumbo, as animated pink elephants appear both on-screen and on the island. Suddenly, the elephants seem to be puppets dancing on strings, and then vanish, leaving the strings behind. Now the magical strings manipulate three huge puppets, with Pinocchio in the center.
On-screen we see Jiminy Cricket underwater, calling to his pal Pinocchio, in gurgling desperation. A colorful montage of underwater creatures appears. Jiminy then encounters the huge eye and teeth of Monstro the Whale. A combined sequence of film and live special effects show the angry, tail-thrashing whale creating a storm-like effect on the water, with real water splashing around as Monstro stirs up the sea. The sounds of crashing waves and thunder rumble through the audience, as we witness a ship, on-screen, being tossed in the storm.
A loud cannon shot takes our attention to the Pirate Ship, coming around the bend, filled with action. Captain Hook, Mr. Smee, Peter Pan and pirates jump, climb and swing on ropes in a battle fully scored like a scene from an epic swashbuckling adventure film. Peter Pan saves Wendy from the pirates. Following the ship is a huge crocodile, "tick-tocking" as he goes, scaring Captain Hook up to the crow’s nest and Mr. Smee trying to save Captain Hook. We see Peter Pan on the top of the rigging victorious, as the ship disappears into the on-coming fog.
The "Imagination" theme comes in again as pink and blue clouds cover the river. Snow White and her prince, Ariel and Eric, and Belle and the Beast all float by, as if in a dream ballet in the clouds, each so happy to have their dream come true. But the beautiful music starts to sound a bit haunting. The Evil Queen from Snow White appears on stage, calling for her magic mirror -- which appears in animated form, on-screen, and says, "Famed is thy beauty, Majesty. But hold! Three lovelier maids I see." The sinister Queen seethes with jealousy and hatred as the mirror continues, "And here, in Mickey's imagination, beauty and love will always survive."
In anger, she moves to her bubbling cauldron, where she creates a brew of evil magic to transform herself in the Wicked Witch. The magic mirror transforms into the ugly face of the wicked witch, who says, "Imagine THIS!" On-screen, we see her face dissolve into that of the sea witch, Ursula, from The Little Mermaid, as out from the river and fog comes the tentacles of a 20' tall Ursula, laughing violently as she passes. Back on-screen, the face of Ursula fades to reveal only her evil eyes, which transform into the eyes of the horrific Chernabog, from Fantasia.
Images of skeletons on horseback, riding across the sky, appear on-screen as Chernabog watches, flames dance in his hand. Then a real burst of flames explodes on the island and Maleficent, from Sleeping Beauty, appears. Mickey Mouse sees Maleficent and shakes in his shoes as she points to him and says; "Now you will deal with ME and all the powers of MY IMAGINATION!" Another burst of flames signals a dramatic transformation as Maleficent grows 30' tall and changes into a ferocious dragon, on-screen. But, as lightning flashes, you can see through the animated sequence on-screen to a huge 40' three-dimensional dragon, taking over the island. She lowers her head and breathes fire over the river, igniting it into a sea of flames. The evil side of imagination has now created an island of terror.
Only Mickey can save himself from his own imagination, and he appears as the Brave Little Tailor, ready to do battle. With electrifying laser special effects, he defeats the dragon and all the evil forces. On-screen, we see the dragon, zapped by Mickey's positive powers, swirl into the air and vanish in a burst of pixie dust. A sparkling, twinkling presence can be seen and a magical sound begins to grow, as Tinkerbell appears. Flying about the sky on-screen, she waves her magic wand and showers the Mark Twain with pixie dust as it comes around the bend. The riverboat is loaded with all the lovable Disney characters, waving banners and cheering their hero, while fireworks cascade over the rails of the Mark Twain.
As the riverboat reaches the dock, a flash explodes on top of the boat, revealing Mickey Mouse as Steamboat Willie at the helm. Mickey pilots the boat past the audience in a festive celebrational finale, and then disappears into the fog. Suddenly, Mickey appears in a splash of light up on the Cider Mill, now as Sorcerer Mickey. The music swells and grows, as he conducts laser beams that criss-cross over the entire river area, creating a sunburst effect radiating out from Mickey, proving that the magical powers of his positive imagination are stronger than ever. As the musical theme "Imagination" builds to a final chorus, a glorious display of fireworks is added to the river spectacular.
Then, in a flash, Mickey magically disappears from the Cider Mill and reappears again, center stage, in his normal character. All the effects and music abruptly freeze, and Mickey says to the audience, "Some imagination, huh? Haha!" And with that, all the effects vanish, leaving the brilliant cone of lights empty. On a final musical note, the lights go out, and the river is quiet and dark once again.
[edit] Attraction Facts
Official debut: May 13, 1992
Location: Rivers of America, Disneyland, Disneyland Resort, Anaheim, California
Producers: Disneyland Entertainment, Walt Disney Feature Animation and Walt Disney Imagineering
Executive Producer: Ron Logan
Audio: LCS matrix audio system w/ WildTracks audio playback software
Control: Fully Automated by SMPTE timecode
Score: Bruce Healey
Director: Barnette Ricci
Villains: The Evil Queen, Ursula, Chernabog, Maleficent, Captain Hook, Kaa
- The twenty-foot tall Ursula is no longer apart of the show. It became very expensive to maintain, and was therefore taken out.
