Fantasmic worries . . .

[forevercruising]

Hello, all!

We are headed to Disneyland soon and would like to book VIP seating for Fantasmic (me, DH, DS [just turned 4!]), but I'm concerned about paying that much money and:

1. Having our 4 year old son be too scared to enjoy it (and then be afraid of other "things" at DL while we're there)....

or....

2. Having our DS not be able to sit and behave well that far after his bedtime (which is usually 7:30 - 8:00 ish...).

I know that we are the only ones who can truly determine what he is/is not capable of, for we know him the best, but I was wondering if any of you have had similar circumstances and if you would share your "results"! I would hate to pay that much money and not feel as if we got our money's worth due to the above issues or due to something else going wrong, which I haven't thought of!

Thanks, in advance, for sharing!

 

[bethy]

I'm in the exact same boat except I've already bought my tix and my little darling scaredy cat is 2.5. My strategy is to bring a blanket for her to snuggle under on my lap. She's a very snuggly child who derives comfort from being held. Also I figure I can move to the back of the viewing area and stand there a ways back from the show if need be.

Also, from past experience I know she'll be quite tired by then and might actually fall asleep on me before the show starts. Plus the distractions there are so great that a tantrum might be unusual. My kid is actually more likely to throw them when she's bored and tired. Also she would be more likely to melt down if we had to sit on a blanket for 2 hours holding a viewing spot.

Another strategy is that we're watching some "scary" Disney movies in preparation. We watched Beauty and teh Beast and Enchanted where I practiced comforting her and assuring her it would all be OK. She did fine.

And finally I figure it's Disneyland. They have seen every type of scared kiddo and kid disruption there is. Everybody who goes to DLR knows there will be kids there who will sometimes act like kids. Plus the show is loud so that will cover up some whimpering. This might not be a great idea, I have to admit. I kind of feel like a mean Mom. But I am a F! virgin and am dying to see it. If she REALLY freaks out then we respond to her needs and will leave.

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

DD was 3 when we did this in October (for the 9 pm show), she was enthralled with the box of cookies (we don't eat many sweets) so that kept her attention for a bit... and then the show started and she loved it (mind you we you-tubed it beforehand and she knew what to expect)... wasn't the least bit scared--and reminded me that Mickey saves the day at the end.

That said she wasn't too into the fireworks from that location... watched them quietly, but I could tell she was done...

We're doing it all again next month... except we'll watch the fireworks from the hub the night before...

--Lisa

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

(mind you we you-tubed it beforehand and she knew what to expect)... wasn't the least bit scared--and reminded me that Mickey saves the day at the end.

This is an excellent idea, and I recommend doing that.. Just warning him it will be loud and showing it to him on YouTube should help a lot...

 

[GreatDane]

My 5 year old son does not like very loud noises or scary movies. He did not like Fantasmic at all. We had private seating, so other kids were not a distraction. But it has some scary music and really 2/3’s if it is scary visuals as well. Earplugs may help, if you child does not like loud noises.

 

[mommyarewegoingback]

I hate to say it, but my son had a really tough time at 4. That being said, we got him use to the sensory overload with earplugs, nighttime spinny things, and popcorn so that he can be distrcted during the bad scenes. Good luck!
-virginia

 

[avalon451]

My 5- year old loved Fantasmic. No problems. I agree with youtube previews, though. We did that for many of the rides, and she had definite ideas about what she wanted to go on and what not! For example, Snow White's Scary Adventure was out!

 

[bethy]

OK, I decided to show my 2.5 the video on YouTube. The resolution was terrible and so it was hard to see but that's OK. I couldn't find any other videos on there that had the dragon/villian part. Does anyone have any good links to one?

I'll have her watch it a couple more times before we go. I do think it will be scarier in person but I figure this can't hurt.

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

OK, I decided to show my 2.5 the video on YouTube. The resolution was terrible and so it was hard to see but that's OK. I couldn't find any other videos on there that had the dragon/villian part. Does anyone have any good links to one?

I'll have her watch it a couple more times before we go. I do think it will be scarier in person but I figure this can't hurt.

i don't remember which one we watched, did you go to you-tube and put in "fantasmic disneyland" in the search... that is what I did, then I picked the one with the most views...

--Lisa

 

[forevercruising]

Even though the replies are mixed, I appreciate them and they are serving as "food for thought"!

(Additional comments are, of course, still welcome! )

Thank you, all!!

 

[ScrapperKimmyD]

My little one was a bit afraid during parts of it, but she snuggled right in to me - buried herself, actually, in my arms.

I don't know that I would have paid the money for priority seating - just in case, you know? You can get good seats w/o doing that. Try chatting up a CM while waiting - he/she might take you to the big tarp that that guy sets out everyday for himself and lets CMs choose people to bring there - We were chosen our first time - smack dab front and center - very cool!