9 Disneyland fantastic ‘Fantasmic!’ facts for the return

When “Fantasmic!” returns on May 28, 2022, at Disneyland it will be after being closed for 802 days due to the pandemic.

“Fantasmic!” originally premiered to the public on May 13, 1992 on the waters of the Rivers of America , and performed nearly 11,000 shows before Disneyland was closed due to COVID-19. An enhanced version of that original “Fantasmic!” presentation, featuring digital projections and thespectacular new 45-foot-tall dragon, premiered June 12, 2009.

The show once again introduced new magic in 2017, adding new character appearances and upgraded technology. The main stage on Tom Sawyer Island, including underground housing for many special effects, was specially built for “Fantasmic!”

The fan-favorite show closed on March 13, 2020, when Disneyland originally closed due to the pandemic and now it is ready for its return. In the show, Mickey Mouse dreams he is the Sorcerer’s Apprentice and villains, using the power of his imagination to save the day. Along the way, fantastic events and images as seen in stories like “Fantasia,” “The Jungle Book,” “Pirates of the Caribbean” and more come to life with live performers, character appearances, enhanced special effects and pyrotechnics.

Here are xx funtasmical facts about the show:

1. Central to the magic of “Fantasmic!” are the three mist screens, each 60 feet wide by 30 feet tall, that help bring moments from beloved Disney stories to life on the Rivers of America.
2. The wicked Maleficent from “Sleeping Beauty” will rise to a height of 45 feet in 17 seconds, before transforming into the dragon.
3. The dragon is a fully animated three-dimensional design that replicates the movements of the dragon in “Sleeping ” The dragon is 45 feet tall by 28 feet wide and weighs approximately 18,000 pounds.
4. The dragon lights the Rivers of America on fire for 25 seconds.
5. Water effects include 21 fountains and six “whale tails” in the scene when Monstro the whale chargesacross the Rivers of America.
6. At the beginning of the show, two light towers appear on either side of the main stage. During the day,these towers rest 26 feet underground, and during a show, they rise to a height of 40 feet in less than a minute.
7. The audio surrounding “Fantasmic!” spectators is created by four speaker stacks on Tom Sawyer Islandand three on the mainland.
8. Kaa, the conniving snake from “The Jungle Book” who slithers across the “Fantasmic!” stage, is 100 feet long.
9. The main stage on Tom Sawyer Island, including underground housing for many special effects, wasspecially built for “Fantasmic!” By day, it is a boat dock and “cider mill” visited by guests on the