A Tale of Two Fantasmics

Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disneyland both possess versions of Fantasmic, but which can claim the title of superior show?  This is a difficult question because both Fantasmic shows have their merits.  

On a recent trip to Disneyland, we viewed Fantasmic on the Rivers of America, and the show was indeed spectacular.  The use of the actual Mark Twain Riverboat as well as the Sailing Ship Columbia add a certain level of realism and grand scale to Disneyland’s Fantasmic that is just not matched in DHS.  The sheer size of the Rivers of America and the set for Fantasmic in California really just give this show more staying power than the one in Florida.  In addition, the fact that we could walk up to the railing of a bridge and simply watch Fantasmic without having to make the death march down into the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater amongst hundreds of screaming adults and children really made the entire experience far more palatable to me. The crowd flow control in Disneyland was also far more organized than it is in Florida.  I do not blame Disney for this issue in Florida; I blame the guests.  The Disney castmembers clearly state where you should go and where you should not go, but people do not listen.  They feign ignorance and just keep walking wherever they please.  In Disneyland, the visitors seem to be more locals who know how to walk around the parks without causing painful gridlock in congested walkways.  Also, Disneyland is simply a smaller park with less capacity, so there are fewer people present in the park than in WDW.

Now, I did enjoy Disneyland’s Fantasmic, but I did not really enjoy having to stand for the duration of the entire show.  The DHS version wins with regard to seating; I like being able to sit down and enjoy the show.  I can even take better photos because I am sitting and not balancing by leaning up against a rail.  As I stated earlier, the logistics of getting to Fantasmic in Florida are absolutely miserable.  When the castmembers open up the theater, visitors do not follow their directions.  People start pushing and shoving, and they are just generally rude.  At one viewing, I actually had a man push his way through the crowd and then fall on top of me.  He was angry that I was standing where he wanted to stand.  That is just ridiculous.  If everyone just followed directions and let the castmembers do their jobs, the walk into the amphitheater would be far easier.

With regard to both shows, I just can’t get enough of Fantasmic.  I love both shows, and I cannot say that I like one show more than the other.  However, there are certain elements of each show that are superior to the other.  In Disneyland, the whole Peter Pan/Captain Hook sequence is excellent.  There are pirates swinging from the Sailing Ship Columbia; the crocodile chases after Captain Hook; and there are explosions.  This scene is very well done.  On the other hand, the Pocahontas scene at DHS leaves something to be desired.  I would rather see the Peter Pan sequence in Florida.  In California, the jungle scene with the “monkey boats” is less exciting than it is in Florida.  The music is better in Florida, and the entire scene is more enjoyable.  I also prefer the end of the show in Florida where Sorcerer Mickey is stationed high atop a mountain conducting the fireworks.  In Disneyland, he is standing on top of a building on Tom Sawyer’s Island.  The Disney World version is just more exciting and brings a more spectacular end to the entire show.

Finally, if you are going to see Fantasmic at DHS, please invest in the dining package.  You can eat your meal at one of the Table Service establishments in DHS, and then you can proceed to a special viewing area for Fantasmic.  It is a much less stressful way to view the show, especially if you hate waiting in the mob of people that forms at the entrance to the amphitheater before the show.  We enjoyed dinner at Mama Melrose’s Italian Restaurant, but there are other dining locations that participate in this program as well.  Disneyland did not have a similar plan; this park only gave the option of a dessert party of sorts.  You could pay $60 a person for a variety of snacks and desserts.  This was very overpriced, and it did not even include a meal.  We went to see the second showing of Fantasmic on a fairly crowded day at Disneyland, and we did not have a problem viewing the show.  I would not pay $60 a person just for dessert.  You can easily view the show without this special plan.

Overall, Fantasmic is a must see in Disneyland or in Disney World.  It combines all of the excitement of fireworks with the storytelling prowess for which Disney is well known.   The effects are excellent, and the performers do a spectacular job every night they perform the show.  Make sure to catch this journey into Mickey’s imagination at Disneyland or Disney’s Hollywood Studios the next time you make the trip out to one of these parks.  Until next time, have a magical day, and keep moving forward!

Disney World Night Time Shows

  

Here's Mickey battling evil in Fantasmic!

On a recent trip to Disney World, we had the opportunity to see Fantasmic, Wishes, and the Let the Memories Begin Castle Show.  All of these shows had their own appeal, but I am going to discuss the attributes of each and some pitfalls too. 

