Best Nightime Spectacular

[AMusicLifeForMe]

Based on your list, this is how I would rate them...

1. Illuminations
2. Happily Ever After
3. Star Wars Fireworks
4. Rivers of Light
5. Fantasmic

All 5 of these shows are great in my opinion. I put Fantasmic last, because it is in desperate need of an update at Walt Disney World. Every single time I see it at WDW, something doesn't work. The show really does look dated. I also grew up in Southern California, and I was raised going to Disneyland and seeing that version for many years of my life. That show (including the updated version) are so much better than the version Walt Disney World has. The only thing Fantasmic has going for it at Walt Disney World is the theater.

I will see Illuminations many times on every trip, and I have started to make a tradition of seeing HEA on my final evening at WDW. HEA is a great way to have a "send-off," because of the message behind the show.

 

[evilqueenmindy]

Happily Ever After is the best, Star Wars second, (even though I greatly preferred the old show, which was incredible. I dragged so many people to DHS that summer to see it). Illuminations 3rd, I like how close you are to it, and I like how it is not imperative to stake out a spot an hour beforehand like Happily Ever After. I’ve not seen Rivers of Light, so I won’t rank it, and for me, Fantasmic comes in last, I’m just not that into it, and there is so much waiting and hassle involved.

 

[fbarker]

mmmm I picked Illuminations but its sad to see that ROL is graded so low. We saw it and found that it was a very enjoyable well done presentation. Guess we are in the minority

 

[slpeters]

I voted for HEA. We would put ROL second. If Jingle Bell, Jingle Bam was on the list it would be third or tie for second--but we did the party, love Christmas and it was just sort of an amazing night. After that would be Illuminations. Never seen Star Wars but I bet my husband would LOVE it. The only nighttime spectacular we didn't really enjoy was Fantasmic--I'm glad I got to see it but I don't think I would again.

 

[NYIrunDisney]

Fantasmic and Illuminations are AMAZING and we love them so much, but Happily Ever After takes this one. It’s stunning. We were so upset when Wishes ended its run and weren’t sure how we’d feel about this new show, but in my opinion, it blows Wishes out of the water.

 

[cindybelle90]

I've seen Wishes (comparable to HEA?), Fantasmic and Illuminations.

HEA has projections on the castle in addition to fireworks. I loved Wishes also. The technology, story and music from
HEA is amazing. Many Disney films are incorporated into the show.

My mom and I looked at each other after seeing it the first time on our trip and said we have to come back to see it again before we leave. So we changed all our plans around (which is not a big deal to us) to see it again on the next night since we had to work around 3 MNSSHP dates during that time.

I could go on and on I love HEA! Cannot wait until I have the opportunity to see it again even though I don’t know when I will be back to WDW.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

If it was just me I'd say HEA but as a family I think star wars would win out. So I voted for SW!

 

[HydroGuy]

mmmm I picked Illuminations but its sad to see that ROL is graded so low. We saw it and found that it was a very enjoyable well done presentation. Guess we are in the minority

We enjoyed ROL but it has stiff competition plus lots of nostalgia for Illuminations and Fantasmic.

Nostalgia is of course a strong driver at Disney. When I read folks who prefer Wishes to HEA I have to attribute that to nostalgia. To me HEA is a far, far better show.

I voted HEA as I think it is the clear winner at WDW. As it only opened last May, and it has no nostalgia (yet), that is a pretty clear indicator of how good it is.

 

[HopperFan]

1. Happily Ever After
2. Illuminations
3. Fantasmic
4. Star Wars
5. Rivers of Light

Happily Every After just has all the components; the castle, the projections, the music and some really spectacular fireworks from many directions.

Illuminations is a special show in it's own right, and it's very different. The lasers, the low fireworks, the fire, the props, the expanse across the lagoon incorporating the buildings on land. AND while many miss it, it has a true story. One of my negatives for it is the dead times. A positive, no need to spend hours in line or hawking a spot. You can watch from MANY spots around the lake and enjoy.

