The Sorcerer's Apprentice

Every night, exactly thirty minutes before park closing, the Sorcerer's Apprentice begins. This "sunset spectacular" is similar to Fantasmic: with popular Disney Characters signing songs associated with them yet working in unison to tell a story. The show happens right in the middle of the park, with the lake near Jiu Cheng and Rothana Drive Yards designed purposefully in mind for the show. Seating will be available, but guests may also choose to stand along the pathway, or dine in one of the eateries.

One may argue, why not simply make this Fantasmic? The show certainty works and could easily be designed. However, it does fully fit the theme or lore of the park, and if Disney is going to already build a new stage and train new actors they may as well go all-out, and design a proper masterpiece for the new park. The story of this special show sees a group of villains excitingly preparing for Chernabog's big entrance at park closing. The "main character" of the show is Ernesto de la Cruz; a popular villain from a well-received recent IP. Cruz tries to push music on everyone he meets, leading to many great numbers. There are a total of 10 songs.

The Show

Before the show properly begins, Honest John and Gideon (Pinocchio) march around the stage signing Hi-Diddle-Dee-Dee. After the opening song, Hades tiredly announces safety procedures before declaring: Let's do this. Again.

The lights turn off, and anticipatory music is played. Suddenly, the projectors turn on and we witness a montage of a certain famous musician.

With this Ernesto de la Cruz (Coco) comes out to thunderous applause, and performs Poco Loco. He is accompanied by a group of costumed chickens, performing all sorts of poco-loco stunts in the background. This will surely catch everyone's attention walking by.

As the song ends, Hades (Hercules) enters. But Hades is not acting like his usual self- he is moping about. He is a stark juxtaposition from Cruz's macho.

Oh. Hi Cruz. It's me, King of the Underworld.

Senor Hades? What is wrong? You are acting differently.

Huh... I just don't see the point in all this anymore. You're a new villain; you have hope. For me well, face it. We've been saying Chernabog is going to burst out that mountain. But recently there's this prophecy of the Sorcerer's Apprentice. I wonder who that might be. Cause whenever there's a prophecy, the good guys are going to win.

Why Senor Hades, you just need some faith! Look- the rest of the party is a coming!

The rest of the Fantasyland Disney villains are arriving via four boats from the river. On the boat is Jafar (Aladdin), Shan Yu (Mulan), Captain Hook (Peter Pan), Mother Gothel (Rapunzel), Gaston (Beauty and the Beast), and Prince Hans (Frozen). As they arrive, they begin to sing Poor Unfortunate Souls. A large Ursula AA appears from behind the stage, leading the song as everyone else joins in a zombie-like fashion. The group of villains tries to cheer up Hades, mentioning all the terrible things they will do, but Hades shrugs the entire song off as "contrived" and "stereotypical". Everyone is at a loss, expect Cruz.

Cruz then glances over at the last boat, which has arrived late. It is Dr. Facilier (Princess and the Frog), and his friends on the other side. As they arrive and disembark to join the other villains, they sing Friends on the Other Side.

Cruella quickly mingles with the other villains without much problem. Cruz and Hades are pleased by the growing number of villains when the giant clock reminds them just 15 more minutes until Bald Mountain. Suddenly, the Mad Hatter (Alice in Wonderland) pops out of a rock. Hades tells him to shoo because he isn't a "real villain" to which the Hatter ignores and begin to sing A Very Happy Unbirthday to You! In contrast to the darker "evil" songs of before, this is a fun crazy song in the spirit of the opening act. Throughout the increasingly crazy song, the rest of the villains try to get the Wonderland characters out of here, until Cruz decides to let them stay purely because they can play music. Hades wonders if the Mad Hatter is the "Sorcerer's Apprentice". But they dismiss that notion.

They are next interrupted by the arrival of an animatronic Scar (The Lion King). Scar and his hyena minions sing Be Prepared. The lights shine on different areas with their own animatronic Scars, making it seems as if he is moving. While he sings, Scar is adamant he is the greatest villain. This annoys everyone else, and by the end, there is much infighting.

