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Fantasyland Theatre

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Fantasyland Theatre
The venue currently hosts "Bluey's Best Day Ever!", based on the television series Bluey
Map
Interactive map of Fantasyland Theatre
Former names
Videopolis (1985–1995)
Fantasyland Theater (1995–2013)
LocationDisneyland
Coordinates33°48′53″N 117°55′09″W / 33.8146°N 117.9191°W / 33.8146; -117.9191
OwnerDisney Parks
Capacity1,800
Construction
OpenedJune 22, 1985

Fantasyland Theatre, formerly Videopolis, is a 5,000-square-foot (460 m2) outdoor amphitheater at Disneyland in Anaheim, California. Located in Fantasyland, it has 1,800 seats and functions as a venue for various shows. In 1995, the location was renamed to Fantasyland Theater.[1] In 2013, it was renamed to the English-classic spelling, Fantasyland Theatre, with the opening of the venue's show Mickey and the Magical Map.

Predecessor

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The original Fantasyland Theater (different spelling) opened in 1956 as the Mickey Mouse Club Theater. This theater presented a short film, 3D Jamboree, a 3D film featuring specially filmed footage of the Mouseketeers from The Mickey Mouse Club. Additionally the program showcased the Donald Duck cartoon short Working For Peanuts and Adventures in Music: Melody. It was the first 3D show in a Disney park.[2][3][4]

In 1965 it was renamed Fantasyland Theater.[5] In 1981, it shut down in preparation for construction of the revamped Fantasyland and was then replaced with Pinocchio's Daring Journey in 1983.[6]

History

[edit]
The venue as it appeared in the early 1990s

Videopolis opened on June 22, 1985, a short distance to the west of It's a Small World.[7] During the day, the theater was used for theme-park shows, but in the evening, it was used as a dance club with music videos. It featured 70 video monitors that displayed music videos and/or live feeds that allowed guests to watch themselves. Some DJs from local radio station KROQ would also appear during the music video segments. [8][6] The venue included a snack bar called "Yumz" opening on June 19.[9]

Disneyland was successfully sued on two separate occasions by members of the LGBT community in 1985 due to dancing between the same-sex being prohibited at the club. The policy was dropped in 1985.[10]

The Children's Miracle Network Telethon also made use of Videopolis from 1982 to 1993.[6] The show's hosts included singer and The Dukes of Hazzard actor John Schneider, Marie Osmond, Entertainment Tonight co-host Mary Hart, impressionist Rich Little, Olympic Gold Medalist Mary Lou Retton, Pro Football Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen, and the 5th Dimension's Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr.[11][12]

On January 29, 2020, the Videopolis dance club was briefly revived for the Disneyland After Dark: 80s Nite event.[13]

In October 2020, it was reported that Mickey and the Magical Map along with Frozen – Live at the Hyperion at Disney California Adventure would not return when the parks reopened.[14]

On November 7, 2024, it was announced that a new holiday shows, Holiday Fun with Santa and Friends!, would be premiere on November 15, 2024 in Fantasyland Theatre, as part of Holidays at Disneyland celebration.[15]

In December 2025, it was announced that "Bluey's Best Day Ever!", based on the television series Bluey, would premiere in Fantasyland Theatre on March 22, 2026.[16][17][18]

Disneyland Park Paris

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Main article: Videopolis (Disneyland Paris)

In Discoveryland at Disneyland Park Paris, Videopolis is a large complex housing the Videopolis Theatre and the Hyperion Café counter service restaurant. It features one of the largest props in the resort: the Hyperion airship.[19]

Shows

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As Videopolis

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  • The Magic of Christmas (Christmas Seasons 1985 – 1988)
  • Sing'in' Dance'in' Heigh Ho (1987)
  • Circus Fantasy (1988)
  • Show Biz Is (1989)
  • One Man's Dream, a celebration of Walt Disney (December 16, 1989 – April 29, 1990)[6]
  • Dick Tracy in Diamond Double-Cross (June 15, 1990 – December 31, 1990)[6]
  • Plane Crazy, with characters from TaleSpin and other Disney Afternoon shows. (March 15, 1991 – September 1991)[6]
  • Mickey's Nutcracker (Christmas Seasons 1991 & 1992)[6]
  • Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage (April 12, 1992 – April 30, 1995)[6]

As Fantasyland Theater

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  • The Spirit of Pocahontas (June 23, 1995 – September 4, 1997)[1]
  • Animazment - The Musical (June 18, 1998 – October 21, 2001)[7][6]
  • Minnie's Christmas Party (Christmas Seasons 2001 & 2002)[6]
  • Mickey's Detective School (2002 – 2003)[6]
  • Snow White: An Enchanting Musical (February 2004 – September 2006)[6]
  • Disney Princess Fantasy Faire (October 2006 – August 2012)[20][21]

