Description:

Fantasmic! will immerse you in the imagination of Mickey Mouse, through a multimedia experience of lasers, pyrotechnics and sound.

Opened:

October 15, 1998

Child Swap?:

No

FASTPASS:

No

Expected Wait:

45-90 minutes

When to go:

If second or third shows available, take those. Otherwise, arrive early

Attraction In-Depth:

Fantasmic! is the premier nighttime spectacular at Disney's Hollywood Studios. For quite a while, Hollywood Studios was without any nighttime fireworks bonanza. The Magic Kingdom and Epcot had their wildly successful night shows and Hollywood Studios was labeled a day only park. Enter Fantasmic! Staged in a large amphitheater, which houses 10,000 people(6,900 seated, 3000 standing) behind the Tower of Terror.

Disney set the theater around a lagoon which, like Illuminations in Epcot, uses the lagoon to make the show that much better. Fantasmic! stars none other than Mickey Mouse, who is in his Sorcerer's Apprentice character from the film Fantasia. Using a slew of advanced laser and fireworks and sound, you the guest are part of a huge spectacular that will leave you amazed. Although the plot of Fantasmic! is the overused good versus evil, nonetheless, Fantasmic! is spectacular.

Comments:

Fantasmic! is much different than Illuminations or the evening parade at the Magic Kingdom. Rather than just razzle and dazzle the crowd with how great Disney fireworks are, there is a loose story and a general storyline to Fantasmic! that someone who is not intimately familiar with the progressions can follow. Albeit, Fantasmic! is a bit over-zealous when it comes to the villains of the story. Using loud theme music to help "sell" the villains to the audience, many younger viewers may find it a bit frightening. To the rest of us, it's merely getting the idea that Mickey is in big trouble along. However, many feel that it's too big on the villains and not on the "good guys".

A major problem with Fantasmic! is due to it's immense popularity, it's tough to get a good seat. Although the Fantasmic! ampitheater holds roughly 10,000 guests, if you arrive anytime before half an hour before the show, you'll either have to settle for bad seats or not even be able to get a seat at all. To be honest, you'll need anywhere from 45 to 90 minutes to get good seats, especially during high season. Sitting in one place for that long with no entertainment just stinks. Disney has sort of addressed the problem by allowing guests who dine at the Studio's finer dining places, Mama Melrose's Ristorante, Hollywood & Vine, and the Hollywood Brown Derby, to get reserved seats with the Fantasmic! Dinner Package. However, many guests complain that the seats they get are at located the extreme ends of the theater and have a limited view.

These issues aside, Fantasmic! is a wonderful show and should not be missed. If there are multiple shows of Fantasmic! in one evening (which is the case in high seasons and during the warmer months) try for the second or third showings as they are not as heavily packed. If you're going during low season, grab a seat 45 minutes before.

Presentation:

Fantasmic! is a great nightime special effects bonanza. The incorporation of many of Disney's best films is great.

Presentation Rating:

5

Guest Appeal:

Only those afraid of loud noises would not enjoy Fantasmic!.

Guest Appeal Rating:

4

Disney World Veteran:

Any Disney World Veteran should have Fantasmic! as a must-see attraction.

Disney World Veteran Rating:

5

Teen:

Teens should enjoy the sheer brilliance of the spectacle at hand. Fantasmic! is not too long so boredom won't be a factor.

Teen Rating:

5

Lasting Appeal:

Fantasmic is probably the best way to cap off a great night at the Studios without sleeping in the Tower of Terror.

Lasting Appeal Rating:

5

Show Times Block:

Sunday & Tuesday at 8:30pm; Monday & Wednesday-Saturday at 8:30pm & 10:00pm

Other show times and schedules

Studios Central - Laser and fireworks show

Fantasmic!