Is Fantasmic too much for young kids?

[Violetx3]

I have 4 year old twins and would love to see Fantasmic but I'm worried it isn't appropriate for them. Also it isn't showing until 9 pm in May. Kind of late.... Does it take a while to get out of there after? I've never been to MGM.

 

[Bob P]

Hi Violet,

If you do a search there are quite a few threads on this topic. It all comes down to this: you know your kids better than anyone.

Fantasmic can be loud and scary but it has a happy ending. We have neighbors who took a 3YO who loved it and a 6YO who was terrified.

And yes, it will take a while to get out of there after the show. Personally, I think it's a can't-miss.

Bob

 

[DisneyMomx7]

The first year we took the little ones to Disney we were worried but figured we could leave if it proved to be to much for them. My dds were 4 and 5 and my ds was almost 3. They loved it and weren't afraid at all. Surprisingly because dd (4) was petrified of the Snow White ride! 9:00 may seem late but we always get up early, hit the parks, come back and let the kids swim and nap and then head back out around dinner time. Time is different at Disney!

 

[mm lover in Ia]

Our DD was 3 the first time we went to it and that is all she talked about for the next 6 months after she absolutely loved it! She asks everytime when we go if we get to go see it again. We have sat in the front row everytime also.

 

[Jess]

I'm undecided on this show for little ones. Our 5yo son didn't flip out, but he was rattled by the villain stuff in Fantasmic (which IMO got a bit excessive and unnecessary--don't they have more happy things to focus on at WDW? Special effects were great, but it was overkill) Overall, he was ok with everything else in the show. I mean, who can tell with kids? He was terrified by the Haunted Mansion and was sobbing by the end of that, yet rode Space Mountain no sweat. I think he's not as scared by mechanical thrills as by things involving the imagination, which, of course, is what Fantasmic is all about. So you need to assess what kinds of things frighten your kids.

DD2 was very scared by the Villain portion of Fantasmic and kept her eyes hidden behind my hands the whole time. (She loved the Princesses though). She also had nightmares that night--that was a real treat at 2 am when I had to crawl in bed with her and she wouldn't let me leave all night. The kid behind us (age 2-3??) at the show was screaming in fright THROUGHOUT Fantasmic.

In sum, I would say, at age 4-5, it's probably ok, but kids younger than that (caveat, everyone's different) might be overwhelmed.

 

[talicskai]

I'm undecided on this show for little ones. Our 5yo son didn't flip out, but he was rattled by the villain stuff in Fantasmic (which IMO got a bit excessive and unnecessary--don't they have more happy things to focus on at WDW? Special effects were great, but it was overkill) Overall, he was ok with everything else in the show. I mean, who can tell with kids? He was terrified by the Haunted Mansion and was sobbing by the end of that, yet rode Space Mountain no sweat. I think he's not as scared by mechanical thrills as by things involving the imagination, which, of course, is what Fantasmic is all about. So you need to assess what kinds of things frighten your kids.

DD2 was very scared by the Villain portion of Fantasmic and kept her eyes hidden behind my hands the whole time. (She loved the Princesses though). She also had nightmares that night--that was a real treat at 2 am when I had to crawl in bed with her and she wouldn't let me leave all night. The kid behind us (age 2-3??) at the show was screaming in fright THROUGHOUT Fantasmic.

In sum, I would say, at age 4-5, it's probably ok, but kids younger than that (caveat, everyone's different) might be overwhelmed.

I completely agree with the above reply. The imagination can be a very scary thing for some kids. Personally my kids at 5 and 7 are still too young because they frighten easily. The still won't watch Scooby Doo shows!

You know your own kids best ~ if they are scared easily then I would say that you should wait.

Teresa

 

[ZanneMarie]

I struggled with this same question for my 2 year old. She had been firghtened by the fireworks on the 4th last summer and I worried about how she would do. I had pretty much decided not to do it but had a change of mind shortly before we left. We decided to give it a go so the older (7 & 9)kids would not miss out and I was prepared to leave if she was frightened. She really enjoyed the show. She wanted us to put our hands over her ears in some of the noisy spots but really enjoyed the rest. I am sure she did not 'get' the villanous themes and just enjoyed the 'pretty lights' and her 'friends' (as she calls all charecters). We also had to cover her ears for the Wishes fireworks but she liked the 'sparkles in the sky'.

