MGM.... Epoct or WDW Night Show?

[mfern4]

Hi,
We only have one day to spend at the parks. We have done Magic Kingdom and Epoct with the kdis, so this year we are planning on MGM. I have heard that you can get this park done in almost a half of day (maybe slightly longer with kids). We probably won't hang around for the Fantasmic show, so what would be better the light show in Epcot or the parade/fireworks at Magic Kingdom?
Thank you.
Michelle

PS.. we are going on 2/24 if that helps.

 

[caitann24]

I love the Wishes fireworks show in the MK and the Spectromagic parade is great there as well. Depending on your kids' ages, they may enjoy this more than Illuminations at Epcot. However, I HIGHLY recommend Fantasmic at MGM...it's my favorite show at MGM and sooo enjoyable. It gets a little dark in there though and there are some scary moments, so if your children are young or older and get easily afraid (that was me when I was little) then I might avoid it.

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[MessyJ]

Michelle,

I have found that it is really up to the individual. My DW and I don't really care for the EPCOT show at all. We weren't that impressed by the big floating globe, and felt that it was very overused. However, I have talked to a lot of people who say it's their favorite show. I would recommend Wishes at MK out of those two. However, my favorite show by far is Fantasmic at MGM Studios. A lot of people think that it overuses water effects, but I feel that it is balanced out with fireworks and live stage-acting. It is also the most story-intensive of the evening shows. If you want my advice, consider spending the second half of your day at MGM and ending with Fantasmic.

 

[SusanWasHere]

if you have kids, i think they would absolutely love love love the fantasmic show! i think it's the best one in all of wdw! the light show at epcot is excellent, but i know my nieces (3, 9, 11) were like come on - let's go! they were so bored by it. where as an adult - i loved it! but we saw fantasmic and everyone was completely taken by it! we were sad to see it end. mgm is a great park, the kids preferred that even over MK if you can believe it. of course all shows are great - i mean it's disney but you may find fantasmic very worth hanging around for - and mgm more fun than you thought. have a great trip!!

 

[lbarnes]

We were at WDW in October, 2005. We saw all the night shows mentioned. My 13-year old daughter's favorite was Fantasmic at MGM followed closely by Wishes at MK. And, as far as covering MGM in a half-day .... I think that would be hard to do. So many of the shows are at set times, and I found it hard to get to all the shows we wanted to see plus ride the rides. We easily spent a full day/evening and didn't get everything in. MGM is one of our favorites though! Have fun!

 

[mfern4]

hmmmmm since I have a 6y/o and a 12y/o seems like the Fantasmic show would be best for them. Plus they have seen the Epcot show and the fireworks at MK can be seen from our hotel.

Maybe we should do part of the day at MGM, then go to Epcot to visit some of the countries and then return to MGM to see the night show. Just hoping that my youngest doesn't get too ansy waiting an hour or so.

Thanks for all your thoughts!!

 

[mousemom218]

Another vote for Fantasmic! Your kids will love it.
If you really move (and if you are as crazy as most of us here!), you can get to see Wishes after Fantasmic, thereby creating the perfect evening!

 

[dbm20th]

If you can get the early Fantasmic, you certainly can catch Illuminations as well. EPCOT is right around the corner from MGM. In fact, you can walk there. I'm an adult and can't tell you what kids would like, but I like Illuminations better. Also, the WS is awesome at night

 

[MaryKatesMom]

They are all wonderful shows but we prefer Fantasmic! If feels like more of a "show" not an afterthought. I also like the fact that I don't have to jostle for a spot if you do the Fantasmic! package.

 

[2DDprincessesforever]

We were just there a couple of weeks ago.

I have a 5yo and a 3yo. We could not get the park done in one day.

I would stay the day and definitely see FANTASMIC - it is worth it.

And your kids being older will think it is cool with all the lazer lights and special effects.

