Reader's Digest Version: Fantasmic!

With the Rivers of America under construction for the Star Wars expansion, fans of Fantasmic! have had to do without their favorite nighttime entertainment. Here are some photos from December 19th, 2015 that I shot when I was able to view this waterfront spectacular for the last time before it went (temporarily) dark.









A closeup of Peter Pan:



This is probably my favorite part of the show when Snow White and her Prince dance to "Someday My Prince Will Come."



The Evil Queen and her cauldron:



A makeover in reverse:



Maleficent hits a growth spurt:



The dragon; always a difficult one to shoot with the smoke, lights, gas vapors on the water, etc.





Mickey Mouse saves the day!



A victory lap on the Mark Twain:





The Final Bow:



Hope you enjoyed this visual summary of Fantasmic!

More Fantasmic! at my main website.

60th Anniversary Trip, Pt. 11

Even though I was running late, I couldn't control my urge to take photos along the way. Small world looked so good at night!

And this little gem of a path through Fantasyland looked beautiful too!



Finally I arrived for my reserved "space" along the River. The price of dinner and show does not include a chair…and you are not allowed to stand. Sit your fanny on the ground and enjoy the entertainment!



It had been about three years since I last saw Fantasmic! and it was just as enjoyable.



I still do "get" the forced story of Mickey's Imagination, so I just push that aside and take in the visuals and awesome musical arrangements.





The Columbia sails in with the cast of "Peter Pan."



A female Peter…



and Captain Hook…



with a chin that is not designed for closeups.



Here is the Crocodile that we saw in the post from the other day, chasing Captain Hook and the Columbia into the night.



And then it's time for the Princess barges. Snow White:



Belle:





and Ariel:



Don't get too comfortable; the Evil Queen returns and gets things stirred up with her magical cauldron:





Somebody better called "Botched"...



This transformation did not go well!



Mickey comes back to fight the forces of evil



specifically Maleficent:



The dragon was working very well during this performance. It really is an incredible piece of mechanics:



Despite it's size, Mickey is able to conquer it with his magical sword:



A green heart; that can't be good.



The arrival of Steamboat Willie signals a happy ending:



The entire cast is aboard the Mark Twain:



The Mad Hatter from "Alice in Wonderland":



And then it's time for the grand pyrotechnical finale!



Laser beams:



Smoke:



And a final blast of fireworks:



Mickey is magically back on the ground!



More Fantasmic! fun at my main website.

Fantasmic Fourth/Trip Report Pt. 2

For today's July 4th post, I figured a few photos from Fantasmic! would be a great way to visually celebrate the 236th Anniversary of America's Freedom. The photos shown here were taken last week over the course of both performances. I was shocked that the second performance was not jam-packed; I had no problem getting a space near the fence with a good vantage point. I am assuming that most were across the way at DCA. Take it away, Pinocchio!

Poor Captain Hook - he just can't seem to get a break, even though his foe, Peter Pan, is completely outnumbered.









Musically, this is my favorite segment of Fantasmic! When I hear the strains of "Someday My Prince Will Come" while the Prince literally sweeps Snow White off her feet, I feel a great sense of nostalgia.





Unfortunately, the moment is short-lived as the Evil Queen makes her appearance thereafter.



Toiling away at her cauldron, she summons all of the evil forces that she can to combat poor little Mickey Mouse.



As the smoke began to clear, I was beyond pleased to see that the dragon was in perfect working order!









Mickey was probably not quite as pleased about it as I was.



As always, Mickey conquered his evil nemesis with his magic sword.



What an exit!



An all-star celebration ensued:



Mickey appeared above to orchestrate the pyrotechnics and lasers:



And then with a flash, it was over!



Mickey's encore:



Hope you all have a fantastic 4th and celebrate the freedoms that we are able to enjoy because of our Founding Fathers!

See more vintage and current Disneyland Fantasmic! photos on my Fantasmic! web page.