Fantasmic is a night time show, not sure I'd call it a spectacular but that is just a narrow view. It is probably the most Disney of all the shows with the Disney story and characters. Sure to touch all those nerves. You have minimal fireworks but you have more visual connection to the story happening with some wow moments and effects. My issues with this show is the long waits to enter and sitting in that huge (sometimes obnoxiously loud) theater for the show to start, and the cluster that happens when trying to leave the theater. Both those are such a pain, I tend to avoid the show, which is sad.

Star Wars ........... I LOVED the old SW fireworks and music when they were shot up in the park. The physical impact of the fireworks made it ultimate SW feels. Goosebumps every time between the power of the music combined with feeling the fireworks. Now we have a projection show with music and the more distant fireworks; while fun, just isn't a huge wow factor. Seen it a couple times and for us being in a very central location to take the full view in is a must, or we pass. It is very much a movie projected on buildings not anything like they put on the castle. We have actually found that the fireworks are just okay when watching the show but if you are farther away like over towards Epcot, at some hotels close by or even more distant at a high level those fireworks are impressive and form shapes that you just don't pick up if right there.

Rivers of Light ............................................... one of the biggest disappointments Disney has put out there (and they know it). Extremely short of what was promised even after multiple CM etc previews told them to fix it. It is full of technical shortfalls, no story, poor float choreography, meh music easily forgotten, cheesy props like the addition of the big birthday candle to the big lotus. And zero ending to the point the audience doesn't know it's over. AND NO it has nothing to do with lack of fireworks, endings can be made with wonderful use of music and lasers. Music, even in movies, sets the whole mood. RoL fails. The theater causes traffic jams in the more narrow part of the park and the theater is very uncomfortable, even though it's pretty. We only watch it now if we find we are in the park with open time ... and we watch it from Flame Tree to avoid the crowds over there since we don't miss too much (and think the view is better with Everest in the background). If we are there and SB is walk in we might wander over. BUT I will say my last 3 times to AK at night we went no where near it; Pandora, Tree Awakening, the entertainment/music are a much bigger draw for us.

 

[ArielSRL]

Fantasmic (love the story, love villains)
HEA (very close second)
Star Wars (prefer the original though)

Illuminations (needs an update)
Rivers of Light (visually beautiful but boring, seating is awful)

 

[fbarker]

Fantasmic (love the story, love villains)
HEA (very close second)
Star Wars (prefer the original though)

Illuminations (needs an update)
Rivers of Light (visually beautiful but boring, seating is awful)

I know its all opinion but I felt that ROL was stunning visually, seating was ok, but seating at WDW is never outstanding. It was a bit slow but the story was so good.

 

[ArielSRL]

I know its all opinion but I felt that ROL was stunning visually, seating was ok, but seating at WDW is never outstanding. It was a bit slow but the story was so good.

We were incredibly squashed into the seating. Maybe because it was June and it was busy. And it was so hot and humid....we were just miserable. That may have tainted our view. Regardless, I doubt we check it out again and I heard rumors it will be changing to something else in the near distant future (though its been awhile since I read that so who knows now).

 

[hllb]

I would say HEA, then ROL, Fantasmic, Illuminations, And Star Wars. None are bad though

 

[hllb]

mmmm I picked Illuminations but its sad to see that ROL is graded so low. We saw it and found that it was a very enjoyable well done presentation. Guess we are in the minority

We absolutely loved ROL, all 5 of us. I think I got some amazing pictures too.

 

[SoCalDisneyFan2708]

I voted HEA. Honestly they are all equal to me at WDW except for RoL (which is still enjoy it just doesn’t excite me or others I know as much as the others). Maybe my reason for picking HEA shouldn’t count, but it’s because if you are getting any kind of decent (free) spot for it you have to get there early. And if you’re there early you get treated to a pretty good show in its own right, Once Upon a Time. So that’s why I pick HEA. You basically get two shows in one.

 

[MrKnight]

Illuminations is my personal favorite!

 

[rteetz]

1. Illuminations is by far my favorite.
2. Happily Ever After is a brilliant masterpiece for MK.
3. Star Wars is great in its own right.
4. Rivers of Light is a perfect fit for AK.
5. Fantasmic while fun is old and needs some updates.