This information provides suggestions & methods for watching Fantasmic at Disneyland, greatest & worst views, sitting & standing areas to see the nighttime spectacular, whether or not eating packages are definitely worth the cash, and recommendations for taking higher photographs of this spectacular Disney nighttime spectacular. (Up to date Could 16, 2024.)
For these unfamiliar with it, Fantasmic is a nighttime spectacular carried out most nights on the Rivers of America at Disneyland. A variation of the identical present–albeit with completely different and a few newer scenes–can also be offered in Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World. It was beforehand proven at Tokyo DisneySea, earlier than being changed by Imagine! Sea of Goals.
Fantasmic is a night extravaganza combining varied components–hearth, water projections, lasers, and fireworks–for a present that’s loosely in regards to the energy of creativeness. Disney Villains flip Mickey’s dream right into a nightmare, and the little mouse makes use of the facility of his creativeness to beat them! The frilly manufacturing additionally options 50 reside performers, huge units, and rousing music to supply a larger-than-life present.
The premise of Fantasmic is that Mickey Mouse is quick asleep, dreaming of being the Sorcerer’s Apprentice. This units the stage for a sequence of scenes from different movies, a few of which Mickey Mouse seems inside. He conducts montage moments from Fantasia, Aladdin, Lion King, Tangled, Magnificence and the Beast, Little Mermaid, Jungle E book, Winnie the Pooh, and lots of different films.
Probably the most memorable moments happen with the arrival of pink elephants on parade, swashbuckling pirates doing battle, princesses and princes dancing, and monkeys doing monkey issues. When immediately, Mickey Mouse is pulled into the Magic Mirror, his dream takes a darkish flip and turns into a “nightmare fantasmic.” The Evil Queen from Snow White conjures up a few of Disney’s most dastardly villains! Mickey should use the facility of his creativeness to conquer his foes—and save the day!
As you may recall, Maleficent the Dragon (also called Murphy) erupted into flames throughout a efficiency of Fantasmic final April. Though the fireplace was put out comparatively rapidly and never friends or Solid Members have been injured, the dragon was fully destroyed and injury was executed to the raise mechanism and different facets of the stage.
Quick-forward over a 12 months, and a modified model of Fantasmic will return on Could 24, 2024. The nighttime spectacular will characteristic a new climactic encounter between Sorcerer Mickey and Maleficent–which means that the full-scale Maleficent Dragon (or Murphy 2.0 since a brand new one must be constructed) received’t seem when Fantasmic returns.
Upon Fantasmic’s return, new results can be added to the fan-favorite present together with character appearances and refreshed know-how. Most notably, the long-lasting Peter Pan scene on the Crusing Ship Columbia is returning, changing the Pirates of the Caribbean battle on the Black Pearl added throughout the 2017 reimagining.
You may assume this has one thing to do with the Johnny Depp controversy, however you’d be improper. Disneyland followers lamented the lack of the Peter Pan scene when it was retired, so this can be a technique to appease them and generate recent curiosity in Fantasmic regardless of dropping the marquee Maleficent dragon.
In all chance, the “new particular results and an exciting new battle scene between Sorcerer Mickey and Maleficent” that’ll debut in Fantasmic is an enhanced b-mode, or equal to the climactic confrontation between the 2 within the Disney’s Hollywood Studios model of Fantasmic.
Within the meantime, we might extremely advocate making some extent of seeing the fireworks from the entrance of the park if in any respect attainable. See our Disneyland Fireworks Viewing Information for one of the best and worst areas–the suggestions right here merely cowl the best means for seeing each Fantasmic and the fireworks in the identical evening, however for those who can’t see Fantasmic…watch the fireworks from Most important Avenue as an alternative.
Upon returning, this viewing information will nonetheless apply to Fantasmic. Though Mickey Mouse defeating Maleficent is the climactic scene and the spotlight of the nighttime spectacular, Fantasmic as an entire remains to be wonderful, and a ten/10 manufacturing even with that scene modified or offered in its b-mode.
