Fantasmic for little ones?

[JJ&JSMOM]

My TA suggested Fantasmic for our vacation. I've read it can be very scary for little ones. Just wondering what your experience was. We have 3 kids ages 7, 4 & 1 (will be 2 at time of tvl). We don't want too many late evenings so I need to choose between Spectro/Fantasmic. My DH and I have seen Illuminations and aren't interested in seeing it again so thats not in the running. Thanks for any opinions!!!!

 

[Ariel8676]

I think it depends on the child. We saw Fantasmic last year..my girls were almost 4 and almost 3, and they LOVED it...they had a great time. They loved the Villains and all the "good guys" as they put it..lol

 

[winterman]

Every kid is different and our kids are grown - but DH and I always see Fantasmic when we are at WDW and there are always lots of kids in the crowd. All ages. I have never seen any kids have a problem with it.

 

[missymagic]

like evyone said it depends on your children...the villians do try to take over etc. and it does have loud sound effects my girla have seen it since they are one and have never had a proble,

Spectro is also a neat parade every float it lighted and is very pretty to see. You could play it by ear and decide that day. How tired they are etc.

 

[BlakeNJ]

I would decide on Spectro for your 2yo. If you have to choose between both, Spectro is your safest best for a young child. I took DD1 (last year) to both. She didn't mind F! but really enjoyed Spectro. Lots of light, music, charecters and they are much closer to the action. Now, this year she will be 2 and there is a good chance she won't like F! due to it's intense (at times) nature. I know she will still love Spectro.

On the other hand, if you can swing it, try to do both, then maybe have DH take the older kids to F! They would really enjoy it. IMHO, it's the best show at WDW.

Good luck and remember, it's no fun for your child (or those around you) if your baby is scared and crying.

 

[DreaminDisney]

My kids were 2 & 5 first time and loved Fantasmic

 

[Not so Dumbo]

My kids also loved Fantasmic. Infact my DS3 absolutely loved it. But if you have to decide between the two then the save bet would be Spectro. That is an awesome show as well. I don't know what my kids would say if they had to decide between the two.

 

[Reese]

DS was 20 months when we took him to Fantasmic and he loved it. We sat right near the back just in case I had to make an exit with him.

 

[mill4023]

Our kids never had a problem with Fantasmic and if I had to pick between the two, I'd definitely pick it over Spectro. But you know your kids better than any of us. Are they easily frightened by the villains in Disney movies? Are they frightened by loud noises? If so, Spectro is a safer choice and it's a wonderful parade that I'm sure they would all enjoy.
If you do decide to go to Fantasmic and you are at all worried about them, sit towards the back. You actually get a better view of everything, it will be less intense, and you'll be able to exit if they have any issues.

 

[Ethan's dad]

OK, I'll chime in with a different perspective. We took our 4 year old son and 2 year old daughter 2 years ago, and they both were very scared during the villains portion of Fantasmic. It even ruined the following triumph of Mickey.

I loved seeing Spectro when we were there last week, which surprised me - I didn't think I'd care much for it.

As other say, it all depends on the child.

 

[nickeymouse]

It's very dark. All about Mickey Mouse fighting the villains. If there scared of loud noises, or villains, it's not there cup of tea.

 

[LaraK]

My kids loved Fantasmic once the show started...but the long wait (even with the dinner and a show package) was like torture for us! My kids don't do inactive well.

 

[Robo]

It's very dark. All about Mickey Mouse fighting the villains. If there scared of loud noises, or villains, it's not there cup of tea.

I love Fantasmic! I've seen it dozens of times at both WDW and Disneyland.

That said, the WDW version does contain the single LOUDEST sound effect in ANY Disney show on this continent.
There is a "real" cannon explosion (and two more "gun powder" explosions) at the beginning of the Pocahontas scenes.

If you are not prepared (and very few guests ARE) those EAR-SPLITTING explosions (especially the first one) can really take you by surprise.

I always call out about 5 seconds before the first surprise explosion, "EARS!"
as a reminder to the folks in our party to cover thier ears for a couple of seconds until its over.

If you want to see what the show at WDW looks like, here are links to the show that I shot from 4 camera positions and edited together earlier this year. Sorry that the quality has to be much-reduced for posting on the web.

Fantasmic!- In 3 Parts:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0A0tE3jOjYw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuutOB1hHOE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNy5BuTkyd0

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

Thanks for all the responses. Looks like DD2 won't be going but we may split up and DH or I could take the older 2. It may even be too much for the older ones - we'll see!

Robo - Awesome photography. I watched the first part and will watch the next 2 parts later. Thank you so much for posting your links - it helped! I don't think my DD2 would like it and probably my DD4 wouldn't.

Thanks again!

 

[lapeen2]

When we went the kids were 2 and 3 and they were both mesmerized...they LOVED it!

 

[hockeybabe]

If you want to see what the show at WDW looks like, here are links to the show that I shot from 4 camera positions and edited together earlier this year. Sorry that the quality has to be much-reduced for posting on the web.

Fantasmic!- In 3 Parts:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0A0tE3jOjYw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuutOB1hHOE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNy5BuTkyd0[/QUOTE]

Great video...do you have it on DVD, and would you be interested in sending it to someone for a shipping and "handling" fee?

 

[SherryB]

We went last year and brought our daughters who were 6 and 3 at the time. Although the show was very good, both of my girls were afraid during the villain scenes. They covered their eyes and I finally had to leave with my then 3 year old because she was crying and disturbing the other guests. If you do go, I would recommend sitting on the end of the row just in case you have to make a quick get away.
We will be going to Disney again in January 2007, and even though they will be a year older, we will be skipping Fantasmic this time.

My girls loved the Spectromagic parade!

Hope you have a great time at Disney!!

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

We went last year and brought our daughters who were 6 and 3 at the time. Although the show was very good, both of my girls were afraid during the villain scenes. They covered their eyes and I finally had to leave with my then 3 year old because she was crying and disturbing the other guests. If you do go, I would recommend sitting on the end of the row just in case you have to make a quick get away.
We will be going to Disney again in January 2007, and even though they will be a year older, we will be skipping Fantasmic this time.

My girls loved the Spectromagic parade!

Hope you have a great time at Disney!!

Thanks - I checked out the links provided by Robo (great job by the way) and I think we'll just skip this one until the next time we go when the kids are older. It seemed very loud, dark but also the music seemed very dramatic (like in Fantasia - hence Fantasmic) - full of anxiety. I'll look forward to seeing in the future.

Hope you fun at Disney too! Its coming up very soon!

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

I think you've made the right decision. Fantasmic! is my favorite show on property, but if the choice is between that and Spectro with such small kids, I'd definately choose Spectro. They'll get more out of it, and there won't be any worries about dark or scary at all. Also won't be waiting in the stadium for gosh-knows-how-long first.

I'm sure you'll have a great time!

NED