Have you tried to see Fantasmic! at Walt Disney World, and failed? Maybe you have never been, but really want to see it on your next Walt Disney World Vacation? Check out our Full Fantasmic! Guide to get you into one of Disney’s most popular shows.
What is Fantasmic?
Fantasmic! is a nighttime spectacular performed at several Disney theme parks around the world, including Disneyland in California, Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida, and Tokyo DisneySea in Japan. It is a combination of fireworks, pyrotechnics, water effects, live actors, animated characters, and music, all presented on a massive stage built on or around a body of water.
The show typically features Mickey Mouse as the Sorcerer’s Apprentice, battling various Disney villains in his dreams and imagination. The storyline incorporates scenes and characters from classic Disney movies, such as “The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin,” “The Lion King,” “Pocahontas,” “Beauty and the Beast,” and more.
Fantasmic! is known for its elaborate special effects, including water projection screens, laser lights, fire effects, and puppetry. It’s a popular attraction at Hollywood Studios and often draws VERY large crowds for its nightly performances.
This guide will focus on the Fantasmic! in Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World, Florida.
Where is Fantasmic!?
Fantasmic! at Walt Disney World is located at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park. The show takes place in the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater, situated along the waterfront of the park’s Sunset Boulevard area near The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. This outdoor amphitheater provides seating for 6,900 guests, plus the option to hold as many as 3,000 standing guests in a special standing viewing area) and offers a great view of the spectacular nighttime show. Fantasmic! has been a staple nighttime entertainment offering at Disney’s Hollywood Studios since it debuted there in 1998.
What time is Fantasmic!?
Fantasmic! is not held the same time every night, and varies depending on expected crowds. Most of the year, Fantasmic! is presented sometime around the official time the park closes, usually within a half an hour before or after closing. During busy times of the year, Disney typically offers two show times. Just check the official Walt Disney World calendar for your travel dates to find Hollywood Studios park hours and the start time of the show.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios Calendar
Getting a seat at Fantasmic!
As mentioned, Fantasmic! is incredibly popular. Most nights, people are turned away once the theater is full. For theme park guests, there are a few options to get a seat in the theater. You can either come early and wait, or you can purchase a Fantasmic! Dining Package.
Please note: Because of the water effects of the show, we STRONGLY suggest against sitting in the front 5 rows. Consider that area a splash zone, you will get wet.
We think the best seats are about halfway up the theater, that you will get the best view and avoid the mist. If you can sit in the middle section, even better!
Waiting for Fantasmic!
The doors to the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater open around 2 hours before the first showtime of the evening. There will be people lining up prior to the gates opening, but the theater is fairly large, so as long as you show up about an hour before show time, you shouldn’t have a problem getting a good seat. If you want your pick of seats, try to be at the gates 2 hours before showtime.
Personally, I show up to the theater about 30 minutes before showtime. I have seen Fantasmic! A LOT, so missing it isn’t a big deal for me. Around 30 minutes before showtime, cast members will start asking people to move towards the middle of their rows. This opens up quite a few seats along the edges of each row. You do risk missing the show, as it may be possible the theater is full by then. If you are going during a busy time, and there is only one show that night, go a bit earlier. If you MUST see Fantasmic! or your vacation will be ruined, go earlier or take advantage of the Fantasmic! Dining Packages.
Fantasmic! Dining Packages
Disney offers the Fantasmic! Dining Packages nightly, that include breakfast, lunch or dinner at a Disney restaurant and reserved seating in Fantasmic! in a reserved section only for people who purchased a dining package. By going with a dining package, this will guarantee you a seat in the theater (as long as you arrive on time).
The Fantasmic! Dining package includes:
- An entrée and appetizer or dessert at select full-service restaurants or one full buffet (where the buffet is the only menu option), along with a non-alcoholic beverage
- One voucher for guaranteed seating at Fantasmic! in a reserved area
The Fantasmic! Dining package is available at the following restaurants:
- 50’s Prime Time Café – Lunch or Dinner
- Hollywood & Vine – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
- Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano – Lunch
- Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant – Lunch and Dinner
- The Hollywood Brown Derby – Lunch and Dinner
Prices vary depending on restaurant and meal, but are shown in advance when booking the package, but currently range from $51 at Sci-Fi to $77 at the Hollywood Brown Derby. You must make dining reservations in advance.
