Evening shows-What should we skip?

[travelgirl77]

Good Morning! I have been to Disney numerous times, over a decade ago, so I know a lot has changed. We are going in August and it will be the first time for my husband, son (8) and daughter(4). Of course, I want to balance showing/doing everything with their need for some downtime. We are staying at the Contemporary with a TPV and Atrium CL and only staying 5 nights. I figure that the nighttime fireworks at Magic Kingdom will be something we do because we are spending the most amount of time there and our room faces the MK. I am also waiting on that ROL package to open up as I think that would be great too. But, what are your thoughts on the evening shows at HS and Epcot. We are planning to hit the parks early, come back and relax, and then head out again...and park hop. I just don't know if the kids, and honestly, my husband, will be able to do 10:00 shows every single night. Thoughts?

 

[Accident]

When are you coming because there is about to be a replacement of wishes also to consider (may 12)

I was never a fan of illuminations or fantasmic so it would take someone in the group considering it don't miss that I would skip. I like fireworks and right now it's MK and HS that has the better of them so they are on my do list. MK will remain even when wishes gets replaced in may until I see it and can decide if I like it. ROL was nice, I would skip if I can't get a dinning or fastpass as at the moment you need to be in line for a long time to have a chance to see it and that's going to get worse with pandora opening in may in my opinion.

 

[lorenni]

Illuminations at Epcot is at 9 every single night. Its not as good as it used to be now that the parade is gone. Also people start claiming viewing spaces an hour or more in advance, and I would argue its definitely NOT worth waiting that long for with a 4 year old.

Not sure on Phantasmic schedule, as we don't generally go to HS. Since you have a park hopper it might be worth going in the evening for this. I do recall it being very loud and smoky and potentially scary for the younger set.

Haven't seen ROL From what I have read I would do this only if you have reserved seating (via fastpass or dinner package).

I would suggest focusing on MK - you can either watch the fireworks from your hotel or be in the park. Then you have an easy trip (walk even!) home afterwards.

One thing to factor in is regular bedtimes for your kiddos (and husband!). There are a lot of shows/parades earlier in the day that will be just as much fun for them and not keep them up past potential melting point. The Incredibles Dance Party is terrific if your kids like to dance. The parades at MK are also great and happen much earlier in the day. At AK you'll have the Nemo musical and the Lion King Show - offered throughout the day.

 

[Klayfish]

Haven't seen ROL yet since it just opened, but have seen the rest. I would recommend trying them all. There will be a new show at MK, so don't know what it will be like, but if it's as good as Wishes, it's a must see.

The Star Wars show in HS is great. Even if you're not a fan, the fireworks and other special effects are worth it. Fantasmic is a really fun show, just be aware it's very crowded so get there early.

Illuminations is a more "low key" show, if that's the right word. Not as intense or dramatic as Star Wars. But I think it's very well put together and really enjoy it. The beauty of that show is that you can see it from pretty much anywhere in the World Showcase, so no need to show up an hour early. You could literally show up the moment it starts and still get a great viewing spot.

 

[Karin1984]

I do not like Wishes in MK so my preference would be Illuminations or Fantasmic anyway. But with 2 children go for Fantasmic as it has characters in it and a clearer plot.

 

[nkereina]

We're two adults and always do rope drop, mid-day break, back out at night. We're usually tired at night but would have no issue staying for the evening entertainment. The problem for us is trying to fit in the rides/attractions while trying to see some of the evening shows. By the time we head back out at night and have dinner, we don't have much time for rides/attractions before we need to grab a spot for whichever show we want to see. I always try to catch Wishes once a trip, and will often skip Fantasmic. Last trip we skipped Illuminations. Next trip, it will be a challenge trying to fit in ROL because we're used to our evening on AK day being spent at Disney Springs!

 

[mommy_to_C]

Will this be your family's only trip to WDW? If not, with a 4 year old, I'd probably pick just one evening show (MK, given the proximity to your resort).

We did Fantasmic! on our trip with a 5 year old 2 years ago, but did 4 evening shows (all but Star Wars) on our trip late last month - only because 2 were at ~7 pm (Fantasmic! and ROL), and 1 was at 8 pm (Wishes). Neither DH nor our girls (11 and 7) would have been "up for" 9 pm shows all those nights. Wishes was the favorite for our girls, though we enjoyed them all, just as we enjoy all the parks .

 

[Jules76126]

Illuminations is my favorite nighttime show as I love the theme and think it is very well done. I also like the fact that you can view it anywhere in World Showcase and don't need to line up hours ahead of time for a good spot. I really enjoy watching it from the bridge between UK and France or near Morocco. Plus when you go to leave, its not a wall of people like it is in MK (however, still love Wishes as well). There is a rumor that Illuminations will be replaced at some point so you may want to make a point to see it this trip. Have not seen ROL yet. Have seen Fantasmic and not overly impressed. I hate that we had to wait in the theater a long time to see the show and again a wall of people exiting at the end. Honestly, do whatever works best for your family and I am sure you will have a great time.

 

[ErinInCT]

The good thing about Illuminations, as mentioned previously, is that it is always at 9pm and there is no need to get an early viewing spot. Believe it or not, my kids love EPCOT the best, especially WS. Your kids are perfect ages for the Kidcot stations. My kids also love shopping in each country (we try to get a pic of them in a hat from each country) and finding the penny pressers (I am not sure there is one in China). If there is a show, great (Chinese acrobats is the best and my kids love the USA acapella singers), but otherwise we are fine exploring the shops. Some fun things - getting the stick of your mask (from the Kidcot stations) stamped in each country, getting your name written in Chinese, pick a pearl in Japan and picking the nose of the giant troll in Norway. You can do some of the countries in the evening and stay for Illuminations.

