Which Nighttime Spectacular to Skip

[Abbey1]

We will be visiting next October, for first time in many years. We are Disneyland AP holders, and this will be my 7-year old son’s first time visiting WDW. We’ll be visiting each park for one full day, and attending a Halloween party, for a total of 5 nights in the parks.

I am wanting to pick one park night to leave early, to give my son a little break, and swim at our hotel.

Which park’s entertainment is the most skipable, in your opinion? We won’t be doing Fantasmic!, as I’ve read the DL version is a bit better, and we’ve seen that one many times. But, we are big Star Wars fans, so I’m on the fence about skipping the Star Wars spectacular.

 

[evilqueenmindy]

Well, you’re already skipping the one I always skip haha. I’m a Star Wars nerd and love the Star Wars spectacular.
If I had to choose between seeing Happily Ever After at MK and illuminations at Epcot, I’d pick Happily Ever After, I don’t dislike illuminations, I just like the MK show better. Have not seen rivers of light yet.

 

[Liljo22]

Don't skip the Star Wars Spectacular if you are big SW fans. Do you interest in seeing Pandora at night? If not, River of Lights would be the one to skip.

 

[stazmatic]

I would skip Illuminations. It used to be amazing, but it has gotten shorter over the years. Waiting around for a spot for a show about 10 minutes long is not worth it to me.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Illuminations

 

[gillep]

ROL

 

[daisyduck73]

I would skip Illuminations.

 

[magical-me]

Skip Illuminations and Fantasmic (DL’s is better anyway)
Must do is Rivers of Light or the StarWars one. Tbh Rivers of Light is the most beautiful disney show Ive see.

 

[Farro]

We skip all of them!

We've just seen Illuminations too many times. The others, nothing is worth the hassle to us of standing shoulder to shoulder with people. We are in the parks, but going on rides during fireworks, so we still see parts.

What I would NOT skip is the Tree of Life after dark at Animal Kingdom. Just a stunningly beautiful show on the tree itself. Pure magic!

 

[CAS239]

Definitely skip River of Lights, next up would be Illuminations.

Happily Ever After and Star Wars are a must

 

[Blue32]

I’ll throw in my vote for skipping ROL. I like the tree of life awakenings a bit better there and doing other things in AK after dark. ROL was pretty but not a must do like some of the other shows.

 

[rteetz]

Don’t skip Star Wars. I would skip Rivers of Light. My favorite is illuminations.

 

[CynBeth]

I would see all of the nighttime shows except for Fantasmic and not leave a park early with the trip being so short.

 

[AnneDE]

We were there last night and thought Rivers of Light was amazing and beautiful. Its not Bright or Loud and no fireworks so if that is what defines a spectacular for you then it may not be your best choice. They clearly put in tons of time and money and thought to create some breathtaking images. We were totally absorbed, and never heard even a peep from any children nearby, so I assume they were as well. After our first view, we never have stayed at Epcot for illuminations.

 

[North of Mouse]

We will be visiting next October, for first time in many years. We are Disneyland AP holders, and this will be my 7-year old son’s first time visiting WDW. We’ll be visiting each park for one full day, and attending a Halloween party, for a total of 5 nights in the parks.

I am wanting to pick one park night to leave early, to give my son a little break, and swim at our hotel.

Which park’s entertainment is the most skipable, in your opinion? We won’t be doing Fantasmic!, as I’ve read the DL version is a bit better, and we’ve seen that one many times. But, we are big Star Wars fans, so I’m on the fence about skipping the Star Wars spectacular.

I would skip Illuminations. Don't skip Star Wars, Rivers of Light, or Happily Ever After, for sure! Those three are great! Also, new this year, light shows at Holiday Studios - it was great! (continual viewing)

 

[SpaceMtnGirl]

I would skip illuminations

 

[PPFlight75]

HEA is a must see! Illuminations was my favorite but HEA has them tied. Both are wonderful. I have not seen Star Wars but hear it is great. ROL was pretty but just ok to me. If I need to skip one, ROL would be it.

 

[dragonfly57005]

I’m looking forward to see Star Wars. I would skip ROL

 

[megs1313]

Most skippable to least:
1. fantasmic
2. rivers of light
3. illuminations
4. HEA

 

[Babsy]

skip ROL, for sure (so boring!)! Also skip Fantastic! (you've seen in DL)

I would definitely watch Star Wars Spectacular, if you are a Star wars fan.

If you want another evening show - either Illuminations or HEA, whichever is most convenient. We enjoy both and plan to see at least one or the other in Jan.