Fantasmic or Illuminations

[disneymom727]

Which one of these is "not to be missed". We are trying to not keep our 3yo son out too late every night while we are there. SO if you had to choose one of these which would it be?

 

[disneymom727]

I should have posted this on theTheme Park strategies board. Sorry. Maybe someone will move it for me.

 

[chesirechik]

Definitely Fantasmic. But I don't have kids, so maybe someone else will chime in if it is scary for little ones? There are some villians and fire in it.

 

[bdink921]

My DS6 was afraid the villains were hurting Mickey at one point during Fantasmic!, but it all ends very happily and it was my and DS favorite. Can't wait to see it again next time we go. There are lots of characters, especially at the end and the music and effects are awesome. We really enjoyed Illuminations too, but my vote would have to be for Fantasmic.

 

[SharkBait05]

Fantasmic, no doubt. It's a great show and you will almost always get a good seat. I never can seem to find a good enough place to watch Illuminations no matter how early I try.

 

[bigbabyblues]

I would definitely pick Illuminations over Fantasmic. We liked both, but Illuminations was awesome, and Fantasmic was a lot loud and a little scary for my kids (3 and 15 months old when we were there). They weren't terrified or anything, but the 3-yo spent the entire show with his face buried in my neck until the very, very end.

 

[dyna]

I'd pick Illuminations while I do like Fantasmic I HATE the wait. Think the wait could be hard for a 3 yr old and Fantasmic is noisy some parts could be scary.

Illuminations you can stroll WS or even FW and get on the wall not long before show starts and see the fireworks. I know the spot I tryin to think of but can't explain it but it good for a QUICK escape from Epcot too.

 

[bubba73]

With Fantasmic, you will get a lot more of the characters. Plus, you get the fireworks and lasers that you get in Illuminations. With Illuminations, you will get a ton of lasers and fireworks that are breathtaking. I prefer Fantasmic though because we really enjoy the character interaction.

 

[DVCJEN]

Illuminations! we only have seen Fantasmic once and that was enough. The 60+ wait was too long and it was just ok. Even the kids in our group thought it was just "ok".

 

[mhingher]

I definitely loved Fantasmic! We saw it for the first time this past March, and I definitely won't miss it during upcoming trips. Illuminations is also really nice too, but I prefer Fantasmic (like other people mentioned, it could be scary for little kids with the loud music, villains and fire)

Luckily in March there isn't much of a wait. We went 1/2 hour before the show and had no problem getting a seat.

 

[zen1]

I love Fantasmic! Can not miss it, I sometimes even go see it a couple of times if I can!

 

[tn_disney_addict]

Fantasmic!

 

[Piecey]

I say Fantasmic, too.
My four year old cousin watched it with me and she closed her eyes during some of the scenes with Villains and fire but other than that she was okay- all Disney's movies have a dark side and I think most little kids should be able to handle it. They're all just characters from the movies.

I'd suggest going to the first showing (if they have two when you go) because most people go to the later one.

 

[zaja]

If your picking one for a 3 year old -probably Fantasmic. There are some dark moments and can be very loud. I would say Illuminations if your thinking of the adults! The BEST Disney has to offer!

 

[vfb2girls]

I would haveto pick Illuminations, when we went to Fantasmic we ended up waiting over 2 hours and quite honestly we were not impressed. But Illuminations was awesome, in fact we ended up watching it 5 times during our 8 night stay at the world. But then it was only myself and my husband and I am not sure how your three year old would react to sitting around waiting for Fantasmic..my three year old grandson would not do well with the wait, he would drive not only his grandparents crazy while waiting but everyone around him nuts as well. With Illuminations I think it is easier to find a spot to watch and if your three year old is not impressed you can always take him into one of the shops...we had to do this the one night we were waiting for Illuminations to begin, I was so cold that I had to warm up!

 

[Amy&Dan]

I like Fantasmic! because the wait is spent sitting down. We always get in there around an hour to an hour and 15 minutes before. Then we sit down and DH goes up and gets food from the concessions. Also, we have never had a "bad" seat in there. We enjoy the characters and just overall Disney theme. We also love Illuminations but if we could only do one of the two, our family would pick Fantasmic! over Illum. I also know that Fantasmic is usually an hour and half earlier in the evening when we go off season which is nice.

 

[Bellefan66]

IMHO,if there is ANY way you can do both,try! They are both equally great,and well worth it. Good luck.

 

[MainStUSA]

Both are good but, to get VIP seating at Fantasmic you can eat at Hollywood and Vine (MGM) and you get to pick your seats before everyone else. And the food at Hollywood and Vine is pretty good too.

 

[ShuisFan584]

All of the nighttime shows and parades are definitely worth seeing, but the best one in my opinion is Fantasmic! I absolutely loved it and I don't mind waiting an hour for it again tomorrow night!

 

[CindyT]

Fantasmic, hands down!!