Disneyland plans to launch a two-month project to improve traffic flow in New Orleans Square at a notoriously crowded pinch point near Pirates of the Caribbean ahead of the return of the “Fantasmic” nighttime spectacular along the Rivers of America.
The New Orleans Square work will start after the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction closes on Monday, March 14 for a seasonal refurbishment and is scheduled to be complete before “Fantasmic” returns on May 28, according to Disney officials.
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Changes to the Pirates of the Caribbean queue route will help traffic flow around the attraction and New Orleans Square, according to Disney officials. The Pirates of the Caribbean extended queue will no longer flow along the waterfront walkway toward Haunted Mansion after the work is complete, according to Disney officials.
All “Fantasmic” viewing areas and platforms along the Rivers of America will remain unchanged with trees and additional green space added after work is complete, according to Disney officials.
Some of the raised platforms and stairs along the Rivers of America near Pirates of the Caribbean will be lowered as part of the New Orleans Square work, according to Disney officials.
The work on New Orleans Square traffic flow has a similar mission to Project Stardust — but is not part of the 2019 program that sought to relieve pedestrian pinch points throughout Disneyland. Project Stardust took a comprehensive park-wide look at Disneyland operations, infrastructure and crowd management with an eye toward improving efficiency, traffic flow and access.
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The COVID-19 pandemic put nighttime spectaculars and other entertainment on hold during the phased reopening of Disneyland due to the large crowds they attract.
“Fantasmic” is coming back later than three other nighttime spectaculars that were also put on hiatus by the COVID-19 pandemic. “World of Color,” Main Street Electrical Parade and the “Disneyland Forever” fireworks show will return on April 22.
In recent months, the “Fantasmic” mist screens and fountains in the Rivers of America have been undergoing an extensive rehab in preparation for the nighttime spectacular’s 30th anniversary celebration.