WDW Rank The Shows (Older Teenagers)

[consultant]

In the evenings, there can be several shows all happening at the same time (some withing the same park even.) For older teenagers, how would you rank the evening shows for the entire WDW Resort (not per park)?

 

[Robo]

The "ratings" opinions would far too subjective to apply, in general.

First-off, what kind of things attract the specific "older teenagers" in your party?

 

[consultant]

To answer your question, not the shows more targeted at 1-10 year olds. I realize some shows that can appeal to all audiences. I guess I'm mainly talking about the evening shows.

My guess is this:

1. Star Wars evening show
2. Magic Kingdom Castle Show and Fireworks (Happily Ever After)
3. Fantasmic
4. Illuminations

Honorable mention: Lion King Show at AK???

I'm asking the question mainly due to a short itinerary of only 2 days at the parks so we'll need to choose our shows wisely. I guess another consideration is how hard is it to get a good viewing spot without showing up at least an hour in advance (think Happily Ever After)

 

[cgattis]

To answer your question, not the shows more targeted at 1-10 year olds. I realize some shows that can appeal to all audiences. I guess I'm mainly talking about the evening shows.

My guess is this:

1. Star Wars evening show
2. Magic Kingdom Castle Show and Fireworks (Happily Ever After)
3. Fantasmic
4. Illuminations

Honorable mention: Lion King Show at AK???

I'm asking the question mainly due to a short itinerary of only 2 days at the parks so we'll need to choose our shows wisely. I guess another consideration is how hard is it to get a good viewing spot without showing up at least an hour in advance (think Happily Ever After)

I think you’ve definitely got the first two right. I’d swap #3 and #4 personally. If you only see two, I’d make it your top 2. If you only see one, and they are SW fans, I’d do that one. (Sometimes we plan to do rope drop through evening show but just run out of steam LOL)

 

[RememberWhoYouAre]

I have an older teen and #1 would be HEA. #2 would probably be Star Wars fireworks, but Epcot Forever has just replaced Illuminations, which we haven't seen yet, so that could alter choice for #2 and #3.
Fantasmic would be #4.
ROL at AK would be a definite no.

We've never had a hard time getting a good spot for Star Wars fireworks.
We can get good spots for HEA now by arriving about 30 min early. When HEA first started, it was more like 45-60 min early. I always feel like Fantasmic is such a hassle to get to - have to arrive early, and it's such a long walk!
Lion King and Beauty and the Beast shows are favorite daytime shows. She even enjoyed the Frozen SingAlong even though she hates the movie. haha.

 

[NYCgrrl]

In the evenings, there can be several shows all happening at the same time (some withing the same park even.) For older teenagers, how would you rank the evening shows for the entire WDW Resort (not per park)?

DGD, currently age 14, enjoys sitting on the beach to watch the fireworks at MK or the marina at GF with popcorn or Dole whip on the side.
Seeing Pandora at night is fun for her as is riding the surrey bikes while the Epcot fireworks happen. Give her some money to play the games and use the photo machine on the Boardwalk. She also likes the buskers there.
She'll watch any resorts' outdoor movies that appeals to her.
Wandering thru Animal Kingdom, dancing with the Buranda(sp?) group (now leaving but I'm sure someone else will take their place) and riding EE and maybe Kali at night appeals to her. She doesn't like any firework/light shows at AK.
Wandering around Epcot's WS, picking and choosing what she wants to see.
At HS, she likes the star troopers march but not sure if that's in the evening or not.
YMMV based on what your teens' interests are.