Is Fantasmic worth $42...

[IMGONNABE40!]

...otherwise known as "to hop, or not to hop"

I have not been to WDW in 20+ years. My priorities for my 2 and a half day trip is to see AK, thrill rides at MGM and MK. For a variety of reasons, I will be doing MK on my first day--probably morning, noon and night. The second day will be at AK--I want to plan to stay all day until close at 7 PM. Third day is MGM until about 2:30 PM when I will have to depart for the airport.

So, that leaves the day 2 evening to plan. I had thought I would do Fantasmic (10:30 PM show). I had also received good planning advice on doing Spectro (9PM) before heading over to Fantasmic. I have decided that would be too hectic and settled on just doing Fantasmic.

Now, I will only need to get a hopper for Fantasmic. Is it worth it? Should I just plan to explore some non-park stuff that second night?

Thanks.

 

[cortegro]

Absolutely!!!

I would pay $42 for the show alone. The whole show oozes disney magic!

That said, there is a few concerns. Rain is a factor (it closes in the lightning/rain). It also is pretty crowded (but probably not for the 10:30 showing). Assuming you could sneak in a couple of attractions before it reallly makes it worth it, IMHO.

-cortegro

 

[Hobbes]

Why don't you swop your MGM and AK days around-you could probably do the majority of AK by 2 on your last day.

 

[Hincher]

We have seen Fantasmic and it was good. But we aren't in a hurry to go back. Take that for what it's worth. but I am not a big "show" person. I'd rather be going and doing than sitting at a show.

Just my two cents worth.

 

[PanamaMike]

I enjoyed Fantasmic and saw it 3 times when I was last at WDW, but adding $42 just to see a 25 min show isn't worth it as far as I'm concerned. That's more than a day's admission to the park.

 

[disney junky]

Tough question. We've never done a whole day at AK. I like the switch days idea. I've seen Fantasmic three times. It's neat but I could see Illuminations and Wishes every night of the year. If I missed Fantasmic, I wouldn't lose sleep over it. Too bad that your first trip in 20 years is only 2 and a half days. You'll be amazed at the changes.

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

Thank you for the advice. It is not feasible to switch the MGM and AK days. AK is at the top of my priority list, so I want to make sure I have a full day for that. Besides, on day 3 AK is not a good park pick.

So, since my main interest is in seeing the animals, maybe I will plan to relax that evening. Perhaps get an ADR for Boma and check out AKL.

This 2 and a half days at WDW is really stolen from another vacation. Since my travel mates have decided they need to leave 2 days earlier then planned, I decided to check out Disney instead of changing my plane reservation.(who wants to pay a $50 change fee when you can go to Disney World!) This will also be a bit of a fact finding mission as I will be planning a WDW trip for July '07 for three families. That trip will be at least 6 nights so I will have time to see all of the parks and shows at that time. All of the families would like to stay at AKL for that trip, so perhaps it makes sense to check out the hotel and forget about hopping. Besides, If I am at MK one day, full day at AK the next with a plan to open MGM on the third morning, maybe I will need a little down time my second night!

 

[grumpymakesmehappy]

I would switch my MGM/AK days like previously suggested. Fantasmic is a great show. It was DH favorite. Personally, I would pay the difference just to see the show but since you have a better option of switching your days out it won't cost you extra. AK is a great park and I can understand your enthusiasm for wanting to visit, however, it does not require a full day. Get there early and take advantage of the fastpasses. You should have AK done in a couple of hours!

 

[jeast]

I wouldn't switch days! I think AK is the kind of park that is great for wandering and I would want to spend the full day there, especially if you are solo and don't have to drag kids around.

I also wouldn't bother with Fantasmic. It was a good show, mind you, but I'm not going out of my way to see it again. I don't think it's worth the effort.

You'll probably be pretty worn out after a full day and night at MK and a full day walking around AK. Why don't you do BOMA or take a stroll on the boardwalk and enjoy the nightlife. Have a nice dinner and relax so you will not be so exhausted you can't enjoy your last day.

 

[kidd_freeper]

Fantasmic is a great show. It is the best show at MGM and may be the best attraction at WDW. Period.

However, it isn't worth $42 by itself. No single attraction is worth that much.