 

[brockash]

Good Morning! I have been to Disney numerous times, over a decade ago, so I know a lot has changed. We are going in August and it will be the first time for my husband, son (8) and daughter(4). Of course, I want to balance showing/doing everything with their need for some downtime. We are staying at the Contemporary with a TPV and Atrium CL and only staying 5 nights. I figure that the nighttime fireworks at Magic Kingdom will be something we do because we are spending the most amount of time there and our room faces the MK. I am also waiting on that ROL package to open up as I think that would be great too. But, what are your thoughts on the evening shows at HS and Epcot. We are planning to hit the parks early, come back and relax, and then head out again...and park hop. I just don't know if the kids, and honestly, my husband, will be able to do 10:00 shows every single night. Thoughts?

For us, the night time shows are not to be missed, so see them every day we're at a park (ages 7 weeks through adults). I don't think I could pick one to take out, although I haven't seen the ROL yet.

 

[travelgirl77]

Thank you everyone for all of your advice. We are having dinner in Epcot on one of the nights so it may be beneficial to just stick around for the show. If I cannot get a ROL package it is really unlikely that we will stay and wait. Perhaps Fantasmic will just be up in the air and we can play it by ear. You have all given me a lot to consider though, which I appreciate.

 

[Crystal824]

If I had to skip one, it would probably be Fantasmic (although that is my 6 year old DD's favorite). We find it to be a pain to get in and out of the theater with thousands of other people. You are also surrounded by thousands of people at the other shows, but it isn't quite as closed in if that makes sense. It is also my least favorite night time show although I haven't seen ROL.

 

[CAS239]

Prior to today I would've said skip Illuminations. After finally seeing RoL tonight, I'd skip RoL unfortunately.

 

[elaine amj]

I like Fantasmic for first timers because u get to be seated and not squished in standing with thousands of others. That said, if u have a Star Wars fan - those fireworks and the show is REALLY cool (but best if u are able to get close to the front. It is very heavy on projections so one of the most challenging to see well).

Illuminations is my least favorite, especially for young kids. That said, if we are there for a long trip, I usually end up watching it twice I love Disney night shows and they are so superbly done that even my least favourite is fantastic!

I get it with little kids though. My next trip is with my 3.5 yr old niece and even though we are there for 14 nights, I am planning for her to skip Illuminations and the Star Wars fireworks.

 

[travelgirl77]

Prior to today I would've said skip Illuminations. After finally seeing RoL tonight, I'd skip RoL unfortunately.

Oh interesting! I would much rather eat at Boma that night, so if ROL is a dud, that will make a huge difference, as I will only go see it with a dining package!. What didn't you like about it?

 

[dkrauss]

Given the age of your younglings I would say you definitely want to see the fireworks in the MK (forget what the new show is called). I would also try to do Fantasmic for the simple reason of the characters being a part of it. You could easily skip Illuminations and ROL (although I haven't seen it yet. I'm going on what I hear). Illuminations is a beautiful show but unless you've got pretty close if not ringside for it.......your little ones will miss some if not alot of the show. ROL is new and unless you get a FP or a dining package........don't know that it would be worth the effort to get a seat to see a show without characters or a real story.

Just my opinion. What ever you decide have a great vacation.

Doug

 

[CAS239]

Oh interesting! I would much rather eat at Boma that night, so if ROL is a dud, that will make a huge difference, as I will only go see it with a dining package!. What didn't you like about it?

It was just "meh". I avoided YouTube videos beforehand so I wouldn't know exactly what would go on...but for how long we waited and for what it was, I wish I would've watched a video of it first.

I won't give away much for anyone that doesn't want it spoiled. My favorite thing was when the flowers opened and some of the projections appeared like 3D holograms. But other than that, for my wife and I, there was no wow factors.

For being postponed nearly 1 year and for how early you have to show up for FP and standby (we got seats 90 min prior..but I think this'll be helped when it's 2 shows every night) I was expecting something amazing. On the other hand, knowing it's just lights and projections, idk what else I was expecting. They executed the show well..but imo it doesn't come close to having that "wow factor" like Wishes or the Star Wars show has

I'd only catch RoL again if I saw it with a 10-15 min wait

 

[Ambehnke]

I would recommend a mid day nap and trying to see them all but if you had to cut one I would say illuminations but that is just our personal opinion. Everyone will give you a different answer I think

 

[Princess_Kirky]

Agree with the mid day nap. It will be August and HOT. You'll be sweaty and tired by 10am. Haha. Last year we took a mid day break after using our first 3 fastpasses and then planned a night show each night with maybe one more last minute grab fast pass at the same park. We didn't do any ADR's since we had free QS dining and that was really nice. No need to plan to be in a certain park on a certain night. We did HS twice for the night shows - one for Star Wars and the other for Fantasmic. This was when Jungle Book was at AK so we skipped that one, though, and Illuminations in favor of walk-on Soarin'. I guess if I had to skip one, it would be one of the HS shows. At least Fantasmic you can sit down and relax while watching. Star Wars you have to stand in a crowd or sit way back around the other side of the lake (we did this) not the best view but no people and we could still feel the heat from the fire effects.

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

We just got back from Disney Wednesday night and my family's favorite night shows were Wishes at MK and Fantasmic at HS. We caught some of the Star Wars fireworks but didn't get to see the show in its entirety. We haven't stayed for Illuminations since our first trip six years ago and I have to say we were a bit disappointed with Rivers of Light at AK. Since it is new there is a lot of excitement and buzz around it; but it felt like something was missing and cut too short. It just didn't come together in an epic way like Fantasmic and Wishes. It was a very beautiful show but we will probably skip it on our next trip.