Disney knows how to do so many things really well. They know how to create immersive and exciting rides and attractions. Disney is great at creating new worlds Guests can visit, like Black Spire Outpost in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Disney Imagineers also know how to create stunning nighttime spectaculars, like Wondrous Journeys, Happily Ever After, and Fantasmic!. However, sometimes these amazing creations have their malfunctions. While some malfunctions are small, others are huge and have a massive impact on theme park operations.
On April 23, Guests visiting Disneyland Resort were enjoying one of the nightly showings of Fantasmic! along the Rivers of America. Suddenly, during the Maleficent dragon scene, something went wrong. Maleficent’s dragon is supposed to shoot fire, but instead of shooting the fire out, something malfunctioned and Maleficent’s head burst into flames. Within minutes, the entire dragon was engulfed in flames. The Anaheim Fire Department was called in to control the blaze, but the dragon was completely destroyed.
Just a day after the devastating fire, Disney announced that Fantasmic! had been canceled for the rest of the week. However, that was not enough time for Disney to get the show up and running. Disney has now announced that Fantasmic! will be canceled until at least mid-May. Theme park reporter Scott Gustin shared a statement from Disneyland, confirming the cancellations.
NEW: Disneyland confirms Fantasmic is paused through at least May 14.
“We know our guests love and miss Fantasmic, and Disneyland Resort teams are working hard to assess when we can bring back an adjusted show as quickly and safely as possible,” a Disneyland official said.
NEW: Disneyland confirms Fantasmic is paused through at least May 14.
"We know our guests love and miss Fantasmic, and Disneyland Resort teams are working hard to assess when we can bring back an adjusted show as quickly and safely as possible," a Disneyland official said. pic.twitter.com/KTy6Hm9OFE
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) April 27, 2023
The Fantasmic! fire has not impacted only Disneyland Resort. Disney has announced that most of the fire effects that it uses at its theme parks around the world have been put on pause. Maleficent’s dragon is also in the Festival of Fantasy Parade at Magic Kingdom Park in Walt Disney World Resort. She will not be shooting flames for the foreseeable future.
Disney has also said that World of Color – ONE — the new show at Disney California Adventure — will not use its fire effects. World of Color – ONE just started being shown in late January, when Disney kicked off its 100th Anniversary celebration. Disney has not said when the fire effects at the other theme parks will start being used again.
