Fantasmic! Returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios on November 3

Mickey’s imagination will be coming to life once again at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in November. Today it was announced that Fantasmic! will be returning to Walt Disney World Resort on November 3, 2022.

When the show returns, it will be better than ever. It will include iconic and incredible music, live performers, fantastic visual effects, and pyrotechnics that everyone knows and loves. With the show being closed, it was an opportunity to make things even more magical.

“It was extremely exciting to take advantage of technological enhancements that didn’t originally exist when the show opened in 1998,” says Katrina Mena Rick, broadcast creative producer for Disney Live Entertainment. “So, we [worked] with other disciplines such as special effects, lighting, lasers and music to ensure that our visual content was as exactly seamless and as beautiful as it could be.”

There will be some other changes as well. The show will now be 29 minutes long. It will also include a whole new show sequence that is referred to as the hero sequence.

“In bringing Fantasmic! back, we have a brand-new scene that we’re calling our Disney Heroes scene,” says Matthew Hamel, show director for Disney Live Entertainment. “We get to see some new characters introduced to Fantasmic!, and we get to show their stories in a new, unique way utilizing a combination of projections, lasers and new lighting.”

“Through this entire sequence, we go on a journey with our heroes. We see them faced with a decision, and how hard that can be for them, then watch as they find that strength within themselves to push through in a truly spectacular way,” says Hamel. 

The new hero sequence will include a high-energy Aladdin chase that has stunts that have never been seen before on the Fantasmic! stage. Elsa will also have a scene set to the song of Show Yourself from Frozen 2. There will also be some moments from Pocahontas, Moana, and even Mulan. For the Chinese martial arts choreography in Mulan’s scene, Mimi Chan – the original muse and model animators used when bringing the character of Mulan to life for the 1998 animated film – was brought in.

“We know this show means so much to people, and we’ve kept that in mind every step of this journey.” says Disney Live Entertainment Producer, Laurice Marier. “Even beyond the new scene, we’ve taken this time to upgrade the lasers, the lighting, the sound, all to bring this show back even more beautiful than it’s ever been. We’re all really just so excited for guests to see it.” 

As always, Fantasmic! will be a show about Mickey Mouse’s imagination. There will be dancing fountains, flying comets, swirling stars, and other magical moments that guests know and love. Then, the villains will intrude on Mickey’s imagination and turn his dreams into nightmares. Mickey will use the powers of good to triumph over evil, though and reclaim his dream.

“Bringing back Fantasmic! here at Disney’s Hollywood Studios means so much to our guests,” says Mena Rick. “It was a task to not only preserve the legacy of the show but also introduce new characters for the next generation.”

Ahead of the official return of Fantasmic! on November 3, cast members will get to see the show during some special previews. There is no word on if there will be annual passholder previews.

Guests wanting to watch Fantasmic! can enter the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater up to 90 minutes before the show begins. Starting on October 26, 2022, Fantasmic! dining packages for select restaurants at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be available for performances of Fantasmic! starting on November 30th and beyond.

Fantasmic! Fun Facts

• Fantasmic! originally opened at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on October 15, 1998.
• The show features animation and characters from more than 25 films.
• The moat surrounding the Fantasmic! island stage contains 1.9 million gallons of water.
• Maleficent, in dragon form, is the final villain that Mickey Mouse battles, and she stands 40-feet tall.
• In addition to Maleficent, 10 other villains appear in the show.
• In the finale, Mickey Mouse and 35 other characters appear on a steamboat inspired by the one seen in “Steamboat Willie,”
• Located off Sunset Boulevard, the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater seats 6,900 guests with additional standing room for about 3,000 guests.

The return of Fantasmic! to Disney’s Hollywood Studios comes months after the show returned in May 2022 to the Disneyland Resort. Here is the original version of Fantasmic! from Disney’s Hollywood Studios:

What do you think about the return of Fantasmic! to Disney’s Hollywood Studios? Are you excited? What are you most looking forward to? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!