Illuminations, Wishes, Spectromagic & Fantasmic - too much for five days?

[LglBlonde]

Is it too ambitious to try to do all of these shows in one-five day trip? Two adults, no kids - traveling May 31 to June 5.

Right now, we get there Monday, Spectro is only on Tuesday, so we'd planned to do Spectro & Wishes Tuesday; then Illuminations on Wed, and Thursday - Fantasmic. I'd still like to go to Pleasure Island one night and the Boardwalk another? Is it too ambitious to try to do all the "shows"? If you were to eliminate one, which would you skiP??

JJ

 

[leebee]

This sounds OK to me. If you get too tired to do the evening shows, skip one OR take a rest in the afternoon and then go back for the evening event. BTW, since Epcot "backs up" to the Boardwalk, why don't you park at the Boardwalk Inn, stroll the Boardwalk/have dinner, and enter Epcot thru the International Gateway to watch Illuminations.

 

[WhispyPixie]

I couldnt eliminate ANY of them...because each one is special for its own uniqueness....my favorite of them all is Spectromagic, then WISHES, then Fantasmic then Illuminations! You should be able to do all 4 with no problem....although take your vitamins!

 

[LglBlonde]

We have PS at R&C for Wednesday and Spoodles for Friday! Plus, I've heard you are not supposed to park at a resort if you intend to go to a park even if you are eating there.

 

[mic_key_mouse]

Hi LglBlonde.

Yep, that's the 'rule', you can either follow it and be inconvenienced in a big way- or leave your car parked there and enjoy a relaxing evening. I know which one I always choose, but you will have to make your own decision

Wishes/Spectro, Illuminations, Fantasmic is my order- and these take a HUGE priority over PI ot the BW, which I look at as nice but not essential.

If you are getting tired take BW out first, then PI. If I had 5 days I would just do the theme park entertainment- and if I chose to go out a 4th and/or 5th night I would redo the Wishes/Spectro combo and a second Illuminations with dinner. For me, BW and PI do not provide lasting, unique memories- it is great entertainment, but no different than what you can get when you go out in any big city (other than the fireworks at PI). The theme park events provide memories you will never forget. Hope this is helpful

Blessings,
mic_key_mouse

 

[LglBlonde]

Mic,

Thanks - your comments are helpful. I think I'd rather be "inconvenienced" than stressed about whether we've parked for more than three hours, whether the car gets towed, whether I'm breaking the "rules" and if DH and I decide to imbibe, I'd rather not have the car "out." We've decided to park the car as much as possible.

We are only renting it for two reasons: One, the first part of our trip, we are driving to New Port Richey to see my grandparents. 2) for transportation back to the airport at the end of our trip. Quite frankly, the cost of renting the car jsut for the 2-3 days and then finding a way back to the airport was just about the same as having the car all seven days.

Thanks again! Just wanted to explain!

 

[NADINENURSE]

Just back last night at 11:00 pm from 6 days at AKL and Pop Century, we did SpectroMagic and Wishes, both at Magic Kingdom, right ?, I'm so confused about the names of the parades, on Saturday night. One was at 9:00 and 11:00 with the other one in the middle. It worked out wonderfully. the only downfall, we didn't get back to AKL until 12:30 and were so tired the next day we woke up at 10:00, never slept so late in my life, then went to Boma breakfeast buffet at 10:45, lazed around AKL until 2pm and then to MGM for 2 shows and Fantasmic. WE SAW EVERYTHING !! But, I do have to say, the crowds were a bit too much for me and my hubby. Kids, 10 and 12, were fine, but we were bumped, pushed , etc. AKL was the best, everyone here said it would be great and they were right. You can do all that you want in your time, but anticipate YOU WILL BE TIRED !! One other thing I forgot to factor in was the time it takes to simply get to magic Kingdom. The trip from the parking to the bus to the monorail to get to the park, took about 45 minutes. We also tried other ways, same amount of time. BUT YOU CAN DO IT !!

 

[ncbyrne]

DH and I did all that you mentioned earlier this month! It is most definitely doable! PI is so much fun - just head over any night after the parks close. Boardwalk is ok, but other than going there for dinner or to "just see it", there's not a lot to interest us. Most of the activities (not much anyway) are geared to kids.

 

[mic_key_mouse]

Hi again LglBlonde.

I never move my car when I go for my fake 'PS' at 'Yacht/Beach Club' (or wherever), and I haven't had a problem. I just 'accidentally' let the pass 'fall off the dash'. At least you are actually eating there....

If anyone has had a bad experience parking, it would be nice to know about it. In my experience, it hasn't been a problem- but maybe they are getting serious about it.

I started going to WDW in the 'good 'ol days' when these 'rules' didn't exist- so I justify what I do by thinking I am covered under the 'grandfather clause'. LOL!

Blessings,
mic_key_mouse

 

[Serenity]

No reason why you can't do it all. Since Spectro and Wishes are the same night, you only need 3 nights to do everything at the parks. This still leaves 2 nights to do PI and Broadwalk. But that is a lot of late nights. I would probably try to do Broadwalk and PI on the same night and have at least one early night.

Spectro, Wishes, Illumin, and Fantasmic - all of them are must see's. Illumin is my least favorite, but still needs to be seen at least once. They are all truely unique.

