Which Fantasmic Do YOU Prefer? WDW or DL?

[*NikkiBell*]

On both the Orlando and Disneyland shows recently, much discussion of Fantasmic was had. It is true that both editions of the show are quite different. Which do you prefer and why?

For me, I really like the Disneyland edition. It seems to have much more to it story-wise. I also think that it has a lot more drama and special effects. The only downer is the fact that there is no seating. The area can become extremely congested very quickly which makes hitting the fireworks from Main Street afterwards next to impossible (you can see them from the Fantasmic area too though).

 

[pxlbarrel]

I love DL. The Columbia is so much dramatic than the cardboard ship that come out at the end of WDW's version.

 

[mytripsandraces]

I,too, am in the Disneyland camp (or is that Team Land? ) I think the park is a much nicer place to have it and it really feels like it's part of the Disneyland experience, rather than a show to attend.

 

[NitroStitch]

On both the Orlando and Disneyland shows recently, much discussion of Fantasmic was had. It is true that both editions of the show are quite different. Which do you prefer and why?

For me, I really like the Disneyland edition. It seems to have much more to it story-wise. I also think that it has a lot more drama and special effects. The only downer is the fact that there is no seating. The area can become extremely congested very quickly which makes hitting the fireworks from Main Street afterwards next to impossible (you can see them from the Fantasmic area too though).

I love the Disneyland show far more, but I long for a mini-version of the WDW stadium inside Disneyland so it would be easier to see and for more people.

 

[Zzizzy]

Until recently there would have been no question as to my preference. I've seen Fantasmic at Disneyland since it first opened. I've seen it with friends, family and by myself. I've seen it from every location and seen it multiple times in one day. I've sat, I've stood, I've waited for an hour or more and I've walked up and seen it from wherever I could. I've been a fan and will continue to feel that this is the greatest show Disney has ever produced and still far exceeds ALL other Disney Park shows.

I've also seen Fantasmic at WDW Hollywood Studios. The first time I saw it I was so very disappointed. The second time I was just jaded. And even as recently as last year I saw the WDW version with more of a "they've got to be kidding" attitude than anything else.

So yes, I've felt that Fantasmic at Disneyland was the best by far.

But then something happened!

It's hard for me to describe, but one night I was in Hollywood Studios. It was late and I had no real plans for the evening. I was tired after a wonderful long day and I just wanted to rest. Folks were pouring into the Fantasmic stadium for the last show which was going to start in about 10 minutes. I decided to go rest my feet.

I found my way easily through the crowd and found a seat right up front center (because of extra spaces and the cast members squeezing folks together). Actually, it was excellent seating. Folks around me were in a good mood and very excited and that was a bit infectious.

Then the music started! I heard the "voice", lights dimmed to dark, and then the "big chord" that starts the show with the monster brilliant lights shining from the stage up into the air and out of site. I was hooked! It didn't matter which version I saw, I was seeing Fantasmic!

For that one show I didn't compare, I didn't criticize as I watched, I didn't have any expectations. I just watched and got lost in the pageantry. I watched as all the different scenes unfolded and all the action of the show. When Mickey came onstage to battle the dragon, I was notably anxious. And when Sorcerer Mickey appeared at the top of the mountain I cheered out loud!

I left that night with new feelings, not only for the WDW version, but for the show itself. Fantasmic is not about which version is better or whether you have to sit on the ground or peer around a light pole. Fantasmic is about the story, the sounds, the sights, the effects and the emotions that you go through if you are really into it. We often say, "I get it." Well, I can now add Fantasmic to that list. "I get it!"

Which Fantasmic do I prefer? Both!

Which Fantasmic is best? Both!!

Which Fantasmic would I rather see at the end of any Disney day? Both!!!

All that being said I hope some day that I can see the versions that are at all the other parks. There is just something extra special about this show. And I'm sure I'll enjoy it wherever it is.

And besides, my favorite character uses his imagination to create a wonderful experience. Who could ask for more? Don't you agree?

-Wayne

 

[skier_pete]

Wow Wayne...that was a beautifully poetic little riff on Fantasmic! Reminds me of some of your segments on the podcast!

I'm going to (slightly) hi-jack the thread. We are heading to DL for the first time ever this summer, with only 2 full park nights. Our family is NOT big on Fantasmic! at WDW. I like parts of it (the last 5-10 minutes in particular) but find much of it rather boring. DW feels the same way. Our DD went and HATED it, too SCARY!

