The Disney’s Hollywood Studios version of Fantasmic! was abruptly halted in late July due to an operational collapse. Here’s what we know about the situation and what Walt Disney World Resort guests experienced in the aftermath.
Fantasmic! has been one of the must-see attractions at Disney’s Hollywood Studios since it premiered in 1998. The show has undergone several updates over the years, with the most recent being in 2022, when it returned from a two-year pause with new scenes inspired by Frozen 2 (2019), Moana (2016), Aladdin (1992), Pocahontas (1995), and Mulan (1998). Still, the heart of the show—Mickey Mouse’s dream sequence, the dazzling water effects, and the climactic battle against Maleficent—remains unchanged.
However, even the most magical performances on earth can hit a snag. On July 24, Nick Harris (@nickharris53 on TikTok) shared a video of a Fantasmic! malfunction that resulted in the show being cut short just over four minutes in.
@nickharris53 Fantasmic show fails leaving a whole lot of people upset!! #disney #mickeymouse #hollywoodstudios #disneyparks #disneytiktok
According to the guest, “There was water sprayed into the air and they couldn’t turn it off.” The malfunction caused the entire show to pause, and soon after, a pre-recorded announcement was made.
“Good evening, and may I have your attention please?” the announcement began. “Due to unforeseen circumstances, this performance of Fantasmic! has been stopped.”
The incident prompted Disney cast members to evacuate thousands of guests from the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater, which can seat over 6,000 people but sometimes accommodates nearly 10,000. The abrupt end to the show left many guests disappointed, and some shared their experiences on social media.
“I was there,” wrote @grogumom77, a guest who witnessed the malfunction. “It was something. Something I never [expected] or experienced.”
“People got soaked,” @monasramblings replied.
While Walt Disney World Resort did not issue a public statement regarding the incident, the show was back up and running as scheduled the following night. As is often the case with one-off technical malfunctions, Disney did not comment publicly on the specific cause of the disruption.
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