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Ask It Results: Favorite Nighttime Show at WDW

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The results are in! Last week we asked you:

What is your favorite current nighttime show at Walt Disney World?

With some of the polling done on Twitter, we’re limited to four choices, but there are more than four nighttime shows at Walt Disney World, so there was an enthusiastic write-in campaign for one fan favorite! Here’s the results, from least votes to greatest, with more than 1,800 votes cast.

Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular

(photo by Brian Carey)

Although its ranking was hampered by being a write-in only, the Force is strong with Star Wars fans. Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular has a lot of visual appeal. The laser effects are particularly awesome to see, and who doesn’t love John Williams music with fireworks? If you’re a Star Wars fan, this is the must-see nighttime show at Walt Disney World. If you’re not a Star Wars fan, just enjoy the special effects.

Rivers of Light

©Disney

For a nighttime show with such a brief run so far, Rivers of Light over at Animal Kingdom already has an enthusiastic fan base. Although detractors suggest that it doesn’t have the heart of Illuminations or the overall appeal of a show like Wishes, the visual appeal of the show is hard to deny. When Pandora opens and people stay later at Animal Kingdom, this show may continue to attract full-capacity crowds.

Fantasmic

©Disney

It’s good versus evil and more characters than you can shake a streamer wand at. Although Fantasmic does feel a bit dated in parts, the show quality still brings out the kid in everyone, and arriving early to ensure a seat is still more necessary than not.

Illuminations: Reflections of Earth

(photo by Brandon Glover)

Illuminations has a little bit of everything: Fireworks, inferno barge, fountains, lasers, beautiful soundtrack…and of course, screens. In all seriousness, Illuminations combines a Disney storytelling aspect with special effects that rightly can be described as soul-stirring. In addition, for the holiday season, the holiday tag at the end of “normal” Illuminations is jaw dropping in its scope (and not just because the shock wave of all that pyro has knocked your jaw out of alignment).

Wishes

(photo by Brian Carey)

There is something truly magical about fireworks over a Disney castle. For many people, Wishes has been that final magical moment for a night at Disney. I never get tired of hearing all the kids (and quite a few adults) gasp as Tinkerbell heads out on her flight or the cheers after the grand finale. From a sentimental reason, it will be different to see Wishes head into the vault this year, and only time will tell if Happily Ever After draws as much love. But for this week, Wishes is your winner with a commanding lead.

Next week’s poll is active on Twitter and here.

In the meantime, what are your thoughts about the best nighttime show at Walt Disney World? Did Wishes rightfully win, or was it just the thought of Wishes going away that put it on top? Should some other nighttime show at Walt Disney World have received write-in votes?

 

 

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Julia Mascardo

Former writer, editor, and social media manager of TouringPlans. Embarking on new adventures with husband, kid, and cats.

2 thoughts on “Ask It Results: Favorite Nighttime Show at WDW

  • I have only seen two of these “Live” Wishes and Fantasmic, but I have heard the IllumiNations soundtrack (ok, it is on one of my playlists) and have seen parts of the show on youtube.

    Of those three I would rank them 1. IllumiNations, 2. Wishes, 3. Fantasmic

    I can’t wait to see Rivers of Light during our trip this fall.

  • My kids grew up with Wishes (they are teens now). Hearing the music/soundtrack brings up such great memories and feelings. Watching it together is always one of the highlights of our trip. We were all disappointed that we won’t see or hear it again. I know that change is inevitable and necessary, but this is a hard one to swallow. I hope the new show still has a lot of the old characters in it. We are not as attached to the more recent movies.

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