2. Wishes
WishesFireworks display at Cinderella Castle - Image © Disney
I expect Walt Disney World fanatics to boo and hiss over this ranking. Wishes is undeniably the centerpiece event for the most visited amusement park in the world, Magic Kingdom. And it is wonderful. Innumerable franchise characters from the Disney library are on full display during a show broadcast over and upon Cinderella’s Castle. It is one of the finest permanent fireworks performances in the world. And the implementation of the majestic centerpiece castle as a backdrop as well as a projection screen for amazing holographic imagery is a brilliant idea. The special effects for Wishes will legitimately take a Disney fan’s breath away. And in 2014, they even added Let It Go for the timeliest possible musical accompaniment.
In reality, the primary reason Wishes is not ranked number one is something beyond any Imagineer’s control. Since Wishes is located at Magic Kingdom, crowd control is a nightmare. It is an inescapable logistics issue that the most popular theme park in the world’s linchpin event will be teeming with tired, cranky strangers, many of whom will selfishly prioritize their own viewing pleasure over that of their fellow park guests. Wishes is still well worth the aggravation. I would strongly recommend the usage of a FastPass+ selection to maximize enjoyment while reducing aggravation.
1. Fantasmic!
Fantasmic!Mickey Mouse fights a dragon - Image © Disney
Out of the four theme parks at Walt Disney World, I rank Hollywood Studios third, ahead of only Animal Kingdom. With regards to nighttime showcases, however, Hollywood Studios dominates the conversation. It features the longest, most entertaining event. It also seats the most guests comfortably while negating the concerns regarding shoulder-riding. Simply stated, there is no true negative to the Fantasmic! experience.
The positives to Fantasmic! are innumerable. The show includes a virtual who’s who of Disney characters, concluding with an entire ferry full of them just to ensure nobody is excluded. Most of the action takes place on a stage across the river. On it, Mickey Mouse battles countless Disney villains trying to usurp him for some reason that I probably shouldn’t dwell on for too long. Let’s just assume they all suffer from musophobia (I’ll save you the Googling: it’s a fear of mice).
Anyway, Mickey Mouse and his team of heroes employ the power of song, fireworks, fire water (in a literal sense) and some good old-fashioned mouse magic to counter the villainy. Apparently, a Disney medley of Beauty and the Beast combined with some action sequences from Peter Pan is more than the forces of evil can stand. Look, don’t think about it too hard. Just lean back and enjoy the festivities as Disney flexes its intellectual property muscle by unveiling scores of your favorite characters, many of whom receive musical accompaniment. And in the end – spoilers – the celebrity mouse wins.
The beauty of the celebration cannot be described in words. I fervently believe that my wife, a huge Disney fangirl, did not breathe once during the entire half hour production. It is truly that magical, especially to diehard Disney fans. Fantasmic! may not be on display at one of the better parks but it is undeniably the best show.
Comments
I completely agree with the rankings. Illuminations does nothing for me, I've never seen harambe nights BUT anything is better than illuminations, wishes is spectacular but the crowd gets really crazy I've actually had people try to stand on me (I wish this was an exaggeration), Fantasmic is pretty incredible with plenty of seating for everyone and no matter how many times I've seen it I always feel the magic!
the fireworks over the castle win for me all the time, although my husband was to sick and wounds from my last fall accident kept us from staying past the parade this year. better luck next year. Then fantasmic is next , which we did see the early showing this year. I do not like the show at Epcot. I haven't seen it in years so maybe one day we will hope that its changed and will be worth our staying. As far as the animal kingdom is concerned, I'd never pay 120 dollars for admittance to that park at nite. I don't see anything exciting enough in the park for me now and even when I was able to enjoy the yeti rollercoaster and the dinosaur ride, the park only got our business for half a day. The park is too confusing and U seem to go in circles. The signs seem clear enough but don't make a wrong turn on your way from the sign.I do still enjoy the safari ride and the Lion King show. That's it.
I agree 100% with everything you said. We finally made it a point to sit through illuminations (we usually just see it on our way out) this past trip in May and I still don't care for it. I watch wishes EVERYDAY that we are in the magic kingdom and will sit stand or crawl to be able to see it. I always get goose bumps as soon as the music starts and I always cry just a bit ( yes, I'm that moved by it) animal kingdom is my least favorite park . It's to hard to get around, to confusing, too muck backtracking for your fast passes. It also feels hitter there!!!! I don't care for the. Food either. There are a few rides but nothing to keep me all day. I'm with you, I would never pay that kind of money for a show when I already paid to get in the park. Overpriced even though it includes dinner and alcohol . I don't eat that much food and wins!!! Magic Kingdom is and always will be the best in my opinion!!!!
What a fantastic and well written review! Enjoyed the read very much indeed.
The Epcot show wins for me and has always been 1st place and I think I've seen it 20 times now. It's the overall production that is perhaps overlooked in your review. The timing of effects, the use of all (OK, most!) of the Wold Showcase buildings with their lights and strobes, the fire pit lanterns, right down to the musical score. ("Promise" - the walk out song, was even played at my wedding whilst signing the register!)
I can see your point completely about getting the right spot to observe. Also what really annoys me is all the people around holding up their cameras to film it - I feel like shouting "You'll never watch what you've just recorded ever again and yet you've just watched the whole show through your camera instead of the 3D version that's just happened right in front of your eyes!" Plus they can always watch it on YouTube anyway (and it'll probably be much better!) I just wish they could ban filming at all of the shows you mention! lol!