Disney Issues Statement Following Fantasmic! Fire

Over the weekend, Disneyland Guests witnessed the Maleficent dragon animatronic in the “Fantasmic!” show go up in flames after it caught fire mid-performance. 

Now, Disney is issuing a statement on the incident.

Following the incident that took place at Disneyland Park, the company issued the following statement:

“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.”

Workers rushed to extinguish the fire during the Fantasmic! performance and the Anaheim Fire Department has confirmed that there were no injuries as a result of the incident.

This is not the first time a prop has malfunctioned and caught fire at the Disney Parks as back in 2018, the Maleficent Dragon parade float caught fire at Walt Disney World. Luckily, it was quickly extinguished and nobody was injured.

One Disneyland Guest and TikTok user was at the Park when the incident happened, capturing it all on film.

In a video shared to the social media platform, viewers watch as the iconic Maleficent dragon animatronic goes up in flames, lighting up the entire night sky.

“Thank you to the DFD for keeping us safe today here at Disneyland,” they said.

https://www.tiktok.com/@cruzdownmainstreet/video/7225144813228772651?referer_url=theblast.com%2F479561%2Fmaleficent-dragon-animatronic-goes-up-in-flames-during-disneyland-show%2F&refer=embed&embed_source=71112494%2C121331973%2C120811592%2C120810756%3Bnull%3Bembed_pause_share&referer_video_id=7225144813228772651

Reporter Scott Gustin also shared a video of the incident, writing, “The Maleficent dragon caught fire during the second showing of Fantasmic! at Disneyland Park on Saturday night. It happened when Mickey shoots sparks at the giant dragon’s head. The Anaheim Fire Department responded to the scene.”

“Fantasmic!” is a nighttime show at Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California that brings Guests into Mickey’s dream of him as the Sorcerer’s Apprentice. The official Disneyland website describes the show as:

As darkness falls, dazzling special effects transform the Rivers of America into an epic canvas for this extravagant live show.

Fast asleep, Mickey dreams he is the Sorcerer’s Apprentice. With a wave of his hands, he conducts scenes from Fantasia across enormous screens of water while brilliant sparks burst overhead. Pink elephants, swashbuckling pirates, princesses and more—including memorable scenes from Disney classics such as Aladdin, The Lion King, Tangled and Pirates of the Caribbean—appear on and around the Rivers of America.

When Mickey is suddenly pulled into the Magic Mirror, his dream takes a dark turn. The Evil Queen from Snow White conjures up some of Disney’s most dastardly villains—including Maleficent as a 45-foot, fire-breathing dragon! Mickey must use the power of his imagination to vanquish his foes—and save the day.

Featuring a fantastical array of live performers, beloved Disney characters, enhanced special effects, state-of-the-art projections and superb pyrotechnics, this show will wow the entire family.

Future performances of “Fantasmic!” have been removed from the Disneyland schedule, until at least May 26, but that is subject to change.