Fantasmic balcony seating question [Archive] - The DIS Discussion Forums

tomjhansen

10-23-2006, 09:12 PM

You receive tickets at the will call window (Guest services or ticket booth number 5 if guest services is closed - both outside the park). If it rains, you can return the tickets for a full refund.

It's worth the money.

disneegrl4eva

10-23-2006, 09:58 PM

If it rains, you can return the tickets for a full refund.

yep and you still get to eat the dessert buffet :woohoo:

mundaremom

10-23-2006, 10:14 PM

Get out, money back and still get All You Can Eat Buffet?! Disneyland is heaven!!!

Dis Ohana

10-24-2006, 12:18 AM

I've been debating whether or not to book the balcony on our next trip. When we were there last Dec, it was unusually busy and they actually closed entry to the park for a while. There was a rumor that some people had Fantasmic reservations were not allowed back in to see the show. Anyone know if this is true?

XTinabell

10-24-2006, 12:54 AM

I'm actually just wondering where you purchase the balcony tickets in the first place? I read somewhere a "special window" but that's not very helpful.

SamIAm21

10-24-2006, 10:16 AM

Nope you can call the main Disneyland number and purchase your tickets 30 days in advance (which is what I recommend). You pick them up at the "very special" Guest Services window which is left of the entrance turnstiles in the plaza outside the park. All you need is a photo ID and the credit card you purchased the tickets with. Check in with the host/hostess about an hour before the Fantasmic show. You can then go do something else for an hour, come back and proceed up to the balcony.

Have fun...

ps. if you miss out on the balcony seats, the riverside seating is just as fun with the dessert buffet as well.

thmar

10-24-2006, 10:30 AM

Check in with the host/hostess about an hour before the Fantasmic show. You can then go do something else for an hour, come back and proceed up to the balcony.

That's great...I wasn't sure if you had to check in then just wait on the balcony for an hour...Thanks for the info.

ScooterL

10-24-2006, 10:40 AM

We just did this Saturday night - if you have balcony seating there really isn't much of a check-in process - they didn't take our names or anything when we arrived there, though a little later they started collecting tickets from people. Although they told us to be there 45 minutes before the show started they didn't start seating people until 30 minutes before the show, and seating had nothing to do with when people arrived at the Gallery or turned in their tickets - there were a number of people who arrived after we did that were seated before we were.

If you want balcony seating you MUST call right at 8:00 a.m. 30 days before, and even then you might not get it.

It's expensive, but I think it's worth doing at least once! It was a terrific view of the show, plus we had a good view of the fireworks afterwards, though we couldn't see the castle.

HydroGuy

10-24-2006, 11:35 AM

If you want balcony seating you MUST call right at 8:00 a.m. 30 days before, and even then you might not get it.I have never done this myself, but know someone who followed this advice and got burned. She called exactly 30 days in advance and was told she was one day too late for the day she wanted. Depending on the month, sometimes you need to call 30 days in advance, and sometimes 31.

I might do this in 2007, and if I do I will call 32+ days in advance and find out whether the 30 days or 31 days applies.

disneegrl4eva

10-24-2006, 02:14 PM

I have never done this myself, but know someone who followed this advice and got burned. She called exactly 30 days in advance and was told she was one day too late for the day she wanted. Depending on the month, sometimes you need to call 30 days in advance, and sometimes 31.

I might do this in 2007, and if I do I will call 32+ days in advance and find out whether the 30 days or 31 days applies.

that stinks.....Im doin premium this time...done the balcony but I want to experience both :goodvibes

Dis Ohana

10-24-2006, 03:24 PM

Although they told us to be there 45 minutes before the show started they didn't start seating people until 30 minutes before the show, and seating had nothing to do with when people arrived at the Gallery or turned in their tickets - there were a number of people who arrived after we did that were seated before we were.
.

How is seating determined then? Is it in the order of ticket purchase?

thmar

10-25-2006, 11:00 AM

How is seating determined then? Is it in the order of ticket purchase?

