Is Fantasmic exactly the same show as the one at Magic Kingdom?

[Pigletlover]

Hi everybody! I have a few questions about Fantasmic.

We saw it at Magic Kingdom in 2005, so just wondering if Disneyland's version is any different? Or do they maybe show a different "new" show now compared to back then? Do they have a Christmas version of it?

Also, I was just reading the Fantasmic info here on wdwinfo and it said the second showing of Fantasmic at Disneyland is 20 minutes. Does that mean it's longer or shorter than the first show?

Is the sitting/standing info still corrrect? So they haven't built a big public seating area like at Magic Kingdom?

Thanks for your help!


EDIT: Sorry! I just realised it was at Disney Studios in Orlando that we saw it!

 

[disneynerd420]

F! is different than the one at WDW. There are several different scenes and DL's dragon is amazing!


They do not have an amphitheater like at Studios. So yes it is still sitting/standing. I think it is much easier to get a better spot for the 2nd show.

 

[HydroGuy]

DL's version is not identical. It is different in numerous ways including the new dragon, the use of Mark Twain and the SS Columbia, among others.

No Christmas version of F!

If there are two shows on a single night they are the same show.

The sitting/standing info is still the same. Not sure what you mean by "public" area at WDW. They have stadium seating at DHS.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Hi everybody! I have a few questions about Fantasmic.

We saw it at Magic Kingdom in 2005, so just wondering if Disneyland's version is any different? Or do they maybe show a different "new" show now compared to back then? Do they have a Christmas version of it?

Also, I was just reading the Fantasmic info here on wdwinfo and it said the second showing of Fantasmic at Disneyland is 20 minutes. Does that mean it's longer or shorter than the first show?

Is the sitting/standing info still corrrect? So they haven't built a big public seating area like at Magic Kingdom?

Thanks for your help!


EDIT: Sorry! I just realised it was at Disney Studios in Orlando that we saw it!

The DL version is different to the WDW version. The DL version has the ss columbia ship with the peter pan characters, the villians are different like ursulas eels (jetsam and flotsam), and DL has the new dragon.

They don't have a christmas version, its still the same.

The show is around 22 min, they are still the same time

It is both, you can get a seat in the sitting area right next to the roa or stand in specific areas around the roa. They do have a premium seating area if you are willing to spend money for seats.

 

[Pigletlover]

Thanks so much for the info, guys!

HydroGuy, by "public" I just meant free as opposed to a paid priority seating area.

Does anyone have any tips on the best spots to watch it without having to stake out a sitting spot on the concrete hours before, or where you can actually see the show properly without a million heads in front of you? (not priority seating though!) We'll be there the first half of December.

 

[mvf-m11c]

You could wait for the 2nd show and get a nice sitting area before the 2nd show. You also could try the light tower trick.

 

[Pigletlover]

Light Tower trick? Please do explain!!!!

 

[mvf-m11c]

Light Tower trick? Please do explain!!!!

They have three light towers for the show that rise up. It is a stand up viewing area right next to the light tower if you don't like to wait for hours. To get the best view from the light tower, you stand a couple of feet away from the tower and still could get a good view.

Here is the link for the light tower trick: http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2225094&highlight=light+tower+trick

 

[Pigletlover]

Fabulous! Thanks a lot

 

[disneyfan1955]

You could wait for the 2nd show and get a nice sitting area before the 2nd show. You also could try the light tower trick.

The light tower trick doesn't work too efficiently now, since a lot of people already know about it, but I would still give it a try because you never know if it will work for you! The second show is at 10:30. Do you think you will try that instead, because it is much less crowded than the first one?

 

[mvf-m11c]

The light tower trick doesn't work too efficiently now, since a lot of people already know about it, but I would still give it a try because you never know if it will work for you! The second show is at 10:30. Do you think you will try that instead, because it is much less crowded than the first one?

I tried it once when i came from the hub after the fireworks. It was hard to get past the people to claim the spot, but it works well enough if you can't get a sitting area. I aways wait in the sitting area during both shows because i always like the sitting area so i can video record the show, but during my last visit i seen people show up around 1 hour before the show to claim the viewing area right next to the light tower. You could get the viewing area if you come from the castle and walk to frontierland, but people do wait from the critter country to claim the spots or people like to stay for the second show like me.

You are right that alot of people know the trick, but it is better than to have people's heads and video cameras in front of you.

 

[Pigletlover]

I think we'll definitely try the 2nd show if there is one.

We'll be there between December 10 - 16. Do they have a second show every day during this week? Or just Fri/Sat/Sun maybe?

 

[mvf-m11c]

I think we'll definitely try the 2nd show if there is one.

We'll be there between December 10 - 16. Do they have a second show during this week? Or just Fri/Sat/Sun maybe?

Most likely on the weekends, on fri, sat, and sun. They should have a second show during those days. When i went last year and still have the dec 12-18 schedule, it said that they still have the shows on fri, sat and sun. It also said on thu during that week.

I might see you there since i will be there from dec 10 - 13.

 

[Pigletlover]

I'm so looking forward to it, as I haven't been to Disneyland since 1999 and California Adventures was still being built back then. It's so much bigger now!

I'm hoping the parks won't be too crowded during this week because we went to Orlando during the first half of December and it was manageable. I worry about Disneyland though because it's so much tinier in area so everyone is squished in together much more than at WDW and Magic Kingdom.

 

[ScooterL]

The weekday part of your visit should be pretty uncrowded, but the weekend will be busy - Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are always busy days at Disneyland.

 

[Disney Dreams]

While there are elements in the DL Fantasmic! that are not in the WDW Fantasmic!, there are also parts of the WDW Fantasmic! that are not in the DL version.

If you don't mind spoiling the surprise element, I have always liked this YouTube video. It shows both Fantasmic! shows side by side. Granted, it's with the old dragon and does not have the other newest additions, but it's a great comparison of the two shows.

There are some interesting differences and they both have their amazing moments.

- Dreams

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

We far prefer the Disneyland version. So much so, we don't even go see Fantasmic while in WDW! The Peter Pan and the Mark Twain parts are not to be missed. That said, I wait for the second showing every time. If you walk down toward the Haunted Mansion, I've never had trouble getting a sitting spot, even on busy days. We watch the fireworks first then head to Fantasmic.

Good luck and enjoy it!

 

[DisneyDork1969]

I just bought my tixs for the 10:30 showing of F! on the Saturday after Thanksgiving...I know the park will be crowded, but I'm going with a easy attitude on this trip...and I rather pay for a seat and not worry about the crowds and standing or sitting on the ground...I can't wait to see Murphy!!!

Jon C / DisneyDork69 on TWITTER!