Fantasia OK for 5 year old?? please help!

[dixielander]

Hi everyone,

I'm headed to Disney in a couple of weeks, (Yeah!!!), and I read something in the Unofficial Guide that really troubles me.

It read that many small children get frightened at Fantasia! I'm so bummed, because me daughter is five, and my two sons are 11 and 13, and I was looking forward to us all getting to see this show! I've heard that it's not to be missed.

I'd only be able to see it without her if we went back on a different night and I don't think that's possible at all. All of my other evenings are planned out.

Should we skip Fantasia? or give it a try?

By the way, my daughter is about average in the "scare factor". She's not a meek little mouse, but she's not a brave lion either!
Please help, if anyone has taken a 5 year old, I'd like to hear about how it went! Thanks.

 

[iggyboo]

I assume you mean Fantasmic, I don't see it being a problem there are some scary parts ,like the dragon and evil queen ,but otherwise not to be missed just remeber to get there early as it fills up fast

Matthew

 

[CamColt]

My friends DDs were afraid that someone was going to hurt their princesses, however my kids who are the biggest chickens have been going to Fantasmic since they were 3 1/2 & 8 months and they always sit there mesmerized by it. Even when my youngest was going through his screaming at fireworks stage, he still liked Fantasmic.
I think a lot depends on the kid, their mood for the day, etc... I definitely wouldnt skip it though and if it becomes a problem, Im sure you could leave.

 

[Yensid_MD]

Fantasmic is a great show. Bring glow sticks to distract young ones during the scary parts.

My two nieces 4 and 2 who cannot make it past the beginning of Little Mermaid or Finding Nemo because it is so "scary" had no issues this past fall at Fantasmic.

 

[GaryWT]

I would not worry to much, 75% of it is movies. I was disappointed alittle because my 9 year old told me afterwards that we could have done without seeing the show. Who knows?

 

[dixielander]

yes, I meant Fantasmic!!! Sorry about that!

Thanks for the replys, I think we will give it a try. I guess if worse comes to worse, my daughter can sit on my husbands lap and bury her face!!

I'm looking so forward to our trip!

 

[jacksonsmom]

Give it a try! I really don't think it is that scary, unless your child frightens VERY easily.

My son will be 5 in August & enjoys Fantasmic! He saw his first one when he was 3 yrs old & was never scared by it.

 

[melindaandrob]

Our first trip ds was 4 and hearing that it was intense we opted not to go. We had already freaked him out on the Pirates of the Caribbean, who knew? I didn't think it would freak him out! We saw it on our second trip and were wishing we had just brought him at 4 years he would have been fine! He saw it when he was 5, didn't scare him at all and we were sitting at the front.

 

[marciaje]

When we went last my daughters were 4 1/2 and 6. They are VERY easily frightened by villians, monsters, etc., plus my youngest is somewhat sensory sensitive, especially to loud startling noises and bright lights. I doubt that there are many kids more easily frightened than mine, we had to walk out of the Indiana Jones stunt show. However we were able to make Fantasmic an acceptable experience to my youngest by bringing ear plugs, and having her simply not watch a little part of it. The scarriest part (where they are fighting the biggest villians) I remember to be about 5 minutes longs. If you don't sit super close, being a very large outdoor theater with benches, it's very easy for a young child to simply not watch a bit of it (sit backward or on your lap), it's not like a ride or 3D movie that it surrounds you.

So, if you have older ones and want to see it yourself, I would suggest to go ahead. If you want to be cautious, come prepared with earplugs (it is extremely loud) and maybe a little talk before hand to your five year old, saying something like - in one part of this show Mickey pretends to fight some mean guys, but he's fine at the end. They use special lights to make it look like magic. which I think you'll like, but if there is a part you don't like you don't have to watch.

 

[DisneyPete]

When my children were 5,3, and 1 my 5 year old son was very afraid of fireworks, it was the loud noise, and broke out in tears at the mere mention of fantasmic. When we went last november the kids were 7, 5, and 3. While my oldest son was still afraid of loud noises he decided he wanted to go as his younger siblings really wanted to see the show.

They all loved teh show. In fact, my 7 yr. old recreated parts of teh show in our living room when we got home to entertain his grandparents. So now I have a video of teh real Fantasmic show and the even better version starring my wee ones.

Sit near the back, the view is still great, and if a child does have a problem you can distract them on teh walkway or simply by looking back. best of luck.

 

[vald1977]

Fantasmic is a great show! It was loud and there are villians but the show takes place quite a distance from where you sit. You are separated by water. Like others have suggested, just make sure you don't sit very close to the front and have your dd cover her ears if the noise is an issue and she should do fine. It all ends on a happy note .

Have a magical trip!

 

[dixielander]

Thanks everyone, I will go to Fantasmic for sure, and I'll try to remember ear plugs.

I have to remember that the UG contains a small pool of opinions for certain things, and it isn't the "rule", just suggestions.