Nighttime Shows help, please.

[RamKat77]

It's looking like we are going to have to pass on one of the Illuminations or Fantasmic shows... So I'm going to the experts on which one. Any pros/cons to each one that I can help base the decision on. We've never seen either one so I don't have a bias one way or the other.

Also, anyone have any "out of the way"/secret places with good views of the MSEP and Wishes or these shows you can share.

Thank you so much!!!

 

[tink9702]

Is your group All adults or kids too? and if kids what ages?

 

[RamKat77]

I'm sorry, we are 3 adults and 2 kids (5 year old boy and my daughter is 2 1/2).

 

[theyoungs07]

Fantasmic! is our absolute favorite show at WDW. A lot of classic Disney movies are represented plus cool pyrotechnics. We have not been thrilled with Illuminations in the past, but some of that may be due to us not getting a prime spot (I despise having to camp out to get a spot for something...I'd rather be touring). We did get the Illuminations FP+ this upcoming trip so maybe our minds will be changed. Fantasmic! is pure Disney and full of Disney characters.

 

[WEDWDW]

Go with your personal preference.

If you like fireworks/lasers/fire go with IllumiNations.

For more of a "show" with "actors",etc. go with F!.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Some young kids get scared at Fantasmic. I would watch the Youtube video if you haven't already and see what you think about it in terms of your kids.

 

[minnie mum]

I agree with ArwinMarie. F! is my favourite night show and I would have no problem recommending it if your kids were a little older. But it has explosions and dragons that might scare the bejeebers out of your little one.

 

[RamKat77]

Thank you all. I have NO idea why YouTube never occurred to me for this question. I've watched videos for just about everything WDW related but not this. Thank you again!!

 

[tabistar]

Both my kids love Fantasmic, even when we went 2 years ago when they were 2 and 4. We haven't seen Illuminations with them, though, because we try to limit our late nights. I actually think dh likes Fantasmic more than the kids do!

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

I actually don't like Fantasmic *hides*
So I would say illuminations! Wishes is the best though. Personally, I'd just see wishes every time, but that is just me.

 

[amandals2007]

Some young kids get scared at Fantasmic. I would watch the Youtube video if you haven't already and see what you think about it in terms of your kids.

i think some kids can get scared at either one with the fireworks.

i think with the age of the children they will like F! the best

 

[sharonabe]

Has your 5 yr old seen many Disney movies? How does he react to the villians like Maleficient as the dragon, Ursula, the witch of Snow White? If they scare him in the movie, they will probably scare him at F!.

 

[georgina]

I actually don't like Fantasmic *hides*
So I would say illuminations! Wishes is the best though. Personally, I'd just see wishes every time, but that is just me.

Don't hide! I like Fantasmic, but we only do it maybe every 3 trips. Illuminations is a must-do every trip. My kids are adults though. Everyone is entitled to their opinion!

 

[jitterbug]

I thought Illuminations was more of an Olympics opening ceremony than typical Disney show, but it does fit in at World Showcase theme, so I see why it's done that way. But that's just my opinion. I thought F! was more Disney in the sense of more Disney characters. And I liked having a seat to watch F! We ate dinner while we were sitting and waiting for the show to start. But we did have to park our stroller prior to entering, so it was a little bit of a hassle retrieving it afterwards, whereas Illuminations we just stopped on the bridge near where the boat cruises stop to watch.

 

[soniam]

F! has seats, but Illuminations is usually standing. We alternate. We did the Illuminations Dessert Party in July, so we did F! last month. DH and I like Illuminations better, but DS9 likes F! better.

 

[GBBTomorrow]

I love both of these shows, but if forced to pick I'd have to go with Fantasmic. It's more of an "event" to me, with seating in a theater and a real show. It's definitely a tough choice, though.

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

IllumiNations is my favorite show; Fantasmic is my least fave (it's still ok, but I don't mind not watching every trip). Others are the exact opposite.

It sounds like you're already watching YouTube videos of the nighttime shows - really I think that's the best idea since which show is best/worst is so subjective.