Which Spectro or Fantasmic for 5 y.o. who can't do too many late nights?

[KIS]

My 5 y.o. is an early riser and an early to bedder. Her bedtime is normally 7:30 and her wake-up time averages about 6:00. She gets absolutely miserable after a couple days of 2 hour extensions on her bedtime. She's 4 1/2 now and on a recent trip for a family wedding, she had to have two such late nights. She was so pathetic that we felt sorry for her and guilty.

Naturally, we will be the first ones at every park. She will need her down time. But, I am not too sure the mid-day naps will, at least initially, work for her because she's likely not to cooperate with all the excitement and little judgement. So, my husband nad I are not counting on her getting much mid-day sleep.

We are considering limiting the past 8/8:30 things she does to just one or two evenings. Most of our dinners are for 5:00 or 5:30 and then, we'll wind down for the night (the adults will have at least one night out).

So, which parades/spectacles would you suggest for a 5 y.o.? I was thinking the spectro (and if she makes it the fireworks) at MK or the Fantasmic. But how can I, a first timer, pick? Most of the veterans debate such matters all the time. Still, here I am asking for suggestions.

Thanks.

KIS

 

[becka]

I would say Spectro only because I have heard of lots of kids that were afraid during Fantasmic (which can be a little dark at times) and I am afraid that if your DD is the type to get a little cranky and/or unpredictable when they are tired that may be an issue.

 

[jaysue]

No contest!

Go with Spectro and then FITS - to see the Spectro lights show with all the characters all lit up and waving and then see the fireworks over the Castle and Tink starts the show - no contest in my mind for your 5yr old

Thanks
jaysue

 

[M&M's Daddy]

We've seen Spectro-Magic a few times, with DD's now 3 1/2 and 7. Saw Fantasmic for the first time when DD's were 5 and 2. While Fantasmic is a great show, and my DD's weren't frightened at all (but I can see how some kids would be), if I had to choose between Spectro and Fantasmic it would be Spectro every time. The parade just seems magical with the lights and being choreographed to music. Anywhere along the parade route you are much closer to the action than you would be at Fantasmic.

 

[CathBilich]

I have been to both with a 5 yr old and she loved Fantasmic. Wasn't at all scared, but then she loved the parades too. She has been going to Disney since she was less than a year old and will be going again in October. Obviously I am a 'little' older, but we are taking family in August and the first thing on the list is Fantasmic!!

 

[nataliesdaddy]

spectro for sure - then hang out and see tinkerbell fly from the castle and watch the fireworks - I mean if you are going to keep your little one up that late you might as well do the whole works and not miss out

 

[jacksonsmom]

My 3.5 yr old seemed to enjoy Fantasmic over Spectro.
We ended up seeing Fantasmic twice & both times his eyes were GLUED to the show! He just loved it.

You really can not go wrong with either one

 

[HauntedMansionGeek]

When we took little ones, they liked Spectro far better than Fantasmic.

Two reasons. One, they thought Fantasmic was scary...they were 6 at the time. Two, they thought it was cool to be on the street so close to the Spectro floats.

For us, no contest. We'd do Spectro with those little peanuts.

Good luck and I should tell ya that if your daughter is to the point of CRAVING sleep, she might not enjoy either program. It's not a killer if ya don't see the parade or the show......there are SO many other things to do at the parks. Things that are daytime events.

AK has a great parade and MGM studios has one with ALL the Disney characters. Both these parades are during the day.

Have a fun fun trip with your little sleepyhead.

 

[lenshanem]

I vote for spectro.

 

[KIS]

Dear Disney Consultants,

Thank you so much for sharing your opinions on this. It looks like Spectro is what the majority of you would opt for.

My daughter gets cranky, but she is a pretty good kid. I am sure she'd spring for at least one night, may be two.

So, if it's one night, we'll probably do the Spectro Parade and the fireworks--like one of you said, if we're there anyway and she's managing, then we might as well go for the whole thing.

As far as planning for the Fantasmic package, do you know if there is a cancellation fee involved and if so, what is it? Perhaps, I can reserve the package and, as the time approaches, see if it's worth the go. After all, she will be older and more mature by then. It's nearly nine months away.

KIS

 

[HunnyPots]

I'm going to swim up stream on this and say Fantasmic, mainly because you can go in early and sit down while you wait. I know you can stake out a curbside spot for Spectro but to me, those parade crowds can be really overwhelming, especially when you are already tired. Just a thought...

 

[lomillerin]

I say Spectro. My 4 year old saw it after a long day and was getting cranky, but as soon as she saw the lights and the characters, her face lit up.
Her favorite was seeing Cinderella with all the lights. We staked a good spot and when the characters came by they waved. My daughter thought they were waving right to her. When it was over, she said, " I won't to stay here forever". She liked Fantasmic, but we were not very close and I do not think she felt as much a part of the magic.
Lo

 

[KIS]

I'm really coming to appreciate these boards. I mean, that was quite a story, lomillerin AND I very much appreciate the consideration about being seated. If we do Fantasmic it would be as a package with dinner so there wouldn't be much of a wait I suppose. (Actually, there are some people discussing how hard it is recently to get later reservations elsewhere) Who knows we might end up with such a gap as to render the Fantasmic prospect virtually ridiculous.

I really want the most magical time, even though I am trying to be practical. I am thinking about learning the fantasmic package cancellation policy. May be it's worth the risk so long as I abide in the rules. You know, I could book it and then wait and see as time goes by what makes the most sense.

KIS