DHS Fantasmic

[AndyPok1]

I was amazed by some of the neutral (negative when including the amount of time spent waiting) comments in regards to Fantasmic on last week's podcast.

Fantasmic is arguably my favorite nighttime show at WDW. The combination of fireworks, water, fire, characters, etc just top everything else for me because of the extensiveness of the production. I understand DL's is better, but I try to take things solely in context of the world.

And in regards to time in line, I lived there and went regularly from Aug-Dec 09, as well as was there for a trip this past November, and never lined up more than 30 minutes in advance. Normally I would just head over to Sunset Blvd around that time, and wait until I saw the line start moving into the theater before joining. If I got there too early, instead of lining up, I'd do ToT or RnR Single Rider... or grab food.... or grab a beer.

Sure, that plan doesn't work during the super busy times in the summer or holidays, but for the rest of the year I can't fathom how wait times could be an issue.

Since I know my thoughts and the team's, it made me wonder.... what's everyone else's thoughts on Fantasmic... both the show itself and the wait?

 

[ilovehockey1979]

well they were saying that it is good, but not soo much when compared to disneyland's version...i love it and i am headed to disneyland in may, so once i see that one, i will have to come back to this post to see. just because something is better somewhere else, doesnt mean it still isnt great

 

[pasofan]

So far we've only seen F! at WDW, at least until this October!

F! is one of my DH's favorites an always tells anyone he knows that is going they must see it. My youngest DD also loves F! We can usually only go to WDW during the summer, DH is a principal, not so easy to check him out of school for the week. That being said, there are usually 2 showings of F! during the summer and we always go to the 2nd show. We usually show up about 15-20 minutes before the show starts.

 

[WaltD4Me]

For some reason I never liked Fantasmic. It's weird really because it is the kind of show I normally would love, but I for some reason with Fantasmic, I can take it or leave it and usually leave it. In the last 4 or 5 trips I think we went to Fantasmic once, but part of that is from when they cut back F nights and DHS would get so crowded on Fantasmic days it wasn't worth it to me, so we went to DHS on non-Fantasmic days.

 

[pasofan]

Sorry AndyPok1 I am trying to post more, but I haven't shaken my thread killer curse yet. One of the reasons I don't post--the threads I reply to seem to die a quick death.

 

[AndyPok1]

Sorry AndyPok1 I am trying to post more, but I haven't shaken my thread killer curse yet. One of the reasons I don't post--the threads I reply to seem to die a quick death.

It's all good!

It was cool to get some thoughts. I was simply shocked that some people could have only seen ittwice. When I was living in Orlando, I'd see it at least that often each month!

 

[pasofan]

We don't get to go as often as I would like, the airfare from Oklahoma is ridiculous! We always see F! at least twice per trip.

 

[jpeka65844]

We've been to WDW 9 times and have only seen it there twice.

On our first trip, we did the F! Dinner Seating but it wound up absolutely pouring rain and we didn't need the "preferred" seating.

The second time our DS (1 1/2 at the time) absolutely freaked out and I wound up having to walk him in the back during the show.

When we went to DL, we gave it a 2nd chance at the F! Dessert Seating and absolutely loved it.

So.....WDW no. DL yes.

 

[safetymom]

I have only been several times since I moved here. I only go to see if I still don't get the warm fuzzies when I see it. It just doesn't do anything for me.

I don't care for the crush of the crowd waiting and trying to get in. Then the show just doesn't do anything for me.

I figure the seat I don't take is one available for somebody that really enjoys it.

Illuminations and Wishes go to my Disney core when I watch them. Always get misty eyed at those shows.

Fantasmic at Disneyland is awesome!

 

[GAN]

I was amazed by some of the neutral (negative when including the amount of time spent waiting) comments in regards to Fantasmic on last week's podcast.

Fantasmic is arguably my favorite nighttime show at WDW. The combination of fireworks, water, fire, characters, etc just top everything else for me because of the extensiveness of the production. I understand DL's is better, but I try to take things solely in context of the world.

And in regards to time in line, I lived there and went regularly from Aug-Dec 09, as well as was there for a trip this past November, and never lined up more than 30 minutes in advance. Normally I would just head over to Sunset Blvd around that time, and wait until I saw the line start moving into the theater before joining. If I got there too early, instead of lining up, I'd do ToT or RnR Single Rider... or grab food.... or grab a beer.

