Which night show for kids 2 and 4?

[Daniela Rose]

We are definitely doing the dessert party for happily ever after with garden view and the Star Wars dessert party (that ones for dh).

What else would you do? Rivers of light? Fantasmic? Illuminations? All? None? I don't want to exhaust my girls with the late nights.

We'll be there for 7 nights. Have park hoppers. Staying at the contemporary. Already have the rol dining package booked, but not sure it's worth keeping the girls out late for, especially since the next morning we're doing am emh at MK.

Thoughts? Suggestions? Advice?

 

[mesaboy2]

Kids that young may find ROL and IllumiNations a little dull, and parts of Fantasmic a little scary. I would probably stick with what you have, which are both impressive.

 

[MickeyWaffles]

I have a 2yo and a 1yo and we are only doing HEA this time for sure. The rest we are playing by ear based on how the day goes.

I personally wouldn't plan another dessert party or dining package to commit to other than HEA and Star Wars.

If I were to take my kids to another one I would do Fantasmic over Illuminations or Rivers of Light. Only because it features the characters and familiar imagery and I think your little ones would get the most out of it (although, there are some scary parts).

I have not seen ROL in person yet but I have watched it online and I don't think my 2yo would get much out of it yet. Don't get me wrong, it looks beautiful and I would love to see it but for us I don't think it's worth planning to keep my kiddos up. But, let's say they took a late stroller nap that day ... we might consider it. My kids are smaller than yours though since my oldest is the same age as your youngest.

I'm always kind of in the play it by ear camp for late night things other than the "must dos." I think with two already planned you're good and maybe try to squeeze in another late night if it works out.

 

[bigbabyblues]

My kids were terrified of Fantasmic at that age. The 2-yo didn't care the first time, but the 4-yo did, and the younger was afraid of it for a few years after that. He is sensitive tho. We have always liked Illuminations.

 

[avic77]

I think those 2 are enough at that age.

 

[wonderstruck88]

I think Fantasmic is either absolutely adored or too scary at that age (and sometimes both!) how do you feel about giving them a preview of the show to see how they do? My 2 and 4 year old have watched it on YouTube, and are kind of scared by the snake and dragon bits, but in an exaggerated way where they think it's fun to hide behind me when it comes on TV and do fake scared screams that are very clearly screams of delight. We're definitely going to give it a try but will be towards the back near an aisle just in case. But we're planning on doing all the nighttime shows and just making sure they get a good nap every day.

 

[ChristineOH]

Two is plenty at that age. Don't do RoL if you are serious about doing EMH the next morning. I wouldn't do RoL period.

Don't feel like night time entertainment is a must do. My kids are 10, 13, and 15, and in four visits, we have only watched Wishes and HEA. I'd love to do the Star Wars show, but it has never worked well in our plans. My husband isn't a fan of the crowds that go with the night time entertainment, which is why I'm careful with what I plan.

 

[Surgie2]

We will have grandkids in your same age range (13 mos., 4,5,5). We are going to do the Pirates and Pals cruise and possibly the MK dessert party for the older three. In the end the dessert party might be for the parents while the grandparents get the kids to bed. I don't think the grandkids will truly appreciate the castle projections. They are still pretty impressed with small town fireworks displays lol! So Pirates and Pals plus possibly watching fireworks from Poly beach or CL lounge will likely satisfy them.

For our crew, one-two late nights is definitely enough. We want to rope drop some mornings and have lazy afternoons and early turn-in evenings at the resort on many days. I figure they can do the other night time shows when they are on future WDW trips and everyone will enjoy it more.

 

[jimandami]

When my DD was 2, she literally jumped up and ran out of Fantasmic screaming her head off! I had to chase her down...lol

 

[mtemm]

We took our kids when they were that age and opted for only one late (for them!) night. They were normally in bed at home between 6:30 and 7 and honestly kept to that schedule most nights and really helped them. Well rested for my kids = no melt downs. We always opted for deluxe not only because we are a family of 5, but because we would have the balcony when kids were asleep and could watch fireworks or whatever and just relax ourselves. Sleep for little ones is precious, don't underestimate it. Especially when they are so stimulated at the parks during the day.