Fantasmic vs Cirque du Soleil

[kimbamickey]

A friend of mineis planning a trip with her kids- 5, 8, and 11. They have to choose between seeing Fantasmic or Cirque du Soleil one night? I have never seen Cirque du Soleil, so I don't feel I can give a fair answer (I love Fantasmic also). Any suggestions?
Thanks!

 

[mtdevine615]

There really is no comparison. Fantasmic is included in park admission and tickets for Cirque are expensive, but well worth it. It is a fantastic show. I'm not sure your friends youngest will get the most out of Cirque. We try to go to Cirque everytime we go but it is just DW and I. Sorry, I'm not sure I was any help. Leaving in about 20 hours now. Not counting the days anymore.

 

[erikthewise]

You can get some information on the Cirque show ("La Nouba") at their website, http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/ , including a brief video. It would cost $300+ for a family of five. It is a 90-minute show, no intermission, with reserved seating; get there 15-30 minutes early. We just saw it last month, and I highly recommend it! But because of the cost you need to think about whether your family would really enjoy it.

Fantasmic is included in park admission, about 30 minutes long, and there is no reserved seating unless you do a Dinner Package (http://allearsnet.com/din/fantdin1.htm); I'd suggest Hollywood & Vine buffet if you do that. Depending on when you go it may be necessary to line up well in advance of the show to get a seat. I've gone twice on slow days and the theatre did not fill, but I've heard that during busy times you need to get in line 60-90 minutes before show time. Not pleasant with a 5-year old. With the Dinner Package you can go in about 30 minutes early and there's no waiting in line.

 

[Disney Enthusiast]

If you can swing it, I would say to try Cirque. It's one of those MUST SEE's and I've only heard great things about it. When I went w/ my family, my DS was 8 mos. old and slept thru it. We are taking him to a traveling Cirque in Phila in July and I think he'll enjoy it even at 2 3/4 yrs old. When I went to La Nouba and Varekai in the past I looked around and saw several youngsters between 2 and 7 just enthralled w/ the show, so your youngest might enjoy it. It does get dark in the beginning though and it has a couple of explosions and the music is a little creepy in the beginning of the show, but it lightens up quickly. The explosion didn't wake DS but it was loud. If your 5 yr old gets upset by these things, you may want to try at a later time. Otherwise give it a try.

 

[mausmu]

I would enjoy Fantasmic while the kids are young and save Cirque for when the kids are older. We took our 3 kids when our youngest was 5 and 7, and they had a difficult time staying awake. After a day in the park and you get into those comfortable seats and the air conditioning, well, you get what i'm saying. Either way I think they will enjoy their trip.

 

[Jestocost]

Fantasmic is a good show, but I'd defintely do the dinner package if we did it again. I know the seats aren't the best, but waiting in line for 30 minutes, then in the seats for 60-90 minutes all for a 30 minute show was a bit much.

Cirque du Soleil is a fantastic show and you have reserved seats. The downside there is the price.

All in all, DS9 and DS6 LOVED Cirque this past November and were lukewarm over Fantasmic a year earlier.

 

[sk8ingmom]

1 vote for Fantasmic!

However, I should reveal my biases:
1. Cirque du Soleil is known around my house as the "freaky people circus" . No offense meant to those of you who love it - it's just not my cup of tea.
2. Fantasmic is one of my top 3 things to do at WDW! I love it and so do my kids (3&5).

I second (or third) the recommendation for the Fantasmic dinner package. It's so nice to show up 30 min. before show time & have a good seat.