Disneyland’s ‘Fantasmic!’ returns after show’s dragon caught on fire

The revamped show maintains the original premise – minus the dragon – and brings back the iconic “Peter Pan” scene,  according to Disneyland officials. Image: Disneyland Resort website

ANAHEIM – Disneyland’s popular “Fantasmic!” show returned on Friday, nearly a year after it went on hiatus due to a fire that engulfed the attraction’s giant prop dragon.

The show includes  a “reimagined battle scene between Sorcerer Mickey and Maleficent,” according to the park.

“In the reimagined battle scene between Sorcerer Mickey and Maleficent, Mickey gathers all his magical powers, creating colorful swirls of light as sparkling pyrotechnics bolt from his fingers,” according to a statement from the park. “Cloaked in her dark gown with her powerful scepter in hand, Maleficent ascends to a height of 35 feet as she appears to ignite the Rivers of America in flames.”

The “Fantasmic!” show has been on hold since April 2023, when a fire erupted during a performance and burned the Maleficent dragon during the performance’s finale. The Anaheim Fire Department responded, and all Disney guests and employees were safely evacuated from the area. No injuries were reported.

The blaze prompted Disney to suspend its use of fire effects at select shows in parks worldwide.

The original “Fantasmic!” show opened in Frontierland in 1992 and featured fireworks, various Disney characters, live actors, water effects, pyrotechnics, lasers, music, audio-animatronics, searchlights, decorated boat floats and mist screen projections.

The show went inside Mickey Mouse’s imagination as he battled various Disney villains, including Maleficent in her dragon form, which was about 45 feet tall.

Disneyland officials said the revamped show maintains the original premise – minus the dragon – and “brings back the iconic `Peter Pan’ scene and introduces The Lost Boys as they join Peter Pan and Wendy to battle Captain Hook on a pirate ship that sails into view on the Rivers of America. They execute a stunning series of spectacular duels and falls during this swashbuckling sequence.” (CNS)