Fantasmic with young children

[dancemomnj]

I could use some honest adivce from anyone that has taken younger children to Fantasmic. I read it may be good for young ones. Mine will be 4 &6. My concern would be the 4 year old. If I decide to go should we do the plan that is dinner and the show?
Thanks!

 

[bicker]

We took DN6 and DN1.5 in January. I think the best approach would be to carry counter-service dinner into the show with you, because there is a pretty long wait for the show to start, and the dinner will keep the kids occupied. DN6 was a little spooked, by the loud sounds, but he's a little sensitive to loud sounds in general. DN1.5 also got spooked once or twice. However, they both enjoyed the show a lot, despite that.

 

[McDisney]

We went last year and ours were 4 &6 too, I have to agree that the wait was
the hard part, taking dinner in is a good idea but I also have never done the dinner/show package either so I don't know if that would be ideal or not. I would suggest at least taking something to keep them occupied during the wait, it does fill up fast so don't wait to the last miniute to get there in hopes of avoiding the long wait. We went in Janurary and it started to fill up 30 miniutes prior to the show.
Fantasmic! was our favorite show so have fun!

 

[beattyfamily]

I've been going to the Fantasmic show since my girls were ages 1 and 4 and now they are 6 & 9 and we've always done the dinner package. My DH also doesn't like to wait in lines and we like entering the place 45 minutes to 30 minutes before the show.

Good luck deciding.

 

[Grendalynn]

Having been to WDW 2 times in the past 3 years, and never done the Fantasmic thing, can someone fill me in on the whole thing? Now having heard a lot about if from my sister and other on the Dis - What is it exactly? It sounds like we missed somehting great - or maybe we didn't - as the ages of our boys are a fresh 3 and a soon to be 7... Then I thought we would do it again on our next trip - but as my ticker says - we are expecting baby#3 is October.... Is this show suitable for an infant? Where can I find out more about fantasmic and the dinner option?? Thanks so much!

 

[missymagic]

I have taken my girls since they were little also. They are now 5 and 8. They love the show. It can be a little loud at times but their is alot going on so their is plenty to keep a little ones attention. I have always gotten dinner and taken it in with us. Always worked for me but we also go during a slower season in the beginning of Dec consider the time of the year you are going how and the crowd levels. If you are going at a busy time of the year you may want to consider a dinner package

 

[Selket]

If you are going during a busy time of year I would DEFINITELY do the fantasmic dinner package. We've done it twice with my sons who were 20 months and 5 yrs old and then when they were 3 and 7. Mama's was actually their favorite meal on property - go figure!

The best part is you have a much shorter wait. The downside is that the show could be cancelled if it is raining but you still have to pay for the package and eat your dinner! If there are 2 showings of Fantasmic the 2nd one is less crowded but also very late for young kids.

Another possibility is that the show will scare your little one and you'll have to leave or one parent miss some of the show.

I'll admit Fantasmic isn't a "must-do" for us. No way I'd want to spend 2-3 hours waiting in line then sitting in the bleachers waiting for it to start. It isn't that fantastic

 

[northwestmom]

I don't know if this idea would help or not, but we are doing the dining package when we go in May. When I called to make my ADR's, I asked if the Fantasmic Dinner Package could be "paid" for with the dining package. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that we can use it as one sit-down meal. I felt that was kind of a bonus for us. No additional money out of pocket, so it won't be the end of the world if it happens to get canceled due to weather.
Kitsel

 

[McDisney]

Having been to WDW 2 times in the past 3 years, and never done the Fantasmic thing, can someone fill me in on the whole thing? Now having heard a lot about if from my sister and other on the Dis - What is it exactly? It sounds like we missed somehting great - or maybe we didn't - as the ages of our boys are a fresh 3 and a soon to be 7... Then I thought we would do it again on our next trip - but as my ticker says - we are expecting baby#3 is October.... Is this show suitable for an infant? Where can I find out more about fantasmic and the dinner option?? Thanks so much!

have you checked here?:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/guides/mgm/st-fantasmic.htm

It's pretty intense for little one's although ours loved it, (spoiler warning) they tell a story using various methods- lasers, music, water screens with clips from various cartoons and live action. malificient comes out of the mountain backdrop and Mickey "fights" him along with other disney villians. My impression was Wow! when we saw it (only once, but will definately make it a point to go back on our next visit).

 

[Disney87]

delete

 

[tcolbert]

We took DS5 to the show right after he turned Four. If you do the dinner package, you'll want to bring something along to do while you wait for the show to start. There are some intense moments (loud fireworks, darkness, lasers), but nothing one of those light up globular flashlights can't handle. There will be plenty of those, blinkies, and cotton candy sold by 'vendors.' He loved it when the show was over and would definitely go back.

 

[anty30]

Definately do the dinner package. Hollywood and Vine is our kids favorite. Also, my tip would be to sit back away from the water. The "fire" on the water gets really hot and can spook the kids. Also, I think the view is better from the middle area towards the back.

 

[emma'smom]

Just went with dd3 and dd1 last week. We did the Hollywood and Vine Dinner package (on the dining plan) and didn't walk into the show until 7pm. By the time we got seated (and there was plenty of space towards the back and in the middle of the reserved section) and walked up to the stand the buy mickey lights, it was almost 7:30. Parts of it were a bit scary (large images of the "villians" projected on screens of water), I had alerted dd3 ahead of time that Mickey would be having a bad dream for part of it, but that he would wake up and it would be over. She was prepared and sort of busied herself with her mickey light when it became intense. She whispered "Is the scary part over?" and then happily waved to the princesses when they floated in.

Best experience with fireworks/lights that we had! Don't miss it!

 

[an_evans]

Sit back form the flames and you should be good.

I did warn our 1, 3, 4 year old about the bad guys and let them know Mickey would defeat them. Thats what they keep tlaking about....mickey defeating the bad guys!

 

[sschro3]

We went in Sept 05 dh, dd's (6,5) ds (3) dmil, and a cousin (7). We all really enjoyed it. We headed in about 35-40 mins before the show...stopped got some popcorn and drinks. We had the benefit of going at a less crowded time of year. The show was neat, especially the water screens....watch the wind we were getting a little misted but not really wet....there are parts that are dark, and loud. Nobody was really scared though. I took the time to give the kids a rundown of what to expect and we all loved it. Have a great trip.

 

[Rainman]

We went in Oct and did the dinner package. It was worth it as a lot less wait time. Our kids are 7, 4 and 1.5. My wife and I thought the show was a little scarry and dark. The kids were a little scared. So I dont think we are going to do it this year. Depends on your kids. If you do go I highly recommed the dinner package.

 

[mecook]

I took foam ear plugs for my DD, then 5. Thank goodness I did. We couldn't have stayed w/o them. I had extras and gave them to a family seated in front of us. They certainly appreciated them!

Also, if you're out to save money on the light-up toys, take your own from home. I bought the glow necklace/bracelet kits from The Dollar Tree and DD didn't ask for a thing.

Melanie

 

[emma'smom]

I bought the glow necklace/bracelet kits from The Dollar Tree and DD didn't ask for a thing.


I stocked up on these too and on the first night, my dd4 bit right through a glow necklace and the glowing liquid was all over her face, lips, tongue. It also stained her shirt and the stroller. I had to race back to our hotel to get the 1-800 number (we had thrown away the package) to make sure it was non-toxic. It was, but they said it could cause upset stomach issues. Needless to say, for us the 5.00 glowing mickey head was a welcomed toy. She used it the rest of the week and I didn't have to constantly worry that she would forget not to bite the necklaces. I'm sure they work well for older children though!