Fantasmic! @ DL same as DW?

[Irishtwins]

Is the Fantasmic! Show the same in DL as the one is HS in DW? We have seen F! 3 times in HS. We are trying to decide on whether to go to F! or World of Color. We only have one night in the area. Also if we decide to go to the WOC should we go with the dinning package offered or just wing it (since time is not on our side). We plan on being there either the Tuesday or Wednesday after Easter.

Thanks so much!

 

[Inkmahm]

It is NOT the same show. I prefer the DL version myself. If you are short on time, consider the dessert package that gives you seats for the show so that you don't have to sit for hours to save a spot.

I liked WOC, too. But I still like Fantasmic better.

 

[HydroGuy]

The Fantasmic show at DL is 80-90% the same as at DHS. The Fantasmic experience at DL is very different.

First I will start with the drawbacks at DL. There is no stadium seating. It is more like parade or fireworks seating where you just find a spot to sit or stand. This can be a huge turnoff for WDW vets.

Now for what is better: in short everything else. The setting in DL on the Rivers of America draws you in much more than DHS. Because it is on the ROA they can and do use the river much more effectively than at DHS. So they use the Columbia Sailing Ship and Mark Twain in the show - and that part is awesome. They have a dragon at DL - oh, boy, do they have a dragon. A big, huse animatronic dragon. He has the nickname Murphy because he has an annoying habit of breaking down - sort of like the EE Yeti.

Most folks who have seen both prefer the show at DL.

If you are limited for time I would see World of Color because there is nothing like it at WDW. If you have time to see Fantasmic it is worth it.

 

[ktlm]

We think Fantasmic at DL is much better than WDW. They do not have WDW's Pochahontas part- which DD hates because it is so loud. Instead it is Peter Pan with a ship and it is wonderful! Their Fantasmic dessert package is really fun too if you want to spend the money. That said, we have not seen WOC yet, so I can't tell you which we would chose.

 

[skiingfast]

If you are limited for time I would see World of Color because there is nothing like it at WDW. If you have time to see Fantasmic it is worth it.

I agree with this, While F! in DL is much better, there is nothing that compares to WoC and you should take the opportunity while you have it.

It's difficult but possible to see both in one night. Assuming there are two F! shows in a night. See the first WoC from the rear of Paradise Park, then make like a deer and sprint out of DCA when it ends, not getting caught in the exiting WoC crowd. Head to River of America, while it empties from the first show and you may be able to catch the second show. All in all, to walk from one to the other takes about 15 minutes if you can avoid getting stuck in crowds.

 

[mvf-m11c]

I agree with everyone that DL F! is way more better than DHS F!. Just like what HydroGuy said that both shows are around 80 to 90 percent the same. The only scenes that are different is Pocahontas scene, Jafar snake scene, and the old Malificent dragon at DHS, while DL has the Kaa snake scene with the Jungle book monkeys and King Louie, PP scene with the Columbia, ursulas eels, and Murphy the Dragon.

Just like everyone else, if you have little time during your trip, you got to see WoC.

 

[Disney Dreams]

When this discussion comes up from time to time, I always seem to be in the minority, but I suppose that's what makes Disney what it is.

I LOVE Fantasmic! It is a great show which I could see over and over and over. Which one? Well... both.

I think there are part of each that are better than the other. I would not say that one is better, however. They are different.

I LOVE the animal kingdom portion at DHS that is non-existant at DL. I really like the, hmm, I'm going to call it "settlers" portion of DHS's that isn't in DL's version. And I love the stadium seating.

Is the dragon (when SHE makes her appearance) at DL, better? She's amazing! The Mark Twain and use of Columbia is great at DL. But there are amazing parts of DHS's version that I think get overlooked.

I would have to disagree with comments that indicate the only thing better about DHS's version is the seating. It's a great show. Maybe its because I've seen DL's version so much, but other than the dragon and the Mark Twain, I like DHS's version.

They are different. See them both when you get the chance. Each is great in its own way.

- Dreams

 

[DahliaRW]

I'm going to disagree and say I'd see F! over WOC any day. If you can do both, even better. WOC does play every night. But, F! is only on the weekends now (don't know about spring), so it may not be an option anyways.

 

[HydroGuy]

I'm going to disagree and say I'd see F! over WOC any day. If you can do both, even better. WOC does play every night. But, F! is only on the weekends now (don't know about spring), so it may not be an option anyways.

It sounds like you are saying that if someone like the OP has seen Fantasmic at WDW multiple times and they came to DLR for the first time, and had to choose Fantasmic or WOC, that they should see Fantasmic at DL over WOC. I think Fantasmic is similar enough that it would be better to see WOC over Fantasmic because there is nothing like it at WDW. My two cents.

 

[HydroGuy]

Is the dragon (when SHE makes her appearance) at DL, better? She's amazing!

Aha, a stickler for detail! Like me! My bad on Murphy's gender. Thanks.

 

[DahliaRW]

It sounds like you are saying that if someone like the OP has seen Fantasmic at WDW multiple times and they came to DLR for the first time, and had to choose Fantasmic or WOC, that they should see Fantasmic at DL over WOC. I think Fantasmic is similar enough that it would be better to see WOC over Fantasmic because there is nothing like it at WDW. My two cents.

Yes, I was that underwhelmed by WOC. With F! you get the water screens (like WOC), but also all the pyrotechnics and such.

 

[Irishtwins]

Just wanted to say thank you to everyone for your advice. I think either choice is going to be great. Maybe I will just base it on crowd levels. And see what happens. This 1 day trip is such a tease!!! Better than nothing though, right?

 

[LavenderPeach]

If you decide you want to do WOC you can also look into the WOC picnic. This won't take as much time as the dinner package since you just pick up your picnic meals and eat them when you want to and then you won't have to worry about trying to get FPs from the machine since you will get them with the picnic meals. I believe you have to order these ahead of time (online) for the first show but I think you can get picnics with FPs for the later show right there at DCA without pre-ordering them, if they are available.