The History of Fantasmic! - Disney's Original Nighttime Spectacular

Explore the History and Evolution of Disneyland’s (original) Fantasmic! From it’s origins as a Haunted River show, to abandoned show elements, and its eventual incarnation at Walt Disney World’s MGM Studios (now Hollywood Studios).

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Videos Used:

JangeLangeDVD.com

[welcometomylives]

Michael Eisner looking awkward next to that Maleficent that is way overacting is absolutely the best part of this video.

[kallabos]

Now you can add a footnote about the Disneyland Fantasmic dragon animatronic spectacularly incinerating during a show.

[HoliestDoughnut]

I never fully put it into perspective until watching this show: Fantasmic is easily the best nighttime spectacular at any theme park. The use of live actors puts it above and beyond the competition.

[Knucklebne]

I have never been so excited for a Yesterworld. Fantasmic turns me into a child every time, I’m so happy to see you make a video on it

[TiaBelle]

I just put 13:33-13:58 on repeat like 4 times because the way you said "There's also a rumor that Michael Eisner was afraid of people comparing Mickey to Je-Sus" absolutely ascended me. Like I can't stop laughing now 🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂

[sammybeanson]

The Hollywood Studios version makes me cry every time I watch it. Just hearing the song brings me so much joy. I needed this rn. Thank you.

Edit: it took me most of the video for me to look down and realize I had been wearing a Fantasmic shirt all day this video was meant to be released today

[cassalanis]

Every time I fall into a depressive episode I turn on Disneyland’s Fantasmic and it immediately brings me joy, it truly was a highlight of my Disney park experience growing up and the magic still lives on

[netbelleanie]

Storytime: My family made plans for a Disneyland trip back in 92, and accidentally scheduled it for the opening weekend of Fantasmic. Mom likes to remind me that the traffic around the Rivers of America was a nightmare, as this was before they added the terraced walkways to act as a theater.
Years later, we were back when they finally switched from cherry picker Bucky to the magnificent animatronic dubbed Murphy. As luck would have it, we were there a year later for the performance where Murphy famously lost his head, and evil triumphed once more. We were seated by the Frontierland docks (disabled seating), and watched as the Mark Twain approached and the costumed cast members were talking to each other in shock. It was hilarious, especially since the lights and music cut when it started making it's round of the river.
So, 2012 comes by, and my mom hears about the special 20th anniversary show coming up and wanted to get the merchandise since we were annual passholders. We go to the store in Frontierland to get them, only to be told we had to go wait in a special line outside the park to get a pass to get them, which no cast member had ever mentioned in the day prior when my mom found out about the event. My mom was pissed, and began to recall the events that transpired, being there for the opening and for Murphy loosing his head. The cast member made a phone call, and we were able to walk out with 2 brand new t shirts.

[cjszero]

I saw the Fantasmic show over in Japan almost ten years ago. I can't remember that much but one thing that stood out was the dialogue. I was there with my brother and our friend who is Japanese and she was laughing because she couldn't believe how dark it was with Ursola saying "I will kill Mickey Mouse. I will squeeze him until his head explodes." They didn't hold anything back.

[happyhauntz]

Fantasmic is the epitome of Disney magic and imagineering imo. It makes me laugh, cry and feel like a child again every time. I hope it never goes away.

[PyrotechNick]

The original fantasmic will always be my favorite and I fondly remember many aspects of it like how many more fireworks there were back then and seeing the Ursula float in person.

[westerfrost]

“You think you’re so powerful. Well, this is my dream!”

[MrKevinR]

16:42 I’m surprised you used footage from my channel! I’m honored that you credited me as well. Also, I’m still amazed that my Dad caught that blooper on camera. LOL! Keep up the great work with making attraction history videos!

[reubenshupe]

The yesterworld logo is like a seal of quality

[MadsMcKay]

Welp, River Haunt is my favorite disney thing that never happened.

[LordSmuggington]

"But then, one of the eels capsized mid-performance." This sentence says enough, but I still want to know _more_

[zeldafan]

Little bit of trivia, when the original version of “Fantasmic” was being developed at Disneyland, “Imagination” wasn’t the only work-in-progress title. They also considered naming the show “Phantasmagoria”.

[sarahfina]

Disney was a client of my Dad's and he did a lot of work for them including the water mist projections for Pirates of the Carribean (after Dead Man's Chest came out) and also did Madame Leota's face on her crystal ball (after Haunted Mansion premiered).
One of my favorite stories he had was while he worked during Fantasmic (wish I remembered the year) and got to see how the Maleficent dragon worked- those flames are produced by igniting DRY COFFEE CREAMER. So weird and cool! Also helped give the flames a more french vanilla scent than a charred woody one.

[bachbuster]

Steve Skorija, Bruce Healey, and Ken Whitcomb all worked on arrangements for the 2nd movement of IllumiNations. The new theme was composed and orchestrated by Bob Krogstad and the first and third movements were orchestral adaptations of the original Carnival/New World/Laserphonic arrangements that I did. The River Haunt was developed by myself and Adam Bezark following our work on IllumiNations at Epcot. Those are early storyboard drawings and you can see which elements made it into Fantasmic after further development.

[yotsubafanfan]

Fantasmic is easily my favorite part of going to a Disney Park. Everytime I hear the intro song my heart flutters. It along with Illuminations reflections of Earth are pure perfection.