It was a shocking performance of Fantasmic! at Disneyland on April 22, 2023 when the Maleficent Dragon (affectionately known as Murphy) caught fire as guests watched in shock. The entire dragon soon became engulfed in flames and began falling apart on stage.  

Soon after the incident, cast members were told that the show would be closed through at least Memorial Day. Then cast members were informed that Fantasmic! would remain dark until at least Labor Day. Then we learned that Fantasmic! would be delayed until the spring of 2024. Well, now we know exactly when the park intends to reopen the beloved show: May 24, 2024!

Fantasmic, Breaking News: Disneyland’s Fantasmic Gets A Reopening Date!

Cast have been told there will be significant changes to the show when it returns, including “a thrilling new finale between Sorcerer Mickey and Maleficent.” They were further told that, “Although the dragon figure won’t be part of the show when it returns next spring, there will be plenty of exciting new special effects to wow our Guests.

It’s unclear from Disney’s phrasing if a dragon might return at some point in the future, but we do know that parts of the show are being rewritten to accommodate the lack of a dragon figure. 

Here’s an official statement from Disneyland: 

“Our goal is to always deliver the best possible show for our guests. With that in mind, we are planning the return of “Fantasmic!” with exciting new magic in spring 2024. As teams continue work on the show, we have launched nightly entertainment on the Rivers of America this summer and we are working on even more exciting entertainment offerings for our guests later this year.”

Fantasmic, Breaking News: Disneyland’s Fantasmic Gets A Reopening Date!

More about the incident that led us to this point…

Fantasmic Fire Details: 

It was one of Disneyland’s most dramatic nights ever… but not in a way the park would like to repeat. From our observations and information obtained from our contacts and park guests, here’s what happened: 

  • During the 2nd showing of Fantasmic! on April 22nd (10:30 PM), the giant Maleficent Dragon caught fire just after Mickey shot sparks at the dragon’s head (as usual). However, for some reason, the dragon’s head caught fire. Flaming bits of the head then started to drip down the structure, which also caught fire. The entire figure was soon engulfed in flames.
  • A few cast members were seen on stage with inadequate equipment to douse the flames. One cast member in the video above was using a garden hose. Others were using portable fire extinguishers. All of it in a futile attempt to control the raging inferno. 
  • The Anaheim Fire Department dispatched multiple units to the scene and at least one ambulance. The official dispatch time for the scene was 2 hours and 4 minutes— lasting well after park closing.
  • Guests were evacuated from the area, but it was slow going to clear the crowd.
  • Some cast members were taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation and observation; no guests were injured. There were no fatalities or serious injuries reported. 
  • Attractions in New Orleans Square and Critter Country were closed due to smoke exposure and guests were turned away from the area. 
    • Fantasmic, Breaking News: Disneyland’s Fantasmic Gets A Reopening Date!
      The stars show attractions that were closed immediately following the fire. 

  • The extent of the damage to Tom Sawyer Island and the Fantasmic! infrastructure was contained to the dragon herself and the pit below her.
  • Fantasmic! will remain closed until May 24th, 2024. Work is underway to repair and refurbish show equipment and restage certain scenes to accommodate the lack of a physical dragon. 

Fantasmic, Breaking News: Disneyland’s Fantasmic Gets A Reopening Date!

Following the devastating fire, Disneyland officials shared an official statement with MiceChat: 

“During the final showing of Fantasmic at Disneyland park on Saturday evening, the dragon prop caught fire. Anaheim Fire & Rescue quickly responded, and the fire was extinguished. 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. We are temporarily suspending fire effects similar to those used at Disneyland park’s Fantasmic at select shows and entertainment experiences globally out of an abundance of caution following the Fantasmic prop fire at Disneyland park. The continued safety of our cast and guests is of the utmost importance.” 

Fantasmic, Breaking News: Disneyland’s Fantasmic Gets A Reopening Date!
This is the segment of the show where the dragon caught fire. Within moments, the dragon went up in flames… catching fire from the head down.