 

[momrek06]

I love the Wishes fireworks show in the MK and the Spectromagic parade is great there as well. Depending on your kids' ages, they may enjoy this more than Illuminations at Epcot. However, I HIGHLY recommend Fantasmic at MGM...it's my favorite show at MGM and sooo enjoyable. It gets a little dark in there though and there are some scary moments, so if your children are young or older and get easily afraid (that was me when I was little) then I might avoid it.

Have a wonderful trip!

DITTO DITTO!!! Please stay and see FANTASMIC, it is fabulous. DH & I just came from WDW and once again we saw Fantasmic and love it more and more each time. We went to MGM a little later that day and got the Hollywood and Vine Fantasmic Dinner package and was AWESOME!!!

 

[vamom]

My vote is for the Fantasmic show. You will love it!!

 

[kimbac3]

Just had to vote for Fantasmic too. I didn't think I'd like it that much but it was soo awesome!! Have a great time!!
Kimba

 

[Hitched2BellesCastle]

Hi,
We only have one day to spend at the parks. We have done Magic Kingdom and Epoct with the kdis, so this year we are planning on MGM. I have heard that you can get this park done in almost a half of day (maybe slightly longer with kids). We probably won't hang around for the Fantasmic show, so what would be better the light show in Epcot or the parade/fireworks at Magic Kingdom?
Thank you.
Michelle

PS.. we are going on 2/24 if that helps.

It sounds like you have kids so I would reccomend Wishes. It has great music and the fireworks are outstanding. If it were just you and another adult I would push you towards Illuminations.

 

[kirbsam]

i will also jump on the fantasmic bandwagon. i know this wasnt a choice in the op, but fantasmic is fantastic(sorry about that).

 

[Wendy1953]

I wouldn't miss Fantasmic...it beats both MK and EPCOT....you really shouldn't miss it....it's the best show on property.......

 

[cranbiz]

Fantasmic is a good show, don't miss it.

Now depending on the time of year, you may or may not be able to see Illuminations (now that the infernao barge is back it's a different show than the last few months) but may be able to make a late Wishes.

Ok just reread your post. On 2/24 MK is open to 11pm, EPCOT is open to 9pm and MGM is open until 8:30pm. Fantasmic is one show at 7pm. The calander is not showing Illuminations and Wishes (which I'm sure is wrong) but Illuminations goes off at 9pm and Wishes should go off at 11pm. If there is a Spectromagic parade that night it will most likely be at either 9 or 10pm. If it is at 10pm, you may make that as well.

You could actually make Fantasmic, Illuminations and Wishes. Fantasmic is about 25 minutes, Illuminations is 15 minutes and Wishes is about 15 minutes. Epcot is the EMH park that night. If you are staying on property you could do this easily, if you are not on property, park at EPCOT. Go to MGM via the international gateway (walk or boat) do what you want there, see Fantasmic, boat or walk to EPCOT for Illuminations and then monorail to MK for Wishes. Monorail back to EPCOT to retrieve your car.

 

[tamcase]

We were at MGM with our three teenagers-15, 14, 13 and could not get all of it done in one day. We were able to see most, but not all. We have tickets to go back this summer and are glad that we will be able to go finish what we couldn't do. Fantasmic is AWESOME!!!

 

[iluvladybugs]

Fantasmic, Fantasmic, Fantasmic. Illum is b-o-r-i-n-g. Wishes is great. But Fantasmic is, by far, the best!!

 

[mfern4]

Well, we took everyones advice and stayed for the Fantasmic show... we got there an hour early (sat in the third row), front and center! Got a little wet but that was okay.

FANTASTIC show! So glad we didn't skip this. Plus afterwards we hopped in the car and drove to Magic Kingdom to see the parade, fireworks and we were still able to get on five popular rides with NO LINES before closing. What a great day!! The kids could barely keep their eyes open in the car when we were done.

But the Fantasmic show was so great! Plus we ate our dinner in the theater - dh got a turkey let and fries and the kids and I got hot dogs and fries. Eating made the time fly fast.

Thanks everyone for your advice!!

Now we are getting ready for our October trip for our first cruise on the Disney Cruise Line!! My kids will be Disney'd out by the end of the year!! LOL

Arg... Michelle