Best Nightime Spectacular

[JacobWolfley1955]

In my trip to Disney I saw two firework shows Wishes and Illuminations. Obviously the parks have changed quite a lot. I was wondering what is the best spectacular at WDW.

 

[Robo]

You left out Fantasmic!

EDIT: I see you've since added it.

 

[CAS239]

Tie for me between Happily Ever After and Star Wars.

And your poll, I'd replace RoL with Fantasmic

 

[Kingdome8]

Fantasmic is our favorite. Sourcerer mickey is our favorite.
But I really did like happily ever after this past summer. Song sticks in my head

 

[JacobWolfley1955]

You left out Fantasmic!

Fantasmic is on.

 

[BrianL]

I voted for Fantasmic! because it's my favorite, though I have to admit Happily Ever After gives it a run for the money. If they upgrade F! like they did at Disneyland then I suspect it would be no contest again (though I haven't seen the new DL version yet I hear good things).

 

[wdw&sonny]

F!

 

[disneydreamer1980]

Fantasmic is amazing, we never miss it. Followed closely by a tie between HEA and illuminations. ( though I really miss Wishes). Still haven’t seen SW, though we’re not SW fans at all.We can take or leave ROL.

 

[jaiminee krikit]

Well Wishes was my favorite, but HEA is pretty amazing, too. Illuminations has always bored me, but I like the music. Fantasmic! is not worth my time, but I am kinda looking forward to seeing DL's version this summer. RoL was pretty, but not worth the hype or the wait (even with FP). If I liked Star Wars, I would vote Star Wars, because I did watch that show and it is awesome.

 

[MickeyWaffles]

Option 6: I don’t have a favorite anymore since Wishes is gone. None of them are a priority over another anymore except I haven’t seen RoL yet. Wishes was my must see. I am glad I saw HEA once. From now on we will just watch from afar to see HEA. The projections are impressive but I prefer fireworks with the classic castle and now the castle’s beauty has been reduced to a movie screen (IMO.)

We now will pick 1 or 2 shows a trip and just rotate the ones we have the kids stay late for every trip (until they have an opinion on what they like best - they’re only 3 & 1.5).

 

[mamamelody2]

I would say HEA is my favorite.
Then Star Wars.
I have not seen Rivers of Light.
Illuminations and Fantasmic I can take or leave.

 

[GPC0321]

I voted for IllumiNations because it's my sentimental favorite, but I have to say that Happily Ever After beats it as far as "Wow" factor. It's an amazing show.
I loved the old Star Wars show (Symphony in the Stars). I haven't gotten a chance to see Galactic Spectacular live yet, but will try to get around to it in 2019.
Only saw Fantasmic! once about 18 years ago and wasn't very impressed. I should probably give it another whirl.
Will see Rivers of Light for the first time in June. I don't expect it to be among my favorites, but I still look forward to seeing it.

ETA: Forgot to mention Holiday Wishes. That probably comes in second behind IllumiNations for me. I'm a Christmas nut though, so...which reminds me that Jingle Bell Jingle Bam! was also pretty great.

I love nighttime shows!

 

[disneygirlsng]

No contest, HEA. An absolutely amazing show! I love all the others, but if I had to choose just one I would pick HEA 100% of the time.

 

[belledreamer]

I would say HEA is my favorite.
Then Star Wars.
I have not seen Rivers of Light.
Illuminations and Fantasmic I can take or leave.

Same here. I was really impressed with Star Wars but HEA edged it out on our last trip for our favorite fireworks.

 

[chris benton]

IMO: HEA is the best show, however... when the dads start putting the kids on their shoulders because only their kids should be allowed to see the show, it screws up everyone's view. And it's going to happen. Unless you stake out a good spot on a rail, or a dessert party, I like the F! experience as a whole better. HEA as a show is freakin awesome, but, you have to get a good spot. F!, in the seated theater, gets the nod for me. I'm ponying up for a hea party next time. It'll more than likely be our last time, so we'll go out with a bang.

 

[North of Mouse]

HEA, then Fantasmic

 

[ILoveMyDVC]

Tie for me between Happily Ever After and Star Wars.

And your poll, I'd replace RoL with Fantasmic

Almost voted for Star Wars. It was quite the spectacular. Scared the heck out of the children. But, in my heart, I just can't vote for anything to do with that ridiculous movie.

 

[cindybelle90]

IMO
1.HEA
2. F!
3. RoL
4. Star Wars
5. Illuminations
I am not a Star Wars fan and have not seen Illuminations since 2015 so I do not if it has changed at all since then. My mom and I really enjoyed RoL when we saw it for the first time in September. If you are looking for that over the top gives you the Disney feels then I can understand why you would be underwhelmed by RoL. I thought it was a great show to end my day at AK.

 

[elaine amj]

Hands down Happily Ever After. It is absolutely amazing. I loved Wishes, but HEA was wow after wow after wow.

Star Wars is my next favourite. It is very good, but not HEA good. But so difficult to see that even on our 14 night trip, we never got to see it at all (to be fair, we skipped it once due to rain and another time to re-watch HEA). Viewing is so difficult though. Can't see anything near the back. So definitely have to plan this and stake out a spot. I lucked out back in Sept 2016. It was extremely low crowds and we worked our way to the very front super easily arriving just 5 mins before the show.

Fantasmic is awesome and I love taking newbies there. It's easy to watch with the bleacher seating too. None of the scrum of Star Wars and more comfortable too.

ROL was lovely although it can be hard to maintain the attention span. I enjoyed it and will return but won't necessarily go far out of my way. I was more impressed with the Tree of Life Awakenings. Still, ROL is a lovely show.

I'm frustrated with Illuminations. The last 3 times I have watched it, the show has been boring. Next time I'll try again from my favourite spot outside Canada. Or maybe its just me and I'm jaded.

 

[Louie7080]

I've seen Wishes (comparable to HEA?), Fantasmic and Illuminations. Of the 3 I like illuminations best but really liked Wishes alot too- both were very memorable/impactful for me. Fantasmic in WDW was just ok and I wish I had opted to see the Star Wars show instead. I saw Fantasmic in DL after and liked it better there, though the stress of getting a good viewing spot kind of detracted from the experience.