Fantasmic Question????

[Princess planner]

Hi, I need advice from some "experts". We booked a Fantasmic Dinner package at Hollywood studios. My kids are 6 and almost 4. We went to dinner last night with my husbands co-worker and his wife and we got to talking about Disney. We mentioned something about Fantasmic and they said they had to leave because it was "too intesnse" for their kids and that their kids got upset during the show. So now I am thinking we need to cancel. I have never seen Fantasmic, and have no idea what to expect. I also hate to waste a table credit on the dining plan because the only restaurant we could get was Hollywood & Vine and I heard it wasn't that great anyway. So I am thinking about canceling the Fantasmic/Hollywood & Vie and adding Crystal Place. WDYT??

 

[MiniGirl]

You know your kids best. My oldest didn't care for it at first, but my youngest one LOVED it. Now, they both enjoy it quite a lot.

It is loud though and intense. There are cannons going off and some dark moments. Basically, all the Disney villians come to life during Mickey's dream to defeat the good guys.

There used to be videos of it on YouTube. I don't know if they're still there or not though.

 

[kristinw3girls]

It is intense, especially for younger kids. I would try it (my girls loved it), but sit in the rear. It is very easy to leave if they become afraid.

 

[aidtrismommy]

During one part, someone was climbing up the mountain and was shot and fell all the way down,the people sitting in front of us left. I thought it was a little too much to have guns in the show but it didn't deter me at all. There were other scary moments but my son liked it, age 2 at the time. We skipped it this last time, there were too limited showings and we didn't want to face the massive crowds and take our seats 2 hours before showtime. Hope that helps.

 

[thisis99]

My kid is 3 1/2 and as a family we decided not to take him to the show. However, the adults will go (taking turns), as it looks pretty awesome.

 

[michael's mom]

we took ds last year and he enjoyed it, but he was only 14 months. I suggest sitting in the back so you can leave if you need to. Do your kids frighten easily? In all the times I've been there I've never seen anyone leave with their children (not to say that they didn't). It's a great show and I dont' think you should skip it...

FWIW: We've never done the packages because they sit you off to the side (I've heard not bad seats) but the center is better. We are eating at Mama Melrose's and then heading over to Fantasmic afterwards. The downside is we'll have to sit there for a bit, but we bring some things for DS to play with and grab some snacks. It's never been a problem..actually, kind of nice to sit and relax after a long day of park touring!

 

[Aliceacc]

We had to take my 2 girls out in the first 15 minutes.

It's loud. There's fire involved, fairly close to where there seats are. And Mickey has to fight off a lot of villians.

My husband, my son, and I all love it. But the girls were really frightened. I've already promised them that they can do something else if we book it this year. Both my husband and I have seen it, and there's no way I would expect them to try to sit through it again.

Maybe I'll let the boys see it, and the girls and I will head to the MK for some princessy stuff.

 

[Stitch76]

You are the best judge of your kids, if you really think it may frighten them, wait until next time.
However, my DDs ages 8 and 6 loved it and the 8 year old is very sensitive to loud noises and scary stuff. I also suggest if you decide to go, to sit near the back, not only is it easier to leave, but the effects are less intense because you are not right up on them. It's really a wonderful show, and didn't frighten my kids anymore than the fireworks, but everyone is different.

 

[georgiagirlcyk]

You totally have to know your kids and what they can tolerate. We went several years ago when my oldest was 6 and my youngest 3...and they did great! They are not easily frightened by things though. We are going back in 2 weeks and will be doing the Hollywood and Vine dinner and a show and will be taking our 2 year old.

 

[RMulieri]

You know your kids best. But it is scary for some little ones. The lake is in flames, Maleficent as the Dragon breathes fire and it is LOUD.

 

[hopefor4]

Was just there, with 8 kids, ages 2,4 6 6 9 11 12 13 and everyone really enjoyed it! I would sit back from the stage, in my opinion you get a better view anyhow, and then the fire won't feel so hot.

 

[mahend0]

Every child is so different. My kids scare easily, and found it frightening. Since returning home last week, my DS2 (a very new 2) can't stop talking about Maleficient. He now has a face to his imaginary monster and keeps talking about Maleficient hiding in dark rooms. I've always told him monsters are pretend and was shocked this past week when he corrected me to say, "No it is real." Thinking Fantasmic had a lot to do with it. Also DD3 has found bedtime scary since her return.

 

[jamdkvan]

We went a few years ago when our children were 6, 4 and 2. I talked to them ahead of time about how it was make-believe and that Mickey will have to "fight things" to win. We also talked about how there is always a happy ever after ending to Disney!!! The 2 yr old was scared a few times but nothing tooooo terribly bad. The others were fine. And no one had bad dreams later. I think really discussing it ahead of time made it easier for them. And after the show we talked about the funny and happy parts. We are going back in a few months and they all want to go again. Good luck on your decision!!

 

[The_Princess's_Mommy]

Be sure to sit in the back. It's a lot less noisy there, and you get a better view. And if things get too intense, you can always duck out very easily.

Even with your priority seats, be sure to still get there early...it fills up FAST!

 

[Princess planner]

Thanks for all the great info. I guess we will try it. I will warn the kids ahead of time what to expect. My 6yo will probably like it. My 3 yo daughter get scared and upset easily. One of us will take her out if she gets upset. A few months ago we saw Walking with The Dinosaurs and it was loud and the dinosaurs were huge, she was ok as long as she was sitting in daddy's lap and he had his arms wrapped around her...hopefully the same will be true of Fantasmic.