May = So many shows, too few nights!

[PaintsWithAllTheColors]

We had a group of 4 headed to WDW from May 6-13, including two newbie friends. Unfortunately, some unforeseeable events means that it will just be my husband and I. At first we were bummed but have quickly become excited at a trip for the two of us. I've been rechecking plans etc. and have realized the "dilemma" Disney has put us in: there are so many nighttime shows for the nights we're going to be there!

We'll have exactly 7 nights to fit in the following:

- Illuminations
- Star Wars Fireworks
- Fantasmic!
- Rivers of Light
- Wishes
- Happily Ever After

It's definitely not a bad problem to have, and I am excited to be there for the MK firework switch, but I've been trying to think of two ways to cut down on the evenings consumed by nighttime shows for our trip:

1) Skip Illuminations if we feel confident that it will still be there in a year (I've heard rumors that it's scheduled to change and I'd hate to miss seeing it, since we do really like it)

2) Try and do Fantasmic! and SW Fireworks on the same night. F! is at 9pm and SW Fireworks at 9:30 for our week.... I've heard it's difficult/impossible to do both with those timeslots. Any advice here? And just to add, I reallllllyyyy like Fantasmic! and would rather do two separate HS nights than skip seeing it on our trip so if it's too hard to do both, that's okay, we'll just do two nights.

We're only trying to free up evenings because sometimes we really like just strolling around the parks/resorts in the evenings and taking everything in. We had a thought of doing mini-golf one evening, or maybe catching a campfire/smores/movie one night, but I'm trying to make sure we keep a realistic plan in mind of what we can do. Thanks in advance!

 

[Ambehnke]

Based on my ratings of the shows I would do option 1.

 

[PaintsWithAllTheColors]

Thanks! I'm leaning that way as well... in fact, now we're thinking of cutting illuminations and fantasmic! for this trip.

 

[Mom2Stitch]

We are there May 8-15th and have the same issue. We aren't Illuminations fans so we will be skipping that. We will be splitting F! and Star Wars up instead of trying to do both on the same night-that's just too stressful. Have to see Wishes on it's last night and we'll be seeing the new show the night after it opens. And ROL -that's 5 out of 7 nights. First time in a long time I've planned so many night time activities.

 

[edk35]

We had a group of 4 headed to WDW from May 6-13, including two newbie friends. Unfortunately, some unforeseeable events means that it will just be my husband and I. At first we were bummed but have quickly become excited at a trip for the two of us. I've been rechecking plans etc. and have realized the "dilemma" Disney has put us in: there are so many nighttime shows for the nights we're going to be there!

We'll have exactly 7 nights to fit in the following:

- Illuminations
- Star Wars Fireworks
- Fantasmic!
- Rivers of Light
- Wishes
- Happily Ever After

It's definitely not a bad problem to have, and I am excited to be there for the MK firework switch, but I've been trying to think of two ways to cut down on the evenings consumed by nighttime shows for our trip:

1) Skip Illuminations if we feel confident that it will still be there in a year (I've heard rumors that it's scheduled to change and I'd hate to miss seeing it, since we do really like it)

2) Try and do Fantasmic! and SW Fireworks on the same night. F! is at 9pm and SW Fireworks at 9:30 for our week.... I've heard it's difficult/impossible to do both with those timeslots. Any advice here? And just to add, I reallllllyyyy like Fantasmic! and would rather do two separate HS nights than skip seeing it on our trip so if it's too hard to do both, that's okay, we'll just do two nights.

We're only trying to free up evenings because sometimes we really like just strolling around the parks/resorts in the evenings and taking everything in. We had a thought of doing mini-golf one evening, or maybe catching a campfire/smores/movie one night, but I'm trying to make sure we keep a realistic plan in mind of what we can do. Thanks in advance!

We were able to make the SW fireworks after Fantasmic BUT we left Fantasmic early and made it just in time. This was back in April last year and it was before they changed the SW show..it was mostly fireworks then.

 

[dprincessmom]

We did F! and SW fireworks the same night as well. Actually ended up with awesome viewing spot for the fireworks on a fluke, so it can be done. If anything I would say sit at the top of the F! viewing area so you can leave as it is ending and not get caught in the herd.

 

[mindeola]

WE have done F! and Star Wars on the same night, but I would probably just skip Illuminations.

 

[mickeymom629]

I am not a F! fan anymore but imo people who get up and leave before it's over ruin it for others around (it's happened to me). In my opinion, just skip F! or stand in the SRO area if you can so you don't disturb people who are watching (from behind/next to you) and hoping to enjoy the entire show.

I also agree with skipping Illuminations if you have seen that multiple times and hope to in the future.

The one night DH and I saw Star Wars fw (on a trip with just the two of us! ) until the end, we were able to speed-walk to Epcot with time to spare to see Illuminations!

 

[CAS239]

Sit near the top of Fantasmic and just leave a few minutes before the show is over. Then head to try to see a good view for the Star Wars fireworks.

Out of your list if you have to leave any shows out I would skip RoL followed by Illuminations