Shortly after its long-awaited reopening, Disneyland officials had to enforce emergency measures against a possible Fantasmic! closure.
The return of Fantasmic! to Disneyland Park after its tragic demise and lengthy closure was perhaps one of the most awaited events at Walt Disney’s original theme park — followed closely by the grand opening of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Critter Country and the reopening of the Haunted Mansion in New Orleans Square.
Sadly, a few days after its highly-anticipated return, Fantasmic! faced a performance-menacing threat that triggered the park’s immediate emergency response.
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A report by The Orange County Register recently revealed that fans visiting Disneyland Park on Monday, June 3, were treated to an unexpected high-speed stunt show ahead of that night’s Fantasmic! performance.
Guest @theewalkerchronicles captured the baffling scene on video. They posted it on Instagram, saying that the WaterWorld stunt show, iconic to Universal Studios Hollywood, had moved to Disneyland as a speedboat cruised the Rivers of America in New Orleans Square.
The OC Register explained that the puzzling scene was part of Disneyland’s emergency actions, intended to dislodge debris from the underwater trach used by the Sailing Ship Columbia and Mark Twain Riverboat, both essential parts of the nighttime spectacular.
Unfortunately, the wake from the 20-foot-long skiff boat with a powerful outboard motor could not loosen the debris from the underwater track, forcing Disneyland officials to implement additional measures to save Fantasmic!
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Reportedly, a Disneyland diver eventually managed to unclog the underwater track, but not before the technical difficulties affected Fantasmic! performances.
Sadly, the 9 p.m. show on Monday night was canceled due to the unforeseen circ*mstances. However, the 10:30 p.m. show was saved and performed as planned, thanks to the efforts of Disneyland’s maintenance and dive teams.
You can click here to see @theewalkerchronicles’ video of the speedboat zooming the Rivers of America.
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Fortunately, Fantasmic! performances have not reported any incidents since the scene took place.
The OC Register mentioned that skiff boats are frequently used by Disneyland maintenance and dive crews to repair World of Color — ONE’s fountains on Paradise Bay at Disney California Adventure, rescue inoperable tramp steamers on the Jungle Cruise, and work on Fantasmic! mist screens in the Rivers of America.
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The unparalleled popularity of Disneyland’s Fantasmic! causes an unavoidable struggle to find the perfect spot to enjoy the nighttime spectacular when it illuminates the Rivers of America near New Orleans Square and Critter Country —which is currently shut down “to make way for exciting enhancements to the land.”
However, the Southern California Disney Resort offers exclusive viewing areas that guests can access after booking one of the Fantasmic! Dining Packages at multiple Disneyland restaurants.
Blue Bayou Restaurant, River Belle Terrace, and Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante offer the Fantasmic! Dining Package, though the offerings were abruptly modified ahead of the nighttime spectacular’s returnand the Fantasmic! On-the-Go Package was removed from the Hungry Bear Restaurant.
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Disneyland’s Fantasmic! debuted with new special effects and updates on May 24, 2024. Some of these changes include Peter Pan replacing the Pirates of the Caribbean scene, a new version of the Maleficent battle scene, and new safety measures in place for the show.
The new version of Fantasmic! at Disneyland Resort also modifies the use of fireworks and other pyrotechnics.
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In addition to the updated performance in the Rivers of America at Disneyland Park, guests can enjoy Fantasmic! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World Resort.
If you haven’t had the chance to enjoy Fantasmic! at Disneyland Park, you can enjoy the nighttime spectacular through Inside the Magic’s lens in the video below! Even if it doesn’t include a meal from the Blue Bayou Restaurant, River Belle Terrace, or Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante.
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Have you enjoyed the new version of Fantasmic! at Disneyland Park? Share your opinion on the nighttime spectacular’s updates with Inside the Magic in the comments below!
