IllumiNations or Fantasmic for kids?

[xyymom]

We're likely only going to get to see one of these two shows (in addition to Spectro/Wishes at MK). Which would you suggest to appeal most to children 8,6&4?

Also, will the nighttime show(s) at MK be different during MNSSHP than on a regular night? I need to know whether to plan to be there in the evening twice.

 

[iceskatejen]

Probably Fanstasmic because it's full of characters and has a storyline. Just know that it can be loud and a bit scary for young kids. The 8yo should be fine, but the 6&4yos might get a little scared. The MGM version has a lot of villians in it, many more than the DL version (which is superior to the MGM version) and what I found to be a couple of dry (meaning dull) spots while DL has more action. Also, don't sit towards the front because you'll get rather wet (also not a problem at DL--I sit front and center there almost every time and don't get wet).

 

[mommystieg]

I think if my kids (11 and 4) had to pick they would chose Fantasmic! Illuminations is great but F! has Mickey and a whole lot of other characters. There are times when the theater is very dark and there are some pretty scary villians but our youngest knows that Mickey will be there soon to save the day.

 

[mathmagic]

I vote for Fantasmic! Lots of characters, music they know, plus they can SIT!

You can get your kids extra excited for the show by playing the music a lot before you go, if you have it. The music itself is very exciting, so though your kids won't know what's happening during each part until they see it they'll know that whatever it is will be really cool!

 

[winniedapooh]

My kids would pick Illuminations hands down. They like Fantasmic but there is something special that they really love about Illuminations. Have fun which ever you choose.

 

[mathmagic]

Regarding the nighttime shows at MK during MNSSHP, we were there last year and there are differences. There is a Halloween parade (I think run twice) so no Spectromagic. There are fireworks, but they are different from a regular night. But this was before Wishes debuted, so I don't know how different the Wishes show will be during MNSSHP. If you want to see the regular shows at MK, you'll have to be there 2 nights.

 

[princess lovers mom]

Fantasmic is more of a show with fireworks and Illuminations is more of fireworks(amazing)with a show...

hard to choose...my 4yo DD prefers Illuminations and the 8yo DD fantasmic...hard to choose

the fireworks are different for MNSSHP...

 

[B'rer Karen]

Originally posted by xyymom
Also, will the nighttime show(s) at MK be different during MNSSHP than on a regular night? I need to know whether to plan to be there in the evening twice.

During MNSSHP they perform the Halloween Parade. This is the only time it is performed and I thought it was great. It starts with the headless horseman galloping in on a real horse. They do not perform Spectromagic on the nights of MNSSHP. As for fireworks, previously the fireworks were basically the same as the normal Fantasy in the Sky show, with the added surprise of a witch. Wishes premeired at the beginning of October last year but they still showed the special FITS fireworks during the party. I'm hoping they show a special version of Wishes this year. If they show FITS I'll just skip it since it is so inferior to Wishes.

 

[xyymom]

I am slowly going crazy.....

All this plan 'tweaking' is driving me nutso! The second trip should be much easier on my brain....at least then I'll know what the kids like and what we missed the first time around. I just want it to be so magical and wonderful for them that I'm driving myself crazy with worry that they'll feel they missed out on something (I'm a worrier by nature as you can likely tell!)

I'm also feeling a bit robbed by my 1st and only trip to WDW when I was 19. I'm reading about everything at Epcot that I missed and it makes me frustrated. We basically *looked* at the Pavilions, I had no idea some had rides and the like in them. There was no planning for our trip and we just kind of had the lets 'wing' it attitude. Wrong!

Thanks for the advice on the shows/parades. I'm going to attempt one evening at MK other than MNSSHP and perhaps Fantasmic instead of IllumiNations (I'm sure my kids would rather SIT than stand). I'll be sure to warn my 4yo that Mickey will save the day if he's scared (which he will be!)