Is Fantasmic scary for young children?

[Brian845]

Hi All,

I haven't seen Fantasmic since our honeymoon in 2001, so I don't remember the show all that well. My wife has some concerns that it is too scary for our 5 year old son. She's also worried about the late show time (9PM in August), but I think he'll be just fine in both regards. I've seen some suggestions of letting children watch the show on YouTube before seeing it in person, do you think this would spoil the show or is it advisable?

[mindflipper]

Be honest, the "violence" (for the lack of a better term) in it is the same level as that in the animated films, and far less than found in most video games. The villians don't show up until halfway in it, and they act more threatening than doing anything really evil.

But the factor that should be determinant here is the child. How scary does he find things or does he not? If he's the type right now that would find the HM and POTC scary, then maybe not. If he's the type that finds them both fun, then maybe its a possibility.

[Len90]

I honestly don't think there should be an issue with it. The child might be more fascinated by the special effects and the entire experience to understand the story behind the show. I've seen many younger kids at Fantasmic who didn't have any issues.
As mindflipper said, if he can handle POTC, HM, and other dark scarier attractions you will be fine. The hours will not be an issue since I have found kids keep better hours than adults in Disney.

[Amy]

I would agree with both Len and mindflipper. Only you know the temperament of your son, but I think he would be ok. You could tell him beforehand that there are loud effects and fireworks so he is prepared. And 9 pm in Florida will still be relatively light so it might not be as scary as in the winter when it is dark, dark, dark!

[mindflipper]

If you're worried he might be too tired at that hour, you can go back to your room and let him take a short nap in afternoon if you're staying at one of the Disney resorts. I know some friends of mine who's done that with their young children when taking them to the Mickey's Not-so-scary Halloween Party.

[MmeLeota]

I also echo the sentiments mentioned here...it will depend on your son. If HM and POTC are ok, Fantasmic should be fine. Perhaps instead of watching the video online, see if you can find the soundtrack and have him listen to the music. If he knows the music, perhaps the rest won't be as shocking to him. Also note that the DL version is slightly different than the WDW version. The villains sequence especially.

[Wizzard419]

I've heard the preshow music can cause riots, nightmares, consipation, heart palpitations, etc.

Anyway, I would have them check out the original movies first to see if they are scared of those. If they can't handle watching the scenes on TV then it will probably be way too much to handle live.

[Brian845]

I honestly don't think there should be an issue with it. The child might be more fascinated by the special effects and the entire experience to understand the story behind the show. I've seen many younger kids at Fantasmic who didn't have any issues.
As mindflipper said, if he can handle POTC, HM, and other dark scarier attractions you will be fine. The hours will not be an issue since I have found kids keep better hours than adults in Disney.

That's a good point...We took both our children on PoTC in 2008 when they were 4 and 2 respectively, and the 2 year old didn't have a problem (the 4 year old was scared tho!). We avoided HM then, but I'm looking forward to introducing them to it this time around:).

The 2 year old was giggling madly during Mickey's Philharmagic because of the 3D effects, so he's not easily perturbed (I recall the 4 year old being confused by it).

[jlpeaches255]

Watching it on youtube is not a bad idea. Watching a tiny 2D image is very different from the whole experience but it will prepare him for the things he will see. I used youtube to prepare my kids for many rides that they thought they were not ready for. Sometimes it is just the unknown that scares them. Once they knew what to expect they could relax and enjoy!

[Amy]

I also echo the sentiments mentioned here...it will depend on your son. If HM and POTC are ok, Fantasmic should be fine. Perhaps instead of watching the video online, see if you can find the soundtrack and have him listen to the music. If he knows the music, perhaps the rest won't be as shocking to him. Also note that the DL version is slightly different than the WDW version. The villains sequence especially.

That is a smart idea using the music!!

[Fantastory]

I've sat through countless showings of Fantasmic, enough to know that a lot of the time it is the unexpected bangs and/or the menacing music that gets children upset rather than what's actually happening on the mountain. If they got through POTC they shouldn't have a problem with the Monstro or Jafar sequences, and if they liked PhilharMagic they should be fine with the Chernabog segment - those are the most threatening in terms of music in my experience. You might want to keep an eye on them when the Maleficent-Dragon comes out but it sounds like your kids should be able to handle that too.

One thing I would be prepared for with small kids is the sudden loud noises. There are a few explosions and minor firecrackers during the Pocahontas fight and the Evil Queen's spell, which you might want to warn them about before the show starts. The big one, though- After the Monstro segment, just after the video of the pirate-ship-at-sea on the water screen, there is a very loud canon shot with no warning. The whole audience jumps. Every time. This is really the most shocking thing in the show, so as long as they know that's coming they should enjoy the performance.

[horizons1]

The Disneyland version is much more frightening than the DHS version. At DHS, you are farther away from the action which may help psychologically. For one thing, you don't get the loud BOOM of Captain Hook's pirate ship (Columbia) like you do at DL. I always remember kids starting to cry after that noise.

[MadEye]

The Disneyland version is much more frightening than the DHS version. At DHS, you are farther away from the action which may help psychologically. For one thing, you don't get the loud BOOM of Captain Hook's pirate ship (Columbia) like you do at DL. I always remember kids starting to cry after that noise.

But the BOOM from Governor Ratcliffe's group at MGM is also extremely loud. I've heard it many times while in Epcot! Only reason I don't jump anymore is because I plug my ears and know it's coming.

[Amy]

The Disneyland version is much more frightening than the DHS version. At DHS, you are farther away from the action which may help psychologically. For one thing, you don't get the loud BOOM of Captain Hook's pirate ship (Columbia) like you do at DL. I always remember kids starting to cry after that noise.

But the BOOM from Governor Ratcliffe's group at MGM is also extremely loud. I've heard it many times while in Epcot! Only reason I don't jump anymore is because I plug my ears and know it's coming.

Heck, you can probably hear it when you are relaxing at home

[MadEye]

But the BOOM from Governor Ratcliffe's group at MGM is also extremely loud. I've heard it many times while in Epcot! Only reason I don't jump anymore is because I plug my ears and know it's coming.

Heck, you can probably hear it when you are relaxing at home

Depends on what time it's at. If Wishes isn't showing then maybe. If it is at 9, then it probably gets drowned out by Illuminations.