Fantasmic 2.0 Review

Back in August 2015 during the D23 Expo, Bob Iger announced that Star Wars themed lands were coming to Disneyland and Walt Disney World in its Hollywood Studios Theme Park. At Disneyland, the land is being built north of Frontierland, mainly in backstage areas that have long been relocated. The real casualty for the guests is the loss of Big Thunder Ranch and the Festival Arena. Disney also announced that the Rivers of America, the Railroad and Fantasmic would close for 2016 and reopen this year. The Railroad will have a new route and the Mark Twain and Columbia and the canoes would travel a shorter route but would travel along a brand new rear end of the river. The River which represents several known US Rivers will include a new section dedicated to the real life Columbia Gorge.

But what many fans were anticipating is the return of a retooled and enhanced Fantasmic!. Over the course of several years, the show has seen technological upgrades but the original story kept intact. This year, the show got revamped with new scenes bringing it up to speed with most recent Disney favorites.


What was added

The Lion King, Aladdin and Pirates of the Caribbean are the 3 major additions to the show. They replaced the original Jungle Book and Peter Pan sections of the show. Rapunzel is also replaced Snow White in the princess scene though Snow White still remains along with her prince on the Mark Twain. Mickey Mouse  appears more in the show. The entire Fantasmic score has been redone in order easily integrate the new scenes into the show. The well known Exit Song has been replaced with the Imagination theme from Tokyo Disneyseas Fantasmic. Elements of Tokyo Disneyseas soundtrack had also found its way into the main soundtrack.

Overall thought on the new Fantasmic

The new upgrades have certainly brought new life in this 25 year old show and its sure to impress everyone with its tech even if they don't like the new story itself. The show can now be described as a blend of both the original and the Tokyo version of the show with some new things exclusive to California. 

As someone that grew up with the show, I had thought that one day the show would be redone and I was right. For many, it'll be a while to get adjusted to as the original Fantasmic is forever in our minds. I myself enjoyed the new show as I had enjoyed the original for so many years. Some, if not most will say that its now lost its spirit and not as enjoyable as it once was which is totally their opinion and shouldn't affect your ability to enjoy the show. In fact, I always have a thought that going to Disney Parks with an unbiased mind does allow for you to have even more flexibility to enjoy what they have to offer without worry that someone is gonna hate you for enjoying something they didn't like.

With that being said, theres always pros and cons to everything.

Pros

• The Music didn't had to be redone but understandably had to because of the new scenes. Some of the original vocals do remain while some are re-sung. One way to keep the heart alive and the new score sounds great.
• Mickey being in the show more does help with reenforcing the idea that we are in Mickeys dream.
• Addition of Aladdin and Jasmine did help enhance the princess scene by serving as the intro to the sequence. Also its in a way a tribute to Aladdin a Musical Spectacular which closed last year in Disney California Adventure.
• Projection mapping on the Island which helped the show use the island even more

Cons

• The trimming of the intro dialogue before the show starts. Although understandably it was done to make sure the time was still reasonable since the new scenes added time.
• Little Mermaid and Nemo in the underwater part which could've just went straight to Jimminy Cricket like they do in Florida.  
• Lack of anything else in Ursulas part. Would've been a perfect chance to redo Flotsam and Jetsam 
• Chernabog could've benefit from flame-throwers and the music mixed in with Hellfire.
• More characters on the Mark Twain. Could've added Anna, Elsa and Moana and would've been a perfect chance to debut Maui to Disneyland. 

Now the big question is: Is it better than the original? That question is a question you can only answer for yourself. If you want to really know if it is, your only solution is to see it yourself (and no, not an excuse to go to Youtube).

To me, the tech upgrades have really improved the story itself and the modifications to the line up, while questionable do help with the idea that dreams are really limitless. 

Did it need these story changes? Not exactly as the original could've benifted from the upgrades but it was their decision to change the show and I think it paid off. Some of the stronger negative responses come from those that saw the original as pure perfection and didn't need changing but to me, changing it up was  inevitable. 25 years later and it already was showing its age (and honestly, the original did had some flaws itself). Now with the new additions, Fantasmic has been updated for todays audiences. Its not as perfect as the original but its perfect enough to hold its own and still gather a following. Should you be worried about people disagreeing with you liking the new Fantasmic? Don't be. Remember, everyone enjoys Disneyland in their own ways. Your way of experiencing Disneyland and all it has to offer should not be determined by who you go with to the parks. 

I will definitely be watching this as often as I watch World of Color!

Final grade: 8.5/10