The Evil Queen (Snow White) suddenly arrives with a gigantic mirror and sings Mirror, Mirror. This is one of two original songs, involving all the various Disney Villains getting their chance to shine as they compete for the title of "best villain". Towards the end, Cruella de Vil (101 Dalmatians) arrives and sings her own song which appeases the Mirror. Hades asks his Cruella is the "Sorcerer's Apprentice", but she is not. Thee villains are then told Bald Mountain erupts shortly (signified by a rumbling on the surface).

Why everyone sings! Facilier here sings, Scar here sings, Cruella sings. Surely you sing!

No.

The conversation has been awkwardly hilarious. Hades tries to break it up with some puns, but Vader still doesn't understand. He then asks about the "Sorcerer's Apprentice" again, and once again they have no idea what he is talking about. Vader here is played for largely comedic relief, as his sense of "threat" falls apart when trying to be polite. At last, he agrees to sing- a little bit. Cruz gives him some advice:

Lord Vader, you must seize your moment. Let the music flow through you.

Ok. Here I go:

I-- I-- let me start over- [Microphone screech]

[Labored Breathing] I don't like sand.

No, I don't like sand.

It is coarse, it is rough, it is irritating. [Labored Breathing]

And it gets everywhere!

It has now become clear to Cruz why Vader does not sing: he's horrible at it. Cruz tries to teach him, but it just becomes more cringe worthy as Vader starts making random hand signals to evoke rap.

Yo, my name's Boba I don't like sand either. Once I got such in a sarlacc, huh!

Senors senors please stop I will help.

Cruz begins to play his guitar, and all of a sudden the rest of the villains begin to chime in, perfecting Vader's poor song choice. Before long I don't like sand is presentable, as Darth Vader now has an official lyrical song.

Then Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty) arrives. The fun has stopped and everyone is in line. Maleficent declares it time at last for their leader, Chernabog, to emerge out of Bald Mountain. They sing Night on Bald Mountain in honor of the demon.

Senor Mickey, what are you saying?

I'm saying, the light and dark, yin and yang, they must work together. I may disagree with you, but we must put aside differences. Only then can we make our dreams become reality.

Chernabog does not speak, but growls in frustration. The other villi ans don't buy in. Mickey begins to sing When You Wish Upon a Star. He starts alone, but then Ernesto de la Cruz joins in, followed by Hades, and then the rest of the villains. Suddenly everyone has joined Mickey's team, and Chernabog stands in disgust. Mickey has appealed to the reason within all of us, and by admitting that even he is not perfect, he has shown the villains something they did not know before. Although these villains are not by no means redeemed, they know see the necessity in stopping their former leader. Chernabog starts smashing the rocks and the seats from across the lake start to shake. He is going to destroy Disneyland!

Mickey speaks to the crowd.

This isn't magic. We all have strengths, we all have weaknesses. There is a reason to every side. That is the spirit of the Sorcerer's Apprentice.

To answer your question Hades: It is not me. It not you. Rather... it is all of us....

And with the surprising team-up of yin and yang, Mickey and Villains banish Chernabog back into the mountain.

Epilogue

Thank you for reading. When Walt Disney Imagineering approached our team asking for a villain's park, many of us were confused. We believe Disney does not represent villainy, so why should it be celebrating villainy? This is a confusing trend. We could set the park as a fear against villainy, but it'd be really depressing. We could honor the villains, but then we are promoting their message.

The message of Yin and Yang fit Hong Kong on so many levels. Hong Kong has a flat, empty plot of land just begging for a park: which just happens to be right across from Disneyland Park! And the area is larger than Disneyland Park. The Hong Kong resort could use a new park. China is where the concept of Yin and Yang originated. Because this will be only the second park, we can make the entire resort centered around this concept.

And with that, we have reached the conclusion of Disney's Dark Kingdom!