Mickey’s PhilharMagic

Get swept away in the magic of Disney animation in this 3D movie musical starring many favorite Disney characters.

“Don’t forget the orchestra. And don’t touch my hat!”

Another of the Magic Kingdom’s not-so-hidden gems is Mickey’s PhilHarmagic, a 4-D film that tells the story of the mayhem caused by Donald Duck taking over an orchestra, all set to classic Disney songs that help move the often chaotic madness along. Instruments appear to fly into your lap, dinners dance, objects are sucked into the screen as you feel the wind tickle your ears, and crowds will often break into a spontaneous sing-along that only heightens the joy found in this attraction.

Guests are provided with 3-D “opera glasses” upon entering the Fantasyland Concert Hall and the entire presentation being launched into motion with a safety spiel from Minnie Mouse and the bumbling words of stage manager Goofy who along with Maestro Mickey Mouse can’t find the sleeping Donald Duck to start the show. Once Donald is awakened from his nap, he unpacks the instruments and attempts fill in the empty space left by Mickey who has set off to find his proper stage attire.

What follows is a whimsical mixture of barely-controlled craziness and wonderful songs that will melt your heart as said craziness is unleashed throughout the theater. Seats shake, the scent of fragrant foods is pumped into the theater, and beads of water are sprayed onto audience members, among other surprises.

If you’re a connoisseur of Disney tunes, this is exactly where you want to be to enjoy everything from The Little Mermaid’s “Part of Your World” to Peter Pan’s “You Can Fly” and even more recent addition of Coco’s “Un Poco Loco.” Order is finally restored following a rendition of “The Mickey Mouse Club March,” although Donald, who was recently launched into the rear wall of the theater may disagree at the overall enjoyment level of the attraction.

Behind the Schemes: 

Mickey’s PhilHarmagic is housed in the former home of the Mickey Mouse Review, the Legend of the Lion King stage show, and one of the strangest films that has ever appeared in a Disney park: Magic Journeys, which in and of itself was originally found in the theater found in the Journey Into Imagination pavilion at Epcot Center. This often surreal film followed the wild imaginations of children who visualize different shapes in the seeds of a dandelion, a carnival turned circus, and an all-knowing magician who returns the children to their starting point. Die hard fans continue to request a return of Magic Journeys, and while that would be quite the stir, it is unlikely that it will ever happen. But, one can continue to dream…

The Coco selection was added to Mickey’s PhilHarmagic in 2021 after the movie proved itself to be a success among audiences. The song is performed by Golden Globe winner Gael Garcia Bernal and Teen Choice Award winner Anthony Gonzalez. The Coco soundtrack managed to break the Top 40 on the Billboard Charts, a true feat for modern film musicals in today’s market.

Reality check:
The lobby of Mickey’s PhilHarmagic features posters from films that are referenced in the attraction itself, providing a sly hint as to what you will be seeing as well as other Disney classics from the past. (This includes a slight nod to The Three Caballeros, who are of course featured in their own attraction at nearby Epcot.)

Contrary to what you may have been told by a singing candle, the grey stuff is not delicious.