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View Full Version : Which is better- fantasmic or illuminations?



Nom
10-16-2001, 08:49 AM
I've never been big into those types of evening shows (although I love spectromagic). However, this year I was dragged to fantasmic, and loved it. I still have no desire to see illuminations though- but I know everyone raves about it.

My question- is illuminations really that good? What do you all prefer- illuminations or fantasmic? Should I see illuminations next year?

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"If you had wings, you could do all these things. Eastern will be your wings."

PixieHearted
10-16-2001, 08:57 AM
Fantasmic! I can't imagine anything being better than Fantasmic. I mean it's everything that you could want from Disney, characters, beloved Disney music, special effects, fantasy, and dreams.

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Vince

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Disneywarrior
10-16-2001, 09:31 AM
Fantasmic! is the better of the two. The Illuminations music is really better than the actual show.

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Samanthalfi
10-16-2001, 09:48 AM
Fantasmatic!!!!Hands down!! This May we went to see it twice. My boys, (7&10) talk about it all the time! Enjoy!!!

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mktiggerman
10-16-2001, 09:59 AM
FANSTASMIC!

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Rob
Disney Cast Member
Walt Disney Entertainment - East
WDW Parks and Resorts

"From out of the night comes the magic of light, as Tokyo Disneyland proudly presents: Disney's Fantillusion!"

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robjul
10-16-2001, 11:05 AM
I'd have to say Fantasmic also. Great show! http://www.intercot.com/boards/supergrin.gif

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aka..Bob
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Goofy Pluto
10-16-2001, 11:22 AM
I LOVE Fantasmic! Can't wait to see it again!

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Garsh!

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ghp918
10-16-2001, 11:25 AM
I love Fantasmic, but am a big believer that you should try new things. If you are at Epcot, why not just stay and see Illuminations? It is included in the ticket price and then you can see what everyone is raving about. If time is precious... go to Fantasmic.

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self proclaimed Disney Addict... the first step to recover is admitting you have I problem. I see no problem.

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wlodgefan
10-16-2001, 11:29 AM
I prefer Illuminations. I'd rather be in EPCOT walking around World Showcase looking at the fireworks and listening to great classical music than sitting in a seat waiting for Fantasmic to start.

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DisneyBaby
10-16-2001, 11:46 AM
I agree. Illuminations is much easier to see. You don't have to reserve a place an hour or two before the show. I just think Illuminations is classier. It's not full of characters or classic Disney music. It's just different and wonderful!

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Martino
10-16-2001, 11:51 AM
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Nom:
My question- is illuminations really that good? What do you all prefer- illuminations or fantasmic? Should I see illuminations next year?

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Does that answer your question Nom?
7 out of 8 prefer Fantasmic. Actually you can make that 8 out of 9 if you include me in the equation. Saying that, I can't imagine spending my vacation at WDW and not seeing Illuminations at Epcot either.
Next time you go, my advice would be to do both, and then you can decide for yourself.
You can end the day perfectly at Epcot by watching the "Tapestry of Dreams" parade followed by Illuminations.
Remember, we are all human and some of us have differing likes and dislikes. Take the Tower of Terror ride for example - I could ride this for hours on end without getting off, yet "Pixiehearted" doesn't do drops so won't do it once.
Am I rabbiting on, anyway do you get what I mean?


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Martin

Previous visits
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WeLuvMickey
10-16-2001, 11:59 AM
FANTASMIC!!! Without doubt

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prprincess
10-16-2001, 12:27 PM
Without hesitation...FANTASMIC!

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"I suggest you take the stairs."

JabberJaws
10-16-2001, 12:55 PM
FANTASMIC!

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Dougie Boy
--"We realize in order for our dreams to come true, change must be welcomed. There is nothing to fear, for when our vision remains fixed upon the goal, we know any path taken will lead us there."--

Figment!
10-16-2001, 01:21 PM
First of all I would just like to say that Fantasmic! and Illuminations:RoE are not compareable It would be like trying to compare Fantasia to Aladian, both are great movies but they are different types of movies. Illuminations is like the Fantasia of the nighttime shows. It is actions set to music to inspire your own imagination and is a truly unbelivable show some of the effects they use. Fantasmic! is like the Aladian of nighttime shows it tells a stroy and has charachters as well as musical preformances. However these two shows are too different in style to actually compare.


