Is Fantasmic fine for a 4 & 2 year old or too scary?

[BeccaGrace]

I've never seen Fantasmic but from everything I've read it seemed pretty family-friendly even though parts could be loud or scary with all the villains. However, a family we know said their kids (3 &5) were hysterically crying and they had to leave and they never would have taken them if they knew it was so terrifying for children.

Being as I've never seen it, I obviously don't know whether I should base whether or not we go on that experience. So I turn to my loyal DIS support group because I KNOW you guys will gladly give some further insight or at least your own experiences with smaller kids.

My daughters have seen most of the Disney movies without displaying fear of any of the characters--they seem to understand the concept of good prevailing over evil and know that the villains never win in Disney movies. That said, I am sure Fantasmic is more on a more intense scale and could result in a stronger impact.

So...what age kids have you brought to the show? Any regrets? Any freak outs? Did the younger kids like it?

Any info would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
(I've gotten more done in trip planning today than I have since I started plotting in November!)

 

[nataliesdaddy]

I've never seen Fantasmic but from everything I've read it seemed pretty family-friendly even though parts could be loud or scary with all the villains. However, a family we know said their kids (3 &5) were hysterically crying and they had to leave and they never would have taken them if they knew it was so terrifying for children.

Being as I've never seen it, I obviously don't know whether I should base whether or not we go on that experience. So I turn to my loyal DIS support group because I KNOW you guys will gladly give some further insight or at least your own experiences with smaller kids.

My daughters have seen most of the Disney movies without displaying fear of any of the characters--they seem to understand the concept of good prevailing over evil and know that the villains never win in Disney movies. That said, I am sure Fantasmic is more on a more intense scale and could result in a stronger impact.

So...what age kids have you brought to the show? Any regrets? Any freak outs? Did the younger kids like it?

Any info would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
(I've gotten more done in trip planning today than I have since I started plotting in November!)

I would say depending on the kids constitution it would be ok - that being said, I would not take a 2 year old nor a 4 year old. At those ages they cannot seperate fantasy from reality - cartoon figures are real to them - and if I thought what was happening at Fantasmic was REAL I would flip out too.

We took my daughter when she was 6years and 3 months - she did not particularly like it ... I think it kind of spooked her... she was not crying or anything ... but she much preferred the MK fireworks and Epcot fireworks. WE have been to WDW twice since then and she has vociferously not wanted to do it, so we haven't. Now that she is 9 she wants to do the fantasmic dinner and show.

also, the wait when we first went was very long for a young one.

 

[tink2]

My DD is very scary and went to Fantasmic at both 2 and 4. At 2, she cried and hid her face most of the time. She was better at 4. DS3 got a little upset this year but I kept telling him "Remember, Mickey always wins" and he did OK. It depends on your child. However, my family has decided to skip Fantasmic until the kids are a little older. Yeah it is a neat show, and I do think everyone should see it once, but we've seen it several times and it has too many villans and 'mean' stuff for my kids to really enjoy. Since we've seen it, it isn't worth it to us until the kids are older. There were many, many small children there when we saw it in Dec. and some were upset by it and some weren't. If you go, be sure to talk to your children about it and tell them it will end happily ever after.

 

[BeccaGrace]

Thanks...I think we'll be skipping it this trip!

 

[Tink&SquirtsMom]

It depends on the kid. Mine think its the coolest show ever and love to see good triumph over evil. They saw it for the first time at age 1, and every year since (DD is 4, DS is 2 1/2).

 

[elgerber]

My dd was 4 when she first saw it, and very easily spooked. The first time we watched it, she covered her eyes and shook through most of it. She opened them at the very end to see Mickey. After it was over, she stated she wanted to see it again, and she would keep her eyes open. So, a couple of nights later, we went again. This time she watched every minute, and it became her favorite show. So much so, she had to buy herself a large stuffed dragon on the way out of the show.

 

[slp87]

I agree it depends on the kid. My DD was 3 her first time to see Fantasmic at DL and she had no problems. (She was big enough to ride the Matterhorn the same trip and loved it!) Characters and Disney animated movies never bothered her, but you just need to decide based on your own kids.

 

[Tink&SquirtsMom]

She was big enough to ride the Matterhorn the same trip and loved it!

Way OT... But that is so cool for her. It makes me so sad for my poor little short kids, lol. DD will be turning 5 on our trip and is still too short for Matterhorn (and SM, TOT, etc). Our last Disneyland trip she begged and begged to go on all these rides and couldn't. I'm so hoping she is tall enough (needs another inch and a half). I did get her some shoes that put her right at the 40" marker, but I know thats not a guarantee the cm's will let it slide. She is a total thrill seeker (I am not so she will ride with her dad ) and I know she would love these rides.

 

[elgerber]

One more thing I should add, is Fantasmic is LOUD for little kids. My dd watched it with earplugs for the first few years we visited. Earplugs are a lifesaver (as many other shows are also very loud!).

 

[weluvpluto]

My youngest was 2 - almost 3 - the first time she saw it and was very scared. She also hid her face a lot, and she had watched most of the movies and never been scared of them either.
My DH kept telling her that Mickey always wins too
We skipped it for a couple years before trying it again, then she was fine.

 

[nataliesdaddy]

One more thing I should add, is Fantasmic is LOUD for little kids. My dd watched it with earplugs for the first few years we visited. Earplugs are a lifesaver (as many other shows are also very loud!).

ELgerber - that is a good idea. I don't know why I never though to that. My kid does not like loud noises... I will remember to get those for this trip

 

[Mr.MGM]

Thanks...I think we'll be skipping it this trip!

*prevents you from skipping*

NO! I will not allow you to do that! fantasmic is a great experience for the whole family! It shouldnt be missed!

 

[MemoryMakers2669]

My daughter is afraid of EVERYTHING and was totallly BORED at Fantastmic, so we left. We didn't see what was so amazing about this show.

 

[PixiePop]

My son was four at the time. He loves anything fast, but not things in the dark. He got so upset during the villian part that we had to leave.

Hope this helps

 

[Tiger Fan]

Wow, I'm kinda surprised at all the kids who were scared. DD was 3 on her first time to see Fantasmic and proclaimed it her favorite show of the trip. We've gone back on just about every other trip and she still loves it. My niece is a scare easily kind of kid (doesnt' like the dark especially) and even she saw it at around 4 1/2 and didn't get scared. I guess I just didn't realize so many got upset. You know your kids best and what might upset them. Have fun whatever you decide.
Lisa
Tiger Fan