Fantasmic at WDW is WEAK!!

[civileng68]

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.

I think you guys out west have a serious misconception. I am an AP holder to WDW and go all of the time and NEVER have "had" to buy an expensive dinner (or any dinner) or stand around for two hours in advance.

It sounds like you have never been to the WDW version.

You dont stand at all.

Actually it's a HUGE ampitheatre with seating. You go and sit and watch the show in a seat.

Also, the dinner is not required or needed. It simply allows you to show up and have a garaunteed seat, which is really not required since they make you show up so early that there are tons of seats available anyways.

 

[civileng68]

I wouldn't reccomend seeing Illuminations then.

Unlike Fantasmic........you dont have to be front row and stand around for hours to see Illuminations. I often times show up 15 minutes before the show and get a nice spot.

Not to mention, Illuminations has a large viewing area where you are required to sit.

 

[civileng68]

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.

Cardboard steam ship? Are you sure you have seen the show? Not to mention, at least SOMETHING at DL is bigger than that at WDW.

 

[Robo]

Cardboard steam ship? Are you sure you have seen the show? Not to mention, at least SOMETHING at DL is bigger than that at WDW.

goodeats is saying the the "cardboard" steamship is the one at WDW.

And I agree.
The one used at MGM is far more like a "caricature" of steamship compared to the genuine article, the Mark Twain at DL.

 

[Randy K]

I think you guys out west have a serious misconception. I am an AP holder to WDW and go all of the time and NEVER have "had" to buy an expensive dinner (or any dinner) or stand around for two hours in advance.

No I have seen the WDW version and waited 45 minutes before the show and got a bad seat. Neither me or my wife enjoyed the show. The bad seats probably had alot to do with it. Every WDW guide book and website says to arrive at least 60-90 minutes in advance to get a good seat. At the DL version you only need to be there 15 minutes in advance to find a decent viewing spot so you are standing far less than at WDW. IMHO the seating at WDW is a great idea but not worth the long wait for it.

 

[HydroGuy]

In response to several posts:

1. You do not have to stand for the DL Fantasmic. In fact we have never stood. Near the water sitting is required. Not that it is hugely comfortable, as it is on concrete. But the show is only for about 20-25 minutes, so you have to sit that long.

2. You do not have to show up 2 hours early. We have never showed up that early. When there are two shows, you can go to the late show (10:30PM) and get an excellent seat down front 30-40 minutes before.

When our kids were younger (in year 2000) we had to go to an early show, and I cannot remember how early we got there but it was at least an hour. But certainly not two.

3. There are tons of people, just like for the parades and fireworks. For the most part other folks are polite and there are no problems. We have never had any. The idea that there is this massive crowd at Fantasmic that makes it impossible to enjoy the show is contrary to our several experiences at Fantasmic during the busy summer season.

4. I did not even know about the dinner or dessert seating (near the water) until last year. They cost $50-55, not 40. Unless you have money to burn, I think these are totally unnecessary. We have never done either and probably never will.

I hope to catch the WDW Fantasmic in June, and will be interested in drawing my own conclusion in how they compare.

 

[orljustin]

I have seen both again recently. I agree that the Disneyland one is much better than the WDW show. This is due to several factors.

The size of the two sailing ships is more impressive when you are at ground level. The seating at the WDW stadium is nice, but it really removes you from the show, makes you more of a viewer than someone who is _experiencing_ the show. It also makes the steamboat look smaller than it really is. So, yes, using the ships and standing/sitting at ground level makes it a better show.

The Pocahontas thing is a bit tiresome after a show or two. Again, because it is so far away, you might as well be watching it on TV. It's not a particularly inspiring bit, and I don't know why Mickey would be dreaming of this film in particular. BTW, Pocahontas was way in the past when Fantasmic came out, in 98.

There is too much video on water screens at the WDW stadium. It's like they couldn't come up with better filler, so we get more film clips.

They're both fun shows, but the DL is better, imo. Also, it's neat that suddenly there's this huge experience that magically appears in the middle of the park, instead of just another show venue.

 

[Sleeping Jedi Beauty]

I'm not sure we'll end up catching Fantasmic! at MGM based in part on the unfavorable comparisons to DL's, especially since we're going to focus on rides and attractions that DL doesn't have.

 

[Partridge4ever]

Well, first I have to say I just saw Fantasmic at MGM for the ummm, maybe 20th time Monday night and declared it my favorite, can't miss thing at WDW. BUT we went to Disneyland last summer and I loved Fantasmic there so much, we stayed put after the first showing and saw the second showing so I could video it. I have to agree DL's version is better.

