Guests who purchased Fantasmic! Dining Package at Disneyland Resort were in for a shocking surprise earlier this month when they discovered their reserved viewing area was home to a roach infestation. After paying extra for a premium experience, many guests were disappointed and disgusted to find themselves sitting next to unwelcome pests while trying to enjoy the nighttime spectacular.
Fantasmic! has been a staple at Disneyland Park for years, drawing guests into Mickey Mouse’s dreams for a battle against the evil Maleficent. After a significant fire in April 2023 destroyed the Maleficent animatronic, the show was closed for over a year and returned in May 2024 without the dragon. The new version of the show lacks the iconic animatronic dragon that had been a focal point of the show for years.
However, this latest issue wasn’t related to the show’s technical components. Earlier this month, Reddit user u/birbybirble booked a Fantasmic! Dining Package, which includes reserved seating for the show. Unfortunately, they found themselves sitting on the ground with cockroaches.
Fantasmic dining package with cockroaches!
Fantasmic dining package with cockroaches!
byu/birbybirble inDisneyland
“Beware if you have one of the Fantasmic dining packages where you’re sitting on the ground you may be sitting with cockroaches,” the guest shared. “I didn’t get a pic of them but my family was sat by a drain and we had to put our backpacks by it to block the cockroaches from crawling out. It was pretty gross! Disappointing that we’re paying extra to sit on the hard ground among cockroaches…”
Guests who opt for the Fantasmic! Dining Package typically pay between $35 and $89 per person for a meal and a reserved viewing spot for the show. However, not all packages have actual seating, meaning some Disney Park guests, like the one in the Reddit post, are left sitting on the ground.
The issue of roaches wasn’t isolated. Many Disney Parks fans chimed in with their own stories of encountering the pests, not just at the Fantasmic! viewing area, but throughout Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park, and Downtown Disney.
“It’s that time of year for the good’ol Anaheim Cockroach to rear its ugly head…,” u/chiangku commented. “Always beware sitting on the ground at Disneyland, and keep distance from drains, trash cans, and trees when doing so!”
“Yup! Remember my first time seeing them at the trash cans by it’s a small world,” u/Corgi_Infamous replied. “Haven’t tried to sit there for a parade since!”
Another user, u/KASega, added:
“If you walk back to your hotel at night you’ll see them just chillin on the sidewalk. They are everywhere. Make sure your shirt is not open in the back for them to crawl up when you’re sitting on the ground.”
While Disneyland Resort makes efforts to control pests in the parks, the surrounding environment—near sewer drains and large water areas—can make it challenging to fully eliminate pests like roaches. Visitors with concerns about sanitation can always reach out to Guest Services or speak with a custodial cast member for assistance.
What’s the grossest thing you’ve seen at Disneyland Resort or Walt Disney World Resort? Let Disney Dining know in the comments!