The one different modifications for the 2024 return of Fantasmic are to the eating packages, with Rancho del Zocalo changing Hungry Bear Restaurant because the seize and go possibility. That’s occurring on account of building round Critter Nation, and the possible want to maneuver friends away from these pinch-points. (Talking of which, there’s a variety of building from Haunted Mansion to Critter Nation, which may make navigating round Fantasmic much more of a nightmare than earlier than.)
We’re large followers of Fantasmic, and have seen each the unique and “Fantasmic 2.0” model dozens and dozens of occasions at Disneyland. (Far fewer at Walt Disney World.) Whereas we love World of Colour and luxuriate in Most important Avenue Electrical Parade, the center and soul of Disneyland’s nighttime leisure is Fantasmic. If you happen to’re a Disneyland first-timer or have solely watched it at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Fantasmic at Disneyland is a real deal with and an absolute must-see.
The seminal Disneyland model of Fantasmic goes to be very standard for the foreseeable future, and it’ll play to a packed home nightly–even with a number of nightly showings. Provided that it’s been gone for over a 12 months and can have the Peter Pan scene restored, followers are going to prove in full power to see it. These crowds can be compounded by building partitions, which can make “lining up” for the present an actual problem. (It’s not too late to introduce a digital queue, Disneyland!)
You may need to get a eating bundle for Fantasmic for those who plan on seeing the present anytime quickly. With Disneyland’s resolution to forgo the digital queue for Fantasmic, and it not being out there as a Genie+ Lightning Lane choice, the eating packages are the one technique to assure a great view with out tenting out for hours. We’ll cowl that and extra on this submit.
Since that is the primary article devoted to Fantasmic on this weblog, despite the fact that it has nothing to do with viewing or photographing the present, I’d be remiss if I didn’t share a enjoyable tidbit that I assume different Disney followers will discover attention-grabbing. Up till its late levels of improvement, Fantasmic was often called Creativeness!
The identify was in the end modified due to issues with with the ability to trademark the generic Creativeness identify, whereas Fantasmic (a made up phrase), may very well be simply trademarked. The Creativeness! identify obtained thus far alongside within the course of that Disneyland even made up advertising and marketing posters with Creativeness! as its identify. I just like the identify Fantasmic, however I’ll admit that I get chills after I pop within the Fantasmic CD and the opening line “imag-in-ation…imag-in-ation…” performs.
Okay, on with the extra related data for efficiently viewing and photographing Fantasmic! We’ll begin with merely seeing the nighttime spectacular alongside the Rivers of America at Disneyland…
Greatest Viewing Spots
Disneyland’s seating might be difficult. Not like its counterpart at Walt Disney World, Fantasmic doesn’t have a purpose-built out of doors amphitheater. Once we say that it’s carried out “alongside the Rivers of America,” we imply it. Its seating space is actually only a multi-level walkway and a promenade alongside the waterfront throughout the day.
That Fantasmic comes alive basically out of nowhere is a part of its appeal. It additionally makes determining the place to look at–and even the place to wait to look at–a problem for Disneyland first-timers.
Throughout most busier dates, Fantasmic is carried out twice nightly, at 9 pm and 10:30 pm. Usually, the primary displaying of Fantasmic will wrap up, after which the Disneyland fireworks can be offered virtually instantly thereafter. The second efficiency of Fantasmic will happen about half-hour after that.
If you happen to’re planning on watching the primary Fantasmic, keep in your spot after it ends to see the fireworks–there are mist screens with projections on the water and many of the pyro is seen. (You received’t have time to get a spot on Most important Avenue after seeing Fantasmic.)
Observe that these occasions are topic to alter. It’s best to test the leisure schedule within the Disneyland app for the particular present occasions on the times that you just’re within the park.
At the moment, viewing protocol for Fantasmic is not just like World of Colour. When the latter returned to Disney California Journey, it started utilizing a digital queue as a alternative free of charge FastPass or paid MaxPass that was once supplied. Our assumption was that Fantasmic would observe swimsuit and supply Genie+ Lightning Lanes, however that has not occurred.
