Making my head spin...help with some pointers

[kjs1976]

This is how I feel right now after reading the F! And WOC super threads!

We are staying at the Park Vue and think being this close may afford us the first opportunity to go see the fireworks, WOC, AND/OR F! for the first time with DD 4.5. She has been to WDW 4 times and we've always done early mornings, 3 hr afternoon naps, and then back at the resort with lights out by 10. My parents and brother are going with us and my mom loves all the night time shows. My one concern might be how the time change effects us from central time. Last time we went to Cali, DH and I were in bed by 9pm our first night and up wide awake at 5am. Let's just say we got to DL from Long Beach with plenty of time to spare before the parks opened.

So here are my questions that beg your thoughts and advice...is one show better over the other? Are the fireworks good enough to go back for at least once? If we take DD to one of the shows, one parent or relative will have to be on wander patrol with her as she will not be that great for more than a half hr after a full day...so can we save spots?? Oh, can you suggest how to make this easy on us? Thanks! I just figured out some park plans and now feel even more flustered with this! Thanks in advance

 

[HydroGuy]

FWIW, a poll here on the forum had Fantasmic! as more popular than WOC. Both are great. Hard to say whether a DD4 will enjoy more than the other but odds are slightly in favor of Fantasmic! I myself and all my family goes for WOC hands down.

Also, F! lends itself more to having your DD4 leave the area while waiting while someone saves spots.

Regarding fireworks, there are four different shows depending on season. The current summer Magical show is a distant third to F! and WOC IMO. Don't go too far out of your way to see it unless you just really love fireworks.

 

[KateDrake]

I'd also vote for WOC over F!, especially for a small child. It has more of the recent movie characters, including the Pixar characters, and I think small kids tend to be a bit more interested in those characters.

F! always seems a bit dated to me, which is understandable since it is 20 years old. It is still great, but WOC just has more of a "wow" factor for me. But if you can swing it, both are worth seeing.

I do love all the DLR fireworks, but if I had to choose, I would for sure do the shows first.

 

[kjs1976]

Good points! Thanks!

 

[DLR29]

I'd also vote for WOC over F!, especially for a small child. It has more of the recent movie characters, including the Pixar characters, and I think small kids tend to be a bit more interested in those characters.

F! always seems a bit dated to me, which is understandable since it is 20 years old. It is still great, but WOC just has more of a "wow" factor for me. But if you can swing it, both are worth seeing.

I do love all the DLR fireworks, but if I had to choose, I would for sure do the shows first.

WoC is a little bit more difficult to see with a younger kid because it's standing room only.

I also strongly disagree with the statement that Fantasmic is dated...the show just got a ton of upgrades 3 years ago, including an incredible new dragon animatronic. I will say that Fantasmic is a little more scary/dark than WoC, so if that kind of stuff scares your DD, WoC might be a better option.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

My vote would be for F!. WOC can be very difficult for a young child. Your view may be blocked, unless you are standing at the front railing. We have stood at the upper tier railings expecting a good view. Then the show starts and everyone puts their child on their shoulder. It creates a domino effect through out the different levels. My husband hates holding our 8 year old throughout the 20+ minute performance.

My family loves F!. We can either take a blanket for the sitting area, or we wait behind the VIP section. We stand or sit, depending if the VIP section is crowded.

We love the fireworks, but we don't make much advance planning for it. We usually stroll over a few minutes before and get a decent view.

You can watch the fireworks from the Park Vue. We have actually walked over next door to the Desert Inn and went on their roof deck before. Or you can stand in the Espanade for a good view.