Vote of the week: What is Disney's best night-time show?

June 12, 2009, 1:23 PM · Thanks to Theme Park Insider reader Tim W for this week's question, which I've been holding in reserve for ages now. But with the Disneyland Resort this week unveiling the newest version of its two night-time shows, it's finally the perfect time to ask this question.

Which of Disney's current night-time shows do you think is the best? We're including shows from seven of Disney's parks around the world. (Fantasmic does double duty, with the original version at Disneyland and a second at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida.)

There's no criteria here upon which to judge, just your impression and decision on which show you most enjoy watching.

But do tell us in the comments why you picked the show you did. And have a great weekend!

Replies (9)

June 12, 2009 at 6:45 PM · With the new Fantasmic in DL can you really consider them to still be the same?
June 12, 2009 at 8:42 PM · Fantasmic at Disneyland is using the same soundtrack as it has in past years, and the same story, albeit running the "no dragon" option since Maleficient is not operating. There's no "new" version of the show; just the promise of a better dragon animatronic in the future.
June 12, 2009 at 9:46 PM · I've heard great things about Illuminations and Spectromagic, but haven't seen them, and on-line versions don't do justice to any show.
However, Fantasmic has such a great story to it, too, it just has to be the best.
The DL version added much better lighting last year (than it had before) with new LED's and all that they offer, and this year has added better projection technology (bigger, brighter, higher resolution), in addition to the new version of the Peter Pan crocodile and the jet ski driven Flotsam and Jetsam. I haven't heard of any upgrades for the Florida version, so I can't speak to that - maybe someone else can.

World of Color is going to blow them all out of the water! - pun intended. It has been fun seeing the progress and process of it being put together - through visits and regular updates on MiceChat. It is truly unbelievable how many pieces are going into it. Can't wait!

June 13, 2009 at 4:20 AM · Fantasmic at both parks is great! but props go to Disnylands. Enjoy the closeness of it and the use of the Rivers of AMerica for it ..were at WDW its a staged production..and your so far back from it..and the Dragon at Disnylands is far better as it climbs over the Mt. a real show stopper.
June 13, 2009 at 12:27 PM · Illuminations is breathtaking and, in my opinion, the best fireworks show ever made by Disney. It got my vote, but Fantasmic is good too!

The one that is getting no props is Fantillusion at DLP. Its similar to Spectromatic, but the floats stop and do a 5 minute show in areas. Using some cool effects, Malificent turns into a dragon and Jafar turns into a snake!

June 14, 2009 at 1:12 PM · I won't be voting as I have only ever seen Spectromagic and Illuminations and last saw Spectromagic in about 1996. I do think that Illuminations is a fantastic show and its setting helps create some great effects. The sights and sounds are just amazing.

Last time we visited we didn't think that waiting 90mins for Fantasmic would be worth it, but having seen and heard things about it since we will def see it if possible on our next visit.

June 14, 2009 at 2:12 PM · I'd add that "BraviSEAmo" at Tokyo Disney Seas is outstanding (but I hate the name). Though I don't speak Japanese, it's fireworks, fountains and flames telling... "the romantic story of a 'Spirit of Water' and a 'Spirit of Fire' as they meet on the waters of Mediterranean Harbor." http://www.tokyodisneyresort.co.jp/tds/english/7port/harbor/show_bravi.html

But of the shows listed, I'd vote Fantasmic in Anaheim as best.

June 15, 2009 at 10:44 AM · I like Illuminations best because of it's sound track. I have it on my I Pod and listen to it whenever I need a Disney fix.The best used to Tapestry of Nations. The puppets were amazing, and the sound track was the best. I listen to that too when I need a fix.
June 18, 2009 at 7:05 AM · Thanks for submitting this Mr. Niles. I havent thought of any polls in a while though!

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