Is Fantasmic really worth it?

[tinawv]

I don't think it is necessary to see it on every trip, but I would at least see it once. We see it about every other trip. It is a fantasmic show.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

OP, given you daughter's age AND given Disney's scheduling patterns for F!, I'd recommend skipping it. It's a wonderful show (if maybe a bit loud and scary for some toddlers) but not worth the hassle when it's not shown every night.

My family loves it, but we're skipping it on our upcoming trip.

 

[d1gitman]

our youngest DS was 2yr 10mo when we saw fantasmic last year, he loved it! with that being said, we hit the parks after lunch last yr. so staying till the end was as exhausting. as far as how your child would react to the show, well there is only one way to find out. i would say if your child doesn't like loudness, action, explosions, fire, villains, etc...then this might not be the show to see just yet, however the audience is loaded with people of all ages, from infants to elderly.

 

[IMwink]

I have never been to Fantasmic!

I have a DD5 and DD6 and I have decided to go with the show. I changed my day to go and my ADRs. I think that my children will like it.

My plan of attack
Get an ADR Fantasmic Package, eat an early dinner, and play it by ear.

Your child is only 2 1/2. If it were me, I'd be gone. Sounds like a good time to exit the park while everyone is crowding in for the show. With the travel time back to the resort, I'm not sure that you want to do it, heck I might not even do it. It will be most likely 10pm by time you just get the car or bus lines, 30 to 1hr to get back to the resort. You are looking at walking into your room at 10:30 PM.

I'm going to play it by ear. I'll get my reserved seating ticket, and if the girls seem to worn out, then I won't ruin the next day or my own enjoyment by forcing it, I'll spread the magic and give away the tickets (or according to you guys I'd be spreading the Head ache!)

I'm not voting since I've never been to access if it's worth it, just giving you advice and a plan of attack.

 

[Aliceacc]

I LOVED it.

But BOTH my daughters had to be taken out. It was too loud and scary for both of them.

(And both loved Mission Space; the older also loved Test Track. So they're not total chickens.)

Is it worth it? YES. Should you think about skipping it this year and saving it for a trip in a few years? My vote here is YES.

And, for the record: the person at work who said "It's Disney, loosen up": Bet you a dollar that either he doesn't have kids or that his wife does the lion's share of the parenting. Only you know how your child will react to a radical change in schedule. At 2 1/2, many kids find a lot of comfort in that schedule. Throwing them off makes everyone miserable. So do whatever you know is best for your family!

 

[10_Kyle_10]

This is my favorite show Disney puts on and im always shocked at how many people on this board dont care for it. Keep in mind Im not a fan of "stage" shows and parades. Firework shows are ok but just don't do it for me like Fantasmic does. Fantasmic mixes so many different things into one....Fireworks, action, parade, story line, and just a fantastic production from a technical standpoint (lights, water projector, music, FIRE). Go you wont be dissapointed!

 

[keywestbride]

I'd skip it for now, and do it when she's older. We played it by ear when we went with our (then) 3.5 yr old. He doesn't scare easily, and it was fine in that aspect, but he wasn't into it either. It was too long to hold his attention, and battling the crowds for something that wasn't truly thrilling for everyone just wasn't worth it imo. We'll try again when he's 5 or 6, but not before then.

 

[arielmomma]

I voted yes only because I am not sure if you have had the opportunity to see the show or not. If you haven't and you aren't a frequent visitor to the world, I would recommend that you try. Its a great show. That being said, my daughter will also be 2 1/2 when we go in September and I will probably not be taking her to see it. We went in January to the world (not Fantasmic) and the characters in the parks scared her. The flames in Indiana Jones scared her. To sum it up - everything scared her! Fantasmic is dark with fire, loud music, scary villians, and a dragon. I am not even going to risk it. Now my son enjoyed it at age 2. It really depends on the child. You could always just wait and see how your child reacts to things in the parks. If your child is unaffected by characters, flames, dark show or rides, and what not, the child may be fine. This is really a personal choice. I say if you haven't seen the show, maybe consider it. If you have, consider waiting a couple of years.

