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Mysterious Disney Live Stream Could Signal Fantasmic! Return

fantasmic-parade-mickey

Entertainment’s big return to Disney Parks is currently in full swing, much to the joy of Guests across the world.

The iconic Main Street Electrical Parade is finally returning to Disneyland this week, alongside Disneyland Forever and World of Color. On top of Disney Enchantment at Magic Kingdom and Harmonious at EPCOT, nighttime shows are returning spectacularly to Disney’s theme parks.

Tonight, though, Disney Parks is hosting a mysterious live stream that has many Guests speculating – are we finally finding out when Fantasmic! is returning to Walt Disney World? 

fantasmic-mickey

Credit: Disney

Fantasmic! has been missing from the Parks ever since they reopened following pandemic closures back in 2020. Fantasmic! is one of Disney’s most beloved shows, featuring characters like Mickey Mouse, Ariel, Maleficent, Tinker Bell, and more. Disney Guests everywhere are missing the magical spectacle that is Fantasmic!, but is tonight the night we finally hear some highly-anticipated news?

After recent big announcements from Disney that masks are no longer required on Disney transportation, character hugs are back at meet and greets, and Disneyland’s Tarzan’s Treehouse is no more, it seems another huge announcement is coming from Disney Parks.

Disney Parks shared on Twitter that tonight, April 20, will see a special and mysterious live stream across its social media channels:

Tune in at 8:30 pm PT / 11:30 pm ET tomorrow (April 20) to @DisneyParks on TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter for a special livestream that you won’t want to miss!

Evidently, the time is significant here in speculation of what Disney’s live event will entail. The “special live event” begins at 8:30 p.m. PT and 11:30 p.m. ET, which hints at the news being about Disneyland Resort in California rather than the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

Of course, this is all just speculation. Coincidentally, on April 22, Guests will be seeing a revamped Main Street Electrical Parade return to Disneyland Park, along with new Light-Up Popcorn Buckets. The “To Honor America” finale has been redesigned to be more inclusive and will now feature characters from movies such as Brave (2012), Mulan (1998), Coco (2017), Moana (2016), The Princess and the Frog (2009), Frozen (2013), Raya and the Last Dragon (2021), The Jungle Book (1967), Hercules (1997), Aladdin (1992), and the popular movie Encanto (2021).

With just a few days to go until the return of the “Main Street Electrical Parade” to @Disneyland , check out a first look at the enchanted new grand finale! spr.ly/6011K4hEh\

https://twitter.com/DisneyParks/status/1516085138886737920

Disneyland Forever will also be returning to Disneyland Park this week, while World of Color will light up Paradise Pier once again in Disney California Adventure (albeit with a virtual queue). Perhaps the live stream is going to be a celebration of all these nighttime spectaculars returning post-pandemic to the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim?

One tidbit Guests don’t have right now, however, is the return date for Walt Disney World’s beloved Fantasmic! show.

Back in November 2021, Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Josh D’Amaro revealed that Fantasmic! will be returning to both Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland in Anaheim in 2022. We know now that on May 28, 2022, Fantasmic! will be making its return to Disneyland Park, but we’re still not sure when the official return of Fantasmic! will be at Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios theme park.

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Credit: Disney Tips

The Fantasmic! lagoon at Disney’s Hollywood Studios was drained for over a year, with the nighttime spectacular undergoing some major refurbishments during its pandemic closure. While the moat surrounding the stage area was drained, Walt Disney World maintenance teams updated the rigging and technology and then the moat was seen to be refilled.

The Hollywood Hills Amphitheater was recently seen to be drained once again in aerial photos, which did not give us much hope for a Spring grand return.

But with Disney Parks continually surprising us with big news and returns of fan-favorite entertainment like Main Street Electrical Parade, Disneyland Forever, World of Color, and Festival of Fantasy parade, maybe tonight could be the night Guests finally can start a countdown for Fantasmic!’s return at the Walt Disney World Resort!

fantasmic-disney-hollywood

Credit: Disney

When the Disney World show does finally return to Disney’s Hollywood Studios at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, new characters will be joining Mickey in his imagination. The show will see characters and scenes from Disney’s Moana (2016), Frozen (2013), and Aladdin (1992) as part of Disney World’s 50th anniversary celebration.

Fantasmic! takes Guests on a journey through Mickey Mouse’s imagination that ends in a battle against the Disney Villains. The Florida version of the show takes place at the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater next to The Tower of Terror, while Disneyland’s Fantasmic! occurs on the Rivers of America.

Fantasmic! opened in Walt Disney World back in 1998, after first being introduced at Disneyland in 1992. The nighttime show was also previously at Tokyo DisneySea at Tokyo Disney Resort. It features fireworks, characters, live actors, water effects, pyrotechnics, decorated boat floats, and mist screen projections.

Make sure you tune into Disney Parks’ live stream tonight at 8:30 p.m. PT / 11:30 p.m. ET for whatever the special announcement is!

About Melissa Cannioto

Melissa is an author, adventurer, and chatterbox, who has worked at Walt Disney World, Disneyland Paris, and Adventures by Disney! A British native, she has traveled the world seeking new experiences, and now resides in Florida with her husband, an Air Force pilot. Find her children's book at @bear.hug.book