Video of Disneyland’s Fantasmic Dragon Catching Fire

MiceChat reader and friend Gavin Freitas (@GavinFreitas) sent us this video of the Fantasmic dragon going up in flames. You can see burning pieces of the dragon fall to the lower parts of the body and then catch fire. You’ll also see moments that look like mini explosions.

This video captured by Xochitl Balderas on YouTube shows a different view: 

 

Anthony Garcia shared a video and some information on the MiceChat Facebook Group. We encourage you to watch the video and read the discussion about the fire in the MiceChat Facebook Group (HERE)

Fantasmic, Breaking News: Disneyland’s Fantasmic Gets A Reopening Date!

(ADDED 4/23/23 6:30am) – Realrocker777 on YouTube (who is also commenter GetAClueBucko in the article comments below) added this 11-minute video to YouTube from the Haunted Mansion side of the river showing more of the scary scene. You can see a cast member run out with a garden hose and some underpowered fire extinguishers. They are no match for the inferno. 

We’ve taken some screenshots from this video which show a moment when the head of the dragon erupts in a fireball. But below the dragon’s head a stream of fuel projects toward the stage. 

Fantasmic, Breaking News: Disneyland’s Fantasmic Gets A Reopening Date!

Just a moment later, that fuel catches fire… a flamethrower projecting directly toward the stage. 

Fantasmic, Breaking News: Disneyland’s Fantasmic Gets A Reopening Date!

And the entire dragon was engulfed just moments later. 

Fantasmic, Breaking News: Disneyland’s Fantasmic Gets A Reopening Date!

Fantasmic Fire Aftermath

We headed to Disneyland at park opening on 4/23/23, the day after the fire, to survey the damage. From what we could see, the damage was contained to the dragon and her lift. We arrived just as fences and scrims were being erected around the accident area.

Fantasmic, Breaking News: Disneyland’s Fantasmic Gets A Reopening Date!

Crews were working to cover the skeleton of the dragon.

Fantasmic, Breaking News: Disneyland’s Fantasmic Gets A Reopening Date!

The dragon’s body was totally consumed during the fire, leaving just the charred skeleton behind. 

Fantasmic, Breaking News: Disneyland’s Fantasmic Gets A Reopening Date! Fantasmic, Breaking News: Disneyland’s Fantasmic Gets A Reopening Date! Fantasmic, Breaking News: Disneyland’s Fantasmic Gets A Reopening Date! Fantasmic, Breaking News: Disneyland’s Fantasmic Gets A Reopening Date!

Just 15 minutes after park opening, crews placed tarps around newly built fences to remove the destroyed dragon from guest view.

Fantasmic, Breaking News: Disneyland’s Fantasmic Gets A Reopening Date! Fantasmic, Breaking News: Disneyland’s Fantasmic Gets A Reopening Date!

And within half an hour the view was completely obscured. As you can see, there’s no visible damage behind what’s contained within the green scrims. 

Fantasmic, Breaking News: Disneyland’s Fantasmic Gets A Reopening Date!

We were able to get some video of the aftermath of the damage and watching crews working to cover the dragon:

 

We returned to the park on May 8th, 2023, and found that the scrims had already been removed from the Fantasmic stage, and there were no signs of the dragon. It all now looks as though nothing happened at all (at first glance)…

Fantasmic, Breaking News: Disneyland’s Fantasmic Gets A Reopening Date!

Fantasmic, Breaking News: Disneyland’s Fantasmic Gets A Reopening Date!

But if you look very closely, you’ll find just a tiny trace of the inferno. There was a bit of scorching on the corner of the stage that had yet to be scrubbed off or painted over. But it’s absolutely amazing that everything looks normal so soon after such a major event. 

Fantasmic, Breaking News: Disneyland’s Fantasmic Gets A Reopening Date!
Note the small amount of scorching still visible. What’s impressive is that there aren’t more signs of damage.

