fantasmic...overrated?

[Garden Stater]

from what i have seen on the disboards, most people here seem to have only positive things to say about fantasmic. i went once with my parents three years ago, and found it overrated. but to be fair, i gave it a second chance last year on a trip with my friends, and it made me wish i hadn't. feel my time would have been better spent enjoying more rides in the park.

being forced to stand in line to wait, getting herded into the theater like cattle, and being shoved or seeing other people trampled by overly enthusiastic/obnoxious guests is not really my idea of a good time. i don't think the show in itself is anything special either - am i missing something? i much prefer wishes or illuminations, where you can stop nearly wherever you are (or even continue walking) to view the show.

i love disney as much as the next person - i have visited at least 25 times in the past 18 years, and was even accepted to the college program last year for operations. but i just don't see what the appeal is with fantasmic. does anybody else feel the same way? i'd love to hear your input.

thanks,
-amy

 

[QuickGold]

being forced to stand in line to wait, getting herded into the theater like cattle, and being shoved or seeing other people trampled by overly enthusiastic/obnoxious guests is not really my idea of a good time.

You can use that reaction for nearly all of the attractions at WDW.

Fantasmic! has a storyline and has characters whereas Wishes and Illuminations have a loose storyline and it's about wowing you with the pyrotechnics whereas Fantasmic! relies on story while using a fair amount of pyro. I think it comes down to personal preference; some people prefer to see tnt in the air and others enjoy a good story.

 

[danny1649]

The show and don't que up to see it until line starts moving when they open for seating.DW and I go to standing room only area.We think veiw is good and makes it easy to exit after show.We do at least once on each trip weather allowing.If we don't get to see it though it's not a trip breaker.

 

[wdwguide]

In this case your opinion diverges from the consensus, which is not unusual - I personally don't think Soarin' is all that great of the ride, despite the fact that it is just about the most popular ride at WDW and receives excellent reviews.

I like Fantasmic, but it's probably my least favorite of WDW's nighttime entertainment lineup - I think the story and pacing would benefit from some updates and/or a rewrite, and I dislike having to wait in line forever to see it (unless I get the dinner package).
That said, the show has sort of grown on me over the years...

 

[Vivianne]

We went once which was enough for me. We did the Hollywood and Vine meal and were later escorted through this back alley. When we got there it was packed. We wound up sitting on the far right. I guess to get the best view you have to be right in the middle. It was just okay for me. I don't have the desire to repeat the experience.

 

[Danemom]

I agree that it's just a personal preference. I love Fantasmic! I love the story and the whole Mickey triumphing over the bad guys thing - makes me feel like a kid again. I have seen Wishes and Illuminations. Wishes was okay - I'd stop and watch it if I happened to be there but I thought Illuminations was boring. That's why WDW is so great. There is truly something for everyone.

 

[Skroops]

Well, I think that if we had the luxury of going so often it may lose some appeal.

For the majority of us, we don't want to miss it after a day at MGM.

It has everything a magical vacation night could have! It has water effects, fireworks, floats, fire effects, a dragon, a huge snake, many actors, most of the characters, and Mickey Mouse. All you have to do is insert your loving family/freinds memories and....bam! Magical Memories!

When it loses some of the appeal for you, maybe you could just concentrate on how they do this production on a nightly basis and all the work that goes into pulling it off! This is amazing.

 

[Drummer71]

I love Fantasmic. I would pick it over Wishes or Illuminations any day.

 

[francie]

imho, i agree with garden stater and wdwguide.

 

[mickeysaver]

We saw it once and that was enough for me. It's neat, but IMHO it's not worth the time. I would rather spend my park time in the Twilight Zone or riding a super stretch limo to see Aerosmith. Maggie

 

[letterdavidman]

DW and I did Fantasmic! for the first time this past trip (actually, it was our first time seeing any of WDW's nighttime shows), and I would comparatively rank it thusly (and keep in mind that the only nighttime show we missed--or, if you like, saved for next time--is, regrettably, Spectromagic):

1. Illuminations
2. Wishes (however, it may usurp Illuminations as our favorite next time we see it, as we experienced it this first time outside of the park on a Wishes cruise; I suspect it might be even more exhilarating standing right in the park near the castle)
3. Fantasmic!

As far as Disney nighttime spectaculars go, Fantasmic! wasn't bad, or anything, but just not up to par, wow-factor-wise, with Illuminations or Wishes. For one thing, we found it to be overly long (especially the part of the show showing scenes from Disney classics featuring water, projected on water screens--we got the point after the first three or four scenes), and the uncomfortable benches certainly didn't help it seem to speed along.

But, having said that, I definitely would recommend anyone seeing it at least once. Like I said, it's not bad, just a tad overrated.

 

[laluna]

Hello.

Last year we were really upset to miss Fantasmic; as we waited in our seats my daughter was really poorly and we had to leave. Never mind we thought, top of our list next visit. When we saw it last month, we were disappointed. Maybe we had built it up in our minds. We were sitting quite near the front and I dont think we were able to fully appreciate the water projections; perhaps this affected our experience. But, given the choice, I'd go to wishes any day.

 

[scanmom]

I was very underwhelmed!!! But I think the main reason I was dissapointed was that I had already seen the Disneyland Fantasmic twice before. and the Disneyland version will WOW you for sure!!!!!! It is truly spectacular!! I never miss it when we go to DLR, but I have only seen the WDW version oce in 5 trips, and probably will not go again!

 

[MickeynMinnie]

I LOVED FANTASMIC!!! I saw it for the first time about a week ago and can't wait to see it again!!! I loved seeing all the characters and hearing all the songs!!! it was GREAT!!

 

[Alice Sr.]

We were not overwhelmed. We have seen it a couple of times and will probably not see it again, unless a guest of ours really wants to see it.

 

[essmom]

will be there in July when it's hot and crowded and do not want to stand in a long line- would love to be in standing room- what time do we need to get there for standing room- what time does the line start moving? Also, how long does it last?

 

[lizanne]

I love it. My husband, on the other hand, can do without.

I don't like waiting in line and being herded in either, so I either take my chances and go about 15 minutes before show (so far this hasn't been a problem) or do the dining package (only once).

Last trip it was only myself and DH. He didn't want to go out of his way to see it so we didn't. This trip, I'm going, even if it's by myself.

 

[essmom]

what is the dining package?

 

[bettyann29]

I have only been to WDW 4 times .. the last time being a week ago and I ususally skip Fantasmic because the crowd thins out about in the park and I use that to my advantage to ride rides.. Me and my kids went this time and I decided that we were going to go see Fantasmic and I couldnt believe how wonderful it was and wished I hadnt waited to now to see it.. We went on a night when there were 2 shows and then went to the last one and there was no line to stand in.. we walked right in and it wasnt full to capacity.. the far left hand side barely had any people.. the middle and most of the right side was filled.. Had no problems at all and loved it.. I will definitely add to another trip in future.. I wouldnt do it every time but every couple trips would be nice..

 

[jann1033]

while i thought some of the technology was very good neither husband nor i thought the show was that great. we probably wouldn't go back unless someone else in our group wanted to go. i love the other night time shows, this one just isn't on the same level imo

we go off season and never had to worry about empty seats