Is Illuminations good for kids?

[mrsincredible3]

I realize this is a matter of personal preference. My boys will be 2 and 7 when we return to wdw, they aren't great at staying up late (the show is at 9pm), and it will mean sleeping in the next morning and losing that time at the parks. We are staying at boardwalk inn so I imagine by the time the show ends we exit the park , return to the hotel, wash up and get to bed it will be wel later 10pm, so no rope drop the following day. We are planning to do fantasmic one night but no wishes or MSEP as those are late as well. We did no evening entertainment this past trip. So will my kids love illuminations? They enjoy fireworks but is this so spectacular that it's worth keeping everyone up late and missing out on morning time in the parks for? Will children this age appreciate the show or is it more geared towards older kids and adults? Last trip our kids were asleep by. 8:30 every night and we made rope drop every day and everyone was happy and rested !

 

[CTDisneyfan816]

How are they with loud bangs?

 

[mrsincredible3]

How are they with loud bangs?

I think they are fine. Baby is easy going and the older one has never had a problem with loud noises (but doesn't like thunder).

 

[nkereina]

We're two adults and we get a little bored with Illuminations, quite frankly. I'd imagine kids that young as well would too as it can be slow at times. But I bet they'd be enthralled with the pyrotechnics and fireworks. For us, we have no qualms about missing Illuminations so I'd recommend playing that by ear. If you're open at that time and feel up to staying, it's worth a shot.

 

[Aliceacc]

I would absolutely trade Fantasmic for Illuminations!

I enjoy Fantasmic (though it scared the life out of my daughters when they were younger.) But I LOVE Illuminations; it's my favorite of the 3 evening shows at WDW.

Why not play it by ear? Stay, with your kids in their PJs, with teeth brushed and baths taken, and your younger child in a stroller. If they get tired/cranky whatever, leave. Plan to see it by International Gateway; you can be in your room 10 minutes after you decide they've had enough.

 

[puffkin]

My kids are 8 and almost 2. They love Illuminations. Plus it's usually the earliest of all the night time shows so it works for younger kids. We are here at Boardwalk now. We are rope droppers and typically stay for night time stuff with long breaks. We've been doing a lot of afternoon baths and the little one usually falls asleep on the way back and goes straight to bed. We found a spot outside of Japan ( across from the water ice stand) that was pretty good because they could really see the ball well during the slower part and it was a quick walk out to Boardwalk from there. We still made rope drop the next morning.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Heck, I'm an adult and I don't appreciate the show. So, to each is own, but I think illuminations is the one least geared to small children.

 

[lam0037]

Honestly, I didn't appreciate Illuminations until I was about 12. We watched it in 2000 when I was 7 and I didn't enjoy it and we didn't watch it again until 2005 and that's when I started to appreciate it. The message of chaos to earth can go over some kids heads and the projections on the globe can get boring.

I loved Fantasmic though and still do. It's Mickey and other characters so it's easier to understand, though some kids would be scared, understandably so. I don't like snakes so I used to cover my eyes during the Jafar part but I loved the rest of it.

 

[ajwolfe]

My boys (now ages 10 & 7) love Wishes and Illuminations enough that we do them multiple times over a trip. They always have enjoyed them and I can't imagine missing them.

 

[disnut8]

Go to wikipedia and read the story of Illuminations. Yes, there are slow spots but it means something. It is a story and if your kids realize that you all can enjoy the presentation. Chaos, Life, Adventure, Creation. Enjoy.

 

[asmit4]

My son was 22 months old when we saw illuminations with him- he LOVED it. Watched the entire thing- glued to it- without any complaint.

 

[jm106]

we won't miss it ever. My kids have seen it 4 times starting at 1 year old for yds.

 

[DOOM1001]

Illuminations is my favorite,never miss, see it multiple times per trip nighttime show.I've seen it probably 200 or more times,still enjoy it every time.I have Wishes right behind it with Fantasmic a distant third.