- Show cost: $79,000 per showing
[edit] Synopsis: Disney-MGM Studios
As the lights fade, the river is quiet and dark. Then, a very faint musical note is heard, swelling and growing into a dramatic chord. A brilliant cone of light shoots up from the island into the sky, circling -- but with nothing inside. Another musical chord is struck and Mickey Mouse appears with his shiny tuxedo suit. Mickey acts as a conductor as music fills the air and the waters surrounding the island begin to dance. Suddenly, screens of water emerge and a multitude of images are displayed upon them: Sorcerer Mickey in his famous "Sorcerer's Apprentice" scene from Fantasia.
Elephants, giraffes, monkeys, birds, ostrich, rhinos, and cheetahs begin to herd in the mountain. Neon Animals making noise and dancing around, as they were herding around in the island. Simba and Nala romping from the Lion King. A large Bubble Montage begins to take place where every classic animated Disney movies and characters are in the bubbles. Scenes from Pinocchio, Aladdin, Hercules, The Lion King, Alice in Wonderland, Bambi, Mulan, Dumbo, Snow White, The Jungle Book, Lady and the Tramp, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and Fantasia pop and float across the screen. As the bubble goes atop, here comes Jiminy Cricket.
Monstro the whale pursues, as the bubbles arise when a frantic Jiminy Cricket becomes trapped in a large bubble then pursues the mood shifts. Monstro lifts himself out of the water and lands with a crash, which splashes unsuspecting front row guests.
The waters calm, but a loud cannon blast erupts. Live characters re-enact battle scenes from the movie Pocahontas, Governor John Ratcliffe and his follow English men fights against the Native Americans. Followed by John Smith. As John Smith climbs to the very top of the mountain, The Indian Chief, Powhatan, begins to hit Smith, when Pocahontas arrives; the settlers and the natives stop fighting. The Colors of the Wind goes around everyone. The battle stops, Pocahontas and John Smith begin dancing to Colors of the Wind. Then dancing seems to be everywhere, as the audience sees classic dancing scenes with Princess Aurora and Prince Phillip, Cinderella and Prince Charming, and Princess Jasmine and Aladdin.
The "Imagination" theme comes in again as pink and blue clouds cover the river. Snow White and her Prince, Ariel and Eric, and Beauty and the Beast all float by, as if in a dream ballet in the clouds, each so happy to have their dream come true. But the beautiful music starts to sound a bit haunting.
Mickey's dream continues on its nightmarish journey as eerie music begins and the Wicked Queen from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs concocts a spell amidst pyrotechnics and other special effects. She invokes some of the most infamous Disney Villains: Ursula, Cruella de Vil, Scar, Frollo and Jafar, who uses his magic to send Mickey to the cave of wonders. After escaping a wave of lava, Mickey encounters Jafar, who transforms into a giant black cobra who appears on both the stage and the mist screens. Seeing a magic lamp, Mickey rubs it, assuming it will help him. Unforutnately, Jafar is transformed into a genie and calls upon Hades and Chernabog, who summons spirits from the dead.
Just then, on stage, Mickey encounters Maleficent, who unexpectedly transforms into a 40-foot-tall fire-breathing dragon that sets the waters ablaze - guests as far as halfway back in the theater can feel the heat. Mickey in his Pauper clothing manages to create a wall of water around the island, smothering the flames and defeating the dragon. He destroys the villains using his imagination and his sword. Maleficent dies as the water splashes with a large big firework bang. All is quiet, until we see Tinkerbell flies to restore the mountain. Magical stars sparkle in the mountain as the Steamboat Willie River Boat comes.
The mood brightens in the festive finale of fireworks, sparkling effects and a large steamboat with characters, a celebratory atmosphere prevails amid a flurry of fireworks. Beloved Disney characters glide past the audience aboard the Steamboat Willie River Boat, as Fantasmic! concludes with a triumphant Mickey rejoicing at his victory over evil. Mickey in his Sorcerer clothing atop at the highest point of the mountain begins to light up the mountain using his magic. Fireworks, fire, and water lights up the stage. As Mickey finishes his finale, he then appears in his little old shiny tuxedo suit at the bottom of the mountain and says, "Some imagination, huh? Haha!" And there is a bright flash and Mickey is gone.
[edit] Attraction Facts
Official debut: October 15, 1998
Location: Hollywood Hills Amphitheatre, Disney-MGM Studios, Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista, Florida
Producers: Walt Disney Entertainment (in conjunction with Walt Disney Feature Animation and Walt Disney Imagineering)
Executive Producer: Ron Logan
Score: Bruce Healey
Director: Barnette Ricci
Villains: The Wicked Queen, Hades, Ursula, Cruella de Vil, Jafar, Frollo, Scar, Chernabog, Maleficent, and Governor Ratcliffe
- Show cost: $20,000 per showing
[edit] Contrasts
The shows in Disneyland and Disney-MGM Studios, although with the same theme and music, have some slight differences.