See Illuminations once just for yourself so you can draw your own opinion It is not a bad show by anymeans and even if it does not become your favorite you need to see it atleast once, it will not be a waste of time.

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Beach Club Babe
10-16-2001, 01:51 PM
While Fantasmic is our favorite of the two, there is a lot to be said of Illuminations. When we first went I was hesitant about these shows as well as parades. I am not really into these things. But we saw all the nighttime shows and I was thoroughly impressed with all. We skipped the parades that year and now that I've seen most of them I'm sorry that I did. Give Illuminations a chance. I don't think you will be disappointed. If it turns out not to be for you, at least you will know for next time and nothing at Disney could be that unbearable.

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Ginmouse
10-16-2001, 02:08 PM
Although Fantasmic has its fair share of fire, if you are a pyromaniac like me, you need to see Illuminations! It's awesome!

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MKPlutoGuy
10-16-2001, 02:55 PM
fantasmic is better in my opinion cuz it is more disney oriented ie characters, music from movies etc. illuminations is a great firework pyrotecnic show with lazers and fire and everything too with great music. see them both if u can but if its only one, go with fantasmic-its worth the wait!

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MORTIMER
10-16-2001, 04:12 PM
Not only do I like Fantasmic! is better, I think it is the best show I have ever seen. Anywhere.

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Sept '99
Sept '00
May '01
Next trip - Dec '01

BATWS Frank
10-16-2001, 05:10 PM
I prefer Fantasmic... but in Disneyland.

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Last Trip: 3/2/2001 - 3/4/2001
Next Trip: Probably 8/10/2001 - 8/12/2001

Piglet822
10-16-2001, 05:47 PM
I'd like to cast my vote for Fantasmic.

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Jeanne
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PolyGirl40
10-16-2001, 07:20 PM
You can not compare the 2 shows.

Although Fantasmic! is my favorite, I do not miss Illuminations either.

Fantasmic! is entertaining.

Illuminations is spiritually uplifting. It's food for the soul.

Both are *must dos*.

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Pixie Dust
10-16-2001, 07:46 PM
If I had to compare Fantasmic to Illuminations then I would say Fantasmic wins hands down!! The only thing is now there is a showing of Tapestry of Nations (now Dreams) just before Illuminations. These two combined together make it a VERY tough decision!! My DH loves TON and is very excited to see TOD!! I prefer the older versions of Illuminations over the current version.

But if you have seen Fantasmic, then TOD and Illuminations combined together are definately worth the viewing!

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Pam AKA Pixie Dust
Intercot Staff : Disney & Orlando Dining

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lindsaylohanrules
10-16-2001, 09:37 PM
My family and I lucked out big-time-we got to Fantasmic's seating at 7:00 (it started that night at 7:30) and they announced it was standing-room only, BUT we snagged second-row seats all the way at the right hand side of the amphitheater. Fantasmic is AWESOME! I prefer Fantasmic for sure.

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ThisKnee
10-16-2001, 10:17 PM
If I could only see one of the shows, I would have to choose Illuminations. I saw Fantasmic once, but we were way in the back, stannding and very tired and irratable. But from what I did see of Fantasmic, I would choose Illuminations, like many of you have said, "hands down"

just my 2 cents http://www.intercot.com/boards/smile.gif

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mickclub1955
10-16-2001, 11:06 PM
Fantasy in the Sky, Oh sorry wrong post. Fantasmic is great but only at Disneyland. No show can beat it. Not even the one at WDW. Its hard to believe WDW's didn't improve it. Illuminations was great but I like the old show. More Lasers and lights and Fireworks. Now its just slow and you just watch this bad movie on the globe. Bring back the old show.

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"There's enough land here to hold all the ideas and dreams that we could possibly imagine."-Walt Disney

Ghost1000
10-17-2001, 12:57 AM
I think it's ironic that so many have stated that Fantasmic is their favorite show yet so many on Intercot use the lyrics to the closing song "We Go On" in IllumiNations as their signatures. I think that says a lot about the show's content.