As Fantasyland Theatre

[edit]
  • Mickey and the Magical Map[22] (May 25, 2013 – October 9, 2020) October date is the official notice of closing. The final performance coincided with the closure of the Disneyland Resort due to COVID-19 pandemic stay-at-home orders issued by California Governor Gavin Newsom.
  • Tale of the Lion King (May 28, 2022 – January 7, 2024)[23]
  • Pixar Pals Playtime Party (April 26, 2024 – August 21, 2025[24])
  • Holiday Fun with Santa and Friends (November 15, 2024 – January 6, 2025[25])
  • Bluey's Best Day Ever! (March 22, 2026 – present[26])

Television

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  • During the 1991 and 1992 holiday seasons, Mickey's Nutcracker was televised on the Disney Channel.[6]
  • In 1998, some of the live segments of The Wiggles Live at Disneyland were televised on the Disney Channel in Australia.[27]
  • In 2022, April season, Party Gustavo Live at Disneyland were televised on the Disney Junior in Australia.

References

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  1. ^ a b "In the 'Pocahontas' Spirit : If It's Summer and Disney's Latest Animated Film Is Out, It Must Be Time for the Stage Show". Los Angeles Times. June 23, 1995. Retrieved August 10, 2015.
  2. ^ "3D Jamboree (film)". D23. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  3. ^ "Fantasyland Theater". D23. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  4. ^ "Mickey Mouse Club Theater". D23. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  5. ^ https://d23.com/a-to-z/fantasyland-theater/
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "From Videopolis to 'Mickey and the Magical Map,' A Fantasyland Theatre Timeline" (PDF). DisneylandNews.com (Press release). Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved July 1, 2023.{{cite press release}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  7. ^ a b Strodder, Chris (2008). The Disneyland Encyclopedia – Videopolis, aka Fantasyland Theater. Santa Monica Press. p. 434–435. ISBN 978-1-59580-033-6.
  8. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwufUa79TIY KROQ host appearing during evening programming
  9. ^ The Disneyland Encyclopedia, by Chris Strodder, 2008. via "Chronology of Disneyland Theme Park". Ken Polsson.
  10. ^ "Disneyland Drops Policy Prohibiting Same-Sex Dancing". Los Angeles Times. August 14, 1985.
  11. ^ "Princess Fantasy Faire". The California Source. Archived from the original on December 15, 2017. Retrieved May 3, 2011.
  12. ^ "Walt Disney World Receives Legacy Award from Children's Miracle Network". Walt Disney Public Affairs. Archived from the original on December 2, 2010.
  13. ^ MacDonald, Brady (November 29, 2019). "Videopolis returns to Disneyland plus more after-hours events for 2020". The OC Register. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  14. ^ "Disney Informs Performers That "Mickey and the Magical Map" and "Frozen: Live at the Hyperion" Shows Will Not Return at Disneyland Resort". October 10, 2020.
  15. ^ "Disneyland Resort Shares More 2024 Holiday Entertainment Details, Including New Santa and Disney Characters Photo Op - WDW News Today". wdwnt.com. November 7, 2024. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
  16. ^ Peyton (December 2, 2025). "Bluey and Bingo at Disneyland, Disney World, and More". Disney Parks Blog. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
  17. ^ Kennedy, Alice (March 21, 2026). "PHOTOS, VIDEO: 'Bluey's Best Day Ever!' Show 1 Including Unicorse and The Grannies at Disneyland - WDWNT". WDW News Today. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
  18. ^ Finn, Amanda (March 21, 2026). "PHOTOS, VIDEO: 'Bluey's Best Day Ever!' Show 2 with Chattermax and Unicorse at Disneyland - WDWNT". WDW News Today. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
  19. ^ "Videopolis". DLP.info. Archived from the original on January 26, 2010. Retrieved May 3, 2011.
  20. ^ "New Entertainment Experiences Coming to Fantasyland at Disneyland Park in 2013". Disney Parks Blog. Archived from the original on August 3, 2012. Retrieved August 10, 2015.
  21. ^ "New show coming to Fantasyland". The Orange County Register. August 7, 2012. Retrieved August 10, 2015.
  22. ^ "Discover the Secrets of 'Mickey and the Magical Map' This Summer at Disneyland Park". Disney Parks Blog. Archived from the original on January 6, 2013. Retrieved August 10, 2015.
  23. ^ "Celebrate Soulfully this Summer at Disneyland Resort, with 'Tale of the Lion King' Debuting May 28". Archived from the original on May 9, 2022.
  24. ^ "New at Disneyland Resort This Spring 2025". March 31, 2025.
  25. ^ "Guide to 2024 Holiday Entertainment at Disneyland Resort". November 7, 2024.
  26. ^ Peyton (December 2, 2025). "Disneyland Resort 2026 Calendar, Events, and Offers". Disney Parks Blog. Retrieved December 2, 2025.
  27. ^ "What's New With the Wiggles". The Wiggles.com. Archived from the original on February 22, 1999. Retrieved April 7, 2014.
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