Fantasmic! Suddenly Closed at Disney World, Thousands Refused Show Access
Nearly 10,000 Walt Disney World Resort guests were left disappointed last week when Fantasmic! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios was abruptly shut down just minutes into its performance. Thousands of park visitors had spent over an hour and a half waiting for the iconic nighttime spectacular, only to be told the show was canceled.
First introduced at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on October 15, 1998, Fantasmic! has been a long-standing favorite, drawing crowds every night for over two decades. The show has evolved over the years, with the most recent update in 2022 introducing new scenes inspired by Pocahontas (1995), Aladdin (1992), Mulan (1998), Moana (2016), and Frozen (2013). Unfortunately, a recent performance was abruptly cut short.
TikTok user @bernerbutworse shared a video showing guests being evacuated from the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater after the performance unexpectedly ended. The video, while incorrectly stating that 20,000 people were in the audience, nonetheless highlighted how many guests were affected by the sudden closure of the show. The actual theater capacity is just under 10,000, but the event still left thousands of park-goers upset.
@bernerbutworse
Reddit user u/stretch1011 also attended the canceled performance, sharing a photo they took just before the show went dark:
The Redditor also expressed frustration, adding, “There’s goes 1.5 hours I’ll never get back. Waited another 25 minutes before they announced it was cancelled. I’ve never seen Fantasmic and was looking forward to it.”
While Walt Disney World Resort hasn’t provided a specific reason for the closure, the guest noted that cast members were seen testing special effects after the show paused.
“I think it was technology [issues] as they were testing fountains after the initial shutdown,” the Redditor wrote.
Despite this technical hiccup, Fantasmic! resumed its regular schedule in the following days, and guests who had purchased a dining package were likely offered reserved seating for a future performance. The Disney’s Hollywood Studios show often faces interruptions like this due to weather conditions or technical difficulties, as it relies heavily on complex effects that make performer safety imperative.
Has a show stopped abruptly during your visit to Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park? Share your experience with Disney Dining in the comments!