First, let's begin with Fantasmic.  By far, this is my favorite night show because of the combination of the story, music, characters and the fire works at the end of the show.  Fantasmic takes place in Hollywood Studios in the Hollywood Hills Ampitheater, which is located near the Tower of Terror.  In order to see this show, you should definitely arrive at least an hour early, and this is when the waiting begins.  The shows are often very crowded, which is why you have to get there early.  Ever since Disney decided to limit the shows to just a few per week, people try very hard to get in to every showing.  However, if you don't mind waiting in the parks until a little later, then you can view the second showing of Fantasmic.  This second showing seems to be less crowded than the first showing.  We always try to make the first showing though, because if there is a heavy rain storm, we want to have a second chance at seeing the show.  Anyway, when you do get to sit down, the best seats to try to acquire are the ones in the top section toward the right of the stage, if you are looking at the stage.  These seats afford an excellent view, and they also allow you to make a quick exit from the show when the sea of humanity tries to run out all at once.  Make sure that you position yourself in a way so that you can see around the pole in the center of the seating section.  

Now, if you are on the dining plan or you want to spring some extra money for a table service, the Fantasmic dining package is totally worth the cost.  You can eat at Momma Melrose, Hollywood and Vine, or the Brown Derby in order to take advantage of this package.  We opted for Momma Melrose on a recent trip, and the food was excellent.  At the end of your meal, your server will give you a ticket that will allow you to gain entrance to Fantasmic from an alternate entrance that will cut down significantly on your wait.  You can avoid the often rude sea of humanity, and you can make your way to your reserved seats, which offer a great vantage point.  A word of caution: make sure you keep your ticket with you, even just if you are going to the restroom.  The Disney workers are very strict about this, and they will not let you back in unless you have your ticket.  


After you take your seat, the magic begins when the show starts.  Basically, the premise of the story is that Mickey is going to battle evil in his dreams, which start of happy and full of good guys, but then turn into a nightmare.  There are many characters in this show, and this is quite enjoyable.  Little one may become scared during the show at points, but overall, it is not too scary.  There are projections onto screens of water, and there is even a riverboat filled with Disney characters at the end of the show.  Now, my favorite part is at the end of the show when Sorcerer Mickey conducts a symphony of fireworks.  People often get up and leave during this portion of the show, but then they try to stop in the aisles to watch the exciting end, but the castmembers do not allow this for safety reasons.  My advice, just sit there and watch the awesome ending to the show.  Leaving the theater is not that bad, and it is fun to see Mickey perform his magic on the stage.  If you must leave though; please don't block the view of the people who are sitting and waiting for the end of the show.  


When you do exit the show, there are two exits.  I recommend taking the exit to the right of the stage (if you are looking at the stage).  Don't go all the way back down the ramp on which you entered.  If you stay at  the top level and walk all the way to this exit on the right (looking at the stage), you will exit in a much quicker way.  Now, if you have to retrieve a stroller, then you will have to make sure to exit in such a way that you go past the stroller parking area.  


Overall, Fantasmic is a magical experience, but some people can be rude when you are waiting for the show to start.  Try not to let this bother you and take it easy.  Realistically, you will be waiting a while for the show to start, so bring something to entertain yourself and your little ones.  My husband and I always have our iphones handy for wasting time.  In addition, you can always trade pins with castmembers.  I am a big fan of pin trading, so I enjoy doing this.  Whatever you do, try to be patient. Remember, you are here to have a good time!  


While you are waiting, castmembers will be selling a multitude of light up items.  We always bring our own light up bracelets.  We buy the kind that you can pop and then wear for the rest of the evening.  They usually come in a tube of ten or fifteen.  These are far more cost effective, and you can throw them away when you are done.  In addition, if you must purchase a light up item, my advice would be to purchase a drink at one of the restaurants that comes with a light up Buzz Lightyear or a Tinkerbell.  This drink and light up characters only cost about $5 or $6, when the lightup Mickey or Tinkerbell sold on the carts will cost you at least $10, and they are not even as bright or as cute as the other light up characters that you can purchase at the restaurants.  Most eateries sell these; I bought mine at the Sci Fi Dine In, which is located in Hollywood Studios.  


Well, that's Fantasmic for you!  It is awesome and definitely merits a visit.  I'll talk about Wishes and the Castle show next time!