Fantasmic at WDW is WEAK!!

[crazyj4488]

I recently saw the Disneyland version of the show and it puts the one at WDW to utter shame. I couldn't believe it. Anyone else compared the two and feel the same? The theater seating is kind of nice but the cheesy boat floats that come out are awful looking and the Pocahontas scene is just a waste.

Just my opinion...

 

[Hobbes]

Wow, you're brave! I've seen both and I lurve them both but MGM shades it cos of the seating-after 12 hours of hoofing around the parks I need to sit...I agree with you about the Pocahontas scene and the girly princess boats but I always want to cry when the big paddle ship comes round at the end and they're all waving .I suppose the point of the pocahontas scene is that its all Mickey's dream and anything can happen in your dreams.

 

[bicker]

I've seen them both and prefer the D-MGM version. It just so much more comfortable watching it while seated, that makes up for any minor content differences.

 

[simzac]

Guess I need to get to Disneyland to see for myself

 

[BYC]

What do you all mean by the seating. Do you have to stand for fantasmic at Disneyland?

 

[bicker]

Yes. In Anaheim, Fantasmic is presented on what would be Tom Sawyer Island in Orlando, and you watch it standing up, from the post-and-rail fence on the other side of the Rivers of America. The only seating available in Anaheim is a $41 dessert terrace, that seats 15-20(?).

Intercot has a good map of where you can stand:
http://www.intercotwest.com/resortGuide/showsFantasmic.asp
The map is about mid-way down the page.

Apparently, there is now another limited private seating area near the Haunted Mansion, which costs $40 per person.

 

[Robo]

What do you all mean by the seating. Do you have to stand for fantasmic at Disneyland?

You stand... if you can find a PLACE to stand.
Its actually what I consider a DANGEROUS CROWD situation.

Imagine that many folks standing in Frontierland trying to watch a show taking place on Tom Saywer's Island (and in the water), because THAT's WHAT HAPPENS!

But we do it anyway... because the SHOW at DL is BETTER in many ways.

 

[WVParkfan]

the cheesy boat floats that come out are awful looking and the Pocahontas scene is just a waste.

uhm, let me guess... You don't have a daughter, do you?

 

[joshsmom]

I haven't seen the show in DL, so i can't compare. I do like the one at WDW and I LOVE the soundtrack. I listen to it at work--it calms me!!!

 

[bicker]

I agree that it does seem like a dangerous crowd situation. I don't know if West Coasters are more tolerant of that sort of thing than us folks out East, but the Fantasmic situation in Anaheim is "worse" in that regard than the Spectromagic situation in Orlando, IMHO.

 

[Robo]

I agree that it does seem like a dangerous crowd situation. I don't know if West Coasters are more tolerant of that sort of thing than us folks out East, but the Fantasmic situation in Anaheim is "worse" in that regard than the Spectromagic situation in Orlando, IMHO.

And that's not even a great comparison, because with Spectro, there is still a "mostly empty" parade route (the 20' wide street) where those watching the parade could "move into" if they "needed" to.
Its not a GREAT difference, but its FAR BETTER than to have the entire area COMPLETELY FILLED... JAM-PACKED with people, as is the case at DL's Fantasmic!

The show at DL far exceeded any expectation of success.
The crowds that Fantasmic! still draws are incredible.

I am amazed at how "civil" that THAT MANY folks can be, crammed -like toothpaste in a tube- into the Frontierland/New Orleans Square streets.

The fact that WDW built that HUGE amphitheater (and it STILL FILLS) is testament to the high quality of these shows.

 

[leighe]

I've never been to DL but Fantasmic is my least favorite of all the Disney shows. I agree that the Pocahontas segment seems out of place - like it was just stuck in as an afterthought.

 

[Robo]

I've never been to DL but Fantasmic is my least favorite of all the Disney shows. I agree that the Pocahontas segment seems out of place - like it was just stuck in as an afterthought.

Pocahontas was the "current release" when the show at MGM was created.
And they needed a "stunt spectacular" section in the show because...

At DL, this is the point in the show where Peter Pan and Capt. Hook "battle it out" UP in the RIGGING of a FULL-SIZED PIRATE SHIP that is sailing by the audience.
It is SPECTACULAR!
But that does REQUIRE that you HAVE a full-sized "pirate ship" back-stage.
At DL they use the "Columbia sailing ship" decked-out as Hook's ship.
It is a GREAT use of "resources".
At WDW, they use the "mountain" for the stunts (they DON'T have a "mountain" in DL.)

Another big difference is at the "Character Finale" near the end.
At DL they use the "Mark Twain Steamboat"... the REAL DEAL... for Steamboat Willie and the rest of the characters to "wave" off of.
(See the picture in the Original Post of this thread).

Its AMAZING to see that huge boat filled with Disney favorites.
Again, at MGM, they don't HAVE that ship at the location of the show, so they bulit a "reasonable facsimile" (and it works pretty well).

I never miss Fantasmic! at either location. Its a great show.
But the show was DESIGNED around the creative use of the amazing resources available at DL.
The show at WDW is very very good too, but it doesn't quite have "the FULL EFFECT" that its California cousin can offer.

 

[leighe]

Pocahontus was the "current release" when the show at MGM was created.

Aaahhh - that makes more sense now. Based on your description I would LOVE to see the DL version.

 

[Tony Toon]

We saw DL's Fantasmic before the WDW version with a 6 year gap between the two. I believe (but distance lends enchantment perhaps) that the DL version is more spectacular and DW and I left the DL one with tears streaming down our faces (yes the Steamboat Willie part is unbelievably emotional). Having said that, there is no way we would ever consider missing Fantasmic at the Studios on our now frequent visits to Florida. We still believe it to be the best show in Disney, and I think the music has an awful lot to do with it's success.

 

[civileng68]

Honestly, I think this is all a matter of whether you like Pocahontas more than Peter Pan?

I like Peter Pan more and thus, like THAT part of the DL fantasmic more.

However, I think atmosphere makes everything and the DL version has NOTHING on the atmosphere at WDW.

WDW has created an entire HUGE ampitheatre SPECIFICALLY for the show, including a "mountain" to run the show around.

I like the soundtrack better at WDW and remember the dragon scene at WDW. I think it's just better overall, up one side and down the other. NOthing at DL compares to that.

I personally HATE standing for a show like at DL. Like someone else said.......at the end of the day I find myself with hurting feet. Even to stand through Wishes sometimes has me standing on the "sides" of my feet (you know, bending your feet outward to not have to stand on your balls of your feet?)

I HATE standing to watch Fantasmic!. It's nice to go to a nice ampitheatre, sit down, listen to some music and then see a great show.

 

[Randy K]

I vote for the DL version also. The seating is nice at WDW but having to wait and "stand" 2 hours in advance or buy an expensive dinner at a restaurant of Disney's choice to get a seat is not.

 

[goodeats]

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.

 

[dbm20th]

I have never seen DL's version, but I do love WDW's version. I can't imagine that seeing it in DL, even if it is better, would make me thing that WDW's stinks. Just the DL's is better. It sounds as though the show me be better, but standing for that long?? Are you kidding me??

 

[Randy K]

It sounds as though the show me be better, but standing for that long?? Are you kidding me??

I wouldn't reccomend seeing Illuminations then.