The film “Fantasmic!” » from Disneyland returns after the fire – without dragon

For more than three decades, the Disneyland nighttime show “Fantasmic!” » lit up the Rivers of America in Anaheim Park. A story about our dreams and nightmares, heavily centered on Disney's animated works, “Fantasmic! » has long offered an assortment of projections, pyrotechnics and fireworks.

In 2023, however, a key part of the show caught fire. A climatic battle between Mickey Mouse and Maleficent in her 45-foot fire-breathing dragon form interrupted the show when the latter was engulfed in flames. The viral video propelled the story into national news, and “Fantasmic!” was put on indefinite hiatus while Disney's live-action animation team reimagined the show.

” Fantastic ! ” returned on Friday, May 24, with some key changes, including the return of an extended segment focused on “Peter Pan.” There was no dragon either.

However, the summit of “Fantasmic!” ” still revolves around a battle between Mickey and Maleficent, who in the images towers over the star of the show, her silhouette evoking a range of lighting, projection and pyrotechnic effects. Maleficent, scepter in hand, rises to a height of 35 feet. Firework effects appear to burst from Mickey's hands and Maleficent sets the river ablaze.

“The whole theme of the show – good versus evil, and Mickey's magic and imagination overpowering evil – is important to have this climax in the series,” said Tobi Longo of Disney Live Entertainment, who worked on “Fantasmic!” for almost all of its three decades. This is Disney's oldest nighttime show.

“Maleficent is always going to be spectacular,” Longo said before opening night. “She’s on stage longer than before. We've added some new pyrotechnics, with really cool projections and lasers. The river will catch fire again. …Even though we miss the dragon right now, it will still be a spectacular scene.

” Fantastic ! is a key part of Disneyland's live entertainment, which the park has relied on heavily this summer.

With key attractions such as the Haunted Mansion currently undergoing renovations and the opening of the Tiana's Bayou Adventure wood ride still months away, Disneyland has been looking for ways to transform the park into a more theatrical experience. Note: a new parade showcasing recent Pixar films was launched at Disney California Adventure as part of Pixar Fest.

He joins the contemporary Magic Happens parade at Disneyland, which is currently home to a nightly Pixar-based fireworks display. Fireworks fans also have other ways to admire the evening illuminations, as Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge has become a favorite viewing spot thanks to the addition of music and a light scenario that fuels the traditions of the country.

The return of “Fantasmic!” ”, however, will reinforce the sense that all of Disneyland is a stage, a place where not only can guests play enhanced versions of themselves, but where the park can also come to life and envelop us in stories. ” Fantastic ! » uses not only America's rivers and its central island, but also large-scale attractions such as the Mark Twain Riverboat and the Columbia Sailing Ship.

Longo, currently series director of “Fantasmic!”, says the crew started working on the new scenes in mid-December, meaning they've been working nights for the past five months. In an industry where live productions can have relatively short – or repeated – runs – Longo was asked how “Fantastic!” » endured.

“I think it reflects the wonderful combination of theatrical technology and classic Disney,” Longo says. “We used elements that no one had ever seen in 1992: fog screens, projections on the water, lasers and lighting a burning river. It was all so new. I'm amazed that 30 years later these items are still as shocking and exciting as they were in 1992. They combine the charm of the Disney classic, live entertainment and spectacular technology. And we have to remember that probably 75% of Disneyland guests have never seen a live entertainment show.

“I've done a lot of shows, performing at Disney as a choreographer and director. And I did a lot of outside shows. I don't think I've done anything that combines all of these elements.

Of course, the big universal themes don't hurt either, and “Fantasmic!” » in about 25 minutes, it addresses the power of imagination, romantic idealism and inner demons. Characters are presented in different guises throughout the film: large-scale projections give way to more serene, waltz-like moments on individual boats.

And that says nothing about nostalgia.

Take, for example, the afternoon parade “Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration.” Colorful floats reminiscent of recent films like “Luca” and “Turning Red,” the latter featuring a larger-than-life red panda Mei, contrast with smaller, more playful units that evoke “Toy Story” and “Monsters, Inc. .” There's an underlying theme of friendship, and show director Robin Trowbridge argues that parades — and theme parks' approach to live entertainment in general — have a unifying power.

“It’s a great way to take people to other worlds and let them live in a dream for a while,” Trowbridge says. “The parade itself – there’s such a level of anticipation. You watch a parade for 25 or 30 minutes and get pulled in and out of different stories. You can relive your youth or share your stories.

” Fantastic ! ” plays a similar role, weaving in and out of Walt Disney Animation's history, especially now that “Peter Pan” has returned again and replaced a scene referencing “Pirates of the Caribbean.” With the Lost Boys on their side, Peter and Wendy will face Captain Hook, culminating in a fierce battle.

And while the dragon may be missing, Longo hints that we haven't seen the last of Maleficent in her fire-breathing form.

“We’re excited that something is coming back, and we’re working on it,” Longo said. “But I think what I did with this scene – this good versus evil and this battle between Maleficent and Mickey – is so spectacular. We all loved the dragon and will continue to work on things, but I can't say much about it.

Theme park theatrical productions, as “Peter Pan” demonstrates, are always available to tinker with.