Sure, that plan doesn't work during the super busy times in the summer or holidays, but for the rest of the year I can't fathom how wait times could be an issue.

Since I know my thoughts and the team's, it made me wonder.... what's everyone else's thoughts on Fantasmic... both the show itself and the wait?

I'm glad you brought this up -we're going late August this year and were not planning on doing the dining package. We've gone twice before and once did the package and the seating was pretty good -maybe waited 30mins. The other time we waited in line for an hour and got seats dead center and didn't notice a huge difference or benefit. This year I was going to try just lining up as the line starts moving and taking what we get. My only question is what to expect when we get in there -not so concerned with the quality of seat, I just don't want to be going crazy fighting crowds looking for a seat for the 4 of us.

 

[pittsburghmarc]

Fantasmic is arguably my favorite nighttime show at WDW. The combination of fireworks, water, fire, characters, etc just top everything else for me because of the extensiveness of the production. I understand DL's is better, but I try to take things solely in context of the world.

I agree. It's a must see for our family on every trip. Therefore, we don't mind the wait.

 

[MainStreetFireman]

I have to see Illuminations and Wishes at least twice per trip. If I see Fantasmic once, or not at all, I'm OK. (What I really miss is Spectro...)

I guess the fact that I am not so "captive" in the waiting for these attractions makes them more attractive to me. I would rather be looking around the WS or Main Street while waiting for these to begin, then be just sitting in the Fantasmic ampitheater. And when my DKs were younger, it was much harder to take a restroom break while waiting (higher person to facilities available ratio) @ F.

 

[schoen]

I LOVE Fantasmic. It used to be my absolute favorite, now they have all evened out for me, but I still love it.

It CAN be kind of a pain to get in to, but there is waiting involved at WDW, at least here we can sit down, and grab a snack if we wish.

When it is super crowded we would get there around an hour early. Now, we only go during off-peak times, and we usually get there around 15-20 min early. Had no problems with this in November or February.

We golfed at the Fantasia Gardens one night while it was on, and that was great! We heard all of the music from the show, and even caught some of the effects, it was a great backdrop for golf!

 

[Disney_Mousketeers]

We love Fantasmic and absolutely have to attend every visit. Most times twice a visit. Here are my thoughts on the team's complaints.

1. Wait - the only time I have had to wait longer than 20 minutes for WDW Fantasmic is during springbreak all other times have been pretty easy to find a seat. We usually plan on going on a night that has two showings and attend the 2nd showing. I agree with the OP that having a beer, pretzel and popcorn makes it a pretty enjoyable wait.

2. Disneyland's show is better? - We go to Disneyland often as we live on the West coast and agree that replacing Pocahontas with Peter Pan and having a Pirate Ship in WDW would be great, but you can't enjoy the show because of where it is held. Unless you want to buy $50+ per person for a Dessert party you have to find a spot on the ground at least an hour before the show in order to see it. Then you get packed in like sardines, can't breath and none of my small children can see.

Give me an amphitheater and comfortable seating any day! I come from the point of view of a mother with small children who absolutely love the the theatrics of Fantasmic, but not the crowds of Disneyland.

 

[Stacy's a freak]

It's not my thing. I have been to WDW about 11 times and have only seen Fantasmic 2 times. The first time I saw it when it was new. It didn't thrill me. I went the 2nd time with friends who wanted to see it. Since then I haven't had the need. I agree with a PP that I would prefer to wander around the parks and see details than sit on those uncomfortable metal bench seats waiting for a so-so show to start.

However, I have secured a spot at least an hour in advance for MK fireworks and Illuminations in heartbeat. Both of those evoke much more emotion from me. Fantasmic just doesn't "move" me.

 

[DarthVader92]

Fantasmic is my all time favorite show. I LOVE this show, but being that I have experienced it so many times I hate waiting for it. That is why I go on nights when a second show is offered and walk in 10 mins prior to show and get a pretty decent spot and usually have a whole section to myself.

WDW also needs a lot of work. If it could live up to its older sister in Disneyland and be like it or be better than I would love it more! Again, I LOVE the show, but I do not like waiting and it needs work. I also don't care for the showings becoming tour group central (e.g every single tour group is there).

 

[kaligal]

I don't like Fantasmic and have said so on the DIS often enough that Robo remembered it, lol. Love the other night things. I could do without the ball stuff during Illuminations, but still love it.

Have I become so used to Wishes that it seems like it or are there less bursts of color during the grand finale?