Disney Releases Update Statement On Fantasmic! Fire- Will Pause Pyro Effect Use
Guests visiting Disneyland last night were left stunned as the large Maleficent animatronic caught fire during the nightly performance of Fantasmic.
The show ended prematurely when the fire fell from the dragon’s mouth onto Tim Sawyer Island below. The entire figure was eventually engulfed in flames, and completely destroyed.
Guests were quickly evacuated from the area, with all attractions west of the Jungle Cruise remaining closed. Luckily there were no reported injuries after the incident.
Although some guests reported seeing fluid leaking from the 45-foot dragon figure before it was consumed by flames, Disney had not given an official cause of the accident.
Disney Releases Updated Statement
In an updated statement today, Disney said that it will temporarily suspend the use of fire effects “similar to those used at Disneyland’s parks Fantasmic” at select shows and entertainment experiences globally.
Disney’s full statement reads:
“During the final showing of Fantasmic at Disneyland Park on Saturday evening, the dragon prop caught fire. Anaheim Fire & Rescue quickly responded, and the fire was extinguished. All cast members were safely evacuated from Tom Sawyer Island. Due to smoke and wind, attractions near the island were safely evacuated of any guests, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation at this time. We are temporarily suspending fire effects similar to those used at Disneyland Park’s Fantasmic at select shows and entertainment experiences globally out of an abundance of caution following the Fantasmic prop fire at Disneyland Park. The continued safety of our cast and guests is of the utmost importance.”
Future Performances Paused
While the Maleficent dragon figure was destroyed in last night’s fire, it doesn’t seem as if the show’s infrastructure was majorly damaged.
Despite this, Fantasmic! has been removed from the Disneyland schedule. Both the Anaheim and Walt Disney World versions of the show have the ability to run in “B-Mode”. This version of the show uses a mist screen as opposed to the Maleficent dragon animatronic.
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Feature Image: ABC7