Unmissable Evening Shows

[Guest]

Hi all

I would be so lost without this site!
Anyway, 9 days in Disney October next year.

Trying to split up parks into mornings and evenings so as not to miss the evening firework/ shows etc.It seems like they are shows in teh evening in all 4 ?

However, we now want to spend a few days offsite ( KSC, BG etc ) so something needs to give.

Are there any evening shows in the parks that you would skip? Or what would you consider 'must sees'.

AS HUGE thanks for any advice, you're all so helpful!

[StitchOhana]

Happily Ever After at magic kingdom is a must see for me

Illuminations also, due to the fact it'll probably be gone soon

Fantasmic same reason as illuminations

Rivers of light at animal kingdom I've not seen yet but it's pretty new and looks like it has some mixed reviews so maybe skip that one?

I personally couldn't skip any though!

[Tea]

I do love all the shows but if I had to choose:
Happily ever after
Illuminations - unless you have massive Star Wars fans in which case I'd swap that for it. That said the fireworks/ projection thing is quite similar to HEA so only if SW fan.

Skip:
Fantasmic as it's quite long comparatively
Rivers of Light as it's quite tame compared to the others (no fireworks).

Technically (and this is like something foolhardy I'd do) you could do ROL early show and then head to a.n. other park and see another show...

[YorkshireT]

Happily Ever After is truly brilliant
I like Fantasmic.
Don't sweat over Rivers of Light. It's atmospheric but nothing great.

[apple-fan]

I love Fantasmic, we skipped it for a couple of years...but watched it again last year and we will do it again next year when we are back.

Happily Ever After and Illuminations are great... and like a few have mentioned, I wouldnt break a leg to see Rivers of Light, if we see it fine, if we dont so be it...least priority for me

[kellsbells]

Happily Ever After is a do not miss for me and if you only do one I would choose this.

Fantasmic is definitely worth seeing if you haven't before although if you have a major Star Wars fan with you then I would switch this out for the Star Wars fireworks.

Illuminations is a take it or leave it for me but I know a lot of people love it.

Rivers of Light is probably the one to miss if you don't have time. I actually quite liked it but it's not as spectacular as the others. However AK is well worth being in at night time these days and I love the Tree of Life show and that is short and doesn't really need any planning to see.

[Guest]

Thank you all so much , might skip Star Wars stuff. I can't quite get my head around what shows are on in what parks.
I need to go and make another list...
Thanks again.

[anna68]

Illuminations is THE show for me. I couldn’t miss it.

[shabbadoof]

I personally think Fantasmic is the BEST nighttime evening show.

Fireworks
Lazers
Water
Characters
Steamboat Willie
Great music

I feel it's far less of a 'bum rush' as everyone can see it no matter where you are seated

[Amscss]

As you're there in October there will also be the Hallowishes fireworks on certain nights as well (and no happily ever after on those nights).

If you're at the halloween party, then hallowishes is a must for us, but not if MNSSHP then you can watch then from beach at the Polynesian from the beach with the music.

I do love happily ever after though and is my No 1 item for my whole disney trip (and will see it in the park and also separately from California Grill).