Probably the biggest sleeper hit in Walt Disney World history.
In 2003, a (reported) $100 million attraction opened, pushing the limits of technology, and offering massive thrills and a unique experience. Meanwhile, though Mission: Space is not a bad ride, in that same year, it was outclassed by a relatively simple 4D show fitted into an existing theater in Fantasyland, which still reigns as one of the most highly-approved attractions in the parks across age groups.
Mickey's PhilHarmagic is just a CG singalong of Disney Favorites, but it just does it with so much absolute heart. It is unapologetically happy, and shows a total understanding of why the greatest songs in the Disney library have stuck with us.
Because it's such a simple attraction, there's very little to say about it. Here's just a list of favorite moments.
The cork launching finale of Be Our Guest is stressful the first time, but if you can allow yourself, watch the crowd react. Everyone is getting jump scared, and it's great.
To this day, apple pie smell makes me think of Lumiere singing because of this show.
I've long since learned where to block the water from coming out when the Sorcerer's Apprentice brooms start splashing the audience. Now I can block them and just listen to screams. Also, have you ever noticed people cringe and hold their hands up when Simba is on top of the fountain at the end of Just Can't Wait to be King? It's great. They've been conditioned.
Speaking of, the art style and animation of Just Can't Wait is absolutely wonderful, especially when the giraffes are looking left to right. The little cartoony failure sound that plays when Donald's face appears in the animal shapes is a neat sting.
Another neat sting is the low "bong" that plays when Donald lands on the minute hand of Big Ben in You Can Fly. There's a technique aptly known as "mickey mousing" where music is scored in such a way that it accents the action on screen, and its perfect that PhilHar pulls this out with established music. Also, Tinkerbell's little hop when the hat lands is adorable.
Ariel's detailed trove, and her swimming above the audience, is a tremendous use of 3D. That whole scene is mesmerizing, and the iconic song makes it even better. Looking up from the theater seat into the sunlight above the waves is gorgeous.
The scene is exceptionally gorgeous because of the 180 degree seamless screen, which is a really underrated accomplishment. You don't even see it when you sit down, and you barely notice it's there when it shows up, because of how the stage covertly transforms against expectations.
Sit near the back, because Aladdin and Jasmine hovering over the crowd during A Whole New World really sells the effect. That entire segment is awe-inspiring, and serves for a great finale.
I haven't seen the Coco section yet, but I'm assuming it's great. It feels impossible that it's not.
Finally, PhilHar manages to even be a subtle acknowledgement to the legacy of its location. If you never saw it, the opening day attraction in this section of Fantasyland -- lasting for almost two decades -- was Mickey Mouse Revue, where a collection of animatronic Disney stars -- lead of course by Mickey -- played through a collection of then-iconic Disney songs. This was just before the renaissance, though, which added a new era to Disney music and ended up providing the bulk of PhilHar's content. It's just so fitting that a now-legendary attraction with a similar concept sits in that theater.
PhilHar doesn't get a lot of words, but it does get so much love. It's simple, so this article is simple. There is beauty and elegance in its simplicity, however. Without likely even standing in line, guests of every age are treated -- in the air conditioning -- to a warm, happy, nostalgic, amusing musical that sends almost everyone back out to the courtyard with a smile. Being able to serve as a genuine crowd pleaser to such a massive audience is huge, and it all came from what seemed like an also-ran at the start of 2003.
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