 

[civileng68]

No I have seen the WDW version and waited 45 minutes before the show and got a bad seat. Neither me or my wife enjoyed the show. The bad seats probably had alot to do with it. Every WDW guide book and website says to arrive at least 60-90 minutes in advance to get a good seat. At the DL version you only need to be there 15 minutes in advance to find a decent viewing spot so you are standing far less than at WDW. IMHO the seating at WDW is a great idea but not worth the long wait for it.

Regardless of which is better.........you must have gone at an incredibly busy time. I go every month and I think in the last 3 years, there has only been 1 time where you couldn't walk in 45 minutes before the show and grab a nice seat.

 

[pearlieq]

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!!!

 

[goofy's friends]

I'm not sure we'll end up catching Fantasmic! at MGM based in part on the unfavorable comparisons to DL's, especially since we're going to focus on rides and attractions that DL doesn't have.

If you have seen DL, I would recommend exactly what you just said. We ahd seen DL version of Fantasmic and thought we would leave it as our Grand Finale inWDW and we were so, so disappointed with it. Wish we had skipped it. after seeing DL version, there is no comparison.

 

[Randy K]

Regardless of which is better.........you must have gone at an incredibly busy time. I go every month and I think in the last 3 years, there has only been 1 time where you couldn't walk in 45 minutes before the show and grab a nice seat.

We did go during 4th of July week but I didn't find WDW nearly as crowded during this time of the year as compared to DL where I have been many times.

I'm not doubting you since you have been many more times than me but why do all the guide books say to arrive 60-90 minutes early to get a decent seat. The one time I went my experience matched the guidebooks. I arrived 45 minutes early and got a bad seat(way off to the left side and up top. Couldn't really see the water movies at all.

This time we are going the 3rd week in July, a little less crowded but I'm still considering skipping this because I don't think I want to waste an hour or more waitng in line for a seat. I'll probably check it out at 30 minutes and see how crowded it looks.

 

[HydroGuy]

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!!!

It is definitely not a "tiny area". It wraps around the River from almost the Haunted Mansion to Frontierland. IMO, it is a huge area and the crowds there have never detracted from the show. I think you have a misconception about what to expect. If you have the option to go to a second show, that makes things easier. We would never miss Fantasmic at DL.

 

[Robo]

It is definitely not a "tiny area". It wraps around the River from almost the Haunted Mansion to Frontierland.

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

Its one of those "things" that we all deal with when we choose to congregate in such large numbers.

 

[civileng68]

We did go during 4th of July week but I didn't find WDW nearly as crowded during this time of the year as compared to DL where I have been many times.

I'm not doubting you since you have been many more times than me but why do all the guide books say to arrive 60-90 minutes early to get a decent seat. The one time I went my experience matched the guidebooks. I arrived 45 minutes early and got a bad seat(way off to the left side and up top. Couldn't really see the water movies at all.

This time we are going the 3rd week in July, a little less crowded but I'm still considering skipping this because I don't think I want to waste an hour or more waitng in line for a seat. I'll probably check it out at 30 minutes and see how crowded it looks.

Well that explains it. You went during one of the single busiest times of the year. Also note that it "seems" less crowded because WDW is so much larger. Not everyone is crammed into two parks, however, there are MANY more people there than at DL during that time.

Also, just as a note: Those guide books are only "so" good, and during SUPER busy weeks (like July 4 and Christmas), those books really serve very little value in terms of determining wait times.

If you go on a normal day to Fantasmic, you literally can go in 30-45 minutes before the show and grab a seat and watch.

 

[civileng68]

If you have seen DL, I would recommend exactly what you just said. We ahd seen DL version of Fantasmic and thought we would leave it as our Grand Finale inWDW and we were so, so disappointed with it. Wish we had skipped it. after seeing DL version, there is no comparison.

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

 

[orljustin]

If you go on a normal day to Fantasmic, you literally can go in 30-45 minutes before the show and grab a seat and watch.

Or not, since we were there in early February, showed up 30 minutes before, and were faced with standing room only. Luckily, a CM managed to split us up and squeeze us in.

 

[Randy K]

If you go on a normal day to Fantasmic, you literally can go in 30-45 minutes before the show and grab a seat and watch.

I hope your right. We are going later in July this year and will give it a shot but IMHO its not worth waiting more than 45 minutes for.

 

[bicker]

I never knew there was a substantive difference between the shows.

There isn't. The differences are rather minor, and far less significant than the standing at Anaheim versus sitting at Orlando difference.