Fantasmic for three year olds?

[Jgc014]

Hi, My family is going to be at DL September 2nd, and we were originally hoping to catch the first MSEP show and fireworks with our three year old twins before calling it a day. Unfortunately, it looks like that is not going to be an option now.

Therefore, was wondering about experiences of Fantasmic with younger children? Recongizing all children are different, just trying to get a general feel of how it is received, and whether this would be worth it.

I've personally seen Fantasmic at Disney World, but never at Disneyland, and I would be up for catching it. My twins have seen the Magic Kingdom fireworks and liked those, but no other Disney nighttime entertainment.

Appreciate it!

 

[Disturbia]

We went to Fantasmic at DL when our daughter was 5 and it was not as enjoyable as it was too crowded (our daughter had to move ahead with some kids to get a view and it gets dark, so a bit nerve wrecking); that said, the actual show itself is very similar to WDW and our DD loved it.

A dining package would be good here but still would still require arriving early 45 mins vs 2-3 hrs (and need to stay seated?)

 

[Disturbia]

I’m researching viewing spots for our 2.5 and 5 year old who will be in a double stroller and came across the following post:

https://www.disboards.com/threads/fantasmic-with-a-stroller.2977788/

 

[katyringo]

We've enjoyed Fantasmic with our kids from 14 months-7 years old.

We do a dinner package for the seats on the ground and get snacks. Park the stroller and we get comfy. Cooler night we get our hoodies and we snuggle up for the show. When my daughter was 14 months she snuggled on my chest in a Tula. This also helped me muffle the noise a bit. Fantasmic is LOUD. That could be a shock to littles system.

When she was 2 that's where the snacks came in and her sitting on my lap. The intial sound was a bit much for her but we just kept snuggling with me kinda covering her ears a bit and pointing out mickey and she was good to go.

I have never seen the WDW version so I can't compare, but at Disneyland we have the dragon (if he is working)... and he breaths fire onto the water.... and that can be a bit scary for littles. It only lasts a very short time in the show (but is very memorable).... and then mickey saves the day... so during the dragon scene I just would say "oooo that scary melificent.... come Save the day mickey!" If they are old enough to watch sleeping beauty and make the connection between melificent and the dragon that helps too.

also just a tip.. directly after Fantasmic you can stay right where you are and they will do the fireworks show and they do a water screen with the projections there on the river and you can see the fireworks in the sky.

We have had really positive experiences with our littles.

 

[Jgc014]

Thank you so much - this is all super helpful for perspective!

I did book a Fantasmic dining package just in case we decided to check out Fantasmic, so we do at least have that to cut down on waiting time. Although, even an hour waiting in crowds seems like it could be a lot with them as they have recently started inquiring "why is this taking so long" on car rides that are all of 10 minutes. Full disclosure though, I am super impatient as well, so it is probably in their genes. Typically I just walk up to shows fairly last minute and sacrifice views to limit wait times, but I think with them being small, getting a good spot is more important.

I originally did think my girls would enjoy the show based on my recollection of the WDW one (even though I probably haven't seen it for at least four years at this point, so don't remember it all totally clearly), but then I read a few comments about younger kids not liking Fantasmic, so I thought I could be misjudging it. Therefore, when I thought there would a parade, fireworks, and Fantasmic, Fantasmic seemed like the one to cut. Without the Parade though, I have been rethinking it (and honestly I personally wanted to see Fantasmic anyway!).

Regarding fireworks, do we think there will be something to replace DisneyLand Forever on 9/2, or will they go without fireworks for the time being?

And is anywhere within the dining package viewing area relatively easy to see even for a 3 year old who is about 40 inches, or should we plan to arrive early to be strategic about where we sit?

 

[Pluto468]

I think, as you said, it may depend on the child. Most of Fantasmic isn't too scary, but there's a big dramatic part with villains and the dragon. If you could get the RBT premium dining you'd have a place to sit and watch. It's a long dinner, like 7:15-9:00 but you're allowed to come and go.

 

[lalasmama]

Overall, I think it could be okay, but my sensitive 7yo grandson felt some parts were very loud and very scary-- the villain section, specifically.

 

[katyringo]

Thank you so much - this is all super helpful for perspective!

I did book a Fantasmic dining package just in case we decided to check out Fantasmic, so we do at least have that to cut down on waiting time. Although, even an hour waiting in crowds seems like it could be a lot with them as they have recently started inquiring "why is this taking so long" on car rides that are all of 10 minutes. Full disclosure though, I am super impatient as well, so it is probably in their genes. Typically I just walk up to shows fairly last minute and sacrifice views to limit wait times, but I think with them being small, getting a good spot is more important.

I originally did think my girls would enjoy the show based on my recollection of the WDW one (even though I probably haven't seen it for at least four years at this point, so don't remember it all totally clearly), but then I read a few comments about younger kids not liking Fantasmic, so I thought I could be misjudging it. Therefore, when I thought there would a parade, fireworks, and Fantasmic, Fantasmic seemed like the one to cut. Without the Parade though, I have been rethinking it (and honestly I personally wanted to see Fantasmic anyway!).

Regarding fireworks, do we think there will be something to replace DisneyLand Forever on 9/2, or will they go without fireworks for the time being?

And is anywhere within the dining package viewing area relatively easy to see even for a 3 year old who is about 40 inches, or should we plan to arrive early to be strategic about where we sit?

The seating is kinda on an incline and I think any seating in the area is good.

As for the hour wait before... that's where the snacks came in lol!!

 

[Malcon10t]

Regarding fireworks, do we think there will be something to replace DisneyLand Forever on 9/2, or will they go without fireworks for the time being?

Yes, they will likely start Halloween fireworks on weekend (F-Sun), and likely Mix Magic on week days.

 

[katyringo]

Yes, they will likely start Halloween fireworks on weekend (F-Sun), and likely Mix Magic on week days.

Halloween screams is playing every night during the Halloween season. Projection only on week days.