When visiting Disneyland Resort, there’s one thing every guest can count on: an endless variety of Disney merchandise. Whether it’s souvenirs from beloved rides, limited edition pieces celebrating special events, or just a simple memento to take home, there’s something for everyone.
But every now and then, the release of new merchandise can spark more than excitement—it can cause concern, particularly when it relates to something as iconic as Fantasmic!, Disneyland’s signature nighttime show.
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Fans of the show have long been enamored with its dramatic performances, especially the heart-stopping scene featuring Maleficent’s dragon, affectionately known as Murphy. But following a catastrophic fire during a Fantasmic! show in April 2023, Murphy’s future was thrown into question.
The animatronic dragon, destroyed in the blaze, has yet to return to the show, leaving fans wondering: Could it be gone for good?
Recently, a new line of Fantasmic! merchandise has surfaced at Disneyland, and while many fans were excited to see new designs, one glaring omission immediately raised eyebrows.
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The new merchandise, which includes t-shirts and hoodies, featured various images inspired by the show—except for Murphy the dragon. With no signs of the dragon in sight, many fans began to worry that this could be a sign that Disney had decided not to bring Murphy back.
Five Fires, a well-known Disney influencer, took to X to voice their concerns. They shared a post about the new merchandise, stating:
Is this a sign Fantasmic dragon is never coming back? New merch from Disneyland.
Is this a sign Fantamsic dragon is never coming back? New merch from Disneyland pic.twitter.com/hVrqnIFmfH
— 🔥 FIVE FIRES 🔥 (@thecalibae) July 4, 2025
The fire that occurred during the April 2023 performance left Disneyland with no choice but to suspend Fantasmic! for over a year. The show made a highly anticipated return in May 2024, but without Murphy. Fans were glad to see the show back, but the dragon’s absence left a noticeable gap in the experience.
Fantasmic! has always been known for its epic finale, where Mickey faces off against Maleficent’s dragon in a fiery, dramatic showdown. Without Murphy, some argue the show just isn’t the same.
This tweet quickly caught the attention of Fantasmic! fans, many of whom echoed the sentiment, fearing that the beloved dragon may be permanently retired from the show.
Given that the merchandise is meant to reflect the current version of Fantasmic!, the absence of the dragon raised red flags. Was this a hint from Disney that Murphy’s time had truly come to an end?
Despite the concern among some fans, not everyone is convinced that Murphy’s exclusion from the merchandise is anything to worry about.
Many point out that Fantasmic! has evolved in the past, and the current merchandise line might simply be a reflection of the show as it is now. It’s possible that Disney is simply adjusting to the new version of the show, rather than signaling the permanent loss of the dragon.
Seeing they purposely took it off cause it’s on the Disney world design. I won’t say never. But at least the life span of this merch
But Five Fires and others are not alone in their fear. Fans are speculating about the show’s future, wondering if the absence of the dragon could signal a broader change. The question on many minds is: Will Disney bring Murphy back, or will they introduce a new version of the show altogether?
The potential cost of creating a new dragon—an estimated $1 million—has led some fans to believe that Disney may not find it financially viable to replace the original animatronic. This would mean Fantasmic! could be forced to evolve in a different direction.
Some Disney fans have suggested that, should the dragon remain absent, the show could suffer. Without that iconic battle between Mickey and Maleficent’s dragon, the show might lose some of its magic.
Others are less concerned. A number of fans believe that Disney simply wants to explore different creative avenues and that the absence of Murphy could be temporary.
One hopeful fan commented:
Not it's not a sign.
And honestly… If they never bring back the dragon, dining package sales and even ticket sales will dwindle. The dragon IS FANTASMIC. Mickey VS the Dragon IS FANTASMIC. It's one of the few things Disneyland has that still BEATS Universal in entertainment.
But no matter where fans stand, the truth is that Disney has yet to confirm whether Murphy will make a return to Fantasmic!. The possibility remains that Disney could be working on a new dragon or some other solution to bring back the iconic scene. For now, all that’s left is speculation.
In the meantime, the new merchandise line continues to stir the pot. The Fantasmic! brand remains popular with guests, and Disney continues to roll out themed merchandise. Whether or not the dragon makes a comeback, Fantasmic! will undoubtedly remain a cornerstone of the Disneyland experience—but only time will tell what the future holds.
As for now, the question remains: Is the new merchandise a sign that the dragon is gone for good? Or is it simply a reflection of the evolving show? The Fantasmic! fans are watching closely, waiting for answers. Will Murphy’s absence be permanent, or will Disney surprise us all with a new version of the legendary dragon?
What do you think? Do you believe Fantasmic! can survive without Murphy, or do you think the show’s future depends on bringing back the dragon? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