As a substitute, Fantasmic’s important seating space–on the bottom within the lowest tier alongside the Rivers of America–is reserved for eating packages, and what’s left over is stuffed in by standby friends. Nevertheless, there are not any ensures for standby and the variety of eating packages offered can fluctuate every day.
Along with that, there are standing areas behind and across the seating areas. These are scattered everywhere, with areas together with the bridge over Pirates of the Caribbean and sections of walkway close to River Belle Terrace and Haunted Mansion. These aren’t in the principle seating space, and other than the Pirates of the Caribbean viewpoint, are sometimes off-center views.
It’s very tough to supply suggestions & methods proper now for any of those areas, as our current experiences with Fantasmic has been nothing wanting chaotic. I can not stress this sufficient, and it’s not hyperbole. A number of fights have damaged out, and it’s straightforward to see why–even making an attempt to navigate by means of Frontierland and New Orleans Sq. is a problem.
On prime of that, the viewing areas are all packed, and there’s not a lot consistency as to how or once they refill. There are ropes that kind cattle corrals for friends to look at Fantasmic, however for those who’re a first-timer, it’s tough to make sense of what’s occurring. Along with this, protocol and procedures are nonetheless “evolving” as Disneyland Solid Members attempt their greatest to handle crowds. With that in thoughts, I’ll supply a couple of pointers and circle again to this part in a couple of weeks with clearer viewing technique…
My first piece of recommendation can be to see the second displaying of Fantasmic, because it’s considerably much less crowded and nobody is tenting out for it hours prematurely because the first efficiency ends roughly an hour earlier than the second begins. The second level is admittedly the important thing, as some locals stake out Fantasmic spots within the late afternoon for the primary efficiency of Fantasmic.
For the second efficiency you’ll need to watch the Disneyland fireworks from the border between Frontierland and New Orleans Sq., within the space between River Belle Terrace and Pirates of the Caribbean. It’s fairly straightforward to sneak in and seize a waterfront spot throughout the mass exodus after the primary Fantasmic–and also you ought to be capable to keep there for the present. (Simply watch out to not inadvertently enter the eating bundle space to the left of most of the people space!)
At this level, that’s one of the best suggestion we’ve got for watching Fantasmic. If you happen to’re keen to gamble, another choice is ready over by Harbour Galley (in entrance of Haunted Mansion) for last-minute seating within the reserved seating space for eating packages. If this part isn’t full, standby friends are allowed to fill-in a couple of minutes earlier than Fantasmic begins. (No ensures on this, although.)
Worst views are something with an obstructed view. This may appear apparent, nevertheless it’s value reiterating that Fantasmic doesn’t have a purpose-built venue alongside the Rivers of America. That is simply the conventional waterfront, and there’s a variety of stuff in the way in which. The best technique to decide whether or not a view goes to be good or dangerous, is to face there and see how clearly you’ll be able to see the principle stage on Tom Sawyer Island.
Whereas the principle constructing there’s key, there are a number of ranges and props on the stage, a few of which block Mickey Mouse and different characters for those who’re standing at a harsh angle on the far sides alongside the Rivers of America. In entrance of Haunted Mansion or Golden Horseshoe qualify as areas which might be lower than perfect, and the identical goes for the Harbour Galley and River Belle Terrace seating areas.
The latter is now offered as a premium eating bundle that prices greater than the conventional–and superior–eating packages. Until you completely want a chair, you must go for one thing else.
Alternatively, you are able to do a Fantasmic Dinner Package deal. With this, you’re paying a premium to dine at Hungry Bear Restaurant Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante, River Belle Terrace, or Blue Bayou in a bundle that features a ticket for reserved seating. The perfect seating location is for Blue Bayou, with Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante and River Belle Terrace flanking the dead-center seating of Blue Bayou.
