Description And Comments

With Mickey's PhilharMagic, each of the four Disney theme parks has a 3-D movie attraction. PhilharMagic features an odd collection of Disney characters, mixing Mickey and Donald with Simba and Ariel as well as Jasmine and Aladdin. Presented in a theater large enough to accommodate a 150-foot-wide screen - huge by 3-D movie standards, the 3-D movie is augmented by an arsenal of special effects built into the theater. The plot involves Mickey, as the conductor of the PhilharMagic, leaving the theater to solve a mystery. In his absence Donald appears and attempts to take charge, with disastrous results.

The attraction is one of Disney's best 3-D efforts. Brilliantly conceived, furiously paced, and laugh-out-loud funny, PhilharMagic incorporates a hit parade of Disney's most beloved characters in a production that will leave you grinning. A North Carolina mother of a 3-year-old, however, accuses us of pulling our punches regarding the show's appropriateness for young children:

Our family found PhilharMagic way too violent (what seemed like minutes on end of Donald getting the crap kicked out of him by various musical instruments). I had to haul my screaming child out of the theater and submit to a therapeutic carousel ride afterwards.

Happily, an Oregon mom has come up with a practical way to nip the willies in the bud:

My advice to parents is simply to have their kids not wear the 3-D glasses. We took my daughter's off right away, and then she began giggling and having a good time watching the movie.

Touring Tips

Though the other 3-D movies are loud, in-your-face affairs, Mickey's PhilharMagic is much softer and cuddlier. Things still pop out of the screen, but they're not scary things. Most children are enthusiastic and astonished instead of quaking in their Crocs. You should still proceed cautiously if you have kids under age 5 in your group, but it's the rare child who is frightened. The show is very popular, but on the other hand, the theater is very large. This is a seasonal Fastpass attraction, but except on the busiest days you shouldn't wait more than 25 minutes (usually less) without Fastpass.

Attraction Photos

Special Comments

Special Needs

Disney Dish with Jim Hill

INCOMPREHENSIBLE IN EVERY LANGUAGE

Mickey's PhilharMagic was kind of a departure for Disney in that it was the first theme park film deliberately designed for the international market. In order to avoid any translation issues, the film's dialogue was kept to an absolute minimum. This is why Donald Duck was chosen to be the movie's central character: no matter what country you're from or what language you speak, you still can't understand what he's saying.

Other Attractions in Fantasyland

Touring Plans with Mickey's PhilharMagic

What is a Touring Plan?

Lands