Really dumb question about fireworks

[pjynx]

Let me first say that I've never been to WDW so I'm clueless as to what to expect. Please bear with me......

I keep reading posts about getting PS ressies at certain restuarants or sitting on the beach in order to see Wishes, Fantasmic, Spectromagic....etc. Won't I be able to see them just by being in whatever park they are in? Why would I need special seats? Are some of them indoor shows? Are these just fireworks shows? What is the diference between them?

If anyone can explain, that would be great....I don't want to miss out on something just because I didn't plan ahead, but I'm feeling overwhelmed with all the "you need to be here at xxx time to see this, etc".

Thanks!

 

[ILoveWDW2003]

I keep reading posts about getting PS ressies at certain restuarants or sitting on the beach in order to see Wishes, Fantasmic, Spectromagic....etc. Won't I be able to see them just by being in whatever park they are in? Why would I need special seats? Are some of them indoor shows? Are these just fireworks shows? What is the diference between them?

Fantasmic in MGM takes place in a 9000 seat amphitheater, you can only see it from those seats. It is usually recommended to arrive 60 minutes ahead of time, less during less crowded times, more during peak times. There is a Fantasmic Dinner package which gets you guaranteed seats in a certain section.

SpectroMagic in the MK is a light parade - it is good to be near the street when it goes by - children wouldn't be able to see from further away.

Wishes is a fireworks show and can be seen from anywhere around MK, however, there are projections onto the front of the castle that can only be seen in certain areas, usually anywhere on Main St.

Illuminations takes place on the World Showcase Lagoon, and parts of it require a good view of the lake.

-Joe

 

[BATBkindagirl]

Let me first say that I've never been to WDW so I'm clueless as to what to expect. Please bear with me......

I keep reading posts about getting PS ressies at certain restuarants or sitting on the beach in order to see Wishes, Fantasmic, Spectromagic....etc. Won't I be able to see them just by being in whatever park they are in? Why would I need special seats? Are some of them indoor shows? Are these just fireworks shows? What is the diference between them?

If anyone can explain, that would be great....I don't want to miss out on something just because I didn't plan ahead, but I'm feeling overwhelmed with all the "you need to be here at xxx time to see this, etc".

Thanks!

All you can see without having to do PS.. All nighttime festivities..
Spectromagic is a parade at MK.(I would just recommend getting good seats near the castle.. wonderful if you can get them right in front so the castle would serve as a backdop to the parade)
Fantasmic is a wonderful wonderful nighttime show at MGM (I would recommend getting PS for this. My mom always gets it for us whenever we go see the show *7:30 or 9:30 I believe.. Not sure* and there is an entire section reserved for people who eat at Mama Melrose's... The Hollywood Brown Derby or Hollywood & vine.. we went an hour before the show started *and of course after our reserved dinner* and we got front row.. which you may not want because you might get wet but we didn't at all)
Wishes is a beautiful fireworks show at MK and you can basically see it anywhere in the park.. I'd recommend near the castle yet again..
Illuminations is a fireworks show at Epcot

All you can see without having to make reservations but the reason why people do is for the better experience. It's worth it!

 

[goofy4tink]

Hi Pam. Don't feel overwhelmed!! There is so much to see and do, that sometimes we all get carried away trying to 'do it all'. Okay...here's the scoop.

Fantasmic! This is a light show (poor description!!) in MGM/Studios. You sit on bleacher type seats. Huge ampitheater area. Some people like to buy the Fantasmic dinner pkg since you don't have the long wait to be seated as non-pkg people. With no pkg you should be in the line for Fantasmic! about an hour before, and at peak times that should be 1 1/2 hrs. before show time. With the dinner pkg you have 'reserved' seating and don't have to get to the seats nearly as early. You can get there 15 minutes and have a seat. But, I have to say, I have never done a pkg and I have had good seats each time. There are no 'bad' seats there.

Spectromagic...this is MK's nightime parade. It is shown after dark during the year and it runs down Main St. to Frontierland. Most people stake out their viewing spot along the parade route up to 1 1/2 hrs. before hand. But you should be able to find a decent spot up to 45 minutes before. Eating in a restaurant would not give you a good view of the parade!!

Wishes....MK's fireworks show. If you are anywhere in front of the Castle, on Main St. you will have a terrific view. Again...restaurants are a bad idea. The few exceptions to this would be eating at Ohana in the Polynesian. A lot of folks like to time their meal to Wishes and watch from this restuarant. But, you aren't actually in MK. The other spot is California Grill at the Contemporary. Very upscale and pricey but great view of the fireworks.

IllumiNations...Epcot's nightime fireworks/laser show. Terrific show. Again..people start staking out a spot very early, along the lake. There are some restaurants that you can eat in and actually have a decent view of the show, but they are hard to get and it's hard to judge exactly what time you need to be there and you can't always get a table that will ensure your ability to view the show.

So...don't obsess over being in a restuarant or getting a PS in order to see a show/fireworks. It really isn't that big of a deal. Just plan your touring around what park you want to be in and what time that particular parks' shows are at. Feel better now?? Have fun on your trip.

 

[pjynx]

Whew! Thanks (all of you) for clearing that up for me. It really helps me with my planning!

 

[fanofdisney]

Is spectromagic formerly known as Main st electrical parade? That's all I remember them having when I was a kid.

 

[goofy4tink]

Is spectromagic formerly known as Main st electrical parade? That's all I remember them having when I was a kid.

Two entirely different parades. MSELP was our first parade experience at WDW in '99. But, it is back in DL in Ca where it 'lives'. Spectromagic is an incredible light show/parade that is currently shown in WDW. They are both great but different.