Fantasmic at WDW is WEAK!!

[Lil' Grumpy]

is it ok to have liked them both?

 

[Robo]

is it ok to have liked them both?

Some of us have said so repeatedly thoughout this thread.

 

[WVParkfan]

I cant believe ANYONE would save Fantasmic as a finale to their WDW vacation when Wishes is waiting for you at the Magic Kingdom.

For our family, it is:
#1 - Fantasmic
#2 - Wishes

Sorry, we don't all feel the way you do. We view Wishes on our first night, but we spend our last night in WDW seeing Fantasmic, and wouldn't change that for anything in the world.

As for DL's Fantasmic being better, I'll just have to take their word for it, because I don't see this "East Coast" family getting the opportunity to travel to California for a vacation any time soon. We'll stick to the Fantasmic show at MGM and revel blissfully in our ignorance.

 

[HydroGuy]

Compared to the area that the MGM amphitheater covers, it is small.

Not trying to argue here, but I wonder if anyone knows attendance numbers for the DL Fantasmic? I guess MGM is easier to determine because there are seats you can count. I would guess the DL shows have attendance of at least a few thousand.

And I have spent many evenings sitting cross-legged on the rim of the Rivers of America in DL wondering what I would have do to GET OUT, along with many others, if the need should arise.

Well, that is what the river is for! If there is an emergency and you are near the water, just jump in and swim safely away. Hopefully it won't be when the river is on fire.

 

[Robo]

Well, that is what the river is for! If there is an emergency and you are near the water, just jump in and swim safely away.

I guess I should expect the "water exit strategy" from a poster named
"HydroGuy".


BTW, do you have any "super powers" HydroGuy?

(I mean any that you can mention on a FAMILY BB?)

 

[civileng68]

I guess MGM is easier to determine because there are seats you can count. I would guess the DL shows have attendance of at least a few thousand.

That's the point. You dont realize how large the Fantasmic Ampitheatre is at WDW. The Hollywood Hills Ampitheatre that Fantasmic is held at (WDW), holds 10,000 guests.

 

[HydroGuy]

I guess I should expect the "water exit strategy" from a poster named
"HydroGuy".


BTW, do you have any "super powers" HydroGuy?

(I mean any that you can mention on a FAMILY BB?)

Not to my knowledge. But maybe our 1st trip to WDW in May will help bring out any latent super powers!

There must be some hidden reason for asking such a question...

 

[Robo]

There must be some hidden reason for asking such a question...

No.

Its just "HydroGuy" sounds like a great Superhero NAME!


"Look, up in the sky... its HydroGuy, and his faithful side-kick, Drippy!"

 

[basas]

I've seen both shows quite recently and enjoy both...There are things i liked better in each one, but neither one "blows the other out of the water" IMO. Also, the stadium at MGM is VERY nice after a long day. I'm not sure what they usually do, but they had the tiny 'seating' section (on the sidewalk) roped off about 75-90 minutes before the show when we saw it at DL. Everyone else (95%) had to stand, while fighting for a good view.

 

[Sleeping Jedi Beauty]

I'm sure that there are plenty of people who like both shows, but they have a preference of one over the other. For those who saw the DL version first, I can imagine that not seeing elements like the pirate battle with Peter Pan and Hook at DL and Steamboat Willie(where all the Disney magic started) piloting the Mark Twain at WDW's could be a bit of a letdown. I had been thinking that I wanted to see WDW's just to see the differences, but after learning that they replaced a beloved Disney classic(Peter Pan) with a movie that I have never seen, nor wanted to see seriously reduced my desire to see it. Now, I may yet see it, but it's no longer a priority. We planned some ADRs around Wishes and Illuminations, but not around Fantasmic, even with the dinner package available.

 

[DisOrBust]

You think DL Fantasmic is better Don't even go there with "Believe"....

 

[sajetto]

I've never seen the one at DL but I love the WDW version.

 

[Robo]

but after learning that they replaced a beloved Disney classic(Peter Pan) with a movie that I have never seen, nor wanted to see...

Now, that's a strange statement to me.

Why don't you even want to SEE Pocahontas?
How do you know if its good or bad?

There have been some great Disney films since Peter Pan.
I certainly don't love them all, but many have some great scenes.

Just knowing Alan Menkin wrote the music is enough reason for me to see a film.

I'm curious as to your reasons to dismiss a Disney film, sight-unseen.

 

[grimley1968]

If I have to stand around to watch DL's Fantasmic at the end of a long day of walking around parks, no thanks, I'll pass. I'll just have to deal with not seeing the version that features Peter Pan and suck it up while I enjoy resting my feet and watching the WDW version.

I was hoping to catch the DL version on our first-ever trip to DL this June, but after finding out you have to stand, we'll be doing something else with our time.

 

[Robo]

You think DL Fantasmic is better Don't even go there with "Believe"....

