Fantasyland Theatre, formerly Videopolis, is the name of a outdoor

amphitheater An amphitheatre ( U.S. English: amphitheater) is an open-air venue used for entertainment, performances, and sports. The term derives from the ancient Greek ('), from ('), meaning "on both sides" or "around" and ('), meaning "place for vie ...

Disneyland Disneyland is a amusement park, theme park at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. It was the first theme park opened by the Walt Disney Company and the only one designed and constructed under the direct supervision of Walt Disney, ...

Anaheim, California Anaheim ( ) is a city in northern Orange County, California, United States, part of the Greater Los Angeles area. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the city had a population of 346,824, making it the most populous city in Orang ...

. Located in

Fantasyland Fantasyland is one of the "themed lands" at all of the Disneyland-style parks run by The Walt Disney Company around the world. It is themed after List of Disney animated films based on fairy tales, Disney's animated fairy tale feature films. Ea ...

, it has 1,800 seats and functions as a venue for various shows. In 1995, the location was renamed to Fantasyland Theater. 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

The original Fantasyland Theater (different spelling) opened in 1956. This theater showed Disney cartoons and Mouseketeers of ''

The Mickey Mouse Club ''The Mickey Mouse Club'' is an American variety television show that aired intermittently from 1955 to 1996 and briefly returned to social media in 2017. Created by Walt Disney and produced by Walt Disney Productions, the program was first te ...

'' featured short films. In 1981, it shut down in preparation for construction of the revamped Fantasyland and was then replaced with

Pinocchio's Daring Journey Pinocchio's Daring Journey is a dark ride at Disneyland in California, Tokyo Disneyland, and Disneyland Park in Paris. Located in the Fantasyland section of each park, this ride is based on Disney's 1940 animated film version of the classic sto ...

in 1983.

History

Videopolis opened on June 22, 1985, a short distance to the west of

It's a Small World It's a Small World (stylized in all lowercase and in quotations or with exclamation mark) is an Old Mill boat ride located in the Fantasyland area at various Disney theme parks around the world. Versions of the ride are installed at Disney ...

. During the day, the theater was used for theme-park shows, but in the evening, it was used as a dance club with

music video A music video is a video that integrates a song or an album with imagery that is produced for promotion (marketing), promotional or musical artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a music marketing device intended to ...

s. 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 KROQ-FM (106.7 MHz) is a commercial radio station licensed to Pasadena, California, serving Greater Los Angeles. Owned by Audacy, Inc., it broadcasts an alternative rock format known as "The World Famous KROQ" (pronounced "kay-rock"). The sta ...

would also appear during the music video segments. The venue included a

snack bar A snack bar usually refers to an inexpensive food counter that is part of a permanent structure where snack foods and light meals are sold. Description A beach snack bar is often a small building situated high on the sand. Besides soft drink ...

called "Yumz" opening on June 19.The Disneyland Encyclopedia, by Chris Strodder, 2008. via The theater was featured in the television program of the same name on the

Disney Channel Disney Channel is an American pay television television channel, channel that serves as the flagship (broadcasting), flagship property of Disney Branded Television, a unit of the Disney Entertainment business segment of the Walt Disney Company ...

. Filmed live at Videopolis, the show broadcast concert performances from an array of

Top 40 In the music industry, the Top 40 is a list of the 40 currently most popular songs in a particular genre. It is the best-selling or most frequently broadcast popular music. Record charts have traditionally consisted of a total of 40 songs. "To ...

bands and singers including

Debbie Gibson Deborah Ann Gibson (born August 31, 1970) is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She released her debut album ''Out of the Blue (Debbie Gibson album), Out of the Blue'' (1987) at age 16, writing and largely producing the material. The a ...

New Kids on the Block New Kids on the Block (also initialized as NKOTB) is an American boy band from Dorchester, Massachusetts. The band consists of brothers Jonathan and Jordan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, and Danny Wood. New Kids on the Block had ...