I'm wondering the same thing! Hopefully someone knows the answer to this one. :confused3

SamIAm21

10-25-2006, 11:23 AM

Speaking only to the riverside seating, it is the first people to get to the podium in the hour before Fantasmic get their pick of seats. As people come to the podium, the seats are filled. I was there exactly an hour before and people were already there. It was fine though, given that it was just me and my daughter, we were able to get some great seats!

The balcony may be totally different though!

DLovinFam

10-25-2006, 11:32 AM

How is seating determined then? Is it in the order of ticket purchase?

Yes, I believe balcony seating is determined by the order of ticket purchase. My family wasn't the first ones to arrive but we were the first seated right in front. I believe Vacation Planning must have been the first to call on our behalf that particular morning.

LittleWoodenHead

10-25-2006, 12:01 PM

How is seating determined then? Is it in the order of ticket purchase?
I can confirm that. I just did balcony seating last Friday (my first time!). When I picked up my ticket, Guest Services told me that I didn't have to get there too early because seating was already assigned based on purchase order.

There were about 14 people waiting at the balcony steps when I arrived (about 25 minutes prior to the show), yet I was one of the first two parties to be seated - right in front, at the railing!

:wizard:

Dis Ohana

10-25-2006, 12:18 PM

I can confirm that. I just did balcony seating last Friday (my first time!). When I picked up my ticket, Guest Services told me that I didn't have to get there too early because seating was already assigned based on purchase order.

There were about 14 people waiting at the balcony steps when I arrived (about 25 minutes prior to the show), yet I was one of the first two parties to be seated - right in front, at the railing!

:wizard:

Did you use V.P. to make your reservations too? Maybe that's the key to getting a good place in line.
We are considering making balcony reservations on our next trip. We have never seen Fantasmic and it sounds like something not to be missed. Maybe someone can help me with this question: I suffer from panic attacks in large crowds so I usually avoid the parades and leave the park when it gets too bad. I really want to see F! though, and I'm wondering how it is on the balcony. I was thinking that it would be far enough removed from the general crush of people that it wouldn't be too bad for me. Anyone else have this problem?

thmar

10-25-2006, 12:20 PM

Yes, I believe balcony seating is determined by the order of ticket purchase. My family wasn't the first ones to arrive but we were the first seated right in front. I believe Vacation Planning must have been the first to call on our behalf that particular morning.

Did you make you reservations through WDTC and ask for this at the time you booked?

LittleWoodenHead

10-25-2006, 12:50 PM

Did you use V.P. to make your reservations too? Maybe that's the key to getting a good place in line.
I called the Park direct at (714) 781-4400 the week before I went. They had just added Fantasmic shows on Fridays, so there had been no 30-day advance purchases. I lucked out.

Maybe someone can help me with this question: I suffer from panic attacks in large crowds so I usually avoid the parades and leave the park when it gets too bad. I really want to see F! though, and I'm wondering how it is on the balcony. I was thinking that it would be far enough removed from the general crush of people that it wouldn't be too bad for me.
You are seated well above the crowd. The balcony itself, though small, only seats 20 people - so it is not crowded at all.

The only thing you might consider is getting to New Orleans Square fairly early. As it gets closer to showtime, the crowd on the ground grows considerably thicker. It was a bit of a chore making my way through them to even get to the balcony stairs. (But then, I was making my way from Main Street for the 10:30 post-Fireworks show.)

It is well worth doing - at least once!

Dis Ohana

10-25-2006, 01:23 PM

I called the Park direct at (714) 781-4400 the week before I went. They had just added Fantasmic shows on Fridays, so there had been no 30-day advance purchases. I lucked out.

You are seated well above the crowd. The balcony itself, though small, only seats 20 people - so it is not crowded at all.

The only thing you might consider is getting to New Orleans Square fairly early. As it gets closer to showtime, the crowd on the ground grows considerably thicker. It was a bit of a chore making my way through them to even get to the balcony stairs. (But then, I was making my way from Main Street for the 10:30 post-Fireworks show.)

It is well worth doing - at least once!

Thanks, I think I'll try it. I'll just be sure to get to the area a little earlier. Now I just have to hope we're lucky enough to get those balcony seats!

