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Fantasmic! is a classic nighttime show at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland. With showings nightly this beloved show is a staple for many Disney Park visitors. The show follows the iconic Mickey Mouse on a journey into his dreams where he meets familiar friends and fearsome foes.
The show opened at Disneyland in 1992 was developed after Walt Disney Creative Entertainment was asked to create a nighttime spectacular involving water and fireworks to reinvigorate the space in front of the Rivers of America. Fantasmic! was then duplicated and brought to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando in 1998.
Credit: Disney
The show features an epic battle against a massive dragon. Mickey must battle the forces of darkness to make it through his dream journey. Last night Mickey’s nightmare became everyone’s nightmare at Disneyland when the dragon fire.
The Maleficent dragon caught fire during the second showing of Fantasmic! at Disneyland Park on Saturday night.
It happened when Mickey shoots sparks at the giant dragon’s head. The Anaheim Fire Department responded to the scene.
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) April 23, 2023
One video captured a PA announcement telling visitors that the performance could not continue due to “unforeseen circumstances.” The theater was then evacuated. There were no injuries reported. Deadline reports, “Disneyland theme park representatives confirmed that “during the final showing of Fantasmic at Disneyland park on Saturday evening, the dragon caught fire. Anaheim Fire & Rescue quickly responded and the fire was extinguished.”
It is unknown at this time what caused the fire. Disneyland has stated that “All cast members were safely evacuated from Tom Sawyer Island. Due to smoke and wind, attractions near the island were safely evacuated of any guests, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation at this time.”
Credit: Disney Photo Snapper
This isn’t the first time a dragon has caught fire at a Disney Park. Several years ago the Maleficent dragon caught fire at Magic Kingdom’s Festival of Fantasy Parade. The float was out-of-commission for more than a year as repairs were made. It is not clear at this time if Fantasmic! will reopen soon with a modified show excluding the dragon or if the show will he dark until repairs are made and the investigation is concluded.
