Is Fantasmic the same at WDW and Disneyland?

[corgi_monster]

I've seen Fantasmic at Disneyland, so I'm just wondering if the Fantasmic show at WDW is the same. If they're different, which one is better?

 

[Robo]

I've seen Fantasmic at Disneyland, so I'm just wondering if the Fantasmic show at WDW is the same. If they're different, which one is better?

Better is in the eye (or other body parts) of the beholder. (And to this beholder, it's Disneyland coming in first.)

Several aspects of the shows are different.

DLR-
•They use the REAL Pirate Ship (Columbia, re-rigged) for a colossal Peter Pan vs. Capt. Hook and his crew in a stunt-man's battle-royal.
(At WDW this is a Pocahontas segment. I like Pocahontas, but its just not a great source for ACTION.)

•At the finale, the characters all sail around in the REAL Steamboat (Mark Twain).
(At WDW this is a "cardboard" ship-like vessel.)

•They rely less on the "water-screens" and more on live action at DL.
(A great many times, the show at WDW will jump too-quickly and too often to the screens.)

•Tom Sawyer/Pirate Island is transformed before your eyes into the amazing Fantasmic! stage.
(WDW's mountain is just fine... but what happens on TSI is astounding!)

DOWNSIDE at DL
And its a biggie... Except for a very few $$ seats, everyone must stand or sit on the pavement to see the show in Frontierland... and there can be a H-U-G-E number of guests crowding into that too-small space to see it.




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[lsim]

I would have to agree with the above post also. I thought DLR's was better.

Lisa

 

[Mr. Pig]

I agree that DL is better. Robo mentioned the differences but otherwise they share the same type music and flow of the story to the climax. The one advantage at WDW is the seating. Some people like the more intimate location at DL but it can really be a pain to have to stake out a spot and sit (or stand) on the pavement. Many people think ahead and bring blankets, etc. That's why when the show was an instant hit at DL, WDW created an entire stadium for it. Both shows are : in my opinion.

 

[bradk]

there's quite a few more differences too, although those are the more dramatic.

overall i think WDW's has a more coherent storyline whereas DLR's is more of the abstract dream

DLR features a huge pinocchio puppet with sequence. they also use to have a large ursula but she was more trouble than she was worth. i'm working on getting some pics up

 

[DVD CM]

Another thing about the DL version is that generally you are VERY close to the action no matter where you are. BUT in WDW every seat is pretty unobstructed.
We saw WDWs Fantasmic for the 1st time last year (skipped it on previous visits because we have the DL version so close to home) - I had my parents with me and since my Dad had just had knee surgery we didn't want to get too far down into the stadium - so we were a LOOOOOOOOOOOONG way away from the action.
It almost seemed like we were watching it on TV. It's a big stadium, much bigger than I had suspected. AND it's a LOOOOOOOOOOOONG schlep back to MGM after the show is over. They really put that sucker quite a distance from the rest of the park.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I've seen Fantasmic at Disneyland, so I'm just wondering if the Fantasmic show at WDW is the same. If they're different, which one is better?

Unfortunately, they are different. And DLR is much better - no Pocohontas stuff (BORING!!!). But DLR doesn't have an arena to watch it in and you find a seat wherever you can.

 

[bradk]

ok, my photo essay.. disneyland's fantasmic!. this is from two performances, one from the disney gallery's balcony, the other from the second balcony

i'm pretty sure jafar has his part too, i just didn't get it for some reason

ETA: okay, i just spent i dunno how long posting all that when it wasn't the DLR one that was even at issue.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Welcome to the DIS, cm.

Of the two, I prefer DL's. Both are very good, DL's is excellent.

 

[corgi_monster]

Thanks for the info everyone!

 

[Snow_White]

I agree, Disneyland's version is better by a mile. You can tell that it's the original; the MGM version is just a cheap copy IMO.

 

[La2kw]

I also agree the original version at DL is better. The best thing about MGM's version is the seating- which isn't saying much. The WDW show relies too much on the animation projections as opposed to live action.

 

[Tinkerbelle's Mom]

I like the DL version much better but..... I like the fact that there are real seats at WDW. I refuse to pay the $$$ at DL for a seat since dd and I are lucky enough to go whenever we want.