Fantasmic or Illuminations

[magicmountainmama]

If you could only see one, which one? We're going in January with our boys ages 3, 9, & 13 and I know the 3 year old won't make it through very many late nights. We definitely want to see HEA & one other fireworks show, unsure of which to go for though!

Of course, if they end up doing the Star Wars Galactic Spectacular while we're there, we'll definitely be choosing that one over either Fantastic or Illuminations!

 

[Mickey92]

Fantasmic is one of my all time favorite shows. Illuminations is good, but if I had to pick one of the two, I would go with Fantasmic.

 

[BrianL]

Well, they should be running Star Wars. It is as permanent a show as any and runs nightly, so that should settle it.

To the original question, I like Fantamsic! a lot, however it's not really a "fireworks show" at all. It's more of a stage show with some pyrotechnics and other effects. It's really good, and more "Disney" than Illuminations. Illuminations is great too though. One nice thing about F! is that it has seating (bleachers) as opposed to standing only.

 

[magicmountainmama]

Well, they should be running Star Wars. It is as permanent a show as any and runs nightly, so that should settle it.

To the original question, I like Fantamsic! a lot, however it's not really a "fireworks show" at all. It's more of a stage show with some pyrotechnics and other effects. It's really good, and more "Disney" than Illuminations. Illuminations is great too though. One nice thing about F! is that it has seating (bleachers) as opposed to standing only.

Fingers crossed that Star Wars will be added to the calendar! We had to reschedule due to Irma & originally had the dessert party booked. I think that was the thing my boys were so disappointed to be missing!

Thank you for the info about Fantasmic! I honestly wasn't totally sure if it was a show, fireworks or a parade!

 

[Narawen]

Fantasmic, hands down. I haven't seen the new HEA show at MK, but right now Fantasmic is my favorite WDW night show. We only make an effort to see Illuminations every third trip or so.

 

[BrianL]

Fingers crossed that Star Wars will be added to the calendar! We had to reschedule due to Irma & originally had the dessert party booked. I think that was the thing my boys were so disappointed to be missing!

Thank you for the info about Fantasmic! I honestly wasn't totally sure if it was a show, fireworks or a parade!

Yeah, they have not been releasing times for Star Wars that much in advance, but it is highly unlikely that they won't be running it. I would generally plan for it to run during your trip.

 

[Moliphino]

Well, they should be running Star Wars. It is as permanent a show as any and runs nightly, so that should settle it.

To the original question, I like Fantamsic! a lot, however it's not really a "fireworks show" at all. It's more of a stage show with some pyrotechnics and other effects. It's really good, and more "Disney" than Illuminations. Illuminations is great too though. One nice thing about F! is that it has seating (bleachers) as opposed to standing only.

The bleachers are so horribly uncomfortable, though. At Epcot you can find a much nicer place to sit to wait and then stand up to watch the show (if you even need to stand, there are places you can sit through it).


I vastly prefer Illuminations and always see it multiple times per trip. I haven't bothered with Fantasmic in years.

 

[bethbuchall]

I know we're the opposite of many, but my daughter and I rank IllumiNations much higher than Fantasmic! In fact, we saw IllumiNations three times this past trip and didn't bother to see Fantasmic! at all.

 

[samara]

Fantasmic all the way! It always makes me teary. It has also been my kids favorite show from age 2, and it still is now that he's 15. We're going for a really short trip next month and I actually proposed skipping it - he nearly revolted! There is a new dessert party for Fantasmic that could be fun and reduce the amount of time you have to wait around.

 

[Robo]

As you can see, opinions vary widely.
If you make a choice based on someone else's preference, how do you know you're picking the right person?

I recommend viewing YouTube versions of each show (yes, that WILL tend to spoil the "surprise,"
so I'd suggest that only YOU watch the videos)
and choose the show that YOU (knowing your kids) think your family will prefer.

There are literally dozens of videos of each show found with an easy name search on the YouTube.com site.

One other objective comparison:
Fantasmic! runs about 30 minutes.
IllumiNations runs about 15 minutes.

 

[zebrastreyepz]

Fantasmic! would be my choice.

 

[disneyvoice]

I think Fantasmic is probably more entertaining for kids than Illuminations. However we haven't been to Fantasmic in years simply because we don't like having to get in line an hour in advance to make sure we get a good seat and we don't like spending the money for the dinner package. With Illuminations you have a good view from anywhere around World Showcase, we don't even get a spot in advance we just find someplace to watch right before it starts. We are much more likely to do Illuminations because we don't have to take time out of our evening to get in line an hour early or have to claim a viewing spot an hour before.

 

[Bullseye]

Agree with disneyvoice, Fantasmic is probably better for little kids but hate waiting in line for the show, then waiting on the hard bleachers for it to start. Illuminations is more of an event and still pretty cool for little kids with the fireworks and pyro and light show.

 

[magicmountainmama]

As you can see, opinions vary widely.
If you make a choice based on someone else's preference, how do you know you're picking the right person?

I recommend viewing YouTube versions of each show (yes, that WILL tend to spoil the "surprise,"
so I'd suggest that only YOU watch the videos)
and choose the show that YOU (knowing your kids) think your family will prefer.

There are literally dozens of videos of each show found with an easy name search on the YouTube.com site.

One other objective comparison:
Fantasmic! runs about 30 minutes.
IllumiNations runs about 15 minutes.

Haha true, true!!

I hadn't thought to check youtube. That's a great idea, thank you! Also really good to know the running times.

 

[GPC0321]

I haven't seen Fantasmic! in almost 18 years, so I'm probably not a good judge. I didn't think it was all that great back then, but it was kind of drizzling rain and cold (January), and we weren't in a good spot to watch (it was packed, even drizzling rain in January 18 years ago).

I had never seen IllumiNations until last year, and I fell in love with it.

However, I'd think kids would prefer Fantasmic! if you can manage the wait or swing the dining package for decent seats.

But Star Wars will most likely be running, so that's your best bet since it seems you guys are fans.

 

[North of Mouse]

If you could only see one, which one? We're going in January with our boys ages 3, 9, & 13 and I know the 3 year old won't make it through very many late nights. We definitely want to see HEA & one other fireworks show, unsure of which to go for though!

Of course, if they end up doing the Star Wars Galactic Spectacular while we're there, we'll definitely be choosing that one over either Fantastic or Illuminations!

It's going to end up being personal preference with anyone that's seen both. I will see Fantasmic any day over Illuminations, but that's just me. I don't enjoy the long waits at any of the night shows though.

 

[momof2n2]

Personally, I don't care much for either of them. At least you get seats with F! Star Wars, on the other hand, was outstanding.

 

[momof2n2]

As far as waiting in line for F!, if it is at all and option, I loved having dinner at Mama Melrose and having the F! dinner package. Our meal was one of the best of the week, and we walked right in moments before the show started.

 

[CAS239]

Fantasmic>Illuminations

My night show rankings are:
HEA and Star wars..Tie
Fantasmic
Illuminations

 

[biondagirl]

We chose Illuminations last month. We hadn't watched it in quite a few years, so we really enjoyed it. I am not a Fantasmics fan (of the show or the crowds) so we saw Star Wars fireworks instead.