, Tiffany,

Teena Marie Mary Christine Brockert (March 5, 1956 – December 26, 2010), known professionally as Teena Marie, was an American Soul music, soul and Contemporary R&B, R&B singer, songwriter, and producer. She was known by her childhood nickname Tina before ...

, Menudo,

Glenn Medeiros Glenn Alan Medeiros (born June 24, 1970) is an American former singer best known for his 1987 George Benson cover, "Nothing's Gonna Change My Love for You", which reached No. 12 on the US ''Billboard charts, Billboard'' Billboard Hot 100, Hot 10 ...

New Edition New Edition is an American Contemporary R&B, R&B/Pop music, pop group from the Roxbury, Boston, Roxbury neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, formed in 1978 by singer/rapper Bobby Brown. Their name is taken to mean a new edition of the Jackson ...

Jody Watley Jody Vanessa Watley (born January 30, 1959) is an American singer, songwriter and producer whose music crosses genres including pop, R&B, jazz, dance and electronic soul.Paoletta, Michael (February 22, 2003) "Watley Relaxes In The Setting of The ...

, Shannon, Midnight Star,

Taylor Dayne Taylor Dayne (born Leslie Wunderman; March 7, 1962) is an American singer who rose to fame after her first two albums ('' Tell It to My Heart'' and '' Can't Fight Fate'') were both certified 2× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of ...

, Pebbles,

Janet Jackson Janet Damita Jo Jackson (born May 16, 1966) is an American singer, songwriter, actress and dancer. She is noted for her innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows. Her sound and choreogr ...

, and The Jets. The dance club concept was abandoned and closed on November 26, 1989, after several high-profile gang-related incidents. Videopolis was then converted for exclusive stage-show use. Disneyland was successfully sued on two separate occasions by members of the

LGBT community The LGBTQ community (also known as the LGBT, LGBT+, LGBTQ+, LGBTQIA, LGBTQIA+, or queer community) comprises LGBTQ people, LGBTQ individuals united by LGBTQ culture, a common culture and LGBTQ movements, social movements. These Community, comm ...

in 1985 due to dancing between the same-sex being prohibited at the club. The policy was dropped in 1985. The

Children's Miracle Network Children's Miracle Network Hospitals (CMN Hospitals) (French: (RES)) is a nonprofit organization that raises funds for children's hospitals in the U.S. and Canada. Donations support the health of more than 10 million children each year. Donat ...

Telethon also made use of Videopolis from 1982 to 1993. The show's hosts included singer and ''

The Dukes of Hazzard ''The Dukes of Hazzard'' is an American action comedy television series created by Gy Waldron that aired on CBS from January 26, 1979, to February 8, 1985, with a total of seven seasons consisting of List of The Dukes of Hazzard episodes, 147 ...

'' actor John Schneider,

Marie Osmond Olive Marie Osmond (born October 13, 1959) is an American singer, actress, television personality, author, and businesswoman. She is known for her girl next door, girl-next-door image and her decades-long career in many different areas. Her musi ...

, ''

Entertainment Tonight ''Entertainment Tonight'' (or simply ''ET'') is an American Broadcast syndication, first-run syndicated news broadcasting news magazine, newsmagazine program that is distributed by CBS Media Ventures throughout the United States and owned by Par ...

'' co-host

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, impressionist

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, Olympic Gold Medalist

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, Pro Football Hall of Famer

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, and

the 5th Dimension The 5th Dimension is an American vocal group. Their music encompasses sunshine pop, pop soul, and psychedelic soul. They were an important crossover music act of the 1960s and 1970s, although both praised and derided for their particular music ...