Dis Ohana

10-25-2006, 01:26 PM

Another question! I noticed that the fireworks show is right after F! Can you see the fireworks from the balcony area, and do they allow you to stay to watch?

mtemm

10-25-2006, 02:10 PM

yes, you can stay and watch the fireworks. that's exactly what we did. there are some trees here and there, but for us it was perfect for us.

we went summer of 2005 and had called exactly a month prior (not 30 days, if you are going on the 2nd, you want to call on the 2nd the month prior, even if there are 31 days in between). we called first thing that morning, and were able to get the very first tickets for our night. great seats! we really loved watching fantasmic this way. hope those of you who do it enjoy it as much as we did.

just don't forget to check with guest services (I think its guest services) when you get there that day for the actual tickets. I remember a story around when we went where a woman didn't realize she needed to do that and just showed up...I think she had to go all the way to the front of the park to get it taken care of.

HydroGuy

10-25-2006, 04:30 PM

Another question! I noticed that the fireworks show is right after F! Can you see the fireworks from the balcony area, and do they allow you to stay to watch?yes, you can stay and watch the fireworks. that's exactly what we did. there are some trees here and there, but for us it was perfect for us.Dis Ohana, if you are talking about the Remember Dreams Come True fireworks show, and have not seen it yet, I would not recommend seeing it from the New Orleans Square vantage point unless you have no other choice (i.e., not enough nights or time to fit them in). The show truly was designed to be seen from the central hub area and Main Street and you will miss a lot of show effects if you do not see it there. This is purely FYI. If the Fantasmic area works for you, then go for it.

Dis Ohana

10-25-2006, 04:39 PM

Dis Ohana, if you are talking about the Remember Dreams Come True fireworks show, and have not seen it yet, I would not recommend seeing it from the New Orleans Square vantage point unless you have no other choice (i.e., not enough nights or time to fit them in). The show truly was designed to be seen from the central hub area and Main Street and you will miss a lot of show effects if you do not see it there. This is purely FYI. If the Fantasmic area works for you, then go for it.

Thanks, HydroGuy. The rest of the family went to see the fireworks on our last trip. I didn't go because it was so busy last year, and I have a very hard time in crowds. My DS has convinced me to go this year since it's scheduled for our first night (Wed) and he says the crowds shouldn't be as bad. He has it all planned for me to watch from the Main Street platform; he says I should have a good view from there without being in the middle of the crowds. What's your opinion on this? Is it a good place to see the fireworks show from?

disneegrl4eva

10-25-2006, 07:26 PM

just don't forget to check with guest services (I think its guest services) when you get there that day for the actual tickets. I remember a story around when we went where a woman didn't realize she needed to do that and just showed up...I think she had to go all the way to the front of the park to get it taken care of.

yeah that reminds me...if you go through vacation planning, you have to pick up your tickets at the hotel not at the park

HydroGuy

10-25-2006, 07:50 PM

Thanks, HydroGuy. The rest of the family went to see the fireworks on our last trip. I didn't go because it was so busy last year, and I have a very hard time in crowds. My DS has convinced me to go this year since it's scheduled for our first night (Wed) and he says the crowds shouldn't be as bad. He has it all planned for me to watch from the Main Street platform; he says I should have a good view from there without being in the middle of the crowds. What's your opinion on this? Is it a good place to see the fireworks show from?I cannot speak first hand about the Main Street platform. Some people like seeing the fireworks from there. But I think everyone agrees (even the people who like that spot) that you cannot see some or even most of the castle visual effects because you are just too far away. To see all of the effects you need to be in the hub, or on Main Street but closer towards the hub.

In summary I am not saying your DS's spot is bad or that the fireworks show cannot be enjoyed from that spot. I am sure you will enjoy them just fine.

FWIW, I saw the show on a Wednesday night last summer from the hub and it was surprisingly uncrowded.

Echo queen

10-25-2006, 10:19 PM

I look forward to seeing the events at the hub. :cool1:

Dis Ohana

10-25-2006, 10:25 PM

FWIW, I saw the show on a Wednesday night last summer from the hub and it was surprisingly uncrowded.

