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Fantasmic...not so great
- Thread starter mitchk
- Start date
pax_65
Well-Known Member
Remember, the original question was "Is Fantasmic overrated?"
While I enjoy the show and would see it again, I think it is overrated because people and travel guides rate the show too highly.
Personally I prefer Wishes and Illuminations (more spectacular fireworks) but I recognize that's a matter of personal preference. I admit Fantasmic does have a good story and a nice Disney ending.
I'm also not big on waiting for things I've seen before. The chaos, crowds and required waiting for Fantasmic lower the appeal for me.
While I enjoy the show and would see it again, I think it is overrated because people and travel guides rate the show too highly.
Personally I prefer Wishes and Illuminations (more spectacular fireworks) but I recognize that's a matter of personal preference. I admit Fantasmic does have a good story and a nice Disney ending.
I'm also not big on waiting for things I've seen before. The chaos, crowds and required waiting for Fantasmic lower the appeal for me.
Testtrack321
Well-Known Member
Fantasmic was great when it first came out in '92 in Disneyland, now 15 years later, they need something new. 
Hey, don't get me wrong, I thought it was an alright show, but after all the good reviews I read about it, I was disappointed. I've never seen the DL version, nor did I have it confused with the one at MGM (as a pervious poster had thought), but the wait was very long, and the story, at least for me, was kinda hard to follow. I know Mickey was having a battel with some well known villains, and he won at the end....... Who knows, maybe I was just tired after the hour plus wait in an arena with nothing to do but sit there. Well, to each his own. :wave:
AEfx
Well-Known Member
Just goes to show you how different people are.
Personally, I find Fantasmic! brilliant, and ROE about as exciting as watching the hair-gunk dry on Price Charming's head. It's not the lack of characters, but the entire lack of Disney period that makes it bland to me. That and how hard it is to find a good seat to watch (or even a good standing spot sometimes); I prefer the Fantasmic! theater because everyone has a decent view and you don't have to worry about what you are missing not being a mile away on the other side of the lagoon.
So I'll make a deal with you - you keep going to ROE, and I'll keep walking out of Epcot just as it starts. And you will stay away from Fantasmic, so you aren't talking up a space when I want to see it.
See how nice it is when the world works out? :ROFLOL:
AEfx
justducky78
New Member
I agree -- the first time I saw it, I was WOWED, but the second time, it just wasn't as spectacular.
Can't say I like Wishes as much as others, either - I preferred the fireworks show before...Fantasy in the Sky I think it was called?
Can't say I like Wishes as much as others, either - I preferred the fireworks show before...Fantasy in the Sky I think it was called?
wdwforus
Member
:sohappy: :sohappy: :ROFLOL:
Its my favorite show, just thinking about it makes my spine tingle
fizzle75
New Member
You took the words right out of my mouth. Fantasmic is the ultimate Disney experience IMHO. I love everything about it, the effects, the music and especially the characters. Both Wishes and Fantasmic are hands down the highlights of our trips "home".
DDuckFan130
Well-Known Member
It's not everyone's cup of tea. However, it's a must for my family every time. On the other hand, I can live without Wishes and Illuminations if I miss it a few trips. Fantasmic has music that has always caught my attention and I love the end...gives me goosebumps. It's not about the pyro and the "cool" factor (although it is cool too), but the emotion behind it. So yeah maybe I should like Wishes too, but I still can't get into it :lol:
Edit: Another reason I love seeing the show so much is hearing the reactions of people watching it for the first time. It's just so great and makes the show worth seeing again and again
Edit: Another reason I love seeing the show so much is hearing the reactions of people watching it for the first time. It's just so great and makes the show worth seeing again and again
DonaldDuck34
New Member
i love fantasmic. that and wishes r my 2 favorites
mousermerf
Account Suspended
Well, I guess I'll chime in..
I've disliked MGM's Fantasmic from my very first viewing. I was in the "that's it?" group.
I've seen DL's version, i think twice, since first seeing it at MGM. The DL version is better but it's still not amazing. The whole thing feels very forced and disjointed. Water screens are "bleh" and forcing all the characters in is painfully obvious. I had more fun riding the Golden Zephyr at DCA - that's saying a lot.
I think it comes down to what you like Disney World for. I don't do characters. I don't have any autographs and have to be dragged to character meals. A friend of mine thrives on hugging the ginormous plush and used to drag me to character meals - she loves Fantasmic, hates ROE.
I've disliked MGM's Fantasmic from my very first viewing. I was in the "that's it?" group.
I've seen DL's version, i think twice, since first seeing it at MGM. The DL version is better but it's still not amazing. The whole thing feels very forced and disjointed. Water screens are "bleh" and forcing all the characters in is painfully obvious. I had more fun riding the Golden Zephyr at DCA - that's saying a lot.
I think it comes down to what you like Disney World for. I don't do characters. I don't have any autographs and have to be dragged to character meals. A friend of mine thrives on hugging the ginormous plush and used to drag me to character meals - she loves Fantasmic, hates ROE.
