Originally Posted By BrooklynsMom Hi! As a guest who has only been to WDW (I know...do myself some good and get to DL) can someone(s) tell me what the differences are between to the Fantasmic shows at WDW and DL? I know that there is no stadium at DL like at WDW, but I always hear about how much better the show is at DL. So tell me, what is so different? Thanks!
Originally Posted By dixielandings Im an ole timer at WDW and just got back from my first trip to DL two weeks ago anyway the Fantasmic show at DL is a lot more intamint every thing happens a lot closer to the audience and technically DLs version is a masterpiece seeing lighting truss pop out of the ground on pirate island 60 feet in the air for special effects is amazing I spoke to the local IASE Riggers that were preparing the sailing ship Columbia for fantasmic they start every day around 4PM for a 2 and 1/2 hour rigging project to prepare for the stunts performed nightly
Originally Posted By Labuda Only big differences that I recall between the shows scene-wise is the Pinnochio bit in DL and the fight at DL is better.
Originally Posted By Roger55 I posted this same thing in the other thread about F!... The magical transformation of New Orleans Square, Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island to the Fantasmic! show area as opposed to the cold stadium atmosphere of D-MGM. The full size and fully Guest utilized Mark Twain Riverboat and Columbia compared to the smaller stage prop boats used at D-MGM. I also believe the entertainers and production are much better at DL. If you never have experienced DL's Fantasmic! then you might think D-MGM's is just fine. It has a completely different feeling of being special and magical. D-MGM's just feels too "staged" IMO. It's a similar argument as to why DL's Candelight is so much nicer than Epcot's. "Disneyland is charming... WDW is spectacular" (something like that) --Tony Baxter
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb When Columbia comes around the corner... BANG! Goosebumps everytime! And I usually get a little misty eyed during the Mark Twain finally. DL's F! has an emotional impact that MGM's is missing.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 but doesn't that sum up some the difference between DL and WDW ? I grew up on DL and for the last 20-25 years have been to WDW far more often than DL ( but I still go) - and it ishard to explain the coziness of DL - it is a different experience. I like both experiences but they are different and I agree that the F show follows right along those lines. But I also enjoy F! at MGM - it's one of the best things left there
Originally Posted By fkurucz <<seeing lighting truss pop out of the ground on pirate island 60 feet in the air for special effects is amazing >> Now if only they could get seats to pop out of the ground before the show! I'll admit that I think DL's is far superior, but after a long day walking those benches in MGM are nice!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Absolutely fkurucz - I was very dissappointed with WDW's show, but having the benches was a lot more comfortable and felt safer with the kids.
Originally Posted By BrooklynsMom I suppose it must be the ambiance of DL. I was watching clips on YouTube and it doesn't seem TOO different. But I will take your words for it! Thanks you guys are great! I hope to get out to DL one day soon and experience it for myself!
Originally Posted By Mr X It's not terribly different, honestly. BUT...the cool DL atmosphere plus a few better scenes (the pocahantas thing at MGM is pretty lame), makes it overall better. The MGM show does not suck, by any means. It's a lot of fun...and the stadium seating (and the chance to buy souvies and hot dogs and all that) make it a "show within a show" at Disney MGM studios...if that makes sense... I always enjoyed the MGM version. Not "perfect", but definitely a lot of fun and served up in a fun, easy to watch atmosphere. Only saw the DL version a couple of times...I'd say "better", first of all...and the whole "magical transformation" does work well. The show itself is better, but not SO much better that it would matter to anyone but us geeks.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo True I suppose. But it felt like WDW's used dingies while DL used yachts. Sort of.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo YEs, but they don't feel like the go on as long. The WDW felt like we were at the movies with kids at camp putting on a show. DL feels like an extravaganza. But I may be biased. I saw DL's 1st and was looking forward to WDW's - then I had a WTF? moment. At WDW it's not bad, but it's not great either IMHO. I would rather see IROE when in Orlando.
Originally Posted By Tiggirl I feel WDW relies in the mist screens way too much. At Disneyland it seems to be more of a way to tie the scenes together while WDW seems to use them for the bulk of the show. The Peter Pan sceen at DL blows Pochahontas out of the water (pun intended) and that sad exscuse for a river boat that WDW has makes me cringe! I thought the WDW version was "okay" the two times I've seen it but my boyfriend and I have both decided that we have no desire to see it again. However I could watch DL's version over and over. ~Beth
Originally Posted By fkurucz For me the biggest letdown at the MGM show is the "toy" boat that appears at the end. If you are used to seeing the Mark Twain and the Columbia at the end of the DL version, the little steamboat at the end of MGM's is outright funny!
Originally Posted By Mr X "However I could watch DL's version over and over." You're such a geek, IPB. Your boyfriend too! ;p
Originally Posted By Tiggirl LOL! Well I said *I* could watch it over and over. The Boyfriend doesn't have a choice since he drives the raft to and from the island for the show. And I am a nerd... not a geek. ;o) LOL! ~Beth
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo C'mon Beth - I saw you with that headless chicken. Own up! Signed a geeky, spoddy, nerd.
Originally Posted By MouseBear Salutations All, I've seen both versions and they have their pluses and minuses. The only major problem, with the MGM version, is the lame way the dragon is killed. Instead of Mickey doing her in (as in the DL version) he just holds his sword in front of him and "dancing waters" wipe her out. Enjoy the Parks, MouseBear
