Tick, tick, tick!  Captain Hook's crocodile is livlier than ever!

Just when you thought your new television set was the only thing going “HD”, Disneyland’s river show Fantasmic has re-opened for the summer with new LED lights, a 40 foot tall dragon, and two new characters (Flotsam and Jetsam from The Little Mermaid).  As marketing manager Carmen Morales states, these new technological advances make the beloved show “brighter, bolder, and more vibrant”.  

This 23 minute show, performed nightly through August 23rd, combines live character performances and animation on stage that is both water and land in front of Tom Sawyer Island.  Three mist screens, each 50 ft wide ant 35 ft tall project images from Disney’s most beloved classics such as The Jungle Book, Sleeping Beauty, the Little Mermaid, Snow White, Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, Pinocchio, and of course, Fantasia. 

Flotsam (or Jetsam, who really knows?) with Ursula in the background

This summer, villainous eels Flotsam and Jetsam are introduced as 37 foot long puppets that slither across the Rivers of America.  Another surprise is the classic ticking crocodile from Peter Pan.  It is now 15 feet tall, and utilizes animatronics that create snapping jaws and a turning head.

The show’s most anticipated new feature, the 10,000 pound, 40 foot tall dragon that will emerge from the river and breath fire, has not yet been revealed due to  technical difficulties.  No estimated performance date has been provided.

The updates to Fantasmic do not change its basic storyline.  The premise still involves a dizzying, incredible, but sometimes very bizarre (my favorite part: the dancing elephants from Dumbo’s champagne-induced dream) 23-minute glimpse into Mickey’s imagination.  The main difference, besides the new simulated characters, seems to be that the special effects are overall more vivid and dazzling, and definitely seem to become increasingly intense as the show progresses.  As I over heard one a 3-year-old girl exclaim, “That was powerful, Mommy!” 

  The space around New Orleans Square and Frontierland fills up at least 90 minutes before each performance, so make sure you arrive early to save your spot!  Premium seating, which includes a dessert buffet, can be reserved for $59 by calling 714.781.4400.  For those of you how have already seen the show, or are just uninterested, you’re in luck.  With a capacity for approximately 9,000 guests to view each performance, this is an excellent time to hop in line for the most popular rides!

If you’re a Southern California Resident, don’t forget to pick up a “3-day Summer Fun Pass” for only $99!  This 3-day, two-park admission pass is available at most supermarket chains,  Disneyland.com, Disney Stores, and at the park’s box office.  As an added bonus, the “Fun Pass” can be upgraded to an annual passport.  If you are considering visiting the parks all year long, the $99 can be applied as credit towards one of the passport options at the Annual Pass processing center, or at the ticket booth.

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