Taking a trip to a Disney Park can be an absolutely exhausting experience — from early mornings to late nights, waiting in long lines, and dealing with massive crowds. A Disney vacation could really be an exercise program disguised as a vacation, and nerves and patience can dwindle as the day goes on. However, Disney Parks are also magical places filled with children and adults who just want to have a good time and smile. Unfortunately, a wrench was thrown into that good time recently when two groups visiting Disneyland Resort got into an all-out brawl.
The fight started while Guests were gathered along the Rivers of America at Disneyland Park to celebrate the return of the nighttime show, Fantasmic!. A video of the fight was shared on social media and, in the video, Disneyland security can be seen pulling the Guests apart as other Guests ran to get out of the way. You can watch the video, which was shared by bursteey (@theonlyburst) on Twitter, below:
It is unknown what caused the fight to break out in the first place. After videos of the fight began to go viral, Disney officials released the following statement:
“We do not condone this type of reprehensible behavior. Disneyland Resort security intervened swiftly, deescalated the situation and removed the guests from the park.”
According to the Anaheim police, no arrests were made, and the incident was fully handled by Disneyland security.
Sadly, this is not the first time that a fight has broken out at a Disney Park or on Disney property. Recently, two families got into a fight at Disney Springs when one family was caught stealing a wagon stroller from another family. In the past few months, fights have also broken out at EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort.
Disney security does its best to break up these altercations as soon as they are made aware of the issue. Guests who engage in that type of behavior are escorted from the theme park they are in and risk being banned from Disney permanently. If you see a fight while you are there, do not get involved, find Disney security as quickly as possible, and keep yourself out of the fray.
Whether it’s the smooth harmonies of the Dapper Dans performing on Main Street, U.S.A., the action-packed thrills of “Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular,” or a warm hug from Anna and Elsa, live entertainment is filling every corner of Walt Disney World Resort these days.
New shows and experiences that debuted at the start of the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary celebration continue to dazzle guests. These include two new nighttime spectaculars – “Disney Enchantment” at Magic Kingdom Park and “Harmonious” at EPCOT – and “Disney KiteTails,” which is performed multiple times throughout the day at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. As “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” continues throughout 2022, welcoming back fan-favorite entertainment is one of the many ways Disney is continuing to add even more magic to the guest experience. Keep reading for an overview of new, returning and soon-to-debut entertainment.
‘Fantasmic!’ Set to Dazzle Audiences Again Later This Year
The iconic “Fantasmic!” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will make its much-anticipated return later in 2022 with a new show sequence featuring Disney characters – Mulan, Elsa, Aladdin, Pocahontas and Moana – in heroic moments, as well as new technical enhancements. Guests won’t want to miss this spectacle set on a canvas of water where the forces of good and evil battle it out in Mickey’s dream. The extravagant, open-air nighttime musical boasts more than 50 live performers, massive sets, stunning effects, rousing music and dazzling pyrotechnics.
Revisiting the Big Blue World
This summer, Disney’s Animal Kingdom will debut “Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!” marking the freshly reimagined return of one of its most popular musical entertainment experiences. This fully updated, 25-minute stage show incorporates live performers and puppets, along with many favorite production numbers from the original “Finding Nemo: The Musical.” In addition to a new script, the show features new set pieces with a fresh look, and a new LED video wall designed to visually extend the world created by the physical sets on stage – such as a 32-foot-long sunken submarine and a 15-foot-tall fish tank volcano.
Frontier-Style Fun Family Feast
On June 23, 2022, a classic Walt Disney World dinner show, “Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue” at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground, returns to once again offer rousing performances. Since its opening in 1974, this popular family experience has continued to surprise and delight guests with singing, zany comedy and an unforgettable country feast of fried chicken, smoked BBQ ribs, savory sides, and, of course, strawberry shortcake!
Along with the much-anticipated return of the Pioneer Hall Players and cast members, the show will feature new updates to its script and scenery while staying true to the hilarious, high-spirited family entertainment adored by generations of guests. Advance reservations are strongly encouraged and will be available on DisneyWorld.com starting May 26.
What’s New and Next: Shows, Parades, and Cavalcades
At Magic Kingdom, three exciting experiences recently made their return or debut:
“Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade” now winds its way through the park twice daily, offering guests double the chance to see enchanting floats like the fire-breathing Maleficent dragon.
“Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire” features favorite scenes inspired by “Frozen,” “Tangled” and “The Princess and the Frog” – plus a new opening and finale with Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck and Goofy in their sparkling 50th Anniversary EARidescent fashions.
“Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade!” stars nearly 30 favorite Disney and Pixar friends such as Nick and Judy from “Zootopia,” Baloo and King Louie from “The Jungle Book,” Miguel from “Coco,” plus Merida, Moana, The Incredibles, Pocahontas and more.
At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, “Festival of the Lion King” inspires guests with its larger-than-life musical production filled with pageantry and puppetry. And this summer, two popular performances are set to make their much-anticipated return to the show:
Tumble Monkeys, a group of high-flying primates, will soon resume their acrobatic hijinks.
The show’s iconic birds will once again soar above the stage.
Later this year, Magic Kingdom Park will welcome back Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Offered on select dates August through October, this special event haunts the park after normal operating hours (separate admission is required) with a lineup of frightfully fun entertainment:
“Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade” showcases floats filled with villains, Disney characters dressed in their Halloween best, and the Haunted Mansion graveyard diggers.
“Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular” stage show stars the wicked Sanderson Sisters.
As part of the recent phased return of traditional character greetings across Walt Disney World, guests can now hug Mickey Mouse, share a laugh with Goofy, and get autographs from their favorite Disney princesses. Here are just a few of the available character greeting opportunities:
Mickey Mouse, Cinderella and Tiana at Magic Kingdom
Anna, Elsa, Mulan and Jasmine at EPCOT
Minnie Mouse, Sulley and Doc McStuffins at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Kevin from Disney and Pixar’s “Up!” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Pluto, Goofy and Donald Duck at various Disney Resort hotels
If you are looking forward to the return of Fantasmic! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, we have some exciting news for you!
Due to the ongoing pandemic, Fantasmic! was cut from the line of shows at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, much like many of the other shows. Now, we have seen a ton of entertainment return such as Beauty and the Beast, Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration, Disney Movie Magic, Wonderful World of Animation, and more. And, this is just some of the options available at Disney’s Hollywood Studios — all the other Parks have even more options for Guests to enjoy!
Disney Parks Blog confirmed the changes coming to Fantasmic!, writing:
As Josh D’Amaro, Chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, announced earlier today, “Fantasmic!” will also be returning to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2022. When this incredible spectacular reopens next year, it will incorporate an all-new sequence featuring live performers, stunts, special effects and more!
Though they did not confirm which films would be represented in the new sequences, after looking at the new poster, it seemed this new sequence would involve characters and scenes from Disney’s Moana (2016), Frozen (2013), and Aladdin (1992). Now, it seems Disney has confirmed some changes, noting:
The iconic “Fantasmic!” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will make its much-anticipated return later in 2022 with a new show sequence featuring Disney characters – Mulan, Elsa, Aladdin, Pocahontas and Moana – in heroic moments, as well as new technical enhancements. Guests won’t want to miss this spectacle set on a canvas of water where the forces of good and evil battle it out in Mickey’s dream. The extravagant, open-air nighttime musical boasts more than 50 live performers, massive sets, stunning effects, rousing music and dazzling pyrotechnics.
From this, we know that the return of the show is still in the works and there is not yet a certain date that has been announced for its return, but the show will certainly include Mulan, Elsa, Aladdin, Pocahontas and Moana, as well as new technical elements throughout which is very exciting.
Fantasmic! will return to Disneyland Park on May 28.
It was just announced during the Destination D23 Celebration taking place at the Walt Disney World Resort that Fantasmic! will return to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2022!
After seemingly endless construction, questions about its return, delays, and more questions about its return, we are happy to share the news with you that the fabulous, fantastical nighttime spectacular Fantasmic! is indeed on deck for a much-anticipated return!
Josh D’Amaro from Disney’s Parks, Products and Services division, made the announcement this afternoon at the Destination D23 celebration, saying that when the show reopens for Guests to enjoy, they will get to see an all-new sequence that features live performers like before, but also includes stunts, special effects and so much more!
Stay tuned to DisneyDining for the latest on all the changes, upgrades and additions at the Most Magical Place on Earth, now in its second month of celebrating its 50th anniversary!
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.
