Fantasmic at WDW is WEAK!!

[Robo]

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.

Both shows last just under a half-hour each.

 

[Partridge4ever]

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

Not to hijack the thread or start another debate, but I agree with you on this one, too. Who would've thought any fireworks display could top Wishes? "Believe" is just, well, un-believable. Unfortunately I hadn't done my homework and didn't know the importance of seeing this show from Main Street. We waited til the last night. Earlier in the trip we watched from Fantasyland and from our hotel. It's just another fireworks show unless you're on Main Street. But from Main Street, oh my goodness!

 

[ZoZo]

Ah, another person who didn't like WDW Fantasmic, either! I thought I was the only one. After reading so much on the boards, I was expecting much more. Not my cup of tea.

 

[goofy's friends]

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

We had 2 nights scheduled earlier in the trip for Wishes and did enjoy it (more than Fantasmic, that's for sure). We saved Fantasmic for the last night because we had seen it in DL and LOVED it--so moving and phenonemal!! Well, at WDW version we were seated up close and couldn't see the water movies very well and they over-used it anyway. The fumes off the fire and boats were overwhelming (not to mention the heat). Did not enjoy the Pocahontas part after seeing the Peter Pan part. We just had high expectations and that is why we thought it would be a good finale and we were wrong! Wish we had done Wishes a third night, but we didn't know.

 

[basas]

Not to hijack the thread or start another debate, but I agree with you on this one, too. Who would've thought any fireworks display could top Wishes? "Believe" is just, well, un-believable. Unfortunately I hadn't done my homework and didn't know the importance of seeing this show from Main Street. We waited til the last night. Earlier in the trip we watched from Fantasyland and from our hotel. It's just another fireworks show unless you're on Main Street. But from Main Street, oh my goodness!

Are you talking about "Believe...There's Magic in the Stars", or "Remember, Dreams Come True"? Believe was the old firework show (before Remember and the short-lived "Imagine") and while it was good, IMO Wishes was much, much better. Now Remember, DL's new 50th show, is, indeed, very good. I wouldn't say it makes Wishes look bad (both are unique...actually, Remember uses lots of Wishes music), but it is definently a must see for anyone travelling to DL anytime soon.

 

[Sleeping Jedi Beauty]

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.

For starters, I had no desire to see it in the first place. It just didn't appeal to me. Second, many of my friends and family who love Disney as much as I do did not like the film. My mother said the animation was beautiful, the air conditioned movie theater in the summer heat was great, but the movie was dumb and not worth seeing. And now having heard some of the music from the film, I don't find myself wanting to see the movie. As much as I wish that Disney still had the touch when it comes to animation, they don't. And I do think there have been some great Disney films since Peter Pan. Many of my favorites have been made since Peter Pan. What I don't care for is replacing a Disney classic(Peter Pan) with Pocahantas.

 

[crazyj4488]

I've seen the movie but have heard the same statements from others...they didn't see it based on the negative things they've heard about it. I thought it was so-so but I think it's out of place at WDW's Fantasmic....I don't care if there is a mountain that needs to be played on by the actors. It just wasn't that popular of a film and sticks out like a sore thumb during a show that's, mostly, grounded in Disney classics.

Nope...not gonna bother with that show ever again at WDW...Now there's a couple more seats left for those of you who enjoy it. Thanks for ruining that one for me DL

 

[Hugpug]

Well I have seen them both and I loved them both. We are all entiled to our option but I disgree with OP. Both shows are great.

 

[Yookeroo]

I never knew there was a substantive difference between the shows. I figured they were pretty much the same and there was NO WAY I was dealing with the crowd/seating situation at DL.

Maybe I can psych myself up to check it out when we're at DL next fall, but I gotta say crowding around in that tiny area with that mass of humanity is just NOT appealing. I really prefer the dedicated ampetheater and seating at WDW!!!

Go to the second showing of there is one. If you have only one showing, the best place to watch it without a loooong wait is to position yourself behind the center lighting structure. Few people stand there because they think the structure will block the view. But about 15 minutes before the show, the structure is lifted into the air leaving you with an excellent view. About a half hour before the show is usually plenty of time to get a good spot there.

Disneyland's version is much better than WDW's. I know it's nice to be able to sit, but the setting of the Rivers of America is so much nicer than the theater. I find the theater pretty sterile. And the show elements are better in DL. It's a great show in both places, but it was designed for DL and it shows.

 

[crazyj4488]

I'm glad WDW has the show at all...gotta be thankful that it is, at least, available for us to see.

Illuminations is my favorite night time show at WDW. I just did a stereo audio piece featuring Illuminations for The Meandering Mouse...check it out if you enjoy that show...hearing the fireworks explode over headphones sends chills down my spine.

 

[HydroGuy]

Go to the second showing of there is one. If you have only one showing, the best place to watch it without a loooong wait is to position yourself behind the center lighting structure. Few people stand there because they think the structure will block the view. But about 15 minutes before the show, the structure is lifted into the air leaving you with an excellent view. About a half hour before the show is usually plenty of time to get a good spot there.

