Spectromagic question

[littlesuitcase]

We are going to MGM next Monday - that is the only day we can see spectromagic so we are leaving MGM to get over to MK to see the parade and I am sure we will stay for the fireworks too.

The schedule says the parade starts at 8pm. What time should we get there? How long will it take us to get from MGM to MK? Is there a good spot to sit if you plan to watch the parade and then the fireworks? How long is the parade?

Thanks

 

[littlesuitcase]

We are going to Epcot on the Tuesday of our stay - our MGM day was cut short in order to make it to MK to see Spectro Parade.

Now I have to decide between Illuminations of Fantasmic. We will already be at Epcot so we can just stay or we can leave. Our kids are 8 and 6.

Does anyone have suggestion? If we go to MGM how long will it take from Epcot - I understand you have to get there pretty early. Is there a dinner that goes with fantasmic so we don't have to sit and wait for so long?

Thanks so much - only a few days till we go!

 

[Windy City Heather]

Fantasmic is what you want to see. Illumination is nice but Fantasmic is the best.

I am not good with times. I would say you want to be in MK at least an hour before the parade. I like to sit at Castle end of Main street. My favorite place to watch the fireworks is the bridge into Tomorrowland. Also stake your spots out well. Everytime we stake out enough space for 5 people end up with only enough for 2. SpectroMagic is my favorite evening activity, followed by Fantasmic.

 

[beattyfamily]

I agree with the previous poster. I'd choose Fantasmic over Illuminations. Yes, they offer a Fantasmic package where if you eat at one of three restaurants, you get a voucher to be let in a special entrance to Fantasmic so you do not wait in the regular line. You can arrive 1/2 hour to 45 minutes before and still get a decent seat vs. waiting in the regular line for over an hour and then waiting in your seat for another hour.

I enjoy seeing the parades and Wishes from Main Street as well as close to the Hub as possible so you can get a good view of Wishes after Spectromagic. It will be CROWDED though but worth it. I stake out a spot at least a hour before, sometimes 1 1/2 hours before.

I would leave MGM by 6:00p at the latest to get to MK for the parade.

 

[gigi1313]

i vote for fantasmic over illuminations any night! doing a dinner package makes it that much more convenient... waiting for it to start is just not fun (imo)!

as far as spectro... i would consider getting to mk in time to have dinner... maybe grab some dogs at casey's and eat while staking our your spot... i'd give it about an hour, but you can tell as you shop/get food (if that's what you choose to do) when people are starting to stake and join them quickly!

 

[littlesuitcase]

Thanks for the advice - what restaurants at MGM offer a package to get into Fantasmic early. And what time would I be hoping to get to make the timing just right. I believe on the Tuesday Fantasmic starts at 7pm. How much time do I allow for travel from Epcot to MGM?

Thanks everyone for sharing what you all have learned!

 

[StarToursKimmy]

Fantasmic is great, but I have to go with Illuminations. I'd prepare for an hour to get between Epcot and MGM. The actual boat trip takes about half an hour because it stops at all of the epcot resorts. You can always take the walkway, but since you have smaller kids, that may not be the best option.

Some of the resturants that offer the dinner package at MGM is Brown Derby, Sci Fi, and the character buffet. If you chose to see Fantasmic, just keep in mind that it can be delayed or cancelled because of high winds, rain, or lightning!

Best strategy for seeing Spectro is staking a spot by Liberty Bridge, on the Liberty Square side, across from the Christmas shop. This way, as the floats come across the bridge, you get a perfect, head on view of everything. When the parade is over, walk towards the hub, and stand directly in the middle of Main Street. Alot of times folks are still on the side walks from the parade, so if you stand in the middle of the street, you can get a great view of the castle.

Hope that helps!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Hollywood and Vince, Mama Melrose's and Hollywood Brown Derby offer the Fantasmic Dinner Package. I'd go with MM or HBD, we didn't care for H&V and really enjoyed the other two restaurants.

 

[littlesuitcase]

Can you walk from Epcot to MGM - you mentioned the walkway. The reason I ask is we will have a stroller at Epcot - not sure if I can take it out of the park and walk to another? But walking would be an option if it wasn't too too far.

 

[gigi1313]

Some of the resturants that offer the dinner package at MGM is Brown Derby, Sci Fi, and the character buffet. If you chose to see Fantasmic, just keep in mind that it can be delayed or cancelled because of high winds, rain, or lightning!

there is no character buffet at mgm... there is a buffet at hollywood and vine and it participates in the fantasmic dinner package, but no characters!

 

[beattyfamily]

Can you walk from Epcot to MGM - you mentioned the walkway. The reason I ask is we will have a stroller at Epcot - not sure if I can take it out of the park and walk to another? But walking would be an option if it wasn't too too far.

The walk will take quite a while. The walk from BWV to MGM is about 15 - 20 minutes depending on your pase and then the walk from BWV to Epcot is about 5 - 7 minutes. So it will be approx 30 minutes of walking.

If you are renting a stroller, then you'll have to leave it at Epcot and get another one at MGM.

I like H&V because it's the cheapest of the 3 and kid-friendly and the buffet is pretty good.

When you call and book the package, they'll only give you a few times to choose from and they will make sure your are done well before the start of the show.

 

[goofyandmore]

I vote for illuminations. But if you have young children, they might like the fantasmic with all the disney characters. I also thougth hollywood and vine had a great buffet. I actually liked their food more than chef mickey's but everybody has a different opinion.

 

[MrsPete]

If you're going to watch the SpectroMagic Parade followed by the Fantasy in the Sky fireworks, you should stake out a place about an hour ahead of time. We like to find a good place, then have half the family stay there while the other half goes to pick up some burgers. You'll have had plenty of time to eat and clean up while waiting for the parade.

You may have some rude people try to squeeze between you and the ropes at the last minute, so be prepared to be polite but assertive with your spot: "Excuse me, but we've been waiting here for some time so our children will have a good view of the parade -- I believe you might find a spot for yourself over there closer to the bridge." A beach towel is a good way to "stake your turf". I'm not suggesting that you try to take more than your share of space, but I've seen too many oh-my-kid-can-squeeze-in-front-of-your-kid types, and it pays to think ahead.

Fantasmic is wonderful! I wouldn't recommend the restaurant package myself -- the places are all fairly expensive eateries that don't really interest my family, and the viewing spot isn't all that great. I suggest that you go early to get a seat; bring along some fast food and eat while you wait. The seating area is so large that they have signs warning you not to be separated from your party -- this is good advice. Warning: This show features some villains, and your children might be frightened; still, it is BY FAR the best fireworks show at Disney. They spray a huge "screen" of water into the air and show clips of movies. They have live characters, lazers, fireworks. It's a great show.

Illuminations is, in my opinion, the last on the list. It doesn't have the "wow" of Fantasmic's special effects, and it lacks a plot. On the other hand, it is easier to get a good viewing position because the lake over which it is displayed is so large.

One other piece of advice, which applies to any evening fireworks shows: Expect to spend at least an hour exiting the park (Magic Kingdom is the worst in this respect -- depending upon where you are, you could spend two hours exiting the park). You will be in a huge crowd, and you should exercise some care not to be separated from your children.

 

[littlesuitcase]

Thanks - it is hard to know what to do. Do you know by chance if the primetime diner is part of the group of restaurants that offers a fantasmic dinner package?

 

[beattyfamily]

Thanks - it is hard to know what to do. Do you know by chance if the primetime diner is part of the group of restaurants that offers a fantasmic dinner package?

No. It's only Mama's, Brown Derby, and H&V.