Best Night "Show"

[Ramsfan28]

1.Wishes
2.Illuminations
3.Fantasmic

 

[It'sWDW4me]

1.Wishes
2.Illuminations
3.Fantasmic

This is my list as well. They are ALL wonderful but Wishes just still makes me tear up every time. I can't imagine a trip that I don't see it. Illuminations makes me gasp and oooooh and aawwwww every time. Fantasmic is fantastic but the lines and wait are enough of a turnoff to put it at #3.

 

[Balt ravens fan]

AK .. Just kidding!

They asked for Parks so my response is:

1) MK - they have 2 things the parade and wishes
2) EP - illuminations - awesome!
3) HS - fantasmic - this is the only one we "skip" some trips, but still good

If we include DLR then World of Color would be #1 and all other would bump down!

 

[skifast22]

At WDW my fav is Wishes. Just something about fireworks and the castle that will always be special. To that end, I am about ready for a new theme to the show though.

Illuminations comes in second. Illuminations has some amazing parts, but the middle of the show where they focus on the images of the rotating globe does bore me.

Fantasmic is third. Now that they only show it one or two days a week, it just causes the rest of the park to be extra crowded. I also don't care for the Pochahontus sections of the show (wasn't too big a fan of the movie). I've skipped it the last two trips, and the trip before that we left early. That time we were seated at the far end. Because we were watching from the side, we could see the cranes that make up the draon, and other props...just ruined the illusion of the show.

I will say that perhaps the best show I've seen though is Fantasmic at Disneyland. I love how it's on the rivers of america, and that they utilize the steamboat and the Columbia in the show.

 

[disneydiva1313]

For me...it's all in the Magic Kingdom...Wishes, and the Halloween Parade!

 

[Joe'sgirl]

I have seen a show during MNSSHP - could that have been Wishes?? I thought those fireworks were better then the ones at Epcot. Is Wishes the same time every night?

 

[XYSRUS]

1. Fantasmic!
2. Fantasmic!
3. Fantasmic!
4. Main Street Eletrical Parade!

 

[cuchu2005]

I have seen a show during MNSSHP - could that have been Wishes?? I thought those fireworks were better then the ones at Epcot. Is Wishes the same time every night?

Yes, Wishes is the same every night.

But you are referring to Hallowishes, which takes place at MK, while MNSSHP is up, and only during those nights. I don't know if the OP is interested in that show, as it only runs during Halloween festivities, and the ticket for them is sold separately.

If you ask me Hallowishes and the Boo to You parade are the best night shows I have ever seen at WDW.

If OP is asking strictly about regular (i.e. every night, included in you admission), then my vote would go to Illuminations.

I also love Wishes (typical postcard of the castle with FW int the background) and Fantasmic (incredible special effects, but with awful crowds).

Mx

 

[XYSRUS]

1. Fantasmic!
2. Fantasmic!
3. Fantasmic!
4. Main Street Electrical Parade!

 

[Baloo and Bagheera]

If you eliminate all factors other than the show itself, I would rank them...
1) Fantasmic!
2) Wishes + MSEP
3) Illuminations

In order of Most Convenient/Least Stress to Least Convenient/Most Stress...
1) Illuminations
2) Wishes + MSEP
3) Fantasmic!

Measuring all factors....
1) Illuminations
2) Fantasmic!
3) Wishes + MSEP

 

[princesscharming]

If you eliminate all factors other than the show itself, I would rank them...
1) Fantasmic!
2) Wishes + MSEP
3) Illuminations

In order of Most Convenient/Least Stress to Least Convenient/Most Stress...
1) Illuminations
2) Wishes + MSEP
3) Fantasmic!

Measuring all factors....
1) Illuminations
2) Fantasmic!
3) Wishes + MSEP

Interesting POV, especially considering your stress level, and how badly you have to fight crowds will impact your enjoyment. It's hard to have a good time at a show if your entire family is ticked off by the time it starts.

 

[princesscharming]

Sorry, double post.

 

[Baloo and Bagheera]

Interesting POV, especially considering your stress level, and how badly you have to fight crowds will impact your enjoyment. It's hard to have a good time at a show if your entire family is ticked off by the time it starts.

Exactly, that's why Illuminations tops my overall list --- it seems to be the most convenient of the three shows. Fantasmic! comes in 2nd overall despite the stress of the preparation. By the time the show starts, we've typically been seated for quite some time and the aggravation begins to wear off by 'curtain'. The one thing about Fantasmic! vs. the MK shows is that there is some order to the chaos leading up to showtime. The jostling for position along the parade route at MK wears me out. Plus the F! Dinner Package can alleviate some of the issues related to that show.

 

[MikeandReneePlus5]

Exactly, that's why Illuminations tops my overall list --- it seems to be the most convenient of the three shows. Fantasmic! comes in 2nd overall despite the stress of the preparation. By the time the show starts, we've typically been seated for quite some time and the aggravation begins to wear off by 'curtain'. The one thing about Fantasmic! vs. the MK shows is that there is some order to the chaos leading up to showtime. The jostling for position along the parade route at MK wears me out. Plus the F! Dinner Package can alleviate some of the issues related to that show.

Yes I agree with this.

For our next trip I booked La Hacienda for Illuminations, Cali Grill for Wishes, we'll catch Wishes another time from the Poly Beach and since it is Value Season I will turn up at F! 15 minutes or so before show time and hope to get in (we always go Value Season and I have not seen the place full ever), all to avoid/eliminate the jostling/space defending factor.

oh - ranking -

1) F! (by a whisker)
2) Wishes (by a nose)
3) Illuminations (because sometimes the globe travel feels too long. I still love it though)

 

[Ryansdad0727]

Wishes is the best. Especially after the electrical parade.

 

[honugirl]

For me, there is only one choice: Illuminations. I could watch it over and over every night and never get tired of it. I love the soundtrack, the pre-show music and the post-show music. Everything about it just makes me happy.

Wishes bores me to tears and I hate the soundtrack. I go hide in POTC or some other indoor ride when it comes on.

I only watch Fantasmic at Disneyland because it totally ROCKS! Fantasmic at DHS is a snoozefest.

 

[stitch09]

Like many others have said, it's hard to give an exact ranking because everyone is going to have a different opinion.

With that being said, here's my order:

1. Illuminations. Such a beautiful show. Brilliant music! It makes me cry every time. Words cannot express...
2. Wishes. Also a fantastic show. Just below Illuminations because of music and location (my life = EPCOT).
3. Fantasmic! I haven't seen it in years, but I do always enjoy it. I just can't imagine wasting 2 hours waiting for it. Not worth it to me- I'll be riding ToT thanks!

 

[SilverSynchro919]

I honestly don't even think I could choose. The music from Illuminations is very very special to me, so if I HAD to pick one, it'd be that. I love them all though! Also, does SpectroMagic count? Because I LOVE LOVE LOVE Spectro.

 

[kaligal]

It's close, but for me, it is Wishes! With the exception of the randoms on it, I really like the pre-show with the castle changing colors and all the stuff on it, too.

Illuminations is wonderful and I really like the feel of the WS just before it starts. I also like to wait ten minutes and stroll out when WS has emptied out a bit.

I don't like Fantasmic at all. Never did. Have to be dragged to see it. But if you must go, try to sit in the middle somewhere and not off on the side in the package seats - they're much worse.

 

[mousireid]

Wishes in fornt of teh castle is wonderful and a must do! Illuminations is such an amazing show and so much easier to view.
F! is ok at DW but I prefer Dl version.
I CANNOT choose between Illuminations and Wishes they are just different. Well maybe the tears come more freely at Wishes so that must be my #1!