Marilyn McCoo Marilyn McCoo (born September 30, 1943) is an American singer, actress, and television presenter, who is best known for being the lead female vocalist in the group the 5th Dimension as well as hosting the 1980s music television show '' Solid Gol ...

and Billy Davis Jr. From 1991-1992 Videopolis had a new Christmas show called Mickey's Nutcracker. The show was a 31 minute musical based on the original Nutcracker with Minnie being the main character of this musical. In 1991 a TV special was made for this show, same for 1992. On January 29, 2020, the Videopolis dance club was briefly revived for the Disneyland After Dark: 80s Nite event. 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 (which eventually happened on April 30, 2021). On December 9, 2021, it was announced that the Fantasyland Theatre will reopen in 2022 hosting 2 shows that will move from Disney California Adventure to Disneyland. "Celebrate Gospel" will run in February on multiple dates while "Tale of the Lion King" will open in Spring 2022. On January 7, 2024, Disneyland announced that ''Tales of the Lion King'' would be the final performance of the show, in Fantasyland Theatre. On March 13, 2024, Disneyland announced that a new shows, ''Pixar Pals Playtime Party'' would be premiere on April 26, 2024, and take place until August 4, 2024, in Fantasyland Theatre, as part of Pixar Fest celebration. On November 7, 2024, it was announced that a new holiday shows, ''Holiday Fun with Santa and Friends!'', will be premiere on November 15, 2024 in Fantasyland Theatre, as part of Holidays at Disneyland celebration.

Disneyland Paris

Discoveryland Tomorrowland is one of the many "themed lands" featured at all of the Magic Kingdom styled Disney theme parks around the world owned or licensed by The Walt Disney Company. Each version of the land is different and features numerous attractions ...

at Disneyland Park, stands Videopolis; 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.

Shows

As Videopolis

* ''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 Walter Elias Disney ( ; December 5, 1901December 15, 1966) was an American animator, film producer, voice actor, and entrepreneur. A pioneer of the Golden age of American animation, American animation industry, he introduced several develop ...

(December 16, 1989 – April 29, 1990) * ''Dick Tracy in Diamond Double-Cross'' (June 15, 1990 – December 31, 1990) * ''Plane Crazy'', with characters from ''

TaleSpin ''TaleSpin'' is an American animated television series produced by Walt Disney Television Animation. It first aired in 1990 as a preview-run on The Disney Channel before beginning its main run in syndication later that year as part of the pro ...

'' and other Disney Afternoon shows. (March 15, 1991 – September 1991) * ''Mickey's Nutcracker'' (Christmas Seasons 1991 & 1992) * ''

Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage ''Beauty and the Beast'': Live on Stage is a Broadway-style musical at the Theater of the Stars, on Sunset Boulevard, at Disney's Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World. It is based on Disney's 1991 animated feature film ''Beauty and the Beast' ...

'' (April 12, 1992 – April 30, 1995)

As Fantasyland Theater

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

As Fantasyland Theatre

* ''Mickey and the Magical Map'' (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 The governor of California is the head of government of the U.S. state of California. The governor is the commander-in-chief of the California National Guard and the California State Guard. Established in the Constitution of California, th ...

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. * '' Tale of the Lion King'' (May 28, 2022 – January 7, 2024) * ''Pixar Pals Playtime Party'' (April 26, 2024 – August 4, 2024 & May 23, 2025 – present) * ''Holiday Fun with Santa and Friends'' (November 15, 2024 – January 6, 2025 )

Television

* During the 1991 and 1992 holiday seasons, ''Mickey's Nutcracker'' was televised on the

. * In 1998, some of the live segments of ''

The Wiggles The Wiggles are an Australian children's music group formed in Sydney in 1991. As of 2022, the group members are Anthony Field, Lachlan Gillespie, Simon Pryce, Tsehay Hawkins, Evie Ferris, John Pearce (entertainer), John Pearce, Caterina Mete ...

Live at Disneyland'' were televised on the

in Australia. * In 2022, April season, Party Gustavo Live at Disneyland were televised on the

Disney Junior Disney Jr. (formerly Disney Junior) is an American pay television network owned by the Disney Branded Television sub-division of the Disney Entertainment business segment of the Walt Disney Company. Aimed mainly at children two to seven year ...

in Australia

References

{{Disneyland Amusement rides introduced in 1985 Walt Disney Parks and Resorts attractions Disneyland Fantasyland 1985 establishments in California