Saw FANTASMIC for the first time this weekend...

[gabbyrosebud]

They didn't actually "change" the ending.
The "Steamboat" is being refurbished.

Thanks Robo! I wasn't sure about it because I only saw it one other time.

 

[alyssa810]

There's nothing like the first time!! I remember my first time, telling everyone and anyone how incredible the effects were- the music, the fireworks!! I still get excited chills whenever we watch! I have several Disney CDs with music from movies, resort rides, and shows, and whenever we hear the Fantastic music, my DH and I (ok, really just me) wave our arms just like Mickey! It never ceases to bring a smile to my face

 

[Robo]

Here is a 4-camera version of WDW's Fantasmic that I shot and edited earlier this year.

The quality of the full-screen original is actually very good, but when I must compress the heck out of it to "fit" on the web, it begins to look (and sound) pretty bad.

Fantasmic!- In 3 Parts:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0A0tE3jOjYw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuutOB1hHOE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNy5BuTkyd0






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[Luv Bunnies]

I LOVE Fantasmic but I've only seen it at Disneyland. As mentioned earlier, you have to either sit on the ground or stand the entire time. There are very few places to sit comfortably and the area is always extremely crowded. Getting out of the Rivers of America area after Fantasmic is a nightmare!

I'm looking forward to seeing the show at WDW in an actual stadium where we can sit in actual seats. I don't care if the benches are hard and cold. Anything is better than sitting on the ground!

 

[honeybee30]

We just saw Fantasmic for the first time last week. It was very cool. In the past, we skipped the show because of the crowds, (Hint: Don't try to go on an EMH night during spring break) but we'll definitely make Fantasmic a priority on all future trips.

This last time we got the dinner package (on the dining plan) and arrived at the special entrance about 1 hour early. We sat in the middle, all the way to the left of the reserved section, and I thought the view was really good. However, as early as we arrived, there were plenty of unreserved seats left in the stadium, just not any left in the center. I think we could have gone without the package, but it worked well for us.

 

[DemonLlama]

Here is the fourth installment of Fantasmic at WDW from our front row vantage point. Like Robo, the quality suffers, but everytime I watch the finale I get goosebumps!

Fantasmic Finale

 

[tinkgurl]

If there are TWO Fantasmic! shows in one evening, the second one will have lower crowd level than the first one. You can arrive a bit later and still find a seat.

Be aware that the second show waiting area will LOOK like the show is "too crowded".
That's because they HOLD the 2nd crowd outside the theater while the CMs CLEAN it after the first crowd has exited.

Then, they will let those waiting together in that big group IN... all at once, and there will be PLENTY of room.

OH! I bet that's what usually happened to us and that's why I just think of that "herding".You are probably right about that! I'm sorry!

 

[HollyJoy]

We haven't seen it either, but plan to this coming trip!

 

[blondeheroine]

You now need to see the ORIGINAL version of Fantasmic! at Disneyland... believe or not, its BETTER!

*cries*

I keep hearing that from everyone. One of these days I WILL get to see it!

 

[SusanDK]

I do wish that MGM would bring back the boat at the finaly. Any news on that? Anyone??

The paddleboat is back. We saw it on October 2nd and weren't expecting it, so it was a nice surprise.

Fantasmic is DH and my favorite nighttime show (although Wishes is almost a tie for me). We actually saw the first ever performance of Fantasmic at MGM, which was a trial run / dress rehearsal for the official premiere the following night.

We were at MGM headed towards ToT (trying to decide if we had the nerve to go on it), when a group of CMs started herding people towards the theater. They just kept saying, "come this way, it's a suprise, you won't regret it." We had no idea what we were going to see, and were just blown away.

We've probably seen it at least 10 or more times over the years, and never grow tired of it.

Susan

 

[STEAMBOAT209]

The show is just a wonderful experience and a not to miss. Glad you finally decided to take the time and see the show, and enjoy what we have been viewing. DW and I take in the show at least once a year, we enjoy it so much.

 

[diddldonna]

The first year we went be stayed off site and didn't go and see fantasmic as we was worried about getting back afterwards. On our last trip we booked the meal package which included resevered seating area which you can go through half hour before the show instead of waiting the normal 1-2 hours to get in and get a seat.

All i can say is WOW, This was just one of the most Magical moments i have experienced, all the charcaters came to life and it just gave you that warm fuzzy feeling. On our next holiday we will not miss this for sure.

Donna

 

[gabbyrosebud]

The paddleboat is back. We saw it on October 2nd and weren't expecting it, so it was a nice surprise.
Susan

Oh darn, we missed it by a day! We were there on Oct. 3rd and it wasn't there. A bunch of characters came out at the end and danced. That's why I wasn't sure about the ending anymore. It was so incredible! My Mom was speechless. I didn't tell her anything about it so she could really experience it. I even got pictures of the projections of the villians on the water screens. They came out pretty cool!

 

[GalDisney]

If you like the MGM version, you should take a trip out to Disneyland and see their version, it is much better

 

[phisigprincess]

It is my DH's favorite thing in all of the parks. He was completely awed by it. And I adore it too.

 

[jon18uk]

Here is the fourth installment of Fantasmic at WDW from our front row vantage point. Like Robo, the quality suffers, but everytime I watch the finale I get goosebumps!

Okay, I not only get goosebumps but cry uncontrollably to the finale of Fantasmic!
Who can leave the show and not think Mickey is the best hero ever?

 

[Robo]

Who can leave the show and not think Mickey is the best hero ever?

A whole passel of Disney Villains, THAT'S who!






(Oh, and Donald Duck... He's always been a "tough sell" on Mickey.)










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[°O°Joe]

I don't want to say I didn't enjoy Fantasmic!, but the only time I've ever seen it (in May '06), it was a less than excellent experience.

It wasn't the show itself - well the only thing that was wrong with the show was the lights were out on one of the boats... but the big thing that was dissapointing to me was the fact that (even though we were there a 1/2 hour before show time) we were stuck sitting in the back row and off to the side a bit. For those that don't know - the (outdoor) theater for Fantasmic! is HUGE! Plus there's a body of water that I'm guessing sits you back another 60'-100'. So if you get stuck in the back row - you are about a mile away from the stage. For us - Mickey Mouse was litteraly the size of a mouse.

Another thing that can be a problem with this show - if you have small children as I do (DD5 & DD2) - and you've been out at the parks all day long, the little ones might not be so patient to wait 1/2 hour - 1 hour, plus the 1/2 hour show itself. At least mine weren't. They were VERY ready to go back to the hotel and did not enjoy the show at all.

So I guess the only tip I can offer if you have small children is - get a good afternoon break the day you plan to see Fantasmic! and be creative to find a way to keep your children occupied for the long wait for the show.

I thought Fantasmic! was an AWESOME show. But I couldn't say the same about the overall experience.

--Joe

 

[carolfoy]

I think its the best show in Disney (and that's saying something!) its the ONLY thing I go to the studios for. Glad you liked it

 

[Robo]

I thought Fantasmic! was an AWESOME show. But I couldn't say the same about the overall experience.

I think the same thing can be said of ALL of WDW if crowds, tired kids (and adults) and "waiting" for things is weighed heavily into the mix.

But, like everything else at WDW, if you know what to expect and how to "handle" it...
the rewards of Fantasmic! can far outweigh many of the negatives encountered.