DDuckFan130
Well-Known Member
There's the thing: you don't like characters. So obviously Fantasmic isn't for you I think. We just did a character breakfast and hunted down the Three Caballeros and Launchpad McQuack. :shrug:
Some people like to know the behind-the-scenes of WDW. I prefer to keep it in front of the scenes :lol:
TP2000
Well-Known Member
Via the miracle of YouTube, I found some decent amateur videos that show the differences between the Disneyland version and the WDW version.
Here's the WDW finale' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tmv4DjLVDQI
And here's the Disneyland finale' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8snD96a96o&mode=related&search=
Here's the big Peter Pan Vs. Captain Hook segment that is played out midway through the show on the Sailing Ship Columbia at Disneyland http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEm3v_wvJ_8 At WDW the Pocohontas Canoe segment replaces this. This Peter Pan segment is hard to film, but the guy who did this video did a great job I think.
Watching these videos I also realized that with the stadium seating in WDW most of the audience looks down on the show, while with the riverbank seating at Disneyland much of the audience looks up or evenly with the show. I think that makes a difference in the perception of the scale and scope of the performance that's not often in WDW's favor.
Here's the WDW finale' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tmv4DjLVDQI
And here's the Disneyland finale' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8snD96a96o&mode=related&search=
Here's the big Peter Pan Vs. Captain Hook segment that is played out midway through the show on the Sailing Ship Columbia at Disneyland http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEm3v_wvJ_8 At WDW the Pocohontas Canoe segment replaces this. This Peter Pan segment is hard to film, but the guy who did this video did a great job I think.
Watching these videos I also realized that with the stadium seating in WDW most of the audience looks down on the show, while with the riverbank seating at Disneyland much of the audience looks up or evenly with the show. I think that makes a difference in the perception of the scale and scope of the performance that's not often in WDW's favor.
drdoom1001
Member
It's definitely a distant third for me behind Illuminations and my favorite Wishes!!Too many videos on the water screens,it becomes repetitive!!
Nicole220
Well-Known Member
It is. Just look at TP2000's posts.
I think the show could use a little bit of updating. They should really ditch most, if not, all of the water screens and add something much more impressive and up to date.
DDuckFan130
Well-Known Member
:ROFLOL:Just goes to show you how different people are.
Personally, I find Fantasmic! brilliant, and ROE about as exciting as watching the hair-gunk dry on Price Charming's head. It's not the lack of characters, but the entire lack of Disney period that makes it bland to me. That and how hard it is to find a good seat to watch (or even a good standing spot sometimes); I prefer the Fantasmic! theater because everyone has a decent view and you don't have to worry about what you are missing not being a mile away on the other side of the lagoon.
So I'll make a deal with you - you keep going to ROE, and I'll keep walking out of Epcot just as it starts. And you will stay away from Fantasmic, so you aren't talking up a space when I want to see it.
See how nice it is when the world works out? :ROFLOL:
AEfx
Very good post.
I agree that ROE is nice and all, but I think only the beginning and end hold my attention. If it weren't for this site, I wouldn't have known there was a story to it :lookaroun And Wishes? I got the "story," but still :shrug:
I guess I'm not a big fireworks fan, because you can only see enough pretty pyro before it gets old
Again, Fantasmic is for me because of the music, characters, and the story. As far as the wait and seats go, those are my pet peeves. But we don't get there so early anymore :lol:
jmvd20
Well-Known Member
I felt the exact same way you did when I saw it. I thought it was a waste of time when we could have seen ROE just a short distance away.
DznyRktekt
Well-Known Member
Just goes to show you how different people are.
Personally, I find Fantasmic! brilliant, and ROE about as exciting as watching the hair-gunk dry on Price Charming's head. It's not the lack of characters, but the entire lack of Disney period that makes it bland to me. That and how hard it is to find a good seat to watch (or even a good standing spot sometimes); I prefer the Fantasmic! theater because everyone has a decent view and you don't have to worry about what you are missing not being a mile away on the other side of the lagoon.
So I'll make a deal with you - you keep going to ROE, and I'll keep walking out of Epcot just as it starts. And you will stay away from Fantasmic, so you aren't talking up a space when I want to see it.
See how nice it is when the world works out? :ROFLOL:
AEfx
We can high-five each other as we pass. :ROFLOL:
Fantasmic @ DL is already overrated, WDW just makes it worse. After seeing MGM's poor copy, I like the one at DL so much better.
kathyjacks
New Member
:wave:
Everyone has different opinions. I loved fantasmic and have the whole show on video and we rewatch it at home all the time. I think its good for everyone to see once and if you dont' like it find somehting you do like............there are so many experiences at disney everyone doesn't have to love the same things but I think the majority of people really think its a good show.I myself loved the shows and parades better then the rides but some are all about the rides and skip the parades and shows. Its what ever makes you happy.
Everyone has different opinions. I loved fantasmic and have the whole show on video and we rewatch it at home all the time. I think its good for everyone to see once and if you dont' like it find somehting you do like............there are so many experiences at disney everyone doesn't have to love the same things but I think the majority of people really think its a good show.I myself loved the shows and parades better then the rides but some are all about the rides and skip the parades and shows. Its what ever makes you happy.