 

The Delay, Delay, Delay

Rather than keeping employees and guests completely in the dark about the show, Disneyland kept pushing the possible return date out one major holiday at a time:

On May 4th, Cast members were notified that the show would remain dark through at least May 28th (as seen in this note to cast):Fantasmic, Breaking News: Disneyland’s Fantasmic Gets A Reopening Date!

Then on May 19th, cast were again informed that the show would remain on hiatus through the summer of 2023: 

Fantasmic, Breaking News: Disneyland’s Fantasmic Gets A Reopening Date!

And on July 25th, cast were told that the show would not return until spring of 2024: 

Fantasmic, Breaking News: Disneyland’s Fantasmic Gets A Reopening Date!

Finally, on November 9th, Disneyland has finally released an actual reopening date (we hope this one sticks): 

“Fantasmic!,” Disney’s popular and longest-running nighttime spectacular, returns to the Rivers of America in Disneyland Park on May 24, 2024. “Fantasmic!” is an emotional extravaganza of colorful Disney animated film images, choreographed to an exciting musical score. The waters of the Rivers of America come alive as Mickey Mouse’s power of imagination enables him to create fantastic events and images as seen in beloved Disney classic films like “Fantasia,” “The Jungle Book,” “The Little Mermaid” and more. 

More About Fantasmic

“Welcome to Fantasmic! Tonight, our friend and host, Mickey Mouse, uses his vivid imagination to create magical imagery for all to enjoy. Nothing is more wonderful than the imagination — for in a moment, you can experience a beautiful fantasy or an exciting adventure! But beware… nothing is more powerful than the imagination — for it can also expand your greatest fears into an overwhelming nightmare. Are the powers of Mickey’s incredible imagination strong enough and bright enough to withstand the evil forces that invade Mickey’s dream? You are about to find out. For we now invite you to join Mickey and experience Fantasmic! — a journey beyond your wildest imagination.”

Fantasmic opened on Disneyland’s Rivers of America on May 13, 1992 and is Disneyland’s longest-running nighttime spectacular. The show proved to be so popular that a version was designed for Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World, and another version for Tokyo Disney Sea (which has since ended its run). But what makes the Disneyland version extra special is how the show infrastructure on and around Tom Sawyer Island is completely hidden during the day. Guests can visit the island during the day and never know that an entire show is performed in the same space in the evening. 

Fantasmic, Breaking News: Disneyland’s Fantasmic Gets A Reopening Date!
A view of the Rivers of America from the Fantasmic stage area

When fully extended, the Maleficent Dragon stood 45 feet tall, but it contracted down to 22 feet to be hidden away under the stage when her segment of the show was over. It took just 35 seconds for the dragon to be lowered under the stage after she was defeated by Mickey Mouse and the forces of his imagination. It may have been the most impressive animatronic ever created. 

When theme parks were closed in 2020, it was unknown if or when Fantasmic! would ever return. But, on 5/28/22, we were there, front and center, as Fantasmic returned after a 2-year hiatus, missing its 30th anniversary by just a couple weeks. Watch our live-stream below to see how the show looked at that exciting return performance. It will remain a time-capsule for a special moment in Fantasmic! history as the show will be reworked when it returns again in 2024: 

More about Fantasmic! and lots of fun facts: 

So, You Think You Know Disneyland’s Fantasmic!?

Dream a fantastic dream! Continue the discussion in the MiceChat Facebook Group (HERE)

Fantasmic, Breaking News: Disneyland’s Fantasmic Gets A Reopening Date!

Sharing is caring!

Dusty Sage
Dusty is the founder and CEO of MiceChat.com. When he's not visiting theme parks and writing, editing or speaking about Disney and theme parks worldwide, Dusty is involved in multiple Disney related projects and charities. He helped save and restore the charming Walt Disney Birthplace in Chicago, launched the Dick Van Dyke Foundation, and is the curator of Walt Disney's historic 1930's estate in Hollywood. If you've got news or photos to share with the MiceChat community, or would like to book Dusty for an upcoming event, please contact [email protected]