More Scaffolding Erected for ‘Fantasmic!’ Repairs Following Maleficent Inferno at Disneyland Park

Justin Giglio

More Scaffolding Erected for ‘Fantasmic!’ Repairs Following Maleficent Inferno at Disneyland Park

Following the Maleficent dragon fire during “Fantasmic!” that resulted in an evacuation of the western end of Disneyland Park and the total destruction of the dragon itself, more scaffolding has been erected on the show’s stage as repairs continue.

Post-Fire Repairs Continue on “Fantasmic!” Show Stage

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When repairs began following the Maleficent dragon fire, scaffolding was erected on the show’s stage on Tom Sawyer Island. Today it appears that the scaffolding has expanded both further back and slightly further forward. By the looks of where the additional scaffolding has been erected, it appears repairs may be prepping to expand in all directions.

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Fences have remained near the raft dock to prevent access to the stage at this time. Guests are typically free to access the “Fantasmic!” stage area at any point that the island is open.

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Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes — Disneyland staples with varying names since 1956 — have continued to be operational as guests circle Tom Sawyer Island. There is no track or special engine on this ride; you, the guest, and your accompanying Cast Member guides make this boat row with paddles and manual labor.

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It’s an arduous workout, but a scenic journey for anyone willing to put in the effort.

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It’s unknown when “Fantasmic!” will return to Disneyland, and whether the stage will be guest-accessible when it does.

Maleficent Eviscerated by Inferno During “Fantasmic!”

“Fantasmic!,” is a nighttime spectacular which first debuted in Disneyland on May 13, 1992. The show stars Mickey Mouse as he explores the possibilities of his imagination, but the Disney Villains team up in an attempt to create an unstoppable nightmare for him. Featuring characters and music from Disney films including “Fantasia,” “The Jungle Book,” and “Pirates of the Caribbean,” the show incorporates projections on screens of water, pyrotechnics, and both the Sailing Ship Columbia and Mark Twain Riverboat as they sail past guests on the Rivers of America. Similar versions debuted later at Walt Disney World and Tokyo DisneySea.

On the evening of April 22, a possible leak of flammable fluid from the dragon’s structure caused Maleficent to be dramatically set ablaze.

Our onsite reporter caught footage of Maleficent, still burning, as the show came to a premature end for safety. The fire fell from the dragon’s mouth onto Tom Sawyer Island below. The cause was potentially a leak of flammable fluid, seen dripping down from the mouth moments before the fireball effect went off — though Disney stated on Sunday that they are investigating the incident.

Six Disneyland Cast Members were treated for smoke inhalation by Anaheim Fire & Rescue, though luckily, no serious injuries were reported. All guests were escorted far away from the area and large swaths of the park closed early out of an abundance of caution.

Mickey atop Fantasmic! mountain with green smoke at Disney's Hollywood Studios

“Fantasmic!”

“Fantasmic!,” is a nighttime spectacular which first debuted in Disneyland on May 13, 1992. The show stars Mickey Mouse as he explores the possibilities of his imagination, but the Disney Villains, including Maleficent, team up in an attempt to create an unstoppable nightmare for him. Featuring characters and music from Disney films including “Fantasia,” “The Jungle Book,” and “Pirates of the Caribbean,” the show incorporates projections on screens of water, pyrotechnics, and both the Sailing Ship Columbia and Mark Twain Riverboat as they sail past guests on the Rivers of America.

“Fantasmic!” went into an extended hiatus as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, and finally resumed performances in late May of 2022. Since then, the nighttime spectacular has performed with minimal incident in Disneyland, though it was unexpectedly shut down for just over two weeks this past January. MagicBand+ interacts with “Fantasmic!,” as the center puck changes colors and flashes in sync with the show.

Over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World, the show, which premiered at the park in 1998, underwent a longer break, returning last November with new scenes inspired by “Mulan,” “Frozen II,” and “Moana”.

A third version existed at Tokyo DisneySea from April 2011 to February 2020, set on the waters of Mediterranean Harbor and featuring more representation from that park’s characters like the Genie. The show closed permanently at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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