 

[Mickey1976]

Thank you all so much for your posts and votes!!!! I think we've decided to see how things go...I won't make an ADR but we'll plan to hit DHS on a day when it is showing (based on my schedule if it works when the August hours come out) and then we'll see what happens that day and see how she reacts to other things. You all make many good points for and against and I appreciate your honesty, your opinions, and your stories! I know we're going to have an awesome time regardless and we'll just see how things go! Thank you again

 

[kamikazecat]

I have been on the fence with this decision with my 3yo as well. I finally pulled up a video on You Tube (I know that doesn't come close but felt that at least he could see the theme). Even the video scared him so I decided to skip it this go around. Good luck with your decision.

 

[catho72]

I voted no. Our kids were 8, 6 and 4 when we saw it last year. After a long day at the park, we were all tired by the time it finally started. We arrived 45 minutes before it began. It was a very long show, and in my opinion, not worth the wait. The special effects were cool but I don't feel the need to see it again. I think your 2.5 year old will have a magical trip without seeing Fantasmic! JMO

 

[alisonh]

My some was almost 3 when we were there a month ago and I think that is the "highpoint" of his HS day... well, meeting Handy Manny may be first, but this is a close second... prob even above seeing Mater and McQueen or TSM. We got there at RD, hung out until lunch getting a few character greets, some FPs and a few rides, then home for lunch, naps, and a swim. We went back around 7pm, went on a ride we had our FP for and then to the 8pm show, we got seats early so we would not be in bad seats. We then caught our last couple rides after the show and where leaving the park before the crowd that was at the 10pm show. He loved seeing it, and asks to see the video clips that I have of it on my computer. He tells everyone about the boat full of all his princesses and friends waving to him, etc. HTH. Have fun!

 

[Hugpug]

It all depends if your 2-1/2 child can wait the time before show time. They do some guest interaction pre-show. I fine the dinner package is not worth it at all you still end up waiting just not as long but you still wait. I love the show. I try to see it evey trip.

 

[PrincessBelle39]

My girls were (just turned) 3 and 5 when we went and they absolutely loved the show. I was undecided because the boards had said that it could be scary for kids, but I'm really glad we went. We did tell them that it was all Mickey Magic and that Mickey never lets anyone get hurt. We had read about that on the boards and found it really worked with our kids with the shows and rides.

 

[J&J]

we saw it once you should see it once and make your own choice.

 

[WVParkfan]

With the reduction in shows, that may signal the fact that Disney is going to eventually close down Fantasmic.

Fantasmic is the quintessential Disney experience. If you've never seen it, then YES you should take your toddler and see it before it is gone. If you're waiting until he's older, then you may just miss ever getting to see this show.

And what a shame that would be. The music, the costumes, the effects, the characters, the pure Disney emotion! Your co-worker is right... it is an amazing show.

 

[ShannonMB]

Like another poster, I never understand it when fellow DISers do not enjoy Fantasmic!. I think it is one of the most awesome things EVER, and I don't forsee a time when it will not be a must-do for our family on every single trip. We got in line absurdly early during President's Week (probably earlier than necessary), and even after the wait (which we really didn't mind, sitting in the amphitheater eating popcorn and playing with light-ups), we came out of it feeling like that was worth every minute of waiting! Both DD and I were like, "Was that not AWESOME??" all the way back to our resort. This was our 2nd time seeing it. Obviously I voted "yes".

I cast my vote before I read your post, though, and I have a very sketchy memory about how hard a toddler can be (and I never took DD to Disney at that age)!!! Only you can know how well it will go. The nappy-nap is a good idea, but you can play it by ear, or just plan on seeing it on a future trip (DO plan on it!). Even if you did the package, you still wouldn't need to stay around if things aren't looking promising. And we don't feel the need to do the package, if you'd rather eat someplace else.

Best of luck in your decision, and have a great trip!

 

[Mickey1976]

Thank you again everyone, you guys are the best! I am worried about them getting rid of the show so we will definitely hit DHS on a day when the show is on (we're not doing park hopper) and do our own thing for dinner and then see how DD is doing. She is easy going but I guess you just never know.

Thanks again!!!!!

 

[JenLynn]

We took DS when he was 15 months old and he hated it. It was too loud for him so he cried the whole time. It is now his favorite, but he is 11 years and now *nothing* is too loud for him!

 

[winnja]

I saw it once on my last trip and won't be seeing it again. Yes, it's a cool show but definitely not worth the wait in the hot, hot heat. On another note, EVERY 2-5 year old sitting near us was crying/hiding behind their parents. It is a really scary show for young ones.