Regardless that it’s the priciest possibility, we extremely advocate the Blue Bayou Fantasmic Eating Package deal. If you happen to’re going to do the Fantasmic Eating Package deal, you may as properly splurge for a meal and eating expertise which might be really good. Blue Bayou and Fantasmic are each quintessential Disneyland experiences, and this can be a nice technique to do each.
If that’s outdoors your finances, we nonetheless advocate one of many cheaper Fantasmic Eating Packages. (Remember that we contemplate the World of Colour Dessert Celebration one of many largest wastes of cash at Disneyland–so we don’t blindly advocate all upcharges.) The distinction is that the Fantasmic Eating Packages can prevent from the chaos and crowds, and there’s no nice different to (simply) seeing Fantasmic with out them.
See our River Belle Terrace Fantasmic Eating Package deal Evaluate for our previous expertise with that possibility. We even have a evaluation of the “On-the-Go” Fantasmic Eating Package deal, which was beforehand at Hungry Bear Restaurant however is now transferring over to Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante on account of building of Critter Nation. (The meals can be completely completely different, in order that evaluation is simply helpful for the seating.)
Each are nice choices at completely different worth factors–the viewing location for River Belle Terrace is unquestionably the higher of the 2. If you happen to do these eating packages, you’ll both need to get a entrance row spot and look by means of the rail or sit a bit again from the entrance.
Second “row” (air quotes as a result of it’s all very casual) on this seating space isn’t nice as a result of the hand rail alongside the waterfront will successfully block a part of your view. There’s completely nothing improper with being within the third or fourth rows of the seating space, because it slopes upwards away from the water. (So far as the seating space goes, I believe entrance or again is greatest.)
My favourite spot for viewing Fantasmic at Disneyland is instantly in entrance of the present management space behind the seated space. To provide some reference, that is instantly in entrance of Cafe Orleans. The Pirates of the Caribbean bridge is one other good standing spot, too.
Disneyland claims that any view of Fantasmic is an efficient one, however that’s not fully true. Whereas the present has a number of mist screens to offer 180º of “good” views, there’s just one important stage. Because of this views of Mickey Mouse, the dragon, and the rest that takes place are greatest from the middle of the seating space.
In actuality, you’re going to have little selection over your viewing location until you’re visiting throughout the low season, as soon as crowds die down. The excellent news is that almost all spots within the seating space supply an awesome view. It’s a dynamic present and the seating space is intimate, so don’t fret over the place you’re sitting.
Fantasmic Images Suggestions
Fantasmic generally is a problem to {photograph} because of the low gentle and transferring components, coupled with flashes of shiny results. For level and shoot customers or DSLR house owners with out a lot technical data, my greatest suggestion is to place your digicam in “sports activities” mode. There may be a variety of quick motion in Fantasmic, and this can maintain your shutter velocity excessive and stop you from having blurry photographs.
Nevertheless, it’s going to additionally lead to a variety of noise and darkish photographs for a lot of the present. I might most likely solely give attention to brightly lit scenes (corresponding to when the dragon seems), as you will find yourself with a variety of rubbish pictures. Keep in mind, that is an imperfect resolution to a fancy present to {photograph}.
In case you are snug together with your cameras settings (or keen to study), you’ve got higher choices. If you happen to don’t have fundamental technical understanding of the weather of publicity (shutter velocity, aperture, and ISO), I extremely advocate studying Understanding Publicity by Bryan Peterson earlier than studying any additional making an attempt to take higher photographs. If the paragraphs that observe don’t make sense to you, begin with that (and different pictures books) after which come again.
When it comes to gear, you’ll need to use the longest zoom you’ve got. For me, this can be a Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VR II. The importance of fine gear for photographing Fantasmic (or a very shut viewing spot) can’t be understated. You’ll desire a zoom lens that can also be quick.
You don’t want a tripod for Fantasmic. You don’t even want a monopod. Your shutter velocity will must be comparatively quick to freeze the motion in the present. Keep in mind, a tripod solely eliminates digicam shake induced by the photographer…it doesn’t freeze the stuff you’re photographing!