As for the timing thing- DD usually goes to bed at 7:15 and the show we saw was at 8:30. We had been on our Disney schedule for several days by that time (late afternoon nap instead of normal early afternoon one and staying up late) and she did fine. Actually I was rather surprised by how well she adapted to all the screwy times she was napping and going to bed and some days no nap at all!! Now that we are home she has gone right back into her old routine. Although it has been 5 days since we got home and her afternoon naps are still about 1 hour longer than they were pre-trip. Still making up on sleep I guess!!

 

[123SA]

I took my 4yr old last year and she loved it. I explained to her that all of the villians would be there to "fight" Mickey but not to worry, he would win in the end. She did ask me during the show if I was sure he would win! I think she may have been frightened if she hadn't been warned. She is really looking forward to seeing it again this year.

 

[Princess Mommy]

I agree, much younger then 4 I would stay away.
We took the girls when Kate was far too young (almost 16 months) and Jacqueline was 3 and a half. Kate FREAKED OUT and I stood in the back of the theater with her. Jacqueline stuck it out until the end- but hid most of the time in her Daddy's arms.

 

[vicceja]

Hi!

The first time we saw Fantasmic was June 2003 - my boys were 2.5, 5, 7. They loved it! I agree is totaly different with each kid but I think it should be ok for 4 year olds.

 

[tripplanner]

I took my two kids to see Fantasmic when they were 5 and 6. We sat on the front row. My five year old son did get frightened and talked about it for weeks. My daughter who was six enjoyed it. I wish I hadn't taken him. At that age, he wasn't typically frightened in any of the other attractions. Haunted Mansion was one of his favorites. I think it was the combination of the loud sounds, fire (we were close enough that we felt the heat), and the images. It is a wonderful show, but we waited several years before going back. He now loves it.

 

[kldmom2000]

When we went in December, it was our DD's first time ever-they were 4 and 2 yrs old... my 4 yr old was terrified of everything-scared to enter the parks for fear of seeing a character-wouldn't go on any "indoor" rides (ie. Peter Pan, Snow White, Pirates of the Caribbean, etc.... but she suprised us and LOVED Fantasmic! It was her favorite thing (other than Stormalong Bay at the hotel!LOL!) and she begged us to go see it again, but we never had a chance to make it back! It's really a chance thing-we almost skipped it since she was so afraid of everything else, but we had the VIP meal plan and couldn't cancel it without being out $10 per person for the deposit....

 

[CarnotaurDad]

Use ear plugs if you are going to do it. We took almost 5 dd last Xmas. Sat in the very back. The ear plugs are great for sonic protection and good for giving them a confidence boost. DD will try more when she has her ear plugs in.

 

[disdaught]

Fantasmic is a wonderful show. It might be a little scarry for a 4 year old. The one most scary part is where the villians come out. To answer your question, yes it is very hard to get out of there after the show. It also probably would be late for a 4 year old because you have to wait for the bus, then get back to your room and then finally get ready for bead. This will be even harder because your 4 year old will have also had a long day in the park. It is still a fanominal show!

 

[minkydog]

The first time we saw Fantasmic it scared our 8yo. It is a loud, dark, fiery show. We decided not to take the younger, mentally handicapped one. He thinks of about a 1-2yo level and this would definitely set him off. Not to mention the lateness of the show. Only you know if your children would find this great or terrifying. We opted out because we did not want to be up all night with a scared autistic child.

 

[MrsPete]

It depends upon the child. Keep in mind that you'll be sitting in the dark, you will see the villains -- many villains -- in the show, and for a while Mickey will appear to be losing the battle. Of course, you know he will be victorious in the end, but your child may not know this and may be frightened. The fireworks are very loud. How does your child handle other scary things? That's your cue.

You should plan to go in and find a seat at least 30 minutes before the show begins -- earlier would be better. You'll see signs everywhere that say "STAY WITH YOUR PARTY"; the place is huge. We like to grab fast food, then go in and find a seat in the theater to eat. It keeps the kids occupied during the wait.

Yes, it will take a very long time to get out of the theater, into your car or bus -- it'll seem that half the free world is leaving MGM at the same time. You must take great care not to be separated from your party as you leave. If you're going in the summer, you should allow an hour to exit the park -- that's time AFTER the show ends.

It'll be a very late evening, and I'd suggest that the next morning be a sleep-in, then hit the water parks day. Definitely don't plan a 7:00 AM character breakfast -- it'd be overkill!

To end on a good note, it is a WONDERFUL SHOW -- definitely a high point of our trip. If you decide that your child can handle the scary parts, it is worth the effort to get in and out of the theater.