FP times for shows

[123SA]

I'm confused with shows. When I go to select a FP for Indiana Jones, the time offered is 2:45 - -what is this time? Is this the show start time? Or is this the FP return time for a show that starts...when? 3:00? 3:15?

Is there a standard FP window for shows? Meaning any show that starts at 1pm will have a FP window starting at 12:45pm, or does each show have a different FP window?

Thanks for your help

 

[hiroMYhero]

I'm confused with shows. When I go to select a FP for Indiana Jones, the time offered is 2:45 - -what is this time? Is this the show start time? Or is this the FP return time for a show that starts...when? 3:00? 3:15?

Is there a standard FP window for shows? Meaning any show that starts at 1pm will have a FP window starting at 12:45pm, or does each show have a different FP window?

Thanks for your help

It's the FP arrival time to enter the show.

You can find show times here:
http://wdwent.com/st/st.htm

 

[123SA]

Thanks for the link. However, it doesn't cover the time frame I am interested in.


I remember from last year, I made plans based on early August hours but they changed in either the last week of Aug or the first week of Sept. I remember specifically the times for Frozen sing along and Indiana Jones changed. I guess because of the difference in projected crowd levels. So, I wanted to back into the time the show must be based