Illuminations, Fantasmic & Wishes

[Disneynutbsv]

We are going to Disney for two days (got two day hoppers) and my friend has never gone
So we have two nights. I'm thinking Fantasmic and Illuminations, as much as I love Wishes, I love Illuminations and Fantasmic is cool. What do you think for a first timer going? Which one should I skip?

 

[kilee]

I'm picking Fantasmic for sure. I think this show is true Disney magic. Then I'd have to pick Wishes. I like Illuminations a lot, BUT I just LOVE wishes. I think there is just something special about those fireworks going off all around the castle.

 

[3mickeys&me]

Fantasmic Definetly!!!!!!! I've never seen wishes but will be seeing it in 57 days.

I'd go with your plan or ask your friend what they prefer

 

[mommystieg]

Wow, what a tough decision...Fantasmic definitely and as much as I love Illuminations I would have to go with Wishes. It is awesome and you just can't go to Disney without seeing the castle lit up by fireworks

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

The timing may end up working out so that it would be possible to see 2 shows in one night. I know I've managed to see all 3, Fantasmic, Illuminations, and Wishes, all in one night once.

 

[Disneynutbsv]

The timing may end up working out so that it would be possible to see 2 shows in one night. I know I've managed to see all 3, Fantasmic, Illuminations, and Wishes, all in one night once.

Really??? Well, I've found out the other day we go to Disney is a short day Our flight leaves at 7:20, so we need to be at the airport around 5.
So we can only see one night show. I'll go and check the times of everything going on right now.

 

[ILoveWDW2003]

My brother managed to see Fantasmic and then Illuminations in the same night.

 

[kirbsam]

It is easy to see fantasmic and illuminations in the same night. Actually, it is easy to see wishes and illuminations in the same night. Which two you can see, depends on the time of each.

 

[Disneynutbsv]

It is easy to see fantasmic and illuminations in the same night. Actually, it is easy to see wishes and illuminations in the same night. Which two you can see, depends on the time of each.

When I'm going, Fantasmic starts at 8:30 and Illuminations at 9:00. Same with Wishes, at 9:00 I don't think we can see both

 

[civileng68]

The timing may end up working out so that it would be possible to see 2 shows in one night. I know I've managed to see all 3, Fantasmic, Illuminations, and Wishes, all in one night once.

THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT i WAS GOING TO SAY! I have also seen all three in one night and DEFINATELY can do 2 in one night.

Most nights you can definately see Fantasmic! (since it's early most nights) and then Wishes if you scoot over there. Then another night you can see Illuminations.

I know while we're there next week it will be possible to see them like that.

 

[civileng68]

When I'm going, Fantasmic starts at 8:30 and Illuminations at 9:00. Same with Wishes, at 9:00 I don't think we can see both

nevermind my above post then.

However, let me say this.........you still can "somewhat" see both Fantasmic and Illuminations in the same night.

Leave Fantasmic like 5 minutes before it ends..........scoot to the outside of the Disney Studios and stand just out in front of the park. There is a sidewalk with benches near the waterway. Stand there and look over at Epcot. You'd be surprised how close you really are. YOu can see every second of Illuminations from there. Sure you may not hear all of the music but you can at least see it in some form if you then want to do Wishes another night.

I have to say that myself............I wouldnt miss Wishes as just being in the Magic Kingdom at night is a great experience.

 

[Epcot83]

NO NO NO!! Don't do that, the ending is the very very best part. First Mickey's on Steam Boat Willie, then Mickey's at the top of the mountain and then the next he's down on the stage. It's very cool.

 

[jann1033]

i'd skip fantasmic...seen wishes and it was great still love illuminations after all these yrs.but both hubby and i thought fantasmic was "nice". if i had to skip one fantasmic would have to go

also agree with civilge6? ( sorry i butchered the name) to me MGM is the least "Magical" at night. Love world showcase at night and Mk

 

[jcooperdj]

i guess i missed the big attraction to Fantasmic. I love fireworks and the fireworks at epcot are the best and last Dec they had extra fireworks, I hope the have the same for this years trip. We stood in front of a little gift shop close the the bridge that heads for the exit and the fireworks were actually falling on us, I love it. I saw fantasmic and that was my 2nd favorite, all the characters are in it and the special effects are cool. Do both if u have 2 nights but go early for fantasmic as the line start early.

 

[dbanzai]

To me, seeing a fireworks show at the MK is a must. They have been doing them forever and it part of the mystique IMO. So I'd definitely do Wishes (And Spectro, as a light parade has the same aura in my book).

Otherwise, I'd say it depends on your tastes. I've only seen Fantasmic once and really enjoyed it. However it feels long and it seems to me it's at times harder to focus on everything. It is more Disney though. I guess I like IllumiNations better, as it's optimistic and more mature (not that immaturity is a bad thing ). Also the action is all in the middle of the lake, so you can see everything better at once than Fantasmic... In my opinion.

 

[stevelamb121]

IMO...I would do Wishes....this is a must, the castle....the fireworks....totally spectacular.

I would also do fantasmic...I love this show...and its very different from a fireworks show (not that im dissin illuminations at all)

I only wish it was possible for you to see all 3

 

[ricktib]

I'd pick Illuminations and Wishes. Fantasmic is nice, and I know I'm in the minority, but I'd probably move it up the list if we had kids.