However, you are talking about leaving AK at about 6 pm and seeing a Fantasmic show at 10:30 pm. In reality, you would be getting a few additional MGM attractions plus Fantasmic for your $42. As well as having the option to leave MK and eat at EPCOT on the other day.

 

[outlander]

fantasmic is worth seeing
but not worth rearranging your schedule or paying extra for.

get adr's for boma and enjoy some fun african inspired food and live music instead

 

[jbdreamer]

If you have never seen Fantasmic, then yes, I think it's worth $42. It is my favorite evening show of all the parks. Maybe you could leave AK around 5pm and then you'd still get a ton of time at MGM too. Then on your last day, you could go to whatever park you feel like you missed something.

 

[pickles]

While fantasmic is different and interesting, it is not worth extra money. Personally, to me, it was simply a video played on water. Now my dh thought it was cool. i was bored quickly with it and spent more time watching people in the audience twirl their lights.
Illuminations was better and to me wishes was best..took a lot of coordination to do Wishes.
I forget if you said whether you would do rockin roller coaster and Tower of terror at some point..if not then your $40 with the show and the rides may be worth it

 

[RyMickey]

Since you don't want to switch days (you'll be able to fill up the day at AK, don't worry), I wouldn't worry about going to MGM to see Fantasmic. I mean, it's a good show (although overrated, if you ask me), but not worth $42. Like you have said, there is plenty to do outside of the parks that night. Head to Downtown Disney or tour the hotels.

I'm not sure where you're staying (on property or not?), but if you park at AK that one day, you could drive your car over to MK that night and monorail around the hotels. Just a thought...

 

[klmall]

Are you big show fans? While I really love seeing every show at least once and if I have a tight schedule I feel it's important to tie Fantasmic to a good dinner it's not a necessity for the rest of my family. We did it once and I can't convince them to do it again....ever! If we happen to be at the park on a slow night (fat chance) and can walk in and see it, we will but not pay for the package again.

Now, for Wishes at MK. That's different! We love the California Grill and it's our special restaurant and we enjoy seeing the fireworks up high and not worrying about being crushed by the exiting crowds so we pay for a wonderful, expensive meal and the chance to film fireworks from the Contemporary.

My DH and DS couldn't care less about Fantasmic although they like eating at the Brown Derby! I like Fantasmic and think it's a quintessential Disney experience to be had over and over at any price!!!!!

Take a vote!

 

[kj2mom]

I am far from a Disney expert and not sure how ticketing works but is it possible to add hopping on just one day, I think the $42 is to add hopping to all 3 days?

 

[Marie2794]

I agree with a previous poster... in my opinion, Fantasmic is a bit overrated. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed seeing it, but I wouldn't pay that much extra for it or rearrange my plans to see it. And I would definitely want to spend a full day at AK. We were there from opening ceremony to closing time, and I was FAR from ready to leave! I'm always doing this when someone says they were done at AK in a couple of hours. I just don't get it. I love that place!

 

[lexmelinda]

I thought Fantasmic was totally overrated. Not sure what all the fuss is about....lights, lasers, water, movies I've seen thousands of times on the big screens....only our kids really liked Fantasmic and I think that may have been mostly for the cotton candy. Illuminations and Wishes are both much, much better. No offense to all the Fantasmic lovers! I'm glad I saw it once but my opinion is.........save your money. The rides are the best part of MGM and you'll get to do that on day 3.

 

[FINFAN]

I would say to skip it...especially if you plan to work it into your trip in '07. The show can be hit or miss based on your seats, weather, wind....it is neat, but basically projector images being shown on a "screen" of water. The characters and story line are good, but to be honest I enjoyed the Beauty and the Beast show more! $42 is 42...put it toward you're upcoming trip, or get a nice souvee ( i was gonna suggest heading over for a massage at one of the resorts....maybe AKL since you will be near there)....something to make you want to come back sooner than 20 years from now!

Pam

 

[mlayton14]

To me, Fantasmic is by far the least impressive of the 3 nighttime shows. I was really disappointed when I saw it based on alot of the posters recommendations. A reeeeally long wait .. a crowded arena, . I wouldnt say it was terrible, just a disappointment considering all of the hub-ub.

Now Illuminations and Wishes - FANTASTIC shows not to be missed !!!