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Nighttime Show Advice
- Thread starter madge
- Start date
MickeyTigg
New Member
madge said:
Though I think Illuminations is a better show....I think that you're going to have problems finding a place for 20 people to view it together and have a good view. The only place where you'll all fit is at Showcase Plaza next to the water and they don't open that up until about an hour before the show...and you all have to be able to sit down on ghe ground.
Based on the size of your group...I'd suggest Fantasmic.
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MickeyTigg
New Member
Wow...this is helping isn't it?
Honestly...I forgot about wishes. That would be easy to see as a large group too. It is a great show....I still think Fantasmic might still be easiar to coordinate.
Honestly...I forgot about wishes. That would be easy to see as a large group too. It is a great show....I still think Fantasmic might still be easiar to coordinate.
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Lauriebar said:
that was my very first instinct.
I've seen all 3 shows, and wishes is my all-time favorite
Our schedule is tight--the group is attending Faith in 3D over MLK weekend in January. Park time is limited to a few hours on Friday, about 6 hours on Saturday, and most of the day on Sunday. Here's what I'm thinking:
Friday--we are staying at Coronado Springs and will have about 4 hours for a park. I'm planning Animal Kingdom. There are some theater buffs in the group, and FotLK is a must-see for them. A lot of the kids want to do the Safari.
Saturday--morning is taken up with a Youth Education Series class (ends around 1pm). Our group is signed up for classes at Epcot and the Studios. I'm thinking that the group at Epcot will meet up with the group at the Studios and tour there on Saturday afternoon. We have to be back at the resort for conference activities by 7pm.
Sunday--after morning worship, the group is heading to Epcot to participate in something called "Faith Around the World", where they will spend 3 hours touring the countries, having lunch, scavenger hunts, etc. Sounds very fun. I hoping to have some of the adults pick up fast passes for Soarin' and/or Test Track at that time. The programming wraps up at 2pm, and we're on our own for the rest of the evening. My gut is telling me to leave Epcot on Sunday afternoon and head to the Magic Kingdom for the rest of the evening and stay for wishes.
I know it isn't nearly enough time to see much of anything, but it's the only way I can think of to give everyone a "taste". Any suggestions at all would be most appreciated!!! I've planned many trips for my family, but not 14 teenagers and some parents :hammer:
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I haven't seen Wishes yet (I'll see it in December), but I would without a doubt recommend Illuminations over Fantasmic. I had heard so much about Fantasmic, but I honestly didn't feel that it lived up to the hype, and I was a little disappointed. If you want to see more characters and less fireworks, you may want to pick Fantasmic. But if you want to see a show with great fireworks, music and other water/fire effects, I would go with Illuminations. We make a point to see it every time we go to Disney.
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SpectroMan
New Member
If you have park hopper passes, it is probably possible to do Animal Kingdom and get over to the Magic Kingdom in time for Wishes.
I suggest IllumiNations on Sunday. It is my personal favorite and many of my friends' and family's favorite, and since you are already at Epcot, it makes it much easier.
I suggest IllumiNations on Sunday. It is my personal favorite and many of my friends' and family's favorite, and since you are already at Epcot, it makes it much easier.
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I forgot to add in our scedule that we have to be back at the resort on Friday at 5:00 for dinner, opening ceremonies, and worship. I would love it if we had time to see wishes on Friday.
our only late evening park time is on Sunday.
I did think of one other thing....not sure what the crowd situation will be that weekend, but we could go to evening EMH at the studios (if the current schedule holds) after Illuminations.
I really want to get the group to the Magic Kingdom at some point, and I don't think I want to try it on the Saturday of a long weekend....do I??
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madge said:that was my very first instinct.
I've seen all 3 shows, and wishes is my all-time favorite
Our schedule is tight--the group is attending Faith in 3D over MLK weekend in January. Park time is limited to a few hours on Friday, about 6 hours on Saturday, and most of the day on Sunday. Here's what I'm thinking:
Friday--we are staying at Coronado Springs and will have about 4 hours for a park. I'm planning Animal Kingdom. There are some theater buffs in the group, and FotLK is a must-see for them. A lot of the kids want to do the Safari.
