DH, DD5, and I are Star Wars fans. But I’ve read that Fantasmic is one of the best things offered for night-time. We have 1 night in HS, so must pick just one. I have ressie for HBD Fantasmic dinner package and there is still availability for Star Wars Fireworks Dessert Party. Would love feedback.
We saw Fantasmic last April and it was great. That said, we really liked the fireworks at the Magic Kingdom better. Our son was 4 and he didn’t much care for Fantasmic, though it’s the only firework display he stayed awake for. Having a seat at Fantasmic is awesome, however.
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I have not seen the star wars show. I have read from others that if you have not seen fantasmic then choose that over star wars. We had the dinning package and arrived about hour pre-show. We had front and centre seats. It was a really good show. Worth the cost of the dinner for us for the better seats. HBD should be better than the awful food we had at HV. My kids 4 and 7 loved it. They got to dance at the railing with the music pre-show and they thought the hundreds of people above them were watching.
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Have a family vote.
Both are good.
Things to consider: The dessert party is gonna cost you more, you’ll still have to buy a meal, too.
If you are going to return to WDW in the future, keep that in consideration, just do the other next time. Good luck!
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@marentette7 I agree with you on Hollywood Vine. That place is terrible. We ate there in April 2016 and the food was akin to school cafeteria food. I seriously had flashbacks to college and the God awful dining hall.
Fantasmic is a classic that has been running since DHS opened. It’s a 30 min show for which you will have premier seats in conjunction with the best dinner you can have in DHS. I’ll admit it’s not my favorite show in WDW, but it has a high production value, a good soundtrack, and is something that I think everyone should see at least once (as long as you have a dining package).
I’ve only seen the SW show on video, and I’m sure it’s different in person, but I was not overly impressed (and I’ve loved SW since I saw the first film in the theater in 1977). It’s only about 10 minutes long, and if you don’t do the desert party you have to stand, and based on what I’ve read, you will have to find a spot as much as an hour in advance. I am unfamiliar with the “perks” of the desert party so I can’t comment there, but from a $$ perspective, the ticket for that will be in addition to whatever you have to spend on dinner.
If you’re concerned which your DS would like more, the are videos all over YouTube of both shows; you could watch there and decide. Just to be sure to include Walt Disney World in your Fantasmic search; the DL version is considerably different (and much better).
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Anyway you can spend 2 nights in HS? We did the Star Wars party this past Thursday night and it was fun. Food was good (and you can make a meal out of it, no need to eat before there was plenty of savory foods as well as the desserts). The viewing area is excellent and being escorted there by the Stormtroopers was fun. I’m not even a Star Wars fan, and I enjoyed it a lot. The included drinks were quite a bonus too.
We saw Fantasmic Friday night from the dining package area (we actually had Fastpasses but the CM’s sent us to the dining package area). We ate lunch at HBD but did not do the package. It was a great meal, probably best food in HS.
Good luck deciding which to do if you can only spare one night, they are both great choices.
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My personal feeling is Fantasmic is far and away better than the Star Wars Fireworks. That said, if you’re huge Star Wars fans, you probably won’t be disappointed with the Star Wars show.
There is, however, a third option available to you: See both. As you may know, Disney overlaps the shows on a lot of nights. Skip the dining/dessert party setup and grab a Fast Pass for Fantasmic instead (actually, you might not even need a fast pas depending on the day). You’ll probably be able to get at least 1/2 of the show before the Star Wars fireworks begin. IF you are feeling the show isn’t doing it for you, you can skip out on the last few minutes and go see the SW Fireworks. And if you are having a blast with Fantasmic, you can decide to skip right then and stick it out for the rest of the show.
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We were lucky just before New Year. We were able to see both on the same night. For Star Wars, we walked up 15 minutes before, got a space in front of one of the projection towers and had a fantastic view.
The really cool thing is the projections onto the Chinese Theatre. Most of the film clips used we had just seen in the 10 minute show (far far away?); it’s compiled clips from the films telling the story, with some characters appearing on the stage. The fireworks are used at key moments to enhance it. We enjoyed it and there was a poignant roar when Carrie Fisher appeared in clips. But mainly I was admiring the technical aspects (and wondering why the theatre sign couldn’t have been covered). Interestingly when we went back another afternoon none of us thought we needed to see it again.
Fantasmic though is probably my favourite night time show, tho’ Illuminations runs it close. If you’ve never seen either I’d suggest Fantasmic. However some kids find it too scary, whether the noise or themes of it, so worth considering if your daughter is easily scared. Also it will be there when you come back, and the DL version is said to be way better.
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I have not seen the Star Wars show so I’m no help on that one. Fantasmic is my all time favorite Disney night time show!!! I would never want to miss it! I have never done the dinner package but next time I would after seeing the great seats. Good luck!
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