Credit: Jeremy Thompson, FlickrDisney has confirmed the return of two shows at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Fantasmic! is currently the primary entertainment at the theme park, often performed twice per night – typically 9 p.m. and 10.30 p.m. – at the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater.
During the day, Hollywood Studios offers a broader mix of live entertainment, including Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!, Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage, The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure, and Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After.
But from August 9, Disney will expand its nighttime lineup.
Disney Confirms Return of Two Nighttime Shows
Disney’s Hollywood Studios will restore its Chinese Theatre projection-show pairing on August 9. Disney Movie Magic is scheduled for 8:40 p.m., followed by Wonderful World of Animation at 9 p.m.
Using projection mapping, lasers, and lighting, Disney Movie Magic transforms the Chinese Theatre into a rapid tour through Disney’s live-action library. Its montage crosses musicals, comedy, fantasy, science fiction, and adventure, with franchises including Indiana Jones, Pirates of the Caribbean, and TRON.
Wonderful World of Animation is the longer, animation-focused companion. The 12-minute show travels through decades worth of Disney and Pixar films, exploring family, friendship, romance, magic, and adventure before beginning and ending with Mickey Mouse.
Scheduling Wonderful World of Animation at 9 p.m. gives guests an alternative to the first Fantasmic! performance. By drawing some visitors toward the Chinese Theatre, Disney can naturally spread nighttime crowds across the park and ease pressure on the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater during its busiest showing.
Walt Disney World has experienced surprisingly light crowds this summer, despite June and July traditionally ranking among its busiest months. Average wait times have fallen to off-season levels, with July marking the resort’s slowest month since September 2021 – a fact some have described as a “recession indicator.”
Does Hollywood Studios Need More Nighttime Entertainment?
While Disney’s Hollywood Studios will technically soon have three nighttime shows, some believe it’s in desperate need of a bigger spectacular.
Hollywood Studios previously staged Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular, which combined projection mapping, lasers, fire, and fireworks with scenes and music from across the franchise. The show debuted in June 2016 and disappeared when Walt Disney World closed in March 2020, never returning with the park.
The park also introduced Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! in 2016 as a seasonal Christmas spectacular. Featuring projections, lasers, fireworks, music, and characters from Prep & Landing, it ran for regular park guests through early 2020 before later returning exclusively during Disney Jollywood Nights.
What’s your favorite nighttime show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios?
