If you had to pick just one ?s

[GillianP1301]

I think you're on the right track by not pushing the late nights for kids that aren't used to it. If they don't nap at home, they aren't going to nap at Disney. People pushing their kids to either stay up much later than they are used to or getting up earlier or just going hard at the parks are the ones with kids melting down (for the most part). That being said, they will have adrenaline on their side, so scheduling a late night or two should be very doable at that age. I would pick Wishes, if only one and Fantasmic would be my close 2nd choice.

 

[1971DBday]

Sorry - first trip then MK!!! I would try early in the trip and see if they suddenly become night owls.

 

[suswa]

Wishes would be my pick. They may not nap, but they could pass out in a stroller!!

 

[jaz0308]

My sentimental pick is Wishes! It's so iconic to see Celebrate the Magic and then Wishes on/behind the castle! I am in the same boat with you. My kids are just not night owls! I have even tried not going to the park until late afternoon and they still tend to poop out before the night time shows! LOL! we've done it but I always plan a late or down day following a late night.

 

[mousefan1972]

Your 9 year old can't stay up past 8:00? Yikes...

 

[AngiTN]

We are staying at POFQ. We want to stay for every late night show! My kids don't nap. But it might not hurt to try it out the first day and see what happens.

I am not one to nap but I sure do at Disney. As does DGD8, who hasn't napped since she started walking. Disney changes habits

 

[Disney Khaleesi]

For me, it'd be Wishes. It just isn't a Disney trip without seeing it.

I do love Illuminations, but I don't need to see it.

 

[AngiTN]

For me, it'd be Wishes. It just isn't a Disney trip without seeing it.

I do love Illuminations, but I don't need to see it.

This was me till Star Wars Fireworks started. Now I don't know that I could every pick just one
Add in what is expected in RoL and that will be 3 must see shows for me. Illuminations and F! I can pass on. But I have seen them. It is harder to suggest skipping them to first timers. Guess a lot depends on the possibility of another trip down the road

 

[mindeola]

If I had to choose one it would be Wishes. It gets me every time.

If you take a mid day break and swim you might be surprised how tired they are. All that Florida sun gets to you. They just may take a nap after all.

 

[luvgoing2disney]

If you don't want to go all the back to the room on the chance that it may be wasted if they won't nap try some of the many napping opportunities in the park.
Hall of Presidents in Magic Kingdom
Ellen's Energy Ride in DHS
Any of the world showcase movies in Epcot
All are long enough and inside which could offer perfect napping conditions. My children have enjoyed a couple. Not sure what would be a good suggestion in animal kingdom. But any park bench out of the way could be good too. Also the monorail and ferry boats could provide a nice rest break as well.

American Adventure and Spaceship Earth have both been places where folks have been known to nod off!

 

[seashell2828]

It hasn't even debuted yet. And won't for a month.

I would take Illumintations out of the running for that age group.
Wishes would be best due to its location, but it is the furthest from their bed time on most nights. If possible, I would shoot for the Star Wars Fireworks.

Yes I also heard that they have delayed the launch of this night time show due to some strategic/technical planning glitches that need to still be worked out. Might not open til May or even later so I wouldn't say this is a must see just yet!!

 

[elaine amj]

If you had to choose one, I'd pick Fantasmic. I don't necessarily think that one is the best, but it is the longest (30 mins) and it has a really great combination of lights, water effects, music, fireworks, plus characters!

I agree.

My fave is Wishes. But Fantasmic is relatively easy to see (there are SEATS!!) and can be managed even without a FP+. It's definitely spectacular for a first-timer. Wishes can be a bit of a madhouse to stake out a decent spot. And Celebrate the Magic is really hard to see except from a few spots (the hub and a few railings) because taller heads all get in the way of the effects. Illuminations is awesome, but a bit slow paced for the little ones.

Try it out the first night and see how they cope. They might surprise you enough that you will be able to catch all the night shows. Try to arrange your schedule so that you take a nice afternoon break (even if they just lay in bed quietly and don't nap) followed by the late night and then a sleep-in morning. Even if they don't sleep in much, it's nice not to rush every morning.

There is a lot of chatter about how to build the best itinerary so you don't wear the family out. When we go for a short trip, we are go go go from morning to night. But for longer trips, we pace ourselves and that has worked great for my family.