Not enough info, here.

Are you saying you prefer "Believe... Magic in the Stars" to "Wishes"?

(Its OK if you DO, I'm just asking what you meant.)

 

[Robo]

If I have to stand around to watch DL's Fantasmic at the end of a long day of walking around parks, no thanks, I'll pass.
I was hoping to catch the DL version on our first-ever trip to DL this June, but after finding out you have to stand, we'll be doing something else with our time.

As mentioned earlier, those who are closest to the water in DL, are requested to "sit on the ground" and they do.

Its an amazing and more intimate view of a show that is so LARGE.

I saw Fantasmic! sitting cross-legged at the edge of the water right after it first opened in DL years ago.
Its a bit of Disney magic that I (obviously) still talk about.
Unforgettable.

So that's the way I try to see it every time we go to DL (which is not often enough for me, but WDW is an easier and more "involving" trip for us).

If you miss the DL show, you might be missing more than you know.

 

[grimley1968]

As mentioned earlier, those who are closest to the water in DL, are requested to "sit on the ground" and they do.

Its an amazing and more intimate view of a show that is so LARGE.

I saw Fantasmic! sitting cross-legged at the edge of the water right after it first opened in DL years ago.
Its a bit of Disney magic that I (obviously) still talk about.
Unforgettable.

So that's the way I try to see it every time we go to DL (which is not often enough for me, but WDW is an easier and more "involving" trip for us).

If you miss the DL show, you might be missing more than you know.

With 2 kids, 2 strollers, diaper bag, other accoutrements that come with having little ones, and thousands of other people fighting for that same apparently small stretch of seated area, sitting down is easier said than done. I'm afraid I'll just have to skip Fantasmic this trip and see it some other time, and go back to the Grand Californian and soak the tired tootsies in the pool and/or hot tub.

Besides, with the posts on here saying WDW's version is just as good as, or better than DL's version, it's not unanimous that DL's version is better. I'm not too worried about it, since we enjoyed the one at WDW, but aren't dying to wait around for it again. Maybe we'll ride the newly reopened PotC one last time of the day as Fantasmic begins.

 

[civileng68]

The reason I know I love WDW's show more (regardless of the actual show) is because "most" people are required to stand at DL to see the show, whereas, at MGM, if we are late to the show and end up having to stand in the "standing section" , we wont watch. When your feet are tired......the show may be an award winner, but, if I have to keep standing, it may as well be a bad high school act, because Im in too much pain.

 

[Amy&Dan]

With 2 kids, 2 strollers, diaper bag, other accoutrements that come with having little ones, and thousands of other people fighting for that same apparently small stretch of seated area, sitting down is easier said than done. I'm afraid I'll just have to skip Fantasmic this trip and see it some other time, and go back to the Grand Californian and soak the tired tootsies in the pool and/or hot tub.

Besides, with the posts on here saying WDW's version is just as good as, or better than DL's version, it's not unanimous that DL's version is better. I'm not too worried about it, since we enjoyed the one at WDW, but aren't dying to wait around for it again. Maybe we'll ride the newly reopened PotC one last time of the day as Fantasmic begins.

You made a smart decison. The Disneyland version with two strollers would be a nightmare! I have seen both versions countless times and love them both equally. The Peter Pan sequence is incredible and the fact that both that sequence and the riverboat sequence use real boats is pretty amazing. But the MGM version is no second rate show in my opinion. I know that we are going with my brother and his two small children in June (we are there right about the same time as you I think from June 15-21, also at the GCH) and we all agreed that unless we wanted to spring for a total of $400 worth of balcony seating we were skipping it. I told my brother that when we do WDW with them in 2007 it will be a lot easier given the amphitheater! I wouldn't worry about skipping it if I were you, I think you made a very wise choice! The differences aren't that huge in my opinion and with two kids/strollers it wouldn't be worth it. And I might suggest riding POTC well before Fantasmic, that part of the park is just a nightmare as the ride que to Pirates is right there near the Human Traffic Jam from Hell. Have fun in Disneyland!

 

[crazyj4488]

The Disneyland version blows the MGM version out of the water! Something about sitting in the ampitheater removes you from the show a bit and it's not as immersive. I thought the Pochahantas section was quite boring and out of place, and the cardboard and PVC pipe steamship at the end is laughable compared the full size Mark Twain.

I don't need to see the WDW version again.

That was my point about the boats....The princesses don't bother me or any of the other characters...I like seeing the characters. It's those crappy motor boat floats that are laughable...you can even smell the gasoline burning off them. I think it's just an awful show WHEN you COMPARE it. I don't think I'll ever waste my time at WDW with Fantasmic again unless I'm with someone that hasn't seen it before.

The seating deal doesn't bother me...I could be wrong but I don't think the DL version lasts as long so you really don't have to stand all that much...the crowds don't bother me either...that's old hat at DL.