Walt Disney World’s entertainment has been slowly but surely been making a comeback. One Disney Park in particular, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, has seemed especially quiet since COVID-19 closed the Parks in March 2020. While yes, Disney’s Hollywood Studios has been open since the summer of 2020, we’ve just recently seen the return of entertainment favorites such as Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage now open, as well as Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular reopening later this year. Of course, amidst the excitement of the new nighttime spectaculars at Magic Kingdom Park (Disney Enchantment) and EPCOT (Harmonious), Disney’s Hollywood Studios has yet to see the return of either of their two beloved pre-COVID nighttime experiences – Fantasmic! and Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular.
Most recently, Disney’s Hollywood Studios welcomed back a projection show on the Chinese Theater called “Wonderful World of Animation“. In addition to that project show, Hollywood Studios has also announced “Disney Movie Magic” will be returning soon. Still… crickets when it comes to the big nightly duo.
While there has been no indication from Disney that either Fantasmic! or Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular will be making a return, we have high hopes for Fantasmic as surely this Disney classic experience won’t go away?! Not too long ago Disney made an update to Walt Disney World digital map, showing Sorcerer Mickey with a refreshed new look standing on top of the Fantasmic mountain as pictured below.
Now, a new aerial photo shows the Fantasmic stage is currently being refurbished. Would Disney put time and money into refurbishing an attraction if it wasn’t in the plans to reopen it in the near future? As reported by @bioreconstruct via Twitter: “Aerial photo of the refurbishment of Fantasmic. The steamboat is behind the mountain, with scaffolding. Oct 1.” Check out the photo below:
If you’ve never experienced Fantasmic! or need a refresher, Walt Disney World describes it as “A Legendary Tale: Featuring more than 50 live performers, massive sets, stunning effects, dazzling pyrotechnics, and rousing music, this larger-than-life show is painted on a grand canvas of dancing water and light like nothing you’ve ever seen. Overflowing with silly and suspenseful surprises, it will leave your entire family smiling from ear to ear!” “A Night When Dreams Come True: Fast asleep, Mickey Mouse dreams that he is a mighty sorcerer’s apprentice with the power to control water, color, and magic. The Disney Villains—including Maleficent in the form of a towering, 40-foot-tall dragon—turn Mickey’s dream into a nightmare, but don’t underestimate the power of Mickey’s imagination! The fantastic fantasy includes Disney Characters from some of your favorite animated classics: Beauty and the Beast, Sleeping Beauty, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, The Lion King, Pocahontas, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.”
Along with the fantastic nighttime show, many Guests took advantage of the dining package or dessert party offers Disney had for Fantasmic. For example, you could dine at one of Disney’s Hollywood Studios restaurants with the dining package, and pay a slight upcharge for VIP reserved seating at Fantasmic. Or, if you had a sweet tooth, Disney offered a Fantasmic Dessert Party which included special seating for the show. Currently, Harmonious Dining Packages are available at EPCOT, as well as Disney Enchantment Dessert Party options at Magic Kingdom. Our hope is special offerings like these would return if/when the Fantasmic nighttime spectacular makes a comeback.
The battle of good vs. evil has been halted at Disney’s Hollywood Studios for some time, but we’re hoping these are good signs that Fantasmic has a future. We’re ready to see this classic Disney experience come to life once again at the end of Sunset Boulevard. COT, as well as Disney Enchantment Dessert Party options at Magic Kingdom. Our hope is special offerings like these would return if/when the Fantasmic nighttime spectacular makes a comeback.
