Illuminations or fantasmic?

[Lvsdisney]

Essentially during our trip we're going to have a miss a evening show. I don't want to miss Wishes so, it's between Illuminations and Fantasmic. It's been 8+ years since I've seen either show so I really don't remember which one is better. My DS will be 6 and DD will be 2 1/2 at time of travel. Time of show is not a factor. Which one is better?? Thanks!!

 

[TeamSy]

Illuminations!!!! I can do Fantasmic every other year or so, but Illuminations is a must-do!

 

[100AcreWood]

Illuminations is my favorite too. But the kids might like Fantasmic better.

 

[Aimeedyan]

We do Fantasmic every few years or so but never miss Illuminations. That said, small children may enjoy Fantasmic better.

 

[Canuck16]

We liked Illuminations better than Fantasmic......that may be because we prefer the DL edition of Fantasmic better.

 

[wilkeliza]

Illuminations for the win.

I must say I am a little bias though. I use to work at Epcot and watched Illuminations at least 3 nights a week so it is my favorite. I never got tired of it.

 

[disneygolfer1985]

I haven't been to fantasmic for years, but every year I go I probably see illuminations at least 3 times and I like to end my last night with seeing the show.

 

[DWillowBay]

For me, Illuminations is amazing, but given the ages of your children, they would probably be more entertained by Fantasmic!. You really can't go wrong though. Do your children enjoy fireworks? Because with Illuminations they will be very close to them ... and the noise of them. Something to consider. Have a great time!

 

[lustergirl]

Illuminations for me. Seen Fantasmic once and wasn't impressed.

 

[jreed]

Im the opposite of everyone, for me it is Fantasmic without question. We saw it twice on our last trip and I could have watched it every night. That's not to say that Illuminations isnt good...it is very good.

 

[PeasandCarrots]

I personally prefer Illuminations but not because I think it's a better show. I prefer it because there is no "line" to get in and no bleachers with no back to them you have to sit on. Plus the exodus after Fantasmic isn't fun either. Overall I honestly prefer the Fantasmic show, but I haven't seen it in years because of the previously mentioned reasons. I love how with Illuminations you can walk up maybe 15 minutes before the show starts and see everything unless maybe it's peak season.

 

[Lvsdisney]

I personally prefer Illuminations but not because I think it's a better show. I prefer it because there is no "line" to get in and no bleachers with no back to them you have to sit on. Plus the exodus after Fantasmic isn't fun either. Overall I honestly prefer the Fantasmic show, but I haven't seen it in years because of the previously mentioned reasons. I love how with Illuminations you can walk up maybe 15 minutes before the show starts and see everything unless maybe it's peak season.

That is something for us to consider. My LOs aren't ones to sit around and wait for the show, no matter how good it is!!

 

[jreed]

I personally prefer Illuminations but not because I think it's a better show. I prefer it because there is no "line" to get in and no bleachers with no back to them you have to sit on. Plus the exodus after Fantasmic isn't fun either. Overall I honestly prefer the Fantasmic show, but I haven't seen it in years because of the previously mentioned reasons. I love how with Illuminations you can walk up maybe 15 minutes before the show starts and see everything unless maybe it's peak season.

Agreed

 

[Harambe]

I love both, but do prefer the exit of Illuminations to Fantasmic! We like to stroll around the World Showcase after Illuminations, letting the park thin out a bit before heading to the busses. If your little ones are in a stroller, that might work for you. Illuminations is shorter, and as someone else mentioned, you don't really have to get a spot too early.

 

[Bev J]

I would never have a trip where I would not see Illuminations a couple times. Fantasmic is good but waiting on hard cold benches for 45 min is not fantastic at all, we see it maybe once in 5 trips.
Bev

 

[Farps]

Still love Illuminations just a bit more, we did a Fantasmic dinner package in August so we probably will not see it this next trip.

 

[Jojo h]

I vote Fantasmic! Lots of characters, so my DD5 and DS8 loved it! We did the fantasmic dining package so were able to show up 15-20 min before the show and ate a snack in the reserved seating area while we waited. That wait was much less boring than waiting for Illuminations for 30 min while standing IMO.

 

[californiamomofboys]

Hands down, Fantasmic is better. Especially after seeing Wishes fireworks, the fireworks at Epcot won't be as impressive.

 

[DOOM1001]

If I had to rank the 3 shows it would look like this:

1.Illuminations 9.4/10
2.Wishes 9.3/10
3.Fantasmic 8.2/10

The music in Illuminations is just about as good as it gets,Wishes is not far behind.Illuminations does have a couple of slow minutes but the finale an the music make up for it to put it slightly ahead of Wishes.I could see those two daily,I've probably seen Illuminations about 150 times,tomorrow and Monday will be 151 and 152.Fantasmic is still good but I just can't see it that often,the whole line to get in is not as easy as the other two where you can just find a spot 15-20 minutes before.I'm also not a fan of the water screens in the show,a 30 minute show with like 18 minutes of water screens gets boring quickly.

 

[danny1649]

I like Fantasmic, I love Illuminations.