IllumiNations or Fantasmic fireworks?

[marygraycesmom]

Here's the question....if there was only one night you could take in a fireworks show, which one would you choose? I have a preschool-age daughter who loves fireworks, but she just can't handle all the activity of several late nights out. So we want to know which fireworks she would enjoy the most. We plan on taking in Wishes, there was never any doubt about that one, also.
Is it at all possible to see two of the fireworks shows in one night? Or would you have to haul tails to see them both?
TIA for any advice on this!

 

[Dizzy for Dsny]

For a pre-school aged child I would suggest Fantasmic. Illuminations is my favorite by far and I don't care to see Fantasmic again, but with a small child you'll enjoy it. Try to see both if you can!

 

[PanamaMike]

You will probably find as many people say Fantasmic as say Illuminations.

Keep in mind that Fantasmic is not a "fireworks" show although it certainly has pyrotechnics.

 

[Kick Save]

Pure fireworks, Illuminations. As PanamaMike said, Fantasmic really isn't a fireworks show, but it is rather appealing to the kiddies. (And the grown-up kiddies. )

Illuminations is my favorite evening show, too. Lots of fireworks, and the music score is second to none.

 

[grumpymakesmehappy]

As stated above, Illuminations is the firework work show of the two. However, my personall favorite is Fantasmic. Your daughter will love Wishes. Let that be her "firework" show. She will love the magic and excitement of Fantasmic. It mixes Mickey, the characters, and fireworks all together.

 

[mickeychick06]

I think that it would depend on the child. I personally like Fantasmic much better than Illuminations, but keep in mind that there are some things about Fantasmic that would scare a small child. There is a dragon that can be kind of scary for some small children, and if you sit toward the front of the ampitheater, you can really feel the heat from the flames. If your child would not be bothered by these things, I think that Fantasmic would be wonderful- it follows a story line and concludes with a boat full of Disney characters that children love.

 

[SusanDK]

Is it at all possible to see two of the fireworks shows in one night? Or would you have to haul tails to see them both?

It is possible to see both Fantasmic and Illuminations in the same night, depending on what time they both occur and how lucky you are with transport in between.

We did it once last year. I think we saw Fantasmic at 7.30 pm, then hopped onto a boat to Epcot and made it there for a 9.00 pm Illuminations.

You need to get out of Fantasmic as quickly as possible and then be a bit lucky with the crowds waiting for the boat to Epcot (sometimes there are long queues and you wait quite a while to get on).

I would suggest going to Fantasmic -- which is our favorite of the two -- and then play it by ear as to whether you can get to Epcot in time for Illuminations or not. If you make it, great, and if not, you've still seen the better show, IMHO.

Susan

 

[penguingirlie]

I agree that you could see both on one night. I think Illuminations is the best. It is beautiful and the globe is really spectacular.

 

[ricktib]

For a pre-school aged child I would suggest Fantasmic. Illuminations is my favorite by far and I don't care to see Fantasmic again, but with a small child you'll enjoy it.

Ditto all the way.

 

[AnaheimGirl]

I would (and did) choose IllumiNations. Too many scary themes in Fantasmic for a preschooler, unless of course, you know your dd is OK with that.

 

[DisneyKidds]

In general I'd have to agree that Illuminations is by far the better show, but a preschool age girl might enjoy Fantasmic more. However........

You have to consider the child. Illumination is a great show, and anyone, including a child, will enjoy the fireworks, etc. Fantasmic, while it does have more Disney characters and floats with the Princesses and all, has more you have to consider. While the show is very good, it has a good portion of the middle of the show dedicated to the Disney villans, a portion of the show which my DW feels is a little too dark for the young kiddies (the subject matter, not the lighting ). If your child is scared by the villans you might want to pass on this one and go with Illuminations. That said, our kids (ages 7, 4, and 2) all sit thru the show and enjoy it, with a little cuddling from mom and dad during the scarier parts.