If you had to pick just one ?s

[Jesslm80]

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.

 

[JoannaTN7]

People have been raving about the new AK show... River of Light is it called? Something like that? I think. Anyhow! It could be hype because it's new, of course, but from what I've seen it's breathtaking.

Are you staying on property? Have you considered going back to your room for a breather midday so they can go back and keep up some momentum late night, or do you really not want to mess with their sleep schedule? It's been a long time since I've been, but I LOVE night time at the parks. And all the shows have their allure. It was just something to consider. I'm sure you'll have a great time no matter what!

 

[AngiTN]

Honestly, work on them to stay up late enough to watch all of it. I'd never want to pick just 1. Impossible. The night time events are some of the best things at Disney. It would be a crying shame to miss any one of them on your first trip.
Take naps, whatever it takes but find a way to see them if at all possible

 

[JimmyV]

People have been raving about the new AK show... River of Light is it called? Something like that? I think. Anyhow! It could be hype because it's new, of course, but from what I've seen it's breathtaking.

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.

 

[LuvDaisy&Minnie]

Wishes and Fantasmic (small percentage of kids are scared of parts of Fantasmic...I've never known any of them). I would want to do Rivers of Light also but I have no first hand knowledge. I like Illuminations but can do without it (I've only seen it once and will watch again if I happen to be in Epcot at the time). As a disclaimer, I have not seen Star Wars Fireworks.

 

[Malibustyle23]

You didn't mention Fantasmic which is also at DHS.

I've never seen ROL (obviously) or Star Wars so I won't include them.

But my choice would be in this order:
Fantasmic
Magic Kingdom fireworks
Illuminations

You are going to have a million different opinions on this question because the opinions vary widely. I will agree with a pp and suggest to try to keep them up late a few times and let them experience each. Worse case scenario? Someone gets grumpy or someone has to be carried. You're at disney, fix it with a Mickey ice cream bar!

 

[LuvDaisy&Minnie]

Where are you staying? It may be possible to watch Wishes from a Magic Kingdom resort.

 

[Jesslm80]

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.

 

[LuvDaisy&Minnie]

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 would definitely try! They may surprise you!!

 

[Minnesota!]

If I could only pick one? Illuminations.

 

[JoannaTN7]

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

She'll be there in October so it will be out by then, and there is a lot of hype about it on YouTube. There have been test runs and people are really excited about it. That was all I meant.

 

[JimmyV]

There have been test runs and people are really excited about it. That was all I meant.

I am sure that it will be great. But given that they have delayed the opening because the show is not yet ready for the public, I wouldn't put any stock in whatever cyber-chatter has been generated by some tests. The point being that people are not "raving about the new AK show" because the show has not commenced. They are raving about some tests. That much is certainly fair.

 

[JoannaTN7]

I am sure that it will be great. But given that they have delayed the opening because the show is not yet ready for the public, I wouldn't put any stock in whatever cyber-chatter has been generated by some tests. The point being that people are not "raving about the new AK show" because the show has not commenced. They are raving about some tests. That much is certainly fair.

Sorry for not being more concise. I was merely trying to be helpful.

Whatever you mange I'm sure you'll have fun, Jess. All of the shows are appealing in their own way, as I'm sure the one that has yet to commence will be. Good luck!

 

[Astryd]

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.

My son was not a napper either, he stopped napping before he was 2. On our first trip when he was turning 5, he napped often when we went back to the room everyday. We were shocked! So you might be surprised.

 

[TexasTSL]

Yes, the kids may surprise you. My kids seem to be able to stay up late at night when we are at Disney and wake up super early with no help from me. The same thing happens to me at Disney. All of a sudden, I can stay up late and get up super early with no problem!

But I would say Fantasmic and Wishes for sure! And try to do the others if they can!

 

[msmama]

I would do HS and try to do Fantasmic and Star Wars fire works. Don't quite know how you'd do that yet. It'll depend on times. But it's getting 2 shows in one night. Plus the current SW fireworks are amazing and the new ones should be even better.

We don't do late nights. Can count on one hand the number we've done in 10 trips. It's better for me to have a well rested kid than to see nighttime shows (oh and my son is 8).

 

[EmmyKay]

Celebrate the Magic is great too! I would recommend that and then Wishes at MK. Then if you could push them one more night ..Fantasmic!

 

[tink9702]

*sigh* my kids are the same way. Last trip we didn't make any of the nighttime entertainment. I'd definitely put Illuminations at the bottom of the list. I'd also consider what you are doing the next day. Is there a day with less going on? If so, I'd consider doing whatever park was the night before.

 

[Malibustyle23]

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.

 

[K_Jordan]

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!