Since the addition of breakfast and lunch to the package, it has become a better option if you want to see Fantasmic! Disney limits dinner dining times to before 5:00 PM, so unless you like to eat dinner at 4:30 PM, opt for a lunch time and grab something quick for dinner.
One note about the reserved seating for dining packages. The reserved area offers some of the worst seats available in the theater, as it is all the way to one side. Typically, guests sit in their reserved section and then move to a better section. While the seats aren’t the best, it will get you into the theater for a sold out show. If you have young children, waiting two hours might not be the best option either, so the dining packages may work well for you.
What to expect during Fantasmic!
During Fantasmic! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you can expect to see an elaborate and magical nighttime show featuring a combination of live actors, Disney characters, fireworks, water effects, music, and special effects. Action takes place on a main stage surrounded by water that is filled with floats full of Disney characters. The show lasts about 30 minutes, and features:
- Sorcerer Mickey: The show is led by Mickey Mouse as the Sorcerer’s Apprentice, who serves as the central character. He conjures various scenes and battles villains using his imagination.
- Your Favorite Disney Characters: Included in the show are most of your favorite Disney characters, who help out in Mickey’s Dream. The characters include Pinocchio, Tinker Bell, Cinderella, Ariel, Belle, Beast, Aladdin, Jasmine, Snow White, the Seven Dwarfs, Sleeping Beauty, Tiana, Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde, Lilo, Stitch, Moana, Anna, Elsa, Olaf, Tarzan, Mirabel Madrigal, Hercules and Mulan.
- Scenes from Disney Movies: Fantasmic! incorporates scenes and characters from a variety of classic Disney movies, including “The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin,” “The Lion King,” “Pocahontas,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Fantasia,” “Moana”, “Frozen 2” and more. These scenes are presented through projections onto water screens, live performances, water effects and some fireworks.
- Villains: Mickey faces off against a host of Disney villains, including Maleficent, Ursula, Jafar, Scar, and others. These villains attempt to thwart Mickey’s dreams and create chaos, leading to dramatic confrontations.
- Water Effects: One of the highlights of Fantasmic! is the use of water effects, including water projection screens that display scenes from Disney movies, water fountains choreographed to music, and mist screens that create magical illusions.
- Fireworks and Pyrotechnics: The show features impressive fireworks and pyrotechnic effects, adding to the spectacle and excitement.
- Music: Fantasmic! is accompanied by a powerful and immersive musical score, featuring both original compositions and iconic Disney songs.
- Grand Finale: The show concludes with a grand finale, where Mickey triumphs over the villains and celebrates with a dazzling display of fireworks and special effects.
Overall, Fantasmic! offers a mesmerizing and enchanting experience that combines Disney storytelling with state-of-the-art technology and theatrical effects. It’s a must-see attraction for visitors to Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios.
Weather
Because Fantasmic! is outside, it can be delayed or cancelled due to inclement weather. Rain, lightning and wind can cause the show to be cancelled. Stay up to date in your My Disney Experience app if you think the weather may affect the show.
Fantasmic! Snacks
Located inside the Hollywood Hills Amphetheter is a snack shop, so no need to worry about being hungry while you wait. You can also bring food into the theather to eat while waiting. Many families will buy dinner on their way in and spend some of their time eating.
Planning your Walt Disney World Vacation
Please reach out to us here at Mouseketrips to help you plan your next Disney vacation. We have been to Fantasmic! more times than you can image, eaten at all the Disney restaurants and stayed in all the Disney hotels. We can help you plan the perfect Disney vacation, and make sure you get to see and do all of your important things.
While using our services seems like it should be expensive, we won’t charge you anything, it is completely free. You will never pay more than booking directly through Disney, and often, you will pay less. So, you get to work with a great Mouseketrips agent and save money? Why wouldn’t you?
To start working with us, just submit a no obligation free price request for your next Disney vacation, and one of our great agents will get right back to you to start the planning.
Leave a Reply