AK then Cali Grill OR HS then Fantasmic - can the kids stay up?

[SpringSprite]

Here's the situation - not sure if my 4 year old will successfully handle the noise of either, he used to love fireworks but last year was holding his hands over his ears the whole time. So we might scrap plans for either after 4th of July this year...

But if he does do well on the 4th, any suggestions given this situation:

My kids are not nappers because when they nap it's for hours and then they are up all night, making the next day a mess, etc. And they are up by 7 am everyday no matter what time they go to bed.

So we plan a lot of rope drop, early afternoon FP, early dinner and then early bed days.

But of course I want SOME nighttime entertainment.

Which do you think would be easier to get them to tolerate? (or can you share your own experiences?)

1. An AK day, back to resort to decompress and then 7:15 Cali Grill for dinner (I'm thinking if little guy DOES stay scared of fireworks, this might be the best way for him to see them. But of course I might have cranky kids at a nice restaurant, don't want to ruin everyone else's (as well as our own) expensive dinner

2. HS - full on touring day, Fantasmic package at Brown Derby, a few more rides / whatever and then F! seating without a long wait. He does love Sorcerer Mickey, but I've read it can be hard to get out of the theatre with a freaking out kid?

We are staying at VWL so the trip back from Cali Grill will be easier, I'm thinking.

The next day is a NO park day, so they can sleep in.
They are 5 & 4

Sorry this is so rambling, I just don't know what to do! In both cases it will be the only day we visit HS and AK, so I want to do a bit of touring at both.

TIA!

Thanks!

 

[kmb584]

I would go with the AK/Cali Grill option as it has built-in relaxtion time. Our AK days aren't hectic as we focus more on exploring the park than the rides and while my DD doesn't nap either (same scenario - she'll sleep for 3+ hours and then be up all night) she isn't cranky in the evening either. We'll usually stay at AK until 3p and then head to MK for the remainder of the night without issue. At CG you'll be able to remove your child(ren) if they start acting out easier than at F! too. I know that for us if we toured full strength all day and then stayed for F! (plus the transpo time back to the resort) my DD would be in the throes of a messy tantrum.

 

[dsneygirl]

The one negative to Cali is dinner can take a long time. When we were there last year it was well over 2 hours as Fireworks started right before dessert so we went out and then came back in. If the fireworks are at 8 maybe. But for my kids no I would not do a late dinner like that after a full day at AK.

 

[MandiC]

We did California Grill with our two oldest (7 and 9 at the time). I wouldn't have done it with *my* 4 year old but we did see a very well behaved little boy there that was probably about 4/5. It is long but the kids loved it and thought it was really cool. We stayed inside for the fireworks, you definitely don't really hear the fireworks themselves but honestly, when we did Wishes at MK it isn't an overwhelming loudness like at some 4th of July shows. They play the music and it is just a cool experience. In my opinion you miss one of the best parts of Wishes if you aren't in the park itself, the castle projection show right before the fireworks start! I know my kids loved that more than the fireworks, my favorite show as far as fireworks was concerned was IllumiNations in Epcot. The advantage of doing this on the AK day is that if you rope drop AK you will likely be done there in time to go back to your room and let the kids rest a bit before dinner.
We didn't do Fantasmic, it was raining on our HS day and we left the park early and didn't return, not sure if they still did it or not but I have heard it can be scary for young kids.

Another possible option, AK is going to start doing a nighttime water show (no fireworks due to the animals) this summer. I am not sure on the dates or how long it will go or if it will be available during your visit but might be something worth looking into.

 

[SpringSprite]

We did California Grill with our two oldest (7 and 9 at the time). I wouldn't have done it with *my* 4 year old

Thank you all for your input! I AM skeptical about doing it with my kids as well... But fortunately we have two grandmas with us, and hubby and I are FAST eaters. They are giving us 3 date nights on our trip......so I figure if the kids are a nightmare, we can take one or both back to the WL and let the grandmas enjoy a nice meal sans kids, too