If my kids never see a nighttime show...

[wrldpossibility]

will they be scarred for life?! My question is basically: how important to the Disney experience are the nighttime shows like Fantasmic, Wishes, etc? I have never been to the world, but am a Disneyland veteran, and have never planned around shows or parades. Before I had kids, the parades were a great time to get on rides, nothing more. Now, my kids do love the parades, but have still never seen a nighttime show or firework display at Disneyland or any other park. They go to bed early, and even at Disney, we get there early and leave early. They never make it to a nighttime thing.

Now I'm planning this big Disneyworld trip, and I plan to make a few exceptions: Candlelight Processional (we'll be there in Dec.) once, Wishes once...anyone else not watch most the shows? The thought of trying to fit them all in, even once, makes me stressed! I KNOW my kids will be tired and ready to be in bed. Do we need to see Illuminations? Fantasmic? (might scare my little ones). Also, and this might change things: are the shows scheduled earlier in the winter?

I feel like a scrooge since I'm really not a "show" person. We'll see the daytime stuff, though! Oh, and we're scheduled to see the early showing of Hoop-de-doo.

 

[jtdl]

We don't do the night time shows. I find it just way too much hassle with a little one and trying to get out of the parks afterwards. Maybe when ds4 is a little older.

 

[bedgraynexl]

Difficult question. The only night time show we saw was Wishes. That was because we were in MK for EMH. DS5 and DD3 absolutely loved the fireworks, plus we had planned a rest day the next day. DW didn't want to try to hit any parades, so we spent that time walking onto as many rides as possible. Actually I don't think my kids know there are daily parades at Disney. (I know I am a bad parent) Our next trip, we will probably try to see at least one parade.

You are the best judge of your Disney Vacation. Follow your kids lead and you will be just fine.

 

[crazywig]

i go with the flow at disney and my kids (3 and 1 ) have seen all the nightime stuff. i try not to keep them out late every night though, the little one tends to melt down.

my three year old LOVES spectromagic.

 

[missstcroix]

My best answer to this is BOOK OHANAS for dinner 1/2 hour before the fireworks go off (depending on what time of year you are there). Request a seat in the main dining room...with a great view of the castle. They turn down all the lights, and play music that the fireworks go off to and it is MAGICAL! A great way to have them see it while eating dinner and then go right to bed! MY kids are older now, 8 and 10, and we love love love Fantasmic and also the night time parades. When they were small we did try to do them..sometimes was magical, sometimes they fell asleep right in the double stroller. You will have time to do them...don't stress yourself out if their schedule at this age is early bed early rise. But I do highly recommend the Ohanas dinner experience since they have to eat anyway!

 

[mjmcca]

My kids have seen Wishes Spectro and Illuminations. In all of our trips we have never seen Fantasmic. I cant stand waiting in line and i never know what day we will be in which park so I haven't book a package for it. You kids prolly wont know the difference.

 

[pezpam]

We've never seen any of the nighttime shows. DD **needs** her sleep at night. We did try for fireworks one night last trip, but they were rained out. We've also only seen one or two parades. I wouldn't say that out trips or the memories we have have suffered at all - DD thinks WDW is the best thing since sliced bread without a single firework. It's easy to get caught up in it all when we all talk about it constantly, but really, the kids will have a ball at Disney and will probably have a better time if they aren't pushed to stay up later than they can happily handle.

 

[susykt4]

Our last trip was during a busy spring break week in April. Our kids were almost 5 and 2 1/2. We didn't see any parades or fireworks because we were always either taking a daytime break or already gone for the evening. We had an incredibly fun time and it was SOOOO worth skipping the fireworks in order to get to the parks at opening before the crowds came.

We're leaving in a few days and with the shorter park hours I'm hoping we can see some fireworks this time. (Fantasmic at 7, Wishes at 8) BUT, if it interferes with our early mornings I'll skip 'em!

 

[kmp1191]

ok...granted I've only been to Disney World once, but I wouldn't have missed the Night-Works for anything! We were there in October and saw Hallo-wishes, Wishes, Spectromagic and Fantasmic! My kids remember those the most. My DD6 still talks about the fireworks & Fantasmic (the movie on the water-she calls it)! The one that I would pass on was Illuminations. Just my opinion. Here it is, January and we are still singing the "Boo-Happy Halloween to You!" song! LOL! DS10 loved Spectromagic and Fantasmic!

Try it once.....you may be pleasantly surprised! Then just plan on sleeping in the next day.

 

[JoyG]

In our 7 days at the parks we only saw fireworks once and that was Wishes. We also got to see the Spectro parade before it. That was the only parade or fireworks we saw the whole time. I really wanted to get up every morning to be at the parks by opening so skipping fireworks was a must for us. As it was, only four out of the five of us got to see the show...the youngest was sleeping in his stroller!

Joy

 

[cyndibelle]

wishes you have to see at least once....spectromagic parade is also great...fantastmic might scare little ones..we saw it once and that was enough for us....

 

[digskat]

the Fantasmic show is not to be missed take them home in the afternoon and back in the eve

 

[RoyalCanadian]

How will the DKs know they are missing something if they don't know it exists? DD enjoyed her 1st visit to WDW a year ago and she seems to have survived going to DAK without seeing the Jungle Jammin' Parade. We were at Rafiki's Conservation Station at the time. She didn't know a parade was happening. It was better for our scheduling and DD got to enjoy the train ride and seeing the animals.

I'm one parent who thinks it's rather OK if the kidlets don't do everything at Disney. Don't sweat missing Fantasmic, Spectromagic or Wishes. There will be so much more to occupy their time and tons of other things they will be able to enjoy without having to stay for the night time attractions.

 

[MImom]

Call me practical (or just old ), but I think sleep and happy campers overall are more important than one specific show. Had the same dilemma the first time we went to WDW. After a melt down or two from overtired kids and adults, we decided that well rested people can have a better time than crabby exhausted ones. This is just my own humble opinion and experience for myself and my family. You know yourself and your family the best. Trust your judgement and have fun.

 

[goalie5hole]

You can do a Dinner and a show PS.You have to make a reservation at a restaurant and they save you a seat for Fantasmic,that way you don't have to wait in line.There isn't a bad seat in the Amphitheater.So do not miss this show,take a break midday and go back for dinner.

 

[munchkinsmom]

My children have never seen a nighttime show (ages 3 and 5) and they seem to be well adjusted young people, LOL!

I know what you mean about missing out, though. Unfortunately, I LOVE the nighttime shows and activities, but I'm willing to miss out on them right now because it's more important to us to have the kiddos well rested for the day than to have tired, tantruming little ones. Makes for a more enjoyable trip for the family. Our kids most definitely need their routine and sleep to stay happy campers.

I'm sure when they get older, we'll be able to stay out longer.

 

[crisi]

Mine didn't see anything the first trip (2 1/2 and 3 1/2). They've been twice since (are now six and seven) and have never seen Spectro or Wishes. We've seen Fantasmic twice, but won't see it again. Illuminations is a must for my husband each trip, but I can skip it. With staying at the BW, its the fireworks show we tend to fit in for our kids.

I don't think ANYTHING at WDW is a must for everyone. You need to make your plans to fit your family and not worry about missing something - everyone misses something.