Yoo's comment is about DL Fantasmic, and I agree. We were going to use the "center light trick" last August, but there were seats right in the center about 15 feet from the water's edge about 35 minutes before the second show. We took those. Even up until the show started, there was still room around us for more people. A group of 2-3 could have gotten a really good seat 5 minutes before the show. But remember the center light trick, especially if you must go the first show.

 

[Marthasor]

I totally agree with the OP! I think the DL Fantasmic is SO much better than WDW (except for having a place to sit!). I finally saw the WDW Fantasmic for the first time last Dec. and was really disappointed. I, too, thought the Pocahontas scene was completely out of place (and I do like the movie) and I just kept waiting and waiting for Peter Pan!! The whole day leading up to seeing it I kept telling my husband about Peter Pan flying! I was so excited and then . . . no Peter Pan. I'm glad we had a chance to see it, but definitely don't need to see it again.

 

[WaterPoloDisney]

So what is new? I am from the west here and I have to admit that if DL gets something that WDW has, it gets it better. Aside from Splash Mountain, if there is a ride or attraction that is in both places, rest assured that the DL version is better.

I have to think that this is intentional. It seems that WDW will always be able to draw the crowds based on the sheer size of its content. It is in Disney's best interests from a business standpoint to have people want to visit BOTH parks rather than being wholly content to the one nearest them.

 

[Robo]

So what is new? I am from the west here and I have to admit that if DL gets something that WDW has, it gets it better. Aside from Splash Mountain, if there is a ride or attraction that is in both places, rest assured that the DL version is better.

I have to think that this is intentional. It seems that WDW will always be able to draw the crowds based on the sheer size of its content. It is in Disney's best interests from a business standpoint to have people want to visit BOTH parks rather than being wholly content to the one nearest them.

Well, from my PoV:
Fantasmic! is better at DL.
Splash Mtn. is better at WDW.
PotC is better at DL.
BTMR is virtually the same.
Space Mtn. is better at DL.
Castle is better a WDW.
Tower of Terror is better at WDW.
Soarin' (the queue anyway) is better at DL (DCA).
HM is better at DL.
iasw is a DRAW. But DL has better exterior, WDW has new "old" audio
DL has "Holiday iasw, so... DL.
MuppetVision 3D is a DRAW.
Layout of MK is better at WDW.
Main Street would be a DRAW...
but DL has the Magic Shop , Walt's Apt. & Mr. Lincoln (usually)... so DL.
Toon Town is better at DL.
Jungle Cruise is better at WDW.
Tiki Room, depends on which show you prefer, so DRAW.

That's all off the top of my head.

These are indisputable, so no other comments accepted.

 

[Lorelai]

We've still never seen this at WDW - I'm just wondering how intense it is for little ones.

 

[Robo]

We've still never seen this at WDW - I'm just wondering how intense it is for little ones.

How little?

Fear of FIREWORKS?
Fear of FIRE?
Fear of LOUD noises?
All are in the show.

Love Mickey Mouse?
Love Belle, Snow White, Ariel?
Love about 40 other happy Disney Characters?
All are in the show.

Scared of Snow White's Wicked Stepmother/Witch?
Scared of Melificent (villian of Sleeping Beauty)?
Scared of a 30 foot tall fire-breathing evil DRAGON?
All are in the show.

Love Disney Classic Animation.
Love Disney Songs.
Love Disney MAGIC?
All are in the show.

Sitting at the rear of the theater can diminish some of the overwhelming effects.

 

[Lorelai]

How little?

Fear of FIRWORKS?
Fear of FIRE?
Fear of LOUD noises?
All are in the show.

Love Mickey Mouse?
Love Belle, Snow White, Ariel?
Love about 40 other happy Disney Characters?
All are in the show.

Scared of Snow White's Wicked Stepmother/Witch?
Scared of Melificent (villian of Sleeping Beauty)?
Scared of a 30 foot tall fire-breathing evil DRAGON?
All are in the show.

Love Disney Classic Animation.
Love Disney Songs.
Love Disney MAGIC?
All are in the show.

Sitting at the rear of the theater can diminish some of the overwhelming effects.

She's three. She likes fireworks and noise doesn't bother her, but some of the villians really terrify her. Actually, the Snow White ride in MK really freaks her out. So I'm thinking we should wait a bit. Thanks for the info!

 

[MouseWorshipin]

She's three. She likes fireworks and noise doesn't bother her, but some of the villians really terrify her. Actually, the Snow White ride in MK really freaks her out. So I'm thinking we should wait a bit. Thanks for the info!

Fantasmic is the night show I'd skip if I were going to miss one of them!

 

[Robo]

Fantasmic is the night show I'd skip if I were going to miss one of them!

One definition of a DISNEY HERO:
is one who does not take up space at a show they do not like.

I salute you (and will be sitting in YOUR SEAT at Fantasmic!)

 

[MouseWorshipin]

I salute you (and will be sitting in YOUR SEAT at Fantasmic!)

Happy to know I'm donating to worthy causes.
Just don't say that about Wishes! Them's fightin' words.