In November of 2001 my husband and I took our 3 adult children and one of their friends to Walt Disney World and the Orlando area for Thanksgiving. When I went looking for things to do and not to do with adult kids at epinions I couldn’t find much thus my attempt at reviewing this area with adult children. Fantasmic was our last event during our day at MGM Studios.

The kids went along with everything we told them we were doing for the most part not complaining until this show. We had an agenda and stuck with it for the most part. We knew we wanted to see this show, not having remembered it from the last couple of times we went to Disney World.

What and Where is Fantasmic?

~Fantasmic is located on Sunset Boulevard in the MGM Studios. Fantasmic is an extravaganza of a show set on a lake in front of a mountain. You'll see Disney characters doing stunts, fireworks and what was so amazing was the water curtain projection. Fantasmic is set in an open amphitheater, which surrounds a body of water. There are 2 screens made with water (amazing to see, really) and images are projected onto those water screens. For anyone interested above and beyond the Disney theme, this is really a special effects dream. I had never seen anything like it.

~The whole show is musical so you’ll see the characters dancing as they are being projected and then later in the show on boats as they say goodbye. I have one picture of Fantasmic, which I was able to get since it was dark and I can remember the wonderful steamboat-like boats that go around the water with fireworks lighting up the sky.

~I have to admit I didn’t realize there was a plot. It wasn’t until I went to this website and read the blurb on Fantasmic http://themeparks.about.com/library/weekly/blmgmfant.htm
that I realized that there is sort of a plot. In fact the site goes on to say that there really is no plot to speak of but apparently there is a theme of Disney characters as villains and Mickey winning in the final extravaganza. So there is a plot, there isn't a plot?? Whatever the case, "the plot", I found (and I concurred with my husband on this one), was very difficult to follow. Just enjoy the characters and special affects and don't worry about who is and who isn't the villian...Just my opinion, of course.

~I have read elsewhere that this show may frighten young children. There are loud noises and a lot of laser/strobe- type lights, which might be alarming. One of my daughters and I don’t like the sound of fireworks so we sat with our ears covered. So be aware, children of all ages may find some of this too loud or too startling.

Getting In:

We went 2 months after 9/11 and the park was not crowded. We did give ourselves about 45 minutes though before the show and the horseshoe type seating was already filling up. Dividing it into 3 parts, the beginning, middle and farthest section, we sat in the middle. A word of caution: I read a review that said the bathrooms are close by. They are only close by if you sit at the beginning as you first walk in. If you don’t sit there, you are in for a very, very long walk. I was shocked that there wasn’t a closer bathroom. There are vendors selling food and drink so just be aware that you will be sitting for 25 minutes and if you are toward the farthest end of the amphitheater, you will have a long walk.

~In addition, not to dwell on bathrooms, if you get a seat and then decide to go, you will be walking against the tide of people walking toward the show, so it will make the going slow. Just plan ahead and you’ll be fine. We didn’t buy any food for the show, but there was plenty of popcorn around us. Many people had brought their own food, which is your best bet at Disney World’s prices.

~There are often two shows and apparently people have said that the second one is less crowded. When we went there was just one show. It was totally full and you will be packed in like sardines. You will be sitting on stadium-like benches, not the most comfortable, but the show only lasts 25 minutes.

Some tips:

~As with any Disney experience wear comfortable shoes. This is a long walk.

~If you have a pair of small, lightweight binoculars bring them. We were sitting about 1/2 of the way up and could see well, but I would have liked a closer view of the characters.

~You may get damp. The farther back you sit, the less wet you will get, but there is a spray from the water we could feel, so make sure you are dressed warmly. It may get cool at that time of night (It has to start at dark – around 8:00) anyway, so extra clothes are a good idea. By no means will you get wet like you do on the water rides or even Sea World. This is really just a mist.

~ This show is wheel chair accessible and assistive-listening devices which amplify the audio at this location are available at Guest Relations. (from http://disneyworld.com) From this same site I learned this: In the grand finale, 26 Disney characters cruise across the moat aboard a replica of the Steamboat Willie boat. At 80 feet long, it's bigger than Christopher Columbus' Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria!

My final thoughts:

This is certainly a must see show. You may want to get there an hour before showtime to get a good seat but, in my opinion, the way the theater is set up, there are really no bad seats. You can see the show from anywhere...just go to the bathroom before you start the long walk just in case you sit in the farthest area.

My adult children were not thrilled with this show. They are slightly tainted since they have been to so many shows before, but I was surprised they didn't like it more. Even if they felt too old to like Snow White, the special effects are wonderful and I think if they had been more open to seeing the Disney characters they would have liked it. (I remember taking them when they were little and waiting in line for 1 hour to get Mickey's autograph!)

It is really perfect for young children and parents so unless your 20 somethings are parents they may not enjoy this. My daughters didn’t hate it; they just weren’t as impressed with it as I was and as were the real children. If I could pick perfect ages for children to really enjoy and appreciate Fantasmic I would say 7-12. I would not miss it, though, no matter how old or young you or your children are unless your child is really scared of fireworks (and many are); bright lights; and loud music. Otherwise, this is a terrific Walt Disney World take.

The links below are to many of my Orlando/WDW reviews:

The links below are to many of my Orlando/WDW reviews:

IllumiNations at Epcot

Wyndham Resorts

Islands of Adventure

Going to Disney World? Orlando? Need a Place to Stay? Look No Further"

Sleuths Myster Dinner Theater

Fantasmic at MGM

Boston Lobster Feast in Orlando

Fantasia Gardens-a golfing fantasy

Honey I Shrunk the Audience at Epcot

and by my good friend Anthony:
Walt
Disney World













Recommended: Yes

Best Suited For: Families
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime