When the sun goes down, a different kind of Magic falls over Disneyland. As shadows get longer and the sky gets darker, Disneyland begins the transition to its evening illuminated brilliance. Disney goes to incredible lengths to make sure that Disneyland is absolutely beautiful in the evening (if not more so than what it is like during the day). The trees being to sparkle with lighted energy... Tomorrowland begins to glow with its neon and rich colors... Adventureland has torches that burn and dance in the night air... Main Street becomes bright with the running lights around the building fronts. Most impressive of all, Sleeping Beauty's Castle beings to glow with incredible colors that certainly leave a lasting impression on the park visitors. The park becomes uniquely beautiful. Do not miss it.

There are a few activities that are special to the night here at Disneyland. One such experience is Believe... There's Magic in the Stars. Before the fireworks show begins, the lights around Main Street dim and the castle glows bright in the surrounding darkness. What follows is an intense and colorful display in the night air choreographed to the playful music. The colored fire lights up the night and casts its colors to the ground below. Let your emotions go and become taken by its intensity. But wait a minute. What nighttime Magical show at the Happiest Place on Earth would be complete without a fairy? Tinker Bell is the Maiden of Honor as she soars off the peak of the Matterhorn and flies over Fantasyland to set off the show. So if the kids are asking you about seeing Tinker Bell, this is your chance. You can't make much more of a bigger entrance. The show is certainly visible from other areas in the park, but you don't get quite the same show unless you see them go off behind the Sleeping Beauty's Castle. Main Street gets pretty crowded around this time, but most people stand in the street so there should be room for everyone.

Keep in mind that Believe is seasonal, and sometimes is only shown on weekends. If you want to see this spectacular show, check with the official Disneyland Resort site for showtimes and to make sure that there is a showing on the day or days you plan to visit. A secondary benefit to the show is that a good portion of the guests will stay for the fireworks and then call it a day, especially those with younger children. The park opens up a little bit and the wait time for many attractions goes down, especially in Fantasyland. Some people take advantage of the attraction of the show to get on a few more rides, much like what happens when a parade is ready to proceed. But I love the show and I love to fall victim to the Magic that is in the stars tonight.
-Presented by Hewlett-Packard-

This used to be the Tomrrowland Terrace and I have to say that I liked it better that way. That's not necessarily anything against the way it is now, I just liked it better before the stage and eatery belonged to Buzz Lightyear. I guess it was because it felt more serious and a bit cooler. But I'm probably just crazy. The stage for this show is down a few steps from the eating area of Club Buzz. There is some space in front of the stage used mostly for dancing later on in the evening when bands rise up from elevating stage. That's always fun.

Before the show starts a charactered Cast Member teaches the young crowd a few small phrases so they can later become honorary Space Scouts. But before you know it, Buzz Lightyear himself arrives and begins to tell you of his most recent adventure involving the deactivation of the Evil Emperor Zurg. But Zurg isn't down for the count. Through mind control Zurg has the involved Cast Member shut Buzz down and restore him with power. What will happen? Which force will triumph? It may very well be up to the power of the young honorary Space Scouts seated below. There are plenty of showings a day. There are about six as I count it, so you won't have any trouble catching a show.

"Tonight our friend and host Mickey Mouse uses his vivid imagination to create magical imagery for all to enjoy. Nothing is more wonderful than the imagination. For in a moment you can experience a beautiful fantasy or an exciting adventure. But beware. Nothing is more powerful than the imagination. For it can also expand your greatest fears into an overwhelming nightmare. Are the powers of Mickey's incredible imagination strong enough and bright enough to withstand the evil forces that invade Mickey's dream? You are about to find out. For we now invite you to join Mickey and experience Fantasmic... a journey beyond your wildest imagination."

A few hours before the sun goes down, preparations begin for this nighttime spectacle. The lights in front of the Rivers of America dim and we are presented with the greeting above. Fantasmic! is a nighttime spectacular with incredible effects and enormous spectacle. Our host Mickey Mouse takes control of water, lights, lasers, and fire effects and is joined by some unforgettable characters and surprises. He suits up in his Sorcerers' Apprentice robes and goes to work bringing Magic to all who catch the show. He is joined by many of the heroes and villains of Disney as he easily commands the elements in front of him. But imagination is a powerful thing and there are a few who wish his dreams would turn into nightmares.