 

[TDS533]

Besides the already mentioned rides to nap in, don't forget that any green(grass) area is great to take a rest or quick nap. There are places in Mk and Epcot that are quite nice for a quick bit of shuteye. Throw a light blanket in your backpack, find a nice spot and just rest for a bit. Makes a world of difference.

 

[kiramay]

Our family's first trip to WDW is in October. Kids 9 and 5. They just cannot make it past bedtime most nights (8pm). I know, a blessing and a curse. So if we had to pick one nighttime show to keep them up for at one of the parks which is the must do? I'm aware of the MK fireworks, Ecpot Illumination, AK ROL, and DHS Star Wars.

We have two days at MK and one at each of the rest.
Thank you.

First I'd check the times of each during your trip. Our first trip Wishes was at 10 pm, which was just too late for my then 7 and 2 year olds. So we saw Fantasmic. Second trip we picked Illuninations. 3rd trip Wishes was at 8 pm the kids were a little older. It was amazing, but my 5 year old fell asleep in the stroller before it even started.

I disagree with suggestions to "practice" keeping your kids up. Mine need sleep and my trips are much more pleasant when they are well rested, even if it means missing some nighttime entertainment.

 

[tracylynnhare]

Fantasmic for sure!

 

[gwek]

My daughter LOVES Fantasmic (it's one of her favorite parts of the trip) -- although, to be fair, she hasn't been to any of the other shows. Our thinking is that although the fireworks shows at Disney are among the best fireworks shows around, she can get fireworks at home on the 4th of July, while Fantasmic is like nothing I've ever seen.

In Fantasmic's favor:

1) There's seating (but if it's a crowded day in the park, make sure to get there early -- then CAN fill up. We usually Fastpass it, then arrive early and eat dinner in our nice, premium seats)
2) It's longer than the other shows
3) It's like nothing you've ever seen before
4) It's often the earliest night time show, sometimes at 7:30 or 8 as opposed to 9 or 10.

 

[SnipsNSnails]

I would look at the times. You might be able to do some of the shows at around 8 or a little before. MSEP is usually an 8 PM showing and the one I would not miss with kids. The Star Wars Fireworks were at 8 while we were there. Fantasmic sometimes has a 7:30 show. We don't know yet about ROL show times so, at that time of year they might have 8 or earlier. We did MSEP & Wishes on the day we slept in (8 & 9PM). We watched the Star Wars Fireworks @ 8PM. We did not do Fantasmic, saw it last time and weren't that impressed. We didn't plan on Illuminations but our dinner at GG got over around 8:30 and my 9 yo wanted to buy something in Japan. We ended up watching it after his purchase but the grandmas & grandpas and our 7 yo didn't stay, they went back to the resort. It was at 9PM.

 

[OFF2NVRLAND]

Our family's first trip to WDW is in October. Kids 9 and 5. They just cannot make it past bedtime most nights (8pm). I know, a blessing and a curse. So if we had to pick one nighttime show to keep them up for at one of the parks which is the must do? I'm aware of the MK fireworks, Ecpot Illumination, AK ROL, and DHS Star Wars.

We have two days at MK and one at each of the rest.
Thank you.

My choice would be Wishes at MK. I wouldn't worry too much about missing out on the nighttime entertainment if it doesn't fit in your schedule. I thought I would be more bummed about missing Fantasmic and Illiminations when we went in Nov '14, but really it was no big deal. Our party was ages 1-51 and we roped drop with no breaks. Which worked well for us and the toddlers napped in the stroller. Making arrangements and staying in the parks for the shows wasn't a priority and I don't feel like we missed out on anything. You know you're kids best, and if heading back to the hotel seems better than staking out a spot for a nighttime show and possibly having cranky kids, I wouldn't think twice about it . You could always just wing it each day. I've learned to keep the attitude "You can't do it all in one trip". That helps me, and it just gives more reasons to go back

 

[Ariel on Land]

If I could only pick one, I'd do wishes and the MSEP. If I could have 2, then I'd add the Star Wars fireworks, but we are super crazy Star Wars fans.

 

[Jake&IzzyLand]

On our first trip we had sleepers at illuminations and wishes. They were wide awake for fantasmic. Probs because of the seating, treats and light spinners helped with waiting. Also the show is very exciting so it kept them up.