Fantasmic - Must do or can do without?

[HeadintoWDW]

Since you all have been such a great help so far , I am looking for your opinions on Fantasmic!

Is this show a must-do or is it something that you could live without? We have never seen the show and I wouldn't say that we are huge fireworks/parade fans. Nothing against them, but I am not a person who needs to see fireworks every night of our vacation. I guess I'm not exactly understanding the nature of Fantasmic and am wondering if it's something we should definitely not miss.

The reason I am asking is because we are coming up on our 90 day window and if we are going to see Fantasmic, we are going to do the dinner package. I am not going use 1 1/2 to 2 hours of our park time standing in line waiting, so I think that would be a necessity.

Sorry...back to my original question...Fantasmic, take it or leave it?!?

Thanks!!!

 

[rockahulagirl]

Fantasmic is definately a "must do" attraction. The show is incredible, you will be totally amazed. We did the dinner and show last August and ate at the Brown Derby ( best meal of our vacation ). After dinner we went to a special entrance and sat down immediately. No doubt this is the way to go. Dont miss it!

 

[Valentine]

A definite MUST DO!!! You have to see this show at least once!!! And if you are going to be there during a non-busy time.. Don't do the Dinner package because you can show up 1/2 hour before the show and get just as good seats as the Dinner Package seats.. but if busy season.. definitely do the dinner package.... we usually grab some food and head into the theatre.. and eat at our seats... the time passes quickly.. and at that time you are thrilled to be sitting.. and not running anywhere .. it's also fun to people watch.. and grab some junk food.. there are TONS of vendors... I tend to grab a HUGE hot dog.. a Beer.. and then finish up with my Cotton Candy!!! just a Fantasmic tradition! But you really will be amazed at this show...

Enjoy!!

kathy

 

[disneyfanz04]

My vote is for MUST DO!!!! What a great show!!!!

 

[DisneyLisa]

I agree...it's a "must do"...at least once. We do it every trip.

 

[jellydisney]

I realize I'm in the minority here, but I could take it or leave it. It was interesting to watch but I don't like waiting in line for an hour beforehand. I'm also very hard to impress lolol. But you'll probably love it, most people do

 

[HeadintoWDW]

Originally posted by Valentine
And if you are going to be there during a non-busy time.. Don't do the Dinner package because you can show up 1/2 hour before the show and get just as good seats as the Dinner Package seats...

We will be there May 16-23...is this considered a time that I should get the package? We will be leaving WDW the weekend before Memorial Day weekend, so I was hoping it wouldn't be TOO busy yet. But it is still "regular" season, so do you think the lines will be horrendous at this time in May?

Thanks again!!

 

[kiddoc]

I agree with most of the previous posts--Fantasmic! is a must-do for us on each trip. As for the time of year--We went at that time 2 years ago and went into Fantasmic! about 30-40 minutes before showtime and we were in the standing room only area. So, if you are not into waiting, I would do the dinner package at that time.

Just a note about how much we and our DD3 liked the show--We went back again later in the trip after our standing room episode. We arrived 2 hours before start time and sent part of our party out for counter service dinner. We sat in our seats and ate and had a great time--it really wasn't a big deal. My DD absolutely loved the show and loved our seats that time--FRONT ROW! I, myself, prefer about halfway back--better view and you don't get wet!

 

[kapica3]

Absolutely a must-do. Not to be missed.

 

[McKeeFamily3]

and I wouldn't say that we are huge fireworks/parade fans. Nothing against them, but I am not a person who needs to see fireworks every night of our vacation

This isn't like any fireworks or parade you've every seen!!!
It is a definite must do!! It's a ...well... it's a Fantasmic show!
You won't be sorry you took the time to see it!