- The Jungle Scene with Kaa, King Louie, and the monkeys from The Jungle Book at Disneyland is replaced with a tribute to The Lion King at the Disney-MGM Studios.
- The Peter Pan re-enactment from Disneyland is taken out of the Disney-MGM Studios version and replaced with scenes from Pocahontas. Original plans for Florida version had a scene from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea in this spot, with Captain Nemo fighting the Kraken while Mickey played an organ on the island stage.
- The Pink Elephant clips and Pinnochio puppets are replaced with a montage of many clips from Disney features inside bubbles.
- Ursula's reprisal of "Poor Unfortunate Souls" is taken out to introduce the other Disney Villains. She plays a smaller role in the Florida show than the California one.
- More villains are featured in the Florida version. Many of the additions are villains from Disney animated features released after the Disneyland version was first featured.
- In California, Mickey destroys the villains by telling them "You may think you're so powerful, well this is my dream!", which immediately destroys the villains. In Florida, he still says this, but before he destroys the villains, he douses all the fire out first.
- Whereas the show is performed on the Rivers of America at Disneyland, the equivalent at the Magic Kingdom was not considered as the Magic Kingdom already had a form of popular night-time entertainment and the viewing locations were not as flexible as at Disneyland. Instead an amphitheater was developed at the Magic Kingdom's sister park, the Disney-MGM Studios, which required a major night-time addition as at the time the park was still young.
- Instead of the Mark Twain riverboat at Disney MGM Studios, the characters in the Florida show dance on a replica of Steamboat Willie.
[edit] Important Information
Especially in the Florida show, it is advised to arrive at the Hollywood Hills Amphitheatre at least one and a half hours before the show starts. The amphitheatre can seat up to 6,500 and room for 2,500 standing but it is surprising how fast it fills up. If you purchase the Fantasmic! Dine and Watch package, you can eat at either Mama Melrose's, Hollywood and Vine or the Hollywood Brown Derby restaurants and then receive special seating.
In the California show, you can book a seat at New Orleans Square for a special Fantasmic! Dessert Show, where you watch the show from an uncrowded view on the terrace of a New Orleans Square cafe, with all-inclusive beverages and desserts. As of late 2005, the price of the reservation is approximately the price of admission.
[edit] Soundtrack
- Fantasmic! Theme (1992) (file info) — play in browser (beta)
- 30 second sample of the main theme of Fantasmic!
- Problems listening to the file? See media help.
The soundtrack for the show can be found on these releases:
- Fantasmic! Good Clashes with Evil in a Nighttime Spectacular (1992 CD) (Disneyland, Disneyland Resort)
- Fantasmic! Good Clashes with Evil in a Nighttime Spectacular (1998 CD) (Disney-MGM Studios, Walt Disney World)
- A Musical History of Disneyland (2005) (Disneyland Park, Disneyland Resort)
[edit] Disneyland Production
- Produced by Bruce Healey
- Engineer: Don Dorsey
[edit] Disney-MGM Studios Production
- Conceived and Directed by Barnette Ricci
- Score Composed/Arranged by Bruce Healey
- Soundtrack Produced by Bruce Healey
- Executive Vice President of Entertainment: Ron Logan
- Album Executive Producer: Doug Strawn
- Album Produced by Bruce Healey
- Recorded and Mixed by Paul Freeman
- Soundtrack Editing, Sound Effects, and Surround Sound Design by Paul Freeman
- Music Production Manager: Daren Ulmer
- Album Coordinator: Ted Rickeets
[edit] Image gallery
 Jafar, who turns into a writhing black cobra. |
 Mickey destroys the villains using his imagination and his sword. |
 Fantasmic! poster at Disney-MGM Studios |
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Method and apparatus for forming a fluid projection screen - Patent #5,368,228. US Patent & Trademark Office. Retrieved on April 21, 2006. - Patent for water screens used in Fantasmic.
- Fantasmic! at Disneyland
- Fantasmic! at Disney-MGM Studios
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Fantasmic!
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| Locations: | Disneyland - Walt Disney World Resort |
| Notable Disney Heroes: | Mickey Mouse - Tinker Bell - Belle - The Beast - Ariel - Snow White - Jiminy Cricket |
| Villains: | Kaa - Monstro - Captain Hook - The Evil Queen - Ursula - Chernabog - Maleficent - Govenor Rattcliffe - Cruella De Vil - Scar - Judge Claude Frollo - Jafar - Hades |
| Movies in Fantasmic!: | Fantasia - The Jungle Book - Dumbo - Pinocchio - Peter Pan - Beauty and the Beast - The Little Mermaid - Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs - Sleeping Beauty - The Lion King - Alice in Wonderland - Hercules - Aladdin - Mulan - Cinderella - Lady and the Tramp - Bambi - Pocahontas - 101 Dalmatians - The Hunchback of Notre Dame - Steamboat Willie |
