Who saw Fantasmic! with FastPass on Fri/Sat & wants to share their thoughts?

[Nonsuch]

Observations from 1/3/15, first show 8:45

The 3 premium dining packages were all seated in one continuous area along the waters edge, split into 3 sections by tape lines (no rope). The New Dessert Package section was on the left (to the left while facing the show), in front left light tower (and the left part of the old dessert package -- now used for VIP). The Blue Bayou section was adjacent on the right, and The River Belle section on the far right (extending beyond the central light tower). The order of the 3 sections follow the relative locations of the restaurants.

The guests with colored fastpasses enter first, making it rather obvious if anyone tries to sit in the completely empty dining package area.
Once the colored fastpasses had entered, the premium dining guests were allowed in. Fastpasses were collected as guests entered the various seated sections. The premium dining area was full, but not crowded. The last guests arriving could still easily find a spot to sit.

Unfortunately, this performance was halted when Tick-Tock malfunctioned.​

Observations from 1/4/15, first show 8:45

The stairs and open space around the anchor (formerly used for VIP seating on the ground) is left empty (or perhaps a few guests) as an emergency exit route.

The raised area behind the Blue Bayou seated section (the right part of the old dessert package) is used as overflow for Blue Bayou or as a normal fastpass area.​

 

[shingle]

How is Fantasmic in February when the crowds are smaller do you still need a fastpass or dinner package to get a decent view.

 

[figment_jii]

How is Fantasmic in February when the crowds are smaller do you still need a fastpass or dinner package to get a decent view.

It's hard to say how things will be in February. This is the first time in quite a while that F! will be running nightly, so that might impact crowds at any given performance. In previous years, F! only ran on weekends during the slower times of the year (e.g., Feb), so it was fairly popular and crowded because guests only had a limited chance to see the show. With it running nightly, I would expect the crowds to somewhat spread out. That being said, with the FP and dining package set-up, there isn't as much viewing area for standby guests as before (previously it was all standby). So, unless they shrink the FP or dining package areas, I would guess that the standby areas will fill up (not to mention, it's not the best view - at least not at this point - who knows if the viewing areas will change by Feb). If you can swing a FP or dining package, I would certainly go that route because then you know you'll have a spot.

 

[figment_jii]

Thanks Nosuch for the updated information about the dining package viewing areas.

I've copied the Google Earth map of the RoA and tried to add labels, so that we'll all be on the same page about where the various reference points (e.g., Center light tower, etc.). I'm not 100% sure about the anchor...is this correct?

Anyone have any updates on the FP viewing areas (even, what colors are now being offered) and/or the standby viewing areas?

 

[cmwade77]

It's hard to say how things will be in February. This is the first time in quite a while that F! will be running nightly, so that might impact crowds at any given performance. In previous years, F! only ran on weekends during the slower times of the year (e.g., Feb), so it was fairly popular and crowded because guests only had a limited chance to see the show. With it running nightly, I would expect the crowds to somewhat spread out. That being said, with the FP and dining package set-up, there isn't as much viewing area for standby guests as before (previously it was all standby). So, unless they shrink the FP or dining package areas, I would guess that the standby areas will fill up (not to mention, it's not the best view - at least not at this point - who knows if the viewing areas will change by Feb). If you can swing a FP or dining package, I would certainly go that route because then you know you'll have a spot.

It's not really that hard. Fantamic! is now FP only, aside from a very few standby spots that are in very poor locations.

Bottom line is, here in order is best to worst view:
Blue Bayou Package
River Belle Package
Hungry Bear Desert Package
Aladdin's Oasis Package
Fastpass
Standby

It won't matter how crowded or uncrowded it is, Disney will not change the configuration of the viewing area once they have it finalized.

So, yes, you will need a FP or dining package to get a good view, even during the off season.

Basically, it's Disney trying to make more money off of Fantasmic! Also, remember that the reason it is running nightly is because WOC will be down during this time, so there is no other nighttime entertainment option.

 

[figment_jii]

It's not really that hard.

No one knows how the nightly F! will impacts crowds and whether or not the viewing area(s) will be as crowded as they had been in previous years when F! was only presented on three nights a week. I do think nightly presentations of F! (even without WoC) will affect viewing crowds (and remember, fireworks will still be presented on weekends).

It won't matter how crowded or uncrowded it is, Disney will not change the configuration of the viewing area once they have it finalized.

But that is the key, they need to finalize it and none of the reports so far seem to indicate that the viewing area locations are static (except the dining package areas). It might just be people use different terms to define the areas or the viewing area may still be evolving (especially the FP and standby).

So, yes, you will need a FP or dining package to get a good view, even during the off season.

I did recommend that the OP get a FP or a dining package, but whether you need the dining package to get a good view or not is not yet clear. We have to see where the various FP viewing areas end up being before we can know for sure if none of them have a good view.

 

[5forMickey]

I just wanted to add that we did the dining package for BB on 12/29/14. The dinner was very good, I am now a fan of BB and we will make this meal each trip. We were not allowed to line up early - I wanna say it was 30 minutes before the show started they let us in, and they were very strict about this. They did let my Father lean on the cement wall (just in front of pirates) because he was on oxygen but the rest of us had to keep "circling" until it was time to be seated. Once they let us in, it was obvious that there is not really a need to be any earlier than told as all the views from this location were great and there was plenty of space. It was an all seated area but the sidewalk was slanted so you didn't need to be right up front to see. I think the River Belle dinners were just to the left of us so that would be a great spot also. Couldn't really tell who was in the other sections.

The only problem we had was my elderly Father got trampled when we left (yes, knocked clear to the ground and scared the begeeiees out of me), Luckily he fell into my pint sized daughter and just had a badly scrapped up knee. We thought it would be better to leave before the fireworks to avoid the crowd - wrong. if you have any mobility issues wait until everyone clears out and the leave.

All in all, I much preferred this set up to past experiences. I thought the food and seating were well worth the $61.00 we paid and we lucked out and got a table for all 9 of us right on the water view. This was probably my most enjoyed viewing of fantasmic!

 

[Beamo2014]

My family has been long time AP holders. We gave up our passes last year though in favorite of a Disney Cruise, and will be going to back to DL this saturday to renew them. This will be our first time back in over 12 months (eeks that was a long time - at least for us). I was a bit disappointed when I heard about this FP system for F!. I have only seen WOC once, using the quick grab dining plan, it was standing room only, my 2 small children could not see a thing, so we have never seen the show again. I was like an OP who said they would go early sit down, distract the kids for a while or take turns with another adult on rides while another person waited. We always had one person manning our spot and we got great views all the time. However, about 5 mins before the show started all the staggers would come last minute, sometimes some would practically sit on top of your things, the kids, anything to inch into the front spots. So I can see where this FP thing is good and bad.

I just cannot fathom forking out so much money to get 2 adults and 2 kids dinners at BB. Especially when the kids will probably not eat half of what is given to them. And I have never been impressed with the quality of the food at RBT. Can anyone give me their thoughts on that? Would it be better to just eat somewhere else and get the Dessert Plan?

 

[VandVsmama]

There is a picture of a color-coded map of the Fantasmic seating areas in this article...

http://dlrprepschool.com/special-dining-events-with-reserved-seating-for-shows/

 

[figment_jii]

There is a picture of a color-coded map of the Fantasmic seating areas in this article...

http://dlrprepschool.com/special-dining-events-with-reserved-seating-for-shows/

That's pretty consistent with how I remember the viewing areas back on the first weekend, with the exception of the added green FP viewing area. The photos is dated 12/16/14, so that's the Tuesday after the first weekend. It would be interesting to see if the CMs are still carrying this version of the map, or if there is a newer one.