You can't help but watch and be impressed by this show. You will constantly be won over by the production. Everything from the lights, water, fire and stunts are amazing. There is a water mist projection system that is quite impressive and rather unique that really gives the show a dreamlike quality. You are seriously missing out if you don't catch a showing of Fantasmic!. For the most part there are usually only 2 or so shows a night, but Disneyland tends to add another show in the evening when there is enough demand for it (which seems to happen a lot lately). It tends to be a seasonal thing, but they have been showing more shows lately than I remember. During off seasons, shows are only on the weekends so please remember that when planning your visit. If you are willing, you can purchase seats on the balcony of the Disney Gallery for the show and get served warm beverages with a small delectable snack. I have never done it myself because it a bit on the expensive side but you get a great view and only adds to the unique experience.

I don't want to give too much away if you haven't seen it, so the best advice I can give is to just see it. Fantasmic! is the best of the best. I find it hard to write up the show because I love it so much. There isn't much more that I can say. I have yet to see Fantasmic! from other parks but I can't imagine them being better than the one here at Disneyland. Just don't miss it. By the way, do you think I could get that sound system installed in my apartment? Anyone? Anyone?

Right in the middle of Frontierland and across from the Rivers of Adventure, you will find the Golden Horseshoe. It is a very popular attraction here at Disneyland, especially with Disneyland lovers. What is the Golden Horseshoe? It's all about the old west. It is basically an opera house style saloon and stage taken from the 1800s. Inside you will find a variety show full of song and laughs currently starring Billy Hill and the Hillbillies. This show also rotates on occasion with the Golden Horseshoe Variety Show. After eagerly waiting on the western boardwalk outside, you make your way inside to a beautiful interior full of Disney detail. When you enter the main room you see a stage along the far wall with big red draping curtains. Tables and chairs line the floor in front of it. Then there is the bar for food and drinks off to the right. It is easy to see that everything from the floor to the ceiling is given immense thought. But hurry up and find a seat for the show will be starting soon. If you can get them, there are also some balcony box seats next to the stage available too.

So the show's starting soon, but not yet. Take this opportunity to have someone in your party hold on to the seats you grabbed while you get up and get some good eats. Just sally up to the bar and say, "Howdy". The food here is the basic small meal variety like burgers, hot dogs, chips, and Coke. But you'll be watching the show soon and you won't be able to get something else for a while. Why? You won't want to miss the show and that means you'll want to wait until the show's over before you get something else. Can you wait that long? Speaking of the show... The show itself is very entertaining. You'll be laughing and cheering all through this classic Disneyland western showpiece. Just don't choke on your food.

The Golden Horseshoe opened in July of 1955. It used to be the Golden Horseshoe Revue, but that was changed in late 1986. The name isn't the only thing that's changed. The stage shows themselves have changed a lot since its 1955 opening. Different talent gets headlined and routines change to keep them fresh. There is one performer that deserves mention. He name was Wally Boag. Walt Disney originally hired him for a limited run at the Golden Horseshoe and ended up staying for approximately 25 years. Now that's a Disneyland legend. Regardless of the show changes though, Walt wanted to insure that it would always be about lighthearted entertainment that visitors would want to catch again and again.

The Golden Horseshoe is also an attraction that is extremely easy to miss. The building doesn't draw a lot of attention and there aren't always long queues in front. People walk by without giving it much thought. There are only a set number of shows a day and seating is limited. Also, the Golden Horseshoe is not open everyday. Check your Disneyland Today to see if you can see a show during your visit. If you have been to Disneyland and haven't been to see the Golden Horseshoe, shame on you. Try to catch it the next time you go. And those who have seen it, well I don't need to tell you to see it again.

