Which one..Illuminations..or Fantasmic?

[bigsky]

We're doing the land/sea pkg. We'll only be at WDW for three full days. I'd like to see Wishes for sure. But not sure if we want to see a show each night the other two nights. IF we decided to miss one..which would it be for you? Would you skip Illuminations or Fantasmic?

THanks,
Laura

Now we'll be staying at the Dolphin. People say it's just not the same seeing Illuminations from there. BUT, then we could see Fantasmic and Illuminations, but it just won't be the same, but better than nothing.
Since we've never been to WDW, not sure what we'll be missing. This all may just be one's opionion too. But any help would be appreciated.

 

[2belles'mom]

Well...If you have kids, I would say see Fantasmic. It is more comfortable, as you get to sit down, and the show is filled with familiar characters so the kids love it (as do the adults!).

I loved Illuminations, but you pretty much have to stand to see it (unless you are lucky and get a seat somewhere that isn't blocked by standing viewers once the show starts!). The show is GREAT, and you really do need to be there to appreciate it (we stayed at the the Swan/Dolphin last year and did both--watched from our balcony and went in person--no comparison!). There are no familiar characters or any kind of story a child can grab onto though.

So...if I had to choose, I would do Fantasmic WITH kids, and Illuminations WITHOUT kids.

 

[bigsky]

Ok..they're 13 and 15. Does that make a difference? I'm sure things that little ones like may not appeal to older ones.

Thanks,
laura

 

[JustHolly]

DO NOT MISS ILLUMINATIONS!!!!! Even the kids will love it!

 

[chrisp]

You can't go wrong either way, but I would choose to see Fantasmic given the fact that you will be seeing Wishes. (Illuminations while not just a fireworks show, does have a lot of fireworks in it - like Wishes).

 

[bunnyfoo]

I like both shows, but if I had to choose, I'd go with Illuminations

 

[KathyFP]

I would say see Fantasmic

 

[KristaTX]

I love both. If you've never done either one, I think you should do Fantasmic because it is so very Disney. However, because I've seen both several times and because I love the Illuminations music, I would miss Fantasmic if I had to choose between the two.

Really, I think you should see all three fireworks shows if that is an option, especially since you can walk to your resort from Epcot afterwards Illuminations. Skip the parades instead of skipping fireworks - your kids would probably like the fireworks better anyway since they are older.

 

[sherry8253]

If I could only do one of the two I would do Fantasmic. It is a great show - not to be missed (imho)!!!!

 

[avsfan]

My choice without a doubt would be Illuminations. We never miss it, and often see it twice or more.

Never been overly impressed with Fantasmic, although many on the board like it. Saw it once, my sister twice, that is enough Fantasmic for us.

Illuminations is real good.

 

[The Duchess]

I would go with Fantasmic as it is sort of a live action story with great effects and is really cool. Illuminations is sort of a firewords show with a narrator, but not really a story.

 

[tinkerbee]

I would see Fantasmic!!! I never miss it.

 

[bigsky]

THanks for all your replies everyone! Since it's such a toss up, I think we'll try and do all three. Since the one at MGM has a 6:30 show and 8:30. We can do the earlier one.
If we're all just so exhausted, we'll have to not do one of them. Just an excuse to go back again soon!

Thanks,
Laura

 

[BlkBearSuz]

I pick Fantasmic! too. It's my favorite show at night.

 

[sm4987]

Fantasmic. It is lovely and beautiful. I would watch that over Illuminations anyday.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Disney makes life difficult, don't they, LOL? They are good. I sure would hate to choose.

 

[tjkraz]

If you asked 100 times, I'd tell you Illuminations every time.

Our (nearly) 2yo son loves Illuminations and still watches it on video at least once a week. He fell asleep during Fantasmic.

In response to the earlier post about there being seating at Fantasmic and not at Illuminations, while that's true, you don't need to arrive an hour early for Illuminations. True you won't be "front row", but since 90% of the show takes place in the sky, it doesn't really matter. Grab a place to stand (or lean) 5 minutes before the show starts and you sure won't miss much.

 

[Jasminesmommy]

I would say Fantasmic. It was very disney but get there early for good seats.

 

[bigsky]

Well, that's good to know that we don't have to be there so early. That will help us with our decision. I hate to have sit and wait...ha ha..Isn't that what we'll be doing a lot of? Standing and waiting. Oh well.

I hope we don't have to choose, but we might. It's nice that our resort is so close to Epcot as well.

Thanks all for your replies!

I'm just getting so excited to going to WDW for the first time. This board has been a life saver for planning. What would we do without it?

Thanks!
Laura

 

[Chad&Janet]

Just got back from our first trip in 15 years. I found Illuminations to be inspiring and utterly beautiful. The music booming from the world showcase lagoon speakers is phenomenal as well as the tiki torches that dim and eventually relight. We had to see it twice and it amazes me how they coordinate fountains, lasers, and fireworks to the music. To me, it was an indirect testimony to everything Disney, and how far Walt's dream has come. Furthermore, it is definitely something I could have appreciated at 13 or 15.

Fantasmic was cool. I did find it sickening that upon arriving a full 60 minutes early, the theatre was already @ 75% capacity. I'm sorry, but that is a mite ridiculous. The mob like crowd really dampened the effect of the show for me, in spite of it being vibrant and technically unflawed. I saw small kids stand and cheer Mickey. I almost did, but thought better of it.

That being said, Illuminations would be my hands down pick. The cramped entering and exiting of Fantasmic was just no good.