Like someone else stated, the two shows are NOT comparable. IllumiNations is a nighttime pyrotechnic extravaganza whereas Fantasmic is a glorified character show that you have to wait upwards of two hours to see. Once seated, if lucky, you have to endure in-your-face merchandise vendors and hard metal bleachers.

If anyone said they like Fantasmic "hands down," it's because they are using them to sit on at the show. http://www.intercot.com/boards/supergrin.gif

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Bucs300
10-17-2001, 01:31 AM
Fantasmic

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Jason

"We go on... to the joy and through the tears
We go on... to discover new frontiers
Moving on... with the courage of the years
We go on... moving forward now as one
We go on... with a spirit born to run
Moving on... with each rising sun to a new day..."


And here's the little Skipper Now

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ºOº

Jared
10-17-2001, 06:21 AM
As everyone has said, I like Fantasmic too, but I don't think that this thread should change your mind at all. Illuminations in not comparable to Fantasmic, as someone said, it's like comparing Fantasia to Aladdin. Illuminations is a lot classier, and a lot more "sophisticated." The music in Illuminations is abosolutely wonderful, and instead of waiting in line for an hour to get into Fantasmic, you get to take a nice leisurly walk around the World Showcase Lagoon and watch Tapestry Of Dreams beforehand. See Illuminations this time, and make the decision for yourself.

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-Jared
BEWARE OF THE ZOOGS

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DisneyDarren
10-17-2001, 07:00 AM
I would not like to say which one I prefer as I absolutly love both. Illuminations might slightly win it for me though as you don't have to wait around for ages to see it. My advice is, see Illuminations more than once as it really does grow on you and it gets better the more times you see it.

After working at the Rose & Crown for nearly 9 months and seeing Illuminations: RoE virtually every night I probably know the show back to front and inside out but I still absolutly love it! You will also find, the more you see it the more things you notice and the more you understand the show which adds to the enjoyment.

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brer frog
10-17-2001, 08:16 AM
I feel that fantasmic is the better show but you have to wait on a line.

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Nom
10-17-2001, 08:39 AM
Well, it sounds like I'll try illuminations next time- at least to see it once!

Thanks for all your input!

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"If you had wings, you could do all these things. Eastern will be your wings."

Fantasmic
10-17-2001, 08:58 AM
Yeah, um I like Fantasmic!


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Amy AKA Fantasmic
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MarkC
10-17-2001, 12:10 PM
We've seen both of them several times, but in August took my Mom for the first time. We went to Illuminations first, and she loved that. However, after seeing Fantasmic she stated that she was glad she saw Illuminations first, caused it didn't even compare to Fantasmic. Illuminations would have been a letdown after Fantasmic.

We leave in 4 days- more chances to compare!

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Zebra
10-18-2001, 06:08 AM
Fantasmic...definitely!


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titleistboy
10-18-2001, 12:11 PM
While Fantasmic is excellent, I really think that Illuminations is a little more entertaining for the investment of time and so on...for instance, when I went to Fantasmic for the first time, we had to arrive about two and a half hours early...after all that sitting and waiting, it's a little easier to criticize the show...Illuminations you can scout out a spot later on, get some food, move around, just a little looser all around...

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The truth can't hurt you, it's just like the dark...

-"When you're sitting on a hot cinder, a second seems like an hour, but when you're courting a nice girl an hour seems like a second. That's relativity."
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titleistboy
10-18-2001, 12:26 PM
Whoops...last post supposed to go somewhere else...boy, is my face red...

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The truth can't hurt you, it's just like the dark...

-"When you're sitting on a hot cinder, a second seems like an hour, but when you're courting a nice girl an hour seems like a second. That's relativity."
-Albert Einstein

Next trip: April 2002

brownie
10-18-2001, 04:15 PM
You really can't compare the two, since Fantasmic is more of a stage show. We just saw Fantasmic for the first time and loved it. We like Illuminations too, but if I had to choose between the two for which I would go see, I would choose Fantasmic. Illuminations is still fun to watch, and it does have more fireworks than Fantasmic.

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Steve
Sep 94 BC
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