So, while I sort of want to see the DL version just to be able to compare, I really don't really want to devote 1-2 hours to waiting to see the show. I'm willing to give that commitment for WoC, but not Fantasmic!

So, while you are posting which Fantasmic you like more, please comment as to whether we could go up to the Fantasmic area within 30 minutes of start and still have any hope of actually seeing the show. (And more specifically if a 9 year-old that is much too big to go on my shoulders could have any hope of seeing it.) Should I try this, or not even bother? We're going in late July, and specifically would be on a Sunday night (doing WoC on Monday), so I'm guessing there will be two showings, but coming from the East Coast to West means there is little chance we will be able to stay up for the late showing. I will definitely want to catch the fireworks, which is another reason I have been thinking of skipping F!

(I'm considering maybe going to the late showing by myself after getting DW and DD to bed, assuming I can handle staying up that late.)

Anyways, apologies for the hi-jack, but I saw my opportunity to ask without starting a new post on the topic.

 

[msteddom]

I absolutely prefer DL. I think the quality of the production is higher, the story line is tighter, and plus I appreciate the option of just being able to walk up a few minutes before show time and watch with an obstructed view rather than planning my entire day around a 20 minute show.

I can only go to WDW in the summer and sitting in that stiffiling hot stadium waiting for the show to begin is just unbearable. I won't do it any more!!!

Melissa

 

[Zzizzy]

Wow Wayne...that was a beautifully poetic little riff on Fantasmic! Reminds me of some of your segments on the podcast!

Thanks! I really appreciate it.

...please comment as to whether we could go up to the Fantasmic area within 30 minutes of start and still have any hope of actually seeing the show. (And more specifically if a 9 year-old that is much too big to go on my shoulders could have any hope of seeing it.) Should I try this, or not even bother? ...

My first comment is that you are going to kick yourself if you come all this way and don't see Fantasmic if you are any kind of a fan of this show. I would not recommend a walk up to the first showing; it is always very full with all the prime spots taken well before 30 minutes prior to show time. Your best bet is the second show. You can easily walk up 30 minutes before and still get a reasonable view (but not the most prime). For the little ones, try to get in the sitting area right in front of the Rivers of America or if you have to stand, pick anywhere where you are a bit elevated and not behind folks. This will be more clear when you get there, or as always ask a cast member.

Now, if you've got a little extra cash to spend for guaranteed seats, they are offering a Fantasmic dessert party that has real seats in a prime area. I forget the price but it is not cheap (like $50 per person), but you are guaranteed a very good seat and desserts too! That may be a good option for you.

An option is to see the fireworks show from the Fantasmic area. That affords a good view and excellent sound, but you will miss the castle projections and won't really see Tinkerbelle/Dumbo at all. But if fireworks are your priority, then go for that and understand that you will have some real crowd issues trying to get back to Fantasmic for the second show (because many folks do this).

The good news is that the last show on a Sunday night is less populated, but summer may also change that, so be prepared for summer crowds all day and night.

As far as WoC, consider doing the WoC picnic so that you can get guaranteed spaces (note that I don't say seats because there are none for this show). If you get a "Blue" area reservation, go to the bridge and stand along the rail (this will make sense when you are there). Trust me it is the best of the views. For other areas, try to get as clear a view to the surface of the water as you can with no one in front of you. This won't be obvious as the whole viewing are is somewhat sideways to the show. So being on the rail is not always the best view (as you may have to look slightly sideways to see the show). Again, this will be clearer when you are there. In fact, scope out the area earlier in the day (you can walk around freely during the day) and ask cast members about the standing areas and where is good viewing for the different color areas. Good luck!

-Wayne

 

[paperdoll1986]

OK before I start, i gotta tell y'all what my mother told me to do when i went to disney world in 2007. It was my first (and thus far) my only time. We are Disneyland Annual Passholders and could walk the parks blindfolded (but then we'd look silly).

Once thing she said was to go on things they just have there and not here.
Another day, entirely separately, she said "go on things we both have an compare!" I replied, "Mom there are two kinds of rides at disney world, rides we have here too and rides we don't! You want me to go on just EVERYTHING then?"

Which...I almost did (chickened out on Dinosaur).

And there was rarely a clear winner in comparison. Fantasmic was one of those. I like the montages better because it's a wider breadth of characters. The Pocahontas sequence is a clunker if I ever saw one, though. The Steamboat Willie change is nice, but the Mark Twain has a more shimmery quality to it.

When the question comes up, I get a chicken-egg situation. For DL Fantasmic, the show was built for the venue (with changes obviously, but you get my idea). On the other hand, in WDW, the venue was built for the show...so you really can't go by THAT standard.

I say DL's is a little better. But both are lovely.

 

[Miss SD]

Wow Wayne...that was a beautifully poetic little riff on Fantasmic! Reminds me of some of your segments on the podcast!

Just wanted to add my two cents to this comment. Wayne, I also love your podcast segments. When I hear you describe parts of the parks or attraction, I feel like I'm back at DL. So much so that I swear I can smell the popcorn!

I've replayed your "Only One Day at Disneyland" piece over and over because it was such a lovely description of one of my favorite places on earth.

Sorry to interject on the Fantasmic discussion. (Can't comment on that because I've only seen DL's version.)

 

[skier_pete]

My first comment is that you are going to kick yourself if you come all this way and don't see Fantasmic if you are any kind of a fan of this show. I would not recommend a walk up to the first showing; it is always very full with all the prime spots taken well before 30 minutes prior to show time. Your best bet is the second show. You can easily walk up 30 minutes before and still get a reasonable view (but not the most prime). For the little ones, try to get in the sitting area right in front of the Rivers of America or if you have to stand, pick anywhere where you are a bit elevated and not behind folks. This will be more clear when you get there, or as always ask a cast member.

Now, if you've got a little extra cash to spend for guaranteed seats, they are offering a Fantasmic dessert party that has real seats in a prime area. I forget the price but it is not cheap (like $50 per person), but you are guaranteed a very good seat and desserts too! That may be a good option for you.

An option is to see the fireworks show from the Fantasmic area. That affords a good view and excellent sound, but you will miss the castle projections and won't really see Tinkerbelle/Dumbo at all. But if fireworks are your priority, then go for that and understand that you will have some real crowd issues trying to get back to Fantasmic for the second show (because many folks do this).

The good news is that the last show on a Sunday night is less populated, but summer may also change that, so be prepared for summer crowds all day and night.

Oh, now you really make me want to see it. I still think we will sort of wing it on this one, though. Our DD really doesn't like Fantasmic. (@ WDW anyways) she particularly hates the snake and the dragon. I'm leaning towards maybe coming to the late show myself the first night. I can't justify the cost of the desert party/ reserved seats. If it was a little less, maybe, but the prices seems outrageous to me.

As far as WoC, consider doing the WoC picnic so that you can get guaranteed spaces (note that I don't say seats because there are none for this show). If you get a "Blue" area reservation, go to the bridge and stand along the rail (this will make sense when you are there). Trust me it is the best of the views. For other areas, try to get as clear a view to the surface of the water as you can with no one in front of you. This won't be obvious as the whole viewing are is somewhat sideways to the show. So being on the rail is not always the best view (as you may have to look slightly sideways to see the show). Again, this will be clearer when you are there. In fact, scope out the area earlier in the day (you can walk around freely during the day) and ask cast members about the standing areas and where is good viewing for the different color areas. Good luck!

-Wayne

I am actually trying to decide between the picnic, or just doing the meal at either Ariel's or Wine Country Trattoria. I was originally thinking Ariel's, but I noticed they are showing you can do lunch at the Trattoria for only $29.99 for adults, and $18.99 for kids. Again, we are trying to keep the budget down, but I want to give ourselves the best chance for a good view as possible for this show. Are we better off just doing the picnic? I can't say the food looks all that great, and don't you get the same FP as you would get just walking up first thing in the morning? Getting way OT here.

Just wanted to add my two cents to this comment. Wayne, I also love your podcast segments. When I hear you describe parts of the parks or attraction, I feel like I'm back at DL. So much so that I swear I can smell the popcorn!

I've replayed your "Only One Day at Disneyland" piece over and over because it was such a lovely description of one of my favorite places on earth.

Sorry to interject on the Fantasmic discussion. (Can't comment on that because I've only seen DL's version.)

Just want to second this. I've been listening to the DL podcasts since I knew we'd be coming out there, which was about the same time they started doing them regularly. I especially enjoy Wayne's well thought out detailed segments on the different attractions. (The Sleeping Beauty Castle one springs to mind.) And while we will have 3 days, not 1, the "Only One Day" podcast was very interesting, more reminding me that there is no wrong way to tour the parks! Keep up the good work Wayne!

OK - back to your regularly scheduled thread!

 

[Halloweenqueen]

Disneyland 110%!!!

The only advantage WDW has over DL is seating.

F! at DL is right in the middle of my favorite land of any Disney Park...New Orlean's Square. It's such a beautiful setting by the water. The segments are better...Peter Pan, Pinnoccio, the "REAL" ships, etc.

Plus the reserved seat package, while pricey, if a wonderful treat.

 

[Zzizzy]

I am actually trying to decide between the picnic, or just doing the meal at either Ariel's or Wine Country Trattoria. I was originally thinking Ariel's, but I noticed they are showing you can do lunch at the Trattoria for only $29.99 for adults, and $18.99 for kids. Again, we are trying to keep the budget down, but I want to give ourselves the best chance for a good view as possible for this show. Are we better off just doing the picnic? I can't say the food looks all that great, and don't you get the same FP as you would get just walking up first thing in the morning? Getting way OT here.

This is a tough one and there as many answers as there are folks answering, so let me give you my take and try to be objective. First, I have personally tried all these options, walk-up as a regular guest with a WoC Fastpass, WoC Picnic and dining at Ariel's. They all have their issues and unfortunately paying more does not necessarily get you better viewing.

The Ariel's/Trattoria viewing area is more to the center of the "show area" than any other area that you have access to and if you can stand in a place where you have no one directly in front of you, then you will have the best view in the house. (People below you is fine as long as you can still see most of the water from where you are standing.) But, like the other areas, even in this central location, if you are standing with 2 or 3 rows of folks in front of you, your view will be severely restricted and you will not enjoy the show. This unfortunately happened to me when I saw WoC from the Ariel's reserved area. We got to the area after guests had already started being admitted and the reserved dining areas were already well filled. I had to stand at the back of this area and to date this was one of the worst viewings I have seen (and the most expensive). Basically all I could see was the tops of the tallest fountains and the top portion of the projections. I saw none of the effects on the water and most of the projections (very important in this show) were blocked.

Now the advantage of the WoC Picnic is that you don't have to stand in line for a Fastpass. Since each of the colored areas has good and terrible viewing locations, it's hard to say if there is an advantage what time of day you get your fastpass. The Fastpasses are distributed from 1st show to last show, in order of color, but you cannot tell what you are getting until it is dispensed (and then it is too late) unless you ask someone ahead of you what they got. But with the picnic you at least avoid having to stand in line to get a Fastpass or having them all distributed and not getting one. If you are on a budget, I recommend the Picnic (you can reserve that online) or go get your WoC Fastpass when the park first opens. The food at Ariel's and Trattoria is good, but I would hate for you to spend all that money and then not get great viewing of the show.

Also, I have to add this additional note about the WoC queue line. Folks start lining up for the separate color section areas almost 2 hours before showtime. This is because the selection of your standing area is so important and folks have figured this out quickly. Look for the cast members and they will show you where the WoC queue lines will start being formed. Even if you have a Fastpass, if you walk-up 15 minutes before showtime and go to your assigned area, you can be sure you will be in the back of that area and will have to look through/over several rows of people in front of you. This is disaster for kids.

I know this kind of sounds like a big gamble and takes a good deal of your time and in many ways it is. If you aren't that particular and just want to see the show any way you can without too much trouble, then go for the Picnic, and arrive about 30 minutes prior to showtime and you will get an adequate standing area.

Good luck!

 

[skier_pete]

Thanks again Wayne! I've gone waaaay OT on this, though. I have a few other questions for you, so I am going to send a PM instead of taking up more space here.

If I do get to see Fantasmic at DL (and I hope I do) I will come back and give an opinion based on someone that's seen the WDW version first.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

I've seen WDW F! DOZENS of times before I saw the DL version.

There really is no comparison. DL F! all the way!

 

[DSNY4ever]

I am a Fantasmic-aholic. Few things give me the butterflies in my stomach like Fantasmic does! (Which is why I am always surprised that the Podcast crew doesn't care for it much!?!). I am glad it won in March madness with the DL podcasters though!

I LOVE the stadium in WDW. I love that excited feeling as the stadium fills up and people start endless rounds of "the wave." I love that I don't have to look over people's heads or have anyone push their way in front of me as I watch after waiting in my spot for 2 hours.

But in DL...I feel like I am immersed in the show. I love the Columbia, the Mark twain, Tom Sawyers Island. It is pure magic. My heart starts racing as it begins and I get a little teary-eyed when it's over. Disney Magic at it's best!

 

[chalee94]

another vote for DL.