 

[valeriekc]

I would have to say that I will be joining JellyDisney in the minority here.
Depending upon what you are doing that day and night and how much you like the other attractions at MGM I could leave it. However if you do it, you are going about it the right way.
I have to take issue with the whole way that promote and conduct Fantasmic.
They make this HUGE deal about telling EVERYONE to get there at least TWO HOURS before...and so everyone shows up and twiddles thumbs forever before the show. And they even got rid of the two preshow comics to make the matter worse.
Another compound to the problem is they close pretty much all the rest of the park and attractions so you don't have a lot of other options. All the park converges upon Sunset Blvd around that time.
Please don't get me wrong...it is a good show and if you like SHOWS you should see it. It is really less of a fireworks thing than most others.
We also share your opinion and don't like wasting valuable park time queing up for AGES before parades, fireworks etc.. So the meal deal is the least painful route. But the seats reserved are at the far right of the amphitheatre and they tell all those people to SPAZ OUT and get there super early too! I just don't understand why they don't want people out in the park shopping, eating etc... rather than sitting in Fantasmic for the last 2 1/2 hours of the day???
If you go I would suggest the Brown Derby for the meal, great Cobb salad, fish choices, steaks etc.. Since you are paying a premium price for dinner get a premium meal I say!
Good luck

 

[honeymom]

We tried to do Fantasmic at Disneyland. We waited for it to start. We had to put kids on our shoulders to see (they do it on a river, not a stadium at DL). It started. My 3 1/2 year old and 6 year old were terrified and started crying. Then the thing broke (after all that waiting).

My kids have informed me that no way, no how do they want to see Fantasmic when we go to WDW in March.

That being said, the little that I saw was amazing.

 

[Mermaid02]

You should see it at least ONCE! We loved it and were totally amazed by the creativity and originallity. Do the dinner thing and that way you are guaranteed a seat and won't have to wait around as long.

 

[jlcbshaw]

I too say it is a MUST DO.

However, just a quick question. Are you taking children? If so, then the dinner package is really great, I know, I have taken as many as 9 kids with us and there was no way I was going to stand/sit around for even 30 minutes with that many kids, even though their parents were with us.

Also the dinner package can give you a break from the never changing food of counter service, ie hotdogs, hamburgers, chicken nuggets and pizza.

We like to throw in a good sit-down meal and relax at least one day of our vacation.

I say see the show!

CBS

 

[kitkatsmom]

I am on the fence abput this fantasmic show myself.

When I am going the show starts at 7:30 (I believe) but the latest dinner time I can get for the package is 4:00
That's just to early to eat at 4.00

So if I go it will be without the dinner package.

I was never a fan of fantasia the movie. I am guessing that fantasmic is similar to that?

Please someone let me know. If it is similar to fantasia then I will skip it. But if it's something different then maybe I'll see it.

There's just so much to do in disney I feel overwhelmed.

 

[dizneycc]

Well, I guess I'm going to join the minority. First let me say, Illuminations and now Wishes are absolutely incredible! These are on my not to miss list. Fantasmic! is not. After hearing soooo many great raves about it, DH and I finally saw it in Dec. 2002. I think maybe if I had known the villians were the main characters, I may have been prepared. I think the show was very dark and loud. Two small children in front of me were crying they were so scared. I know how they felt.

All that said, I think you will need to decide for yourself. If you are in the park and it is coming up, go see it. I wouldn't personally spend $30/person for dinner to see it as part of the dinner package, and I have heard that the special seating isn't that great. As with anything, it's a personal decision. Not everyone likes the same thing.

 

[BonnieA]

I resisted it for years, thinking that is was just another fireworks show. And while characters are an important part of disneyworld, they are not that important to me. But I finally decided to see what everyone was talking about. I really enjoyed it and have to see it every trip now. I also did wishes on this trip, from right in front of the castle. Let me tell you it wasn't worth the crowds. Next time I will watch from a distance, outside the park, if I watch at all.

 

[lagirl]

We are planning to see Fantasmic next Monday. Is this time a "busy" season? Just wanted to know so I know how early to get there. Another question: If you arrive, say, an hour early, do you sit right down or do you have to stand in line for awhile?

 

[Kevs mom]

Definetly a "MUST DO" - we just took our friends with us last month and my friend told me after she saw it that it was worth the price of admission alone.

lagirl, it shouldn't be too busy next Monday since Presidents Day is this week but they are only having one showing of "FANTASMIC" at 7:00 pm that evening (the night we went they had 2 showings) if you really want to see it you should try to get there at least 45 minutes early, they will not let you in to sit down right away, you do have to stand in a line (or a crowd would be more like it, but it dosen't take too long)! Enjoy!

 

[lagirl]

Thanks for the reply Kevs mom. I'm now "fine tuning" our vacation plans. I can't believe that next week at this time we'll be getting ready for our first day at a Disney park (MGM). Can you tell I'm excited?!