Saturday--morning is taken up with a Youth Education Series class (ends around 1pm). Our group is signed up for classes at Epcot and the Studios. I'm thinking that the group at Epcot will meet up with the group at the Studios and tour there on Saturday afternoon. We have to be back at the resort for conference activities by 7pm.
Sunday--after morning worship, the group is heading to Epcot to participate in something called "Faith Around the World", where they will spend 3 hours touring the countries, having lunch, scavenger hunts, etc. Sounds very fun. I hoping to have some of the adults pick up fast passes for Soarin' and/or Test Track at that time. The programming wraps up at 2pm, and we're on our own for the rest of the evening. My gut is telling me to leave Epcot on Sunday afternoon and head to the Magic Kingdom for the rest of the evening and stay for wishes.
I know it isn't nearly enough time to see much of anything, but it's the only way I can think of to give everyone a "taste". Any suggestions at all would be most appreciated!!! I've planned many trips for my family, but not 14 teenagers and some parents :hammer:
Looks like a good schedule to me. The only issue I see is the four hours on Friday. Depending on if its morning or afternoon could be a problem for you. Given you are going in January and it gets dark earlier, Animal Kingdom, I think, closes alot earlier than your other parks. I would say you would at least need to be there by noon to get your four hours in with plenty of daylight to do the Kilamanjaro Safari......
To answer your orriginal question, I think Fantasmic would be my suggestion as it gives you a good sampling of characters, special effects and pyro.
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hakunamatata said:
We'll have from whenever we can get checked in (roughly 1:30pm) until 5pm to tour the AK. Historical park hours show the park closes at 5pm in January. I'm hoping that most of the morning crowds will be cleared out by 2:00, making it a little less crowded.
Everyone in the group gets a 3-day Park Hopper that expires, so we've got nothing to lose by going to a park on Friday. I can't imagine it being worthwhile to try and hit any of the others with only 3 hours to spend. Maybe the studios?
Thanks for all the advice, everyone
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shmmrname
Active Member
I agree that Fantasmic! will be the easiest to plan because the stadium-type seating offers your group the chance to both sit together and still have equally good views for everyone.
But, I think the other two shows (Wishes and Illuminations) are far better, especially if you are using just one to introduce many people to WDW's magic. I would suggest Illuminations, because EPCOT can be much easier navigated during the show, and I personally think it's much more engaging.
But, I think the other two shows (Wishes and Illuminations) are far better, especially if you are using just one to introduce many people to WDW's magic. I would suggest Illuminations, because EPCOT can be much easier navigated during the show, and I personally think it's much more engaging.
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wannabeBelle
Well-Known Member
Hi Madge I think your plan of AK on Friday, Studios on Saturday and EPCOT on Sunday is sound. Not to mention there might be a very good chance of you catching some lads in plaid on Sunday Afternoon!!! Have a great time!!! Bellemadge said:We'll have from whenever we can get checked in (roughly 1:30pm) until 5pm to tour the AK. Historical park hours show the park closes at 5pm in January. I'm hoping that most of the morning crowds will be cleared out by 2:00, making it a little less crowded.
Everyone in the group gets a 3-day Park Hopper that expires, so we've got nothing to lose by going to a park on Friday. I can't imagine it being worthwhile to try and hit any of the others with only 3 hours to spend. Maybe the studios?
Thanks for all the advice, everyone
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TTATraveler
Active Member
I would flip between Illuminations and Wishes. Fantasmic is good, but I hate sitting on those bleachers so far in advance before the show starts. Logistically though, it would be easier to accomodate 20 people at Fantasmic then finding a viewing spot for either fireworks presentation, however, I'd still shoot for the fireworks.
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shoppingnut
Active Member
madge said:
I definitely would go with the FP for Soarin' (get it asap because when we arrive in EP at 11:30, the FP were being given out for 6:30p) and for TT I suggest using the single rider line as it moves much faster then the sign outside ever says.