DS was trying to convince me that the hub is the place to be, and that it wasn't crowded when he went too. I got scared off when I read about horrendous crowds for the fireworks last time we were there. Maybe it's settled down a bit. Either way, thanks for the input. I've decided to go do it all this year!

HydroGuy

10-26-2006, 10:19 AM

DS was trying to convince me that the hub is the place to be, and that it wasn't crowded when he went too. I got scared off when I read about horrendous crowds for the fireworks last time we were there. Maybe it's settled down a bit. Either way, thanks for the input. I've decided to go do it all this year!I have only seen the Remember fireworks twice. Once in summer 2005 and once in summer 2006 - both mid-week. The difference was like night and day. In 2005 it was absolutely packed. In 2006 it wasn't.

XTinabell

10-26-2006, 02:17 PM

I'm not sure if I have to make a new thread but hopefully someone will read this and can answer me. We just called for the balcony seating and as predicted we were ten days to slow and it was all filled up. So we got the riverside seating but now I'm more confused than ever. We're going to the later show on Friday and according to the schedule it looks like the later show is starting shortly after the earlier show. So if we have to show up over an hour early to be the first in line, are we going to see the early show right before we actually get seated? and then see it again? And what happens when the show is over and every leaves and we're getting trampled trying to be the first in line? Or am I completely off on everything? Oh I'm so confused!!! mostly worried, I like to worry.

disneegrl4eva

10-26-2006, 02:32 PM

XTinabell

10-26-2006, 02:41 PM

I too, am doing riverside seating...correct me if Im wrong Disers but from what I understand, you check in 45 minutes early then you can leave and come back when its close time for the second showing... no worries of getting trampled on because everything is roped off for people to walk through ROA :goodvibes

Oh good! So we don't need to stand around for two hours we can just check in and leave? so I assume when you check in is when you reserve your seats. How do you prevent other people from stealing the seats that you choose? Do they have a way of tracking this or something?

disneegrl4eva

10-26-2006, 02:47 PM

Oh good! So we don't need to stand around for two hours we can just check in and leave? so I assume when you check in is when you reserve your seats. How do you prevent other people from stealing the seats that you choose? Do they have a way of tracking this or something?

hmmm good question...Im pretty sure you will give them your name and party amount and they will write it down at the same time writing down your spots...they probably have a seating chart...when are you going XTinabell?

XTinabell

10-26-2006, 03:06 PM

hmmm good question...Im pretty sure you will give them your name and party amount and they will write it down at the same time writing down your spots...they probably have a seating chart...when are you going XTinabell?

We go to anaheim Nov. 14th to the 20th but we're going to fantasmic on Friday the 17th and it's the later show. I think like 10:30 or something. What about you?

disneegrl4eva

10-26-2006, 03:10 PM

We go to anaheim Nov. 14th to the 20th but we're going to fantasmic on Friday the 17th and it's the later show. I think like 10:30 or something. What about you?

Im going Nov. 25-Dec. 1...doing first show on the 26th...so youre going to have to tell me how close to being right I am about check in...Im gonna go over there way earlier than the hour and sit to wait till I see a CM over there so I can check in first...Im short so I need to make sure Im in front :p

XTinabell

10-26-2006, 03:18 PM

Im going Nov. 25-Dec. 1...doing first show on the 26th...so youre going to have to tell me how close to being right I am about check in...Im gonna go over there way earlier than the hour and sit to wait till I see a CM over there so I can check in first...Im short so I need to make sure Im in front :p

lol, my mom is short too so I'm used to having to get up close to stuff as well. However this trip is just me and my hubby and we're both quite tall so I don't think it should matter where we sit, but I still like to have the first pick. I'll let you know everything about the whole process when I get back. I think we'll wait for the CM for over an hour as well I just hope we don't see the show while we're waiting because my man has never seen it and he likes surprises. I heard that the riverside seating is better than the balcony because you can experience the show better. Have you heard this? Or was it in the thread that I read that? I can never remember :p