First of all, I think your decision depends on the type of "newbies" that you are bringing to Disney World. Trust me, I've brought lots of people for their first time, and their reactions to the shows vary, typically by age. GENERALLY, people over the age of 35 tend to like Illuminations more than Fantasmic. Personally, I don't compare the two, because they are so different. I always bring people to Fantasmic the first night of their trip, mainly because I believe it holds a much higher "wow" factor than Illuminations. Nowhere, during Illuminations, do you hear everyone in the World Shocase respond like they do in Fantasmic. For example, when the water screens first appear during Fantasmic, then entire theatre gasps (it is easily heard on every tape I've ever made). So, I guess that I'm trying to say that I would choose Fantasmic. It's longer, with more types of effects. The story is much more developed than Illuminations, and the majority of the people that I've ever taken to Disney World tend to like Fantasmic the best.
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