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SpenceMan01
Well-Known Member
I wholeheartedly recommend Fantasmic. It embodies the very essence of what Disney is all about (good vs. evil, with good winning out in the end). There are tons of characters, great special effects and fireworks. It's also the longest nighttime show (~27 minutes). I think Fantasmic is most magical because it oozes Disney. Like others, I also think it would be the easiest to handle a large group here.
Wishes is my second choice. You know and love Wishes, so I don't have to explain.
Illuminations IMO is just ho-hum. There's nothing really uniquely Disney about it and IMO doesn't hold a candle to the original Illuminations. I also agree that it would be hard to wrangle a place for a large group.
Wishes is my second choice. You know and love Wishes, so I don't have to explain.
Illuminations IMO is just ho-hum. There's nothing really uniquely Disney about it and IMO doesn't hold a candle to the original Illuminations. I also agree that it would be hard to wrangle a place for a large group.
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wannabeBelle
Well-Known Member
While I dig Axe of course I love seeing all 5 of the original band members together I just think they have an awesome chemistry!!!! Bellemadge said:you know I've got that covered, for sure!!! In fact, our meeting place on Sunday is at the OK stage, LOL...I'm also hoping to catch Axe Mulch on Saturday at the Studios, too
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Well, it's been almost a month...and I've taking a break from the trip planning
Now that January hours are posted and EMH announced, I think I have our itinerary boiled down to this:
Friday--after we arrive at WDW, go to Animal Kingdom until park close. We have to be back at CSR for evening convention activities around 6:00pm.
Saturday--the kids have chosen 2 YES series classes at Epcot, those wrap up at 1:00pm. We have until approx. 7:00pm for park time. We'll likely head over to the Studios. I'm hopeful :::crosses fingers::: that morning EMH won't have too much impact on the afternoon crowds. (I'm a little unsure about this choice)
Sunday--early part of the day is spent at the World Showcase. We will have from 2:00pm until 10:00pm for park time. I'm planning on seeing Off Kilter at 2:30pm (the rest of the group can do what they want :lol: ) and then head to the Magic Kingdom. It's evening EMH at the Magic Kingdom, and I know that's very risky....especially on a 3-day weekend....but, it's the best and only chance we have to get over there. We have too many first-time WDW visitors to skip it altogether.
So....at this point, it looks like wishes is the winner....unless we decide to leave the MK at 8:00 and go back to Epcot for Illuminations, LOL.
I nearly had a meltdown yesterday, one of the other adults making thr trip actually told the kids they could just pick a park and do whatever they want :brick: I don't mind letting them choose, LOL...but there needs to be just a little planning!
Now that January hours are posted and EMH announced, I think I have our itinerary boiled down to this:
Friday--after we arrive at WDW, go to Animal Kingdom until park close. We have to be back at CSR for evening convention activities around 6:00pm.
Saturday--the kids have chosen 2 YES series classes at Epcot, those wrap up at 1:00pm. We have until approx. 7:00pm for park time. We'll likely head over to the Studios. I'm hopeful :::crosses fingers::: that morning EMH won't have too much impact on the afternoon crowds. (I'm a little unsure about this choice)
Sunday--early part of the day is spent at the World Showcase. We will have from 2:00pm until 10:00pm for park time. I'm planning on seeing Off Kilter at 2:30pm (the rest of the group can do what they want :lol: ) and then head to the Magic Kingdom. It's evening EMH at the Magic Kingdom, and I know that's very risky....especially on a 3-day weekend....but, it's the best and only chance we have to get over there. We have too many first-time WDW visitors to skip it altogether.
So....at this point, it looks like wishes is the winner....unless we decide to leave the MK at 8:00 and go back to Epcot for Illuminations, LOL.
I nearly had a meltdown yesterday, one of the other adults making thr trip actually told the kids they could just pick a park and do whatever they want :brick: I don't mind letting them choose, LOL...but there needs to be just a little planning!
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