Which is better- fantasmic or illuminations?

[Nom]

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]

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

I don't know when, I don't know how.
But I know something's starting right now.
Watch and you'll see,
Someday, I'll be
Part of Your World!

[Disneywarrior]

Fantasmic! is the better of the two. The Illuminations music is really better than the actual show.

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Por Favor mentaganse allejado de las puertas!
--WDW Monorail

When hinges creek in doorless chambers and strange and frightening sounds echo through the halls. Whenever candlelights flicker, when the air is deathly still. That is the time when ghosts are present, practicing their terror with ghoulish delight.
--Ghost Host, HM

[Samanthalfi]

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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'80-offsite/with Mom&Dad
'90-offsite/with Mom,Dad&my Husband
'01-offsite/with Husband&Kids
?? 2021 ??/Grandkids????

[mktiggerman]

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!"

"The Magic Kingdom proudly presents, in a million points of musical light, the magic worlds of Disney... in SPECTROMAGIC"

"BEWARE of the Chuckie Dolls"

"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..."

[robjul]

I'd have to say Fantasmic also. Great show!

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aka..Bob
WDW - 1973 thru 1985 stayed at Poly
1988 - Fort Wilderness
1990 - Fort Wilderness
1992,1994,1996 - Poly
2001 - Fort Wilderness
Next Trip June 2002 - Contemporary

[Goofy Pluto]

I LOVE Fantasmic! Can't wait to see it again!

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Garsh!

1979 - Polynesian Village
1988 - The Treehouses
1990 - The Treehouses
1997 - The Disney Institute Villas/The Yacht and Beach Club
1999 - The Disney Institute Villas
And coming in October 2001 - The Carribean Beach

[ghp918]

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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Gail aka ghp918
self proclaimed Disney Addict... the first step to recover is admitting you have I problem. I see no problem.

1983 (Off-site)
1986 (Off-site
1989 (Caribbean Beach)
1997 (Disney Village)
04/01 (Port Orleans French Quarter)
06/01 Disneyland
9/14-9/22 Animal Kingdom Lodge, Grand Floridian, and Wilderness Lodge!!!
Next Trip...
Possibly 04/02
Definitely 9/11-9/19/02 Yacht Club (3 nights) and Disney Wonder (4 nights)

[wlodgefan]

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]

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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Born: 1982
Visits: 50+, lost count!
Nut?: YES!!!

[Martino]

<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
May 1992
May 1999
March 2001
Next Planned April 2003

Grim Grinning Ghosts come out to socialise

To Infinity and Beyond

[WeLuvMickey]

FANTASMIC!!! Without doubt

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[prprincess]

Without hesitation...FANTASMIC!

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"I suggest you take the stairs."

[JabberJaws]

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!]

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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We are not trying to entertain the critics. I'll take my chances with the public."
-
"You can design and create, and build the most wonderful place in the world. But it takes people to make the dream a reality."

"A mind once stretched by a new Idea never regains its original dimensions"

100 Years of Magic, a Lifetime of Memories, a Legacy to last an Eternity

[Beach Club Babe]

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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July 1999---Yacht Club
July 2000---Yacht Club
August 2001---Beach Club
November 2001---Animal Kindom Lodge
?????---Polynesian
?????---Wilderness Lodge

[Ginmouse]

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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Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside a dog, it's too dark to read.---Groucho Marx

And remember............that way you'll never forget!

Former Jungle Cruise Skipper, Spring 2001

[MKPlutoGuy]

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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"Its time to Remember the Magic, its time to Remember the Magic!"

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

AIM:Edz2202

[MORTIMER]

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]

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