One could say that Snow White and the Seven Dwarves is what really got the ball rolling for Walt Disney. That first animated feature really took the world by storm and is still probably the most popular of all the animated Disney features and Snow White is probably the most popular of the Disney princesses. I think I see more young girls dressed like Snow White than any other character (if you're nice I just may post a picture of me dressed as Snow White from last Halloween). It seems fitting then that Snow White would get the royal treatment and eventually find its way to the Fantasyland Theatre. In case you aren't sure where to go, the theatre is located next to the Toontown Railroad Station and It's a Small World right before Toontown.

Can Disney pull off this ambitious musical production? Well, right when you walk in you feel as if the forest surrounds you. You look at the set pieces and eagerly await the show to start. The sets are absolutely fantastic. They are extremely detailed but also play into the production appropriately. The forest is stage center and stage right while portions of the castle are reproduced on stage left. I'm going to bet that almost everyone knows the story so I won't bother to go into that. If you don't know the story then you probably wouldn't even be reading this right now. The actors appear and right from the beginning you notice the costumes. They were beautiful and have a Magic sparkle to them. And the performances? They did a great job and they sounded wonderful. However the Dopey character reminded me of Chris Kattan's Mr. Peepers character from Saturday Night Live. Do you think so (is that good or bad)? The music while certainly inspired from the feature was still played with enough to fit the production and engage you. The Magic Mirror was also a great idea. It appears as both a character and the narrator. The mirror is a quite cleaver animatronic object with shards of glass forming a face that booms out audibly to the audience. There are also a couple of other moments that stood out for me. During the washing scene, bubbles fall from above on to the audience and at the climax, tissue paper rose petals fall from above really adding to the production. To be honest though I wasn't all that hot about the forest animals and how they were played. I think it was a just a little too much. I understand that they were used for transitions and to fill the stage, but it just felt over the top.

The Fantasyland Theater also has a snack bar named the Enchanted Cottage Sweets and Treats just to the left when you enter. They have such great treats like Bavarian sausages, cake, "wishing" apples with characters printed on the side, these Fantasy Cinnamon Crisps as well as a few other items such as drinks. Now these Crisps are a real killer. They are these cinnamon chips that look a little like tortilla chips but with sugar and cinnamon on them. Then they pile on these warm apples like pie filling. Then there's a mound of whipped cream topped with caramel and small pieces of candy confetti. My hats are off to you if you can finish one of these on your own. I was sharing with someone and it seemed too much. Mighty tasty though. But I digress...

The show is pretty tight at under 30 minutes. There is a lot that has to happen and the pace keeps moving. I certainly did enjoy myself and I was much more impressed with this than with Aladdin at California Adventure. I enjoyed Snow White and I think it is a valiant effort and the show will do rather well. It is worth watching so see if you can get to it. It's not long and I'm certain you will enjoy it.
-Presented by Nestle Ice Cream-

As you enter Fantasyland from beneath Sleeping Beauty's Castle you will notice a sword stuck in a stone pedestal in from front of King Arthur's Carousel. Go ahead and try to remove the Sword from the Stone. It's just not possible. Everyone in your family or group of friends can give it a try and it simply will not budge. It takes someone special to remove the sword. Not just anyone can claim this special trophy from its stone sheath. Is there anyone in the park that can accomplish this? Our friend Merlin from the Sword in the Stone emerges and asks this very question. Different young knights and maidens take their turn through the guidance of this Magical Master. Merlin is insistent upon finding a new King and guarantees that there is someone who can perform this seemingly impossible feat. Could it be you?

The show consists of Merlin saying a few welcoming words to the gathering crowd. He then takes youngsters and gives them the chance to remove the Sword from the Stone. Eventually a child has the power to do so and they are presented with a few congratulatory items from the wizard in the form of a certificate and crown. The Sword in the Stone Ceremony is a seasonal show and usually only takes place during the weekends (including Fridays) for the quieter times in the park. During busy months there are more days added to the schedule. There are plenty of showings a day so consort with your Disneyland Today guide and see what times are good for you. Through my years I have never actually tried to remove the Sword during the show. I think there are a few pictures out there of me trying when no one was around but fortunately those are buried in some photo albums somewhere never to be seen again.