 

[Nonsuch]

That's pretty consistent with how I remember the viewing areas back on the first weekend, with the exception of the added green FP viewing area. The photos is dated 12/16/14, so that's the Tuesday after the first weekend. It would be interesting to see if the CMs are still carrying this version of the map, or if there is a newer one.

The seating for dining packages has shifted toward the left.
I saw the show on 1/3 and 1/4 from near the left light tower, and the Hungry Bear section was in front of the section shown as Guest Relations. The Blue Bayou section was to the right of HB, starting at the anchor. The River Belle section was to the right of BB -- although I could not see exactly where the RB section started or ended.

 

[Blue32]

The seating for dining packages has shifted toward the left.
I saw the show on 1/3 and 1/4 from near the left light tower, and the Hungry Bear section was in front of the section shown as Guest Relations. The Blue Bayou section was to the right of HB, starting at the anchor. The River Belle section was to the right of BB -- although I could not see exactly where the RB section started or ended.

This seems a bit odd if in fact in puts the RBT diners front and center instead of BB. But Disney has done more than one thing that didn't make sense to me.

 

[longhorns2]

Thanks for the great info Disboarders! I just cancelled reservation for BB and booked RBT instead (party size has grown!) and wanted to see if I could find out where we would be sitting. Looks perfect to me!

I'm not a fan of the WOC or Fantasmic set ups due to the need to waste precious park time lining up early for a decent view. So this new plan looks AMAZING to me- as I do love F! very much at DLR. Super excited to be there next week- thanks again!

 

[figment_jii]

This seems a bit odd if in fact in puts the RBT diners front and center instead of BB. But Disney has done more than one thing that didn't make sense to me.

If I had to guess, I would say it has to do with where they consider the center of the viewing area. The sound/control station are located in front of the Center Light Tower, which is right behind the middle of the Blue Bayou viewing area (based on the image above), so perhaps they consider that the "centered" viewing location. There is also a mist screen that appears right in front of that area.

 

[starjazz]

And I have never been impressed with the quality of the food at RBT. Can anyone give me their thoughts on that? Would it be better to just eat somewhere else and get the Dessert Plan?

The RBT Fantasmic dinner is new and not their normal buffet-style dinner. They are offering New York Strip, a chicken dish, and pasta prima vera for the vegheads. Sounded pretty delish.

 

[Disneyluvr]

Maybe I missed it but is there info on what the meals actually consist of for each of the dining plans? The RBT and Alladin to go meals specifically.

 

[Aladora]

Maybe I missed it but is there info on what the meals actually consist of for each of the dining plans? The RBT and Alladin to go meals specifically.

Here is the RBT menu:

RBT F! menu

And here is the one for Aladdin's Oasis:
Adult options are served with salad with choice of dressing, dinner roll, beverage and dessert:
Herb marinated chicken with seasonal vegetables
Lasagna Bolognese
Vegetarian Lasagna
Child options are served with seasonal vegetables, fresh fruit, dinner roll, beverage and Mickey cookie:
Kids chicken
Kids pasta
Kids macaroni and cheese

There is a dining review video for Aladdin's Oasis that you can watch here.

 

[Beamo2014]

The RBT Fantasmic dinner is new and not their normal buffet-style dinner. They are offering New York Strip, a chicken dish, and pasta prima vera for the vegheads. Sounded pretty delish.

Thanks!

 

[cmwade77]

If I had to guess, I would say it has to do with where they consider the center of the viewing area. The sound/control station are located in front of the Center Light Tower, which is right behind the middle of the Blue Bayou viewing area (based on the image above), so perhaps they consider that the "centered" viewing location. There is also a mist screen that appears right in front of that area.

The center light tower is indeed the center stage area and in front of or behind it offers the best view of the show.

 

[cmwade77]

There is a picture of a color-coded map of the Fantasmic seating areas in this article...

http://dlrprepschool.com/special-dining-events-with-reserved-seating-for-shows/

Wow, where are people supposed to walk? And really many of the viewing areas are just plain terrible.