Moreover, use the metering mode in your digicam that takes the center-average of the body, relatively the entire scene. Because you’re photographing characters they usually’ll have spotlights on them, you need to meter off of those characters. Don’t common that metering with the darkish areas behind them.
If you happen to keep within the default metering mode, put together for blown out characters. I normally take this a step additional by additionally dialing in -1 as my publicity compensation. It’s straightforward to brighten darkish spots than to get well blown highlights. You’ll additionally need to regulate your focusing mode to make sure that you’re constantly focusing. Once more, transferring characters, so that you need to be monitoring give attention to these actions.
As for publicity settings, I wish to go together with aperture precedence with a large open aperture (f/2.8 on my lens), with auto ISO, setting a base, and a minimal shutter velocity. Affordable minds might range on using aperture precedence mode, and never each digicam has as strong of auto ISO choices as Nikon DSLRs, however I believe it’s the greatest possibility.
For minimal and most ISOs, go together with the minimums and maximums your digicam permits. I’ll clarify why later. Quite a lot of the exercise in Fantasmic occurs quick, so I like to recommend setting a minimal shutter velocity of 1/2 hundredth of a second (generally I am going barely sooner, generally slower). You continue to may get some blur with this, however you’re going to get a variety of sharp pictures, and this can stop you from continually maxing out your ISO and ending up with an excessive amount of noise in your photographs.
The rationale for these settings as an alternative of, say, full guide mode or shutter precedence, which could appear to be the intuitive choices is straightforward: the Maleficent Dragon Scene. I discover this to be far and away one of the best scene in Fantasmic for photographs. That is very true in Disneyland, the place Murphy the Dragon is really a sight to behold.
This scene in all variations can also be a lot brighter than many of the remainder of the present (thanks to fireplace) and its depth modifications throughout the course of the scene. If you happen to use guide mode, you’ll blow pictures on this scene until you’re actually fast with settings.
Shutter precedence is healthier than guide mode, nevertheless it doesn’t enable for the dynamic auto ISO settings, which means you must preset your ISO, which I choose to not do. For the dragon scene specifically, you’ll both have to alter your ISO setting you there’s an opportunity you’ll inadvertently have your ISO too excessive, and have noise when no noise was “mandatory.”
This scene might be tough to {photograph} not simply due to the settings required to deal with it, however as a result of smoke and warmth can obscure the scene. The warmth could make Mickey blurry (generally this appears cool and provides to the scene), and smoke can drift in entrance of the scene and trigger issues, too. Difficult pictures, certainly!
Total, Fantasmic is a superb present at each park at which it’s proven. Whereas my private favourite is Disneyland’s Fantasmic, they’re all a ton of enjoyable, and have some beautiful imagery and particular results. Seeing Fantasmic at Disneyland is tough, because the present is extremely standard and the seating space may be very small. It’s much less of a problem on the different two parks. In any respect of them, it’s definitely worth the effort and time. It’s additionally definitely worth the effort to attempt photographing the present, because it appears beautiful in photographs!
Planning a Southern California trip? For park admission offers, learn Suggestions for Saving Cash on Disneyland Tickets. Study on-site and off-site accommodations in our Anaheim Resort Critiques & Rankings. For the place to eat, try our Disneyland Restaurant Critiques. For distinctive concepts of issues that’ll enhance your journey, try What to Pack for Disney. For complete recommendation, seek the advice of our Disneyland Trip Planning Information. Lastly, for guides past Disney, try our Southern California Itineraries for day journeys to Los Angeles, Laguna Seashore, and tons of different locations!
Your Ideas
What’s your favourite viewing location for Fantasmic? Do you sometimes do the eating bundle, standby, or have a special technique for seeing the present? Bummed that there’s no digital queue for Fantasmic? Have you ever tried photographing Fantasmic? Some other suggestions you’ll be able to supply? Listening to from you is half the enjoyable of those articles, so share your ideas and some other suggestions you might need within the feedback!
