How do they do Fantasmic???

[Just Believe]

I've always wanted to know where everything goes? Where does the dragon go, the snake, ursela(when she use to be in the show), and the floating barges? Where do they store it and how does it effect the the atmosphere of Tom Sawyer's Island?

[bigthunderlover]

Well, I don't know for sure but, rumor has it that Disneyland owns more land under ground than above ground. They say that Disney has a whole network system under ground for food storage, supply storage, decoration storage, and electronic systems that control all the rides, lights and audio throughout the park. Now it's just a rumor but it's a pretty cool one at that! Plus half of everything you experience at Disneyland is rumor, legend, and lore. Isn't it fun!

[subsonic]

I've always wanted to know where everything goes? Where does the dragon go, the snake, ursela(when she use to be in the show), and the floating barges? Where do they store it and how does it effect the the atmosphere of Tom Sawyer's Island?

My father used to work in the tech department at Disneyland. Later when Fantasmic opened he still had connections and we got a behind the scenes tour. My memory is a bit fuzzy but I'll recall as best as possible.

There are 4 levels to backstage.
The underground area is where they store the dragon and lifts for Mickey and the Evil Queen. The lift that causes Mickey to appear rises at 2Gs. If you notice Mickey will hop a little when he appears in the beginning because he's being lifted so fast. The dragon gets folded up no higher than 10 feet tall. It's a metal frame with cloth on it.

The 2nd level (still underground) has all the water pumps for the water screens. Even though there are 3 screens, there are 4 pumps, one is a backup. This level also contains most of the audio controllers and amps.

The 3rd level is the stage level and what's inside the house behind the stage. More electronics are in here as well as the lasers which are fed to various other levels via fiber optic cables. The stage is on a 1-2 foot slab of concrete with amazingly smooth rollers. This stage rolls under the house to reveal the Dragon, Pinnochio's towers, and lifts.

The 4th level is up in the treehouse which has the main Laser beam splitter which is fed from the fiber optic from level 3.

They park all the floats on the backside of the Rivers of America close to the burning house but off the island. You can see the entry point while on the train. Most is stored off the island and they ferry them in when it's dark. Cast members board the floats at Hungry Bear Restaurant or where the mine ride used to be (I think).

They close the island around dusk, tech people pull out hand rails and open up the projector enclosures. It doesn't affect the atmosphere at all on the Island. It's an amazing transformation.

[Just Believe]

is all I have to say about that!!! Whoa!!!

[soccermouse]

Thanks for all that information. My kids ask about those things every time. Great descriptions!