Illuminations or RoL?

[CAS239]

I myself like illuminations. Illuminations will also be stopping soon, so if you want to get a last viewing in, now is the time.

There's no indication that Illuminations is ending

 

[Klayfish]

There's no indication that Illuminations is ending

Well...there are rumors on the interwebbies, so it has to be true.

 

[DonaldDuck77]

I know the opportunity cost may be different to see each show (Illuminations is easier to see), but for just judging each show, I would pick RoL easily over Illuminations. But, I would also just see both when you can and then you can decide for yourself which is better (if not this trip, whenever you can). I haven't seen Star Wars fireworks or Happily Ever After yet, but I prefer RoL to Illuminations and Fantasmic. As you can tell, opinions are all over the place about this one.

 

[disneygolfer1985]

If we have one extra night for an evening show, which do you recommend? We have 2 children, 5 and 7, and we are already attending MVMCP one night. We are early birds so too many late nights arn't good for us. However, I was thinking of scheduling one more in
Which do you recommend?
Thanks so much!

The question I have is when are you going? I know you will be going around the holidays since you are going to MVMCP, but if you are going after Thanksgiving, then I highly recommend Illuminations. I think the holiday version of Illuminations is best on the property.

 

[adreamoldastime]

As an animal lover, I was extremely excited to see RoL, buying merchandise for it beforehand and planning my entire day that visit around seeing it, but I ended up being disappointed with the show. Yes, it was beautiful. Yes, it was serene. But, no, it did not elicit an emotional response from me liking many other evening shows have and I didn't find myself in awe or entertained afterwards. I think for having two young children, Illuminations would be the way to go!

 

[kagmypts]

Although we love Disney's nighttime entertainment, RoL was entirely underwhelming. We knew nothing about the show before attending so as not to be influenced by the opinion of others. We got in the stand-by line about an hour ahead of the line opening. We had amazing seats, but the show fell flat. None of our party (2 parents & 3 kids - aged 12, 10, & 8) enjoyed the show. I am glad that we saw it, but we won't be returning. On the other hand, we all love Illuminations.

ETA - Star Wars was a huge (surprise) hit for us. I have never seen Star Wars and still love the show!

 

[rasadkowski]

Wow thank you all so much for your thoughtful insight!

 

[North of Mouse]

Illuminations.

No need to stand in LONG line, tie up a FP+ or spend money on a Dining Package ...

to have a good view of good show that needs none of those.

BUT TOTALLY AGREE with this ...

Again, to each their own! What works for you does not work for me. Had no regrets for using FP's twice for ROL.

Obviously, this is just disser's opinions!! The general consensus is much different, or we'd be getting in a lot easier!!

 

[HopperFan]

Again, to each their own! What works for you does not work for me. Had no regrets for using FP's twice for ROL.

Obviously, this is just disser's opinions!! The general consensus is much different, or we'd be getting in a lot easier!!

We can agree to disagree. I don't think the long lines have anything to do with "general consensus". It's hard to get in to because it is new and most guests going to Disney know nothing about it. We are the minority on here.

Most of us have answered taking the OP's situation in mind. Had she said she had a couple tweens and bed time wasn't an issue and they were going to go strong every night .... sure why not? ... but she is trying to pick one night - one show, and best choice for her young family.

I used a FP+, would never waste one again unless it was the 4th.

 

[CarolMN]

If the girls love fireworks, go for IllumNations. There is a Holiday Tag that is just awesome. We stay at the BWV and can FEEL the booms as they add these special fireworks to the end of the usual show.

 

[North of Mouse]

We can agree to disagree. I don't think the long lines have anything to do with "general consensus". It's hard to get in to because it is new and most guests going to Disney know nothing about it. We are the minority on here.

Most of us have answered taking the OP's situation in mind. Had she said she had a couple tweens and bed time wasn't an issue and they were going to go strong every night .... sure why not? ... but she is trying to pick one night - one show, and best choice for her young family.

I used a FP+, would never waste one again unless it was the 4th.

Yep, fair enough - agree to disagree! No one right answer for us all - each has to weigh our own benefits and enjoyment! FP no waste for us. The lighting/water effects were very captivating to the children around us at ROL.

As for taking the OP's situation into consideration (young children), there's no difference in late hours between most of the night shows - at least at ROL there is seating. So the best choice is actually whatever they choose to attend that night.

 

[amberpi]

I sometimes see Illuminations every night of my trips. That's how much I love it. Haven't seen HEA yet, and enjoyed Wishes well enough (I know ya'll, how do I even Disney?), but Illuminations, for me, is every bit of the WDW magic. The children I've been with (it's happened!) were also in love.

 

[Airb330]

Illuminations.

ROL is the only nighttime Disney show (including parades) that we've ever been disappointed in. We thought it visually did not look nearly as good as World of Color, everything was blurry, and as others have said the "story" just falls flat. One and done for us unfortunately. I do think they could re-tool it, make it a little more like world of color, and it'd be great.

 

[Blanquita]

I wasnt a fan of Illuminations and I thought it was the weakest of the night shows, then came RoL.

I'd pick Illuminations to see.

My order of ranking:
Happily Ever After
Star Wars
Fantasmic
Illuminations
River of Lights

Hi Cas!!
Do you know which one is in each park? i cant find it! are all the shows at night? thanks!

 

[gillep]

Illuminations, ROL was ok, but I have no desire to see it again, and don't think it is that memorable. If you don't have HEA planned, you might want to consider that instead, but between the two you proposed, I think Illuminations is a much better show, and fits the bill better considering your children's interests.

 

[OB1]

I wasnt a fan of Illuminations and I thought it was the weakest of the night shows, then came RoL.

I'd pick Illuminations to see.

My order of ranking:
Happily Ever After
Star Wars
Fantasmic
Illuminations
River of Lights

Totally agree with your rankings CAS. Of course, everyone will have different favs. I might even put Star Wars as number 1, but I need to see HEA again from closer up. We were a little too far away when we saw it in May.

 

[ucfknight]

Illuminations for sure.
Unless you are trying to get them to fall asleep, of course. In which case ROL works wonders.

 

[Coral Reef Diver]

I wasnt a fan of Illuminations and I thought it was the weakest of the night shows, then came RoL.

Nice delivery, had me rolling on the floor. [insert cute emoji here]



Edit: Hey... ROFL about ROL. Ha!

 

[CAS239]

Hi Cas!!
Do you know which one is in each park? i cant find it! are all the shows at night? thanks!

Happily Ever After- MK and nightly

Star Wars- HS and nightly unless it's subbed out for the holiday "Jingle Bell Jingle Bam"

Fantasmic- HS and nightly

Illuminations- Epcot and nightly

River of Lights- AK and usually nightly but it's schedule can vary

 

[CAS239]

Totally agree with your rankings CAS. Of course, everyone will have different favs. I might even put Star Wars as number 1, but I need to see HEA again from closer up. We were a little too far away when we saw it in May.

Same. HEA and Star Wars are about tied for first. I've only watched HEA once from right in front of the castle and Star Wars probably 3 times and after each show I went "that was amazing"