Florida Guide > Disney Parks
Fantasmic
The first time my parents went to see Fantasmic they completely misjudged the time it would take to get there and only saw the last ten minutes of the show! It is located off to the right almost at the end of Hollywood Boulevard in the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater. They were so impressed with what they saw it was top of our must-do list for our next visit.
Because of this show's enormous popularity, it's best to get a seat early - during busy times it is best to arrive as much as an hour before the show. It is a 25-minute show, presented each night with times varying based on park hours. During the holidays and peak season, the show is usually performed twice nightly. If possible, take advantage of the second showing, as it is usually easier to get a seat. Doors usually open about two hours before the first show of the night.
Music is piped in to help you while away the wait. There is a concession area at the back of the Amphitheater that sells sandwiches and soft drinks and vendors walk around selling drinks, pretzels and popcorn, as well as souvenirs prior to the show. Some people choose to buy food there and eat it in their seats while they wait for the show to begin.
Several restaurants (currently Hollywood Brown Derby, Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano and Hollywood & Vine) offer a Fantasmic Dinner Package at no extra charge. Diners at these restaurants receive a pass that guarantees them a seat at one of the performances as long as they enter the theatre ½ hour prior to show time. This apparently works really well, especially if you do not like to waste time waiting to see a show or have children who would have trouble sitting in one place for an hour or more before the show started. We are trying this for the first time in December.
Guests seated toward the front of the amphitheater are likely to get wet from the mist sprayed by the water screens and from splashes during several scenes. Sitting a dozen or so rows back is probably a wise choice if you prefer to stay dry.
Although many people try to sit in the centre of the amphitheater, all the seats give great views of the show. The action is staged all around the island, so you're pretty much guaranteed a good view no matter where you sit.
The show takes place during the nighttime hours and is very dark in some places. Some scenes, especially those including the giant snake and the black dragon, may be too intense for some children.
The show itself is Mickey Mouse's dream-made-real, using lights and lasers, fireworks, and water animation set to a delightful score of famous Disney movie music. Mickeys dream becomes a nightmare before it concludes with his triumph over evil.
During the show, children are delighted to see Mickey in a few different costumes, in a tuxedo, as the Brave Little Tailor, and of course as Sorcerer Mickey. Some favourite Disney character couples -- Cinderella and Prince Charming, Belle and Beast, Aladdin and Jasmine, Ariel and Eric, and Snow White and her Prince go by on brightly lit floats during one dreamy sequence.
At the end of the show everyone celebrates amid a flurry of fireworks with a triumphant Mickey rejoicing at his victory over evil. During the finale, a parade of characters sail by, ranging from classic favourites like Donald Duck, Minnie Mouse, Geppetto and Pinocchio, to more recent faces such as Philoctetes and Mulan.
As you exit the show there is a Villains cart that sells Fantasmic and Villains merchandise, including light sticks, stickers, pins, postcards and other souvenirs.
You really need to see this show to appreciate its magic.
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