Disney's Hollywood Studios - Fantasmic!
Hollywood Studios Rides and Attractions
Opened: October 15, 1998
Attraction length: 26 minutes
Overview/History:
Fantasmic! takes place in the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater located near "The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror" and "Beauty and the Beast-Live On Stage." Watch Sorcerer Mickey battle Disney Villains in this sensational laser and light show.
The amphitheater opens 90 minutes before the show begins. You can bring in outside food or purchase snacks inside. If you want to take advantage of priority seating and skip the usual long wait to get into this show, book the Fantasmic Dining Package.
There are long rows of metal benches that are banked for easy viewing. The theater is designed after the famous Hollywood Bowl and can accommodate 11,000 guests. While it's tempting to run down to the front, the "water screens" used in a lot of the sequences often produces a light mist that could head right in your direction.
Fantasmic! originated in Disneyland. While parts of the show are similar, there are differences. (It's rare for those who have seen both to prefer the Disney World version.)
The finale is a lot of fun. An 80-foot replica of the ship from "Steamboat Willie" features 26 Disney characters waving and singing as they go by.
Lightning Lane: Yes
Handicapped Accessibility: Guests may remain in their wheelchairs/ECVs for this attraction.
Fun facts:
- Fantasmic! originally opened at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on October 15, 1998.
- The show features animation and characters from more than 25 films.
- The moat surrounding the Fantasmic! island stage contains 1.9 million gallons of water.
- Maleficent, in dragon form, is the final villain that Mickey Mouse battles, and she stands 40-feet tall.
- In addition to Maleficent, 10 other villains appear in the show.
- In the finale, Mickey Mouse and 35 other characters appear on a steamboat inspired by the one seen in “Steamboat Willie,”
- Located off Sunset Boulevard, the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater seats 6,900 guests with additional standing room for about 3,000 guests.