 

[NancyK]

I wouldn't miss any of the nighttime shows! When my DH and I were there in January for our trip without kids we did Fantasmic twice in the same night (it was shutting down for a week), we did Illuminations on two different nights, and Wishes on 3 occasions - my DH loves fireworks LOL! We also saw Spectromagic once. Without kids it's definitely doable! Have fun!

 

[RLewis]

It's somewhat of a myth that you (at least always) have to move your car within 3 hours. I e-mailed WDW and asked them if a could park my rental at WL (I'm staying at BC) and pick it up after the e-ride night (probably after 1:00am). Below is their response:

"Thank you for contacting the Walt Disney World® Resort.
You are welcome to drive your rental car to the Wilderness Lodge, have dinnerand take the boat to the Magic Kingdom and pick up your car there after you leave the park.
Getting around the Walt Disney World® Resort is last thing you want to worry about while you're on vacation."

 

[georgina]

Interesting response from WDW. I know I read that there is parking across the street for people visiting the Boardwalk. We have also never been given a 3 hour parking pass when going to the BC to eat, they just wave us in.

 

[wannabee princess]

First - Don't miss any of the shows! You really only need 3 nights to do them, as others have mentioned.

We have gone to Boardwalk every trip, and we've never had a problem with parking - not given a set time to leave either. Last trip, I know we were there a lot longer than 3 hours - we ate a leisurely meal, looked inside Boardwalk at the Christmas decorations, took the boat to Y&BC and looked in both lobby areas at the decorations, ate dessert at B&C, walked the pathway back around to Boardwalk and shopped for a while before we left (I know it was more than 3 hours!).

 

[LglBlonde]

To clarify, I was told they are "cracking" down at Contemporary and Polynesian - maybe its more of a problem at MK?? Good to know about the Epcot resorts.

 

[jennymouse]

I've actually done Illuminations (Epcot) and Fantasmic (MGM) on the same night. Just pick the night during your stay that they have two showing of Fantasmic. We watched Illuminations at Epcot at 9 o'clock then went through the International Gateway and grabbed the boat to MGM and saw the 10 o'clock showing of Fantasmic. No problem. If you did that it would free another night up.

 

[LglBlonde]

Unfortunately, no two shows of Fantasmic during the same night for our whole trip, EXCEPT Tuesday nt, the only night of Spectro!!!

 

[mic_key_mouse]

I park at the Poly with a 'PS' for breakfast in the morning, then jump on a monorail to the MK without eating (nor do I ever really make a PS). Before 'EisnerWorld' replaced Disney World this was a perfectly acceptable practice, as was pool hopping from one resort to another. It used to be that the guards at the gate would just wave you through (if there even was a guard at the gate), never asking a question. The parking lots do not seem to be any more or less full now than they were in the mid 90's. I have been doing this for almost a decade, and regardless of other's thoughts on these issues I have no intention of 'fitting into the corporate mold'. BTW, it isn't my intent to start a debate, as my practices and reasons are clearly spelled out. I have read plenty of opinions on these issues, and I am thoroughly versed in how people feel about them. There is no need to rehash these issues here...please.

Every person has a different take on this, LglBlonde, and you need to do whatever feels right to you. Based on what I have read, most people that have expressed an opinion believe current Disney 'rules' should be adhered to- and I respect those completely valid reasons. It sounds like you may be leaning towards leaving your car parked and using Disney Transportation. Most people do, but I have a little bit of a 'rebel' in me. As you make your decision, keep in mind that I am in the minority with respect to the way I approach these issues. Also keep in mind that if Disney chooses to enforce the rule the day you park without a valid permit, that you will probably get a ticket. I have never seen a ticket issued, but that doesn't mean it can't happen If you haven't known things any other way, it may be less stressful if you conform to current guidelines- but you need to make that decision for yourself.

Blessings,
mic_key_mouse

 

[cindyfan]

If you are planning on doing the Boardwalk.....
You can "legally" park at the BW.....walk over to either Epcot or MGM. Then head back over to BW to enjoy the evening activities.

We have done this and it is perfectly okay! You are there to enjoy the BW.

We have actually parked at BW around 5pm, walked over to Epcot and spent the evening there & watched Illuminations. Then walked back over to BW for the rest of the evening. Ended up hanging out there until around midnight.

Have FUN!!

parking across the street for people visiting the Boardwalk.

I am trying to picture what you mean by "across the street"?? Where is that?.......maybe that IS where we parked??!

 

[Margie J]

I am trying to picture what you mean by "across the street"?? Where is that?.......maybe that IS where we parked??!

BW has different lots. One is for valet parking, one is in front of the Resort and Conference Center (entrance on your left) and the "one across the street" has an entrance to the right. It's their satellite lot and many CM's park there plus Guests.

As for cracking down on parking at the BW, much depends on the time of year and what is happening at Epcot. During the Flower & Garden Festival parking in the front lot was apparently restricted on weekends to registered Guests of the BW, those with PS's at a BW restaurant or DVC Members. During busy times you may be directed to the lot "across the street" or given a 3 hour pass.

When I stayed at the BW a couple years ago I saw many cars belonging to Guests at other WDW Resorts. They parked there all day. Understand though that if you are caught parking all day at BW by a DVC Member you may be given the evil eye and banished to the satellite lot of h**l.