Which is better: Fantasmic or Spectromagic?

[one wolf]

hi all

Planning my family's first disney trip: me, wife, two boys (4 and 6). The boys love fireworks and parades so we're trying to catch as many as we can in our 3 days there. Due to extended hrs logistics and the fact that Spectromagic is infrequent, there's no way we can catch both Fantasmic and Spectromagic. Which one is better?

Also, or perhaps impacting the above, one thing I'm trying to use the touringplans d o t c o m slash BestDays site (why all the anti-u r l rules mods?) to plan what days we visit what parks. I see that the site lists MGM as the "Best Park(s)" to visit crowd-wise on Jan 30. However, MGM is an extra magic hours park that evening. Think the BestDays folks got this one wrong?

 

[gppnj]

Both are wonderful, but if I had to choose, I'd have to go with Fantasmic.

 

[Allison]

They are such different activities that it is hard to compare which is "best".

 

[Kapp]

for sure! HANDS DOWN!

 

[Stitchfans]

Both great, but IMO Fantasmic.

 

[DVCJEN]

Spectro! We went to Fantasmic once and that was enough. It was ok, but for the hour wait before hand, it wasn't worth repeating for us.

 

[dreamscometrue47]

My son has always enjoyed Spectromagic more. He has seen it many times and is now 12. He also likes Fantasmic, but likes Spectro more because it's a parade and because of the music. His choices are always Wishes, Illuminations and Spectro, then if time, Fantasmic. But remember he has already seen them all.

I would find this really hard to choose from on my first trip. If your boys really like parades, then Spectro. But if you are seeing other parades during your stay, Fantasmic would be the way to go. It's more of a show than a parade.

Have a great trip!

 

[wcduke]

I would say Fantasmic, no question. Fantasmic is our favorite show in all 4 parks. And we were a little disappointed w/ Spectromagic. We usually try to see Fantasmic more than once on each of our trips.

Also, in regards to the "Best Days" chart you are referring to, I think as a rule they ALWAYS list the EMH morning park as a "park to avoid" for that particular day, regardless of any other factors. So take their suggestion w/ a grain of salt. On our most recent trip, we took advantage of ALL of the EMH nights while we were there, and I think it was one of our best decisions. Some people say to avoid the parks that have EMH's, but I think it all depends on the time of year you visit. All I can say is EMH nights worked liked a dream for us!!

 

[mic_key_mouse]

Spectro. This is one of those 'Coke or Pepsi' kind of questions- it depends on personal tastes

 

[disneylizzy]

I would vote for Fantasmic! it really is spectacular. Don't drive yourself nuts trying to see everything in 3 days, just accept that you will be going back sooner or later.

 

[Ride Junkie]

Fantasmic! It's much more exciting, with amazing effects.

 

[becka]

Fantasmic would be my personal choice but since it does involve villians I have seen some little ones who were scared. If either of you kids are a little on the nervous side regarding the villians then Spectro may be the better option. JMHO...

 

[Pig Pen]

If you don't mind staking out a spot on the pavement an hour beforehand and getting trampled, jostled, knocked in the shins with strollers and scooters, head for Spectro. I love the parade, it's the other tourists that make it bad for me!

At least in Fantasmic you can sit in bleachers while you wait and it seems a bit more civilized. I also think Fantasmic is awesome.

 

[Mom to 2]

Absolutely---FANTASMIC!!!

Lory

 

[one wolf]

wow you guys rule!

 

[Lewisc]

You're going to want to see Wishes. Can't you see Spectro the same night you see Wishes? Isn't Fantasmic being shown every night?

Not sure why you had a problem. The site you wanted to link to doesn't seem to be on the banned list.

http://www.touringplans.com/BestDays.htm

 

[MidgeD79]

After reading the posts about parade "issues" I would see Fantasmic.
Read "wouldn't this ruin your evening."

 

[one wolf]

You're going to want to see Wishes. Can't you see Spectro the same night you see Wishes? Isn't Fantasmic being shown every night?

Not sure why you had a problem. The site you wanted to link to doesn't seem to be on the banned list.

your u r l here

I'm probably over-complicating things. A large piece of my reasoning for deciding to stay on-site (coronado) is to get the extra evening hours - we're a night owl / late sleeping family. Monday Jan 30 is evening extra hours for MGM, so that's where we were planning to go. But it's the only night that MK has Spectromagic. We're going to see Wishes on Sunday Jan 29 (extended MK evening hours) - no Spectro that night.

My url problem sez... "Your Post contains one or more URLs, The DIS requires a minimum number of posts before allowing the posting of URL's." Whoa is a newby.

 

[DOOM1001]

Definitely Spectromagic over Fantasmic. I would say Wishes is the best nighttime show followed by Illuminations, Spectromagic and then Fantasmic.I don't dislike Fantasmic, but for my taste it's too long and the video in the water screens gets too repetitive, it's worth watching but I couldn't watch it over and over like I do Wishes.

 

[one wolf]

After reading the posts about parade "issues" I would see Fantasmic.
Read "wouldn't this ruin your evening."

Yeah no kidding. I assume that's an outlier and not the norm. Plus rude people don't bother me so much, I work with a ton of them. I would have approached the beyotch with logic. "I came here and put my stuff down with my family on what appeared to be an empty piece of pavement 20 minutes ago - I'm not sure what exactly you think I did that wasn't fair or polite such that you expect us to vacate and miss this event? Was it because I didn't use ESP to realize that you and your family were in the bathroom or whatever? Will you be coming back to this spot again tomorrow night and expecting to get it back from the unfortunate family who thinks it's available?" Irrational people hate calm logic - she wouldn't have thought about it and agreed of course, but she'd eventually give up. Wouldn't bother me to have her fat butt over there fuming the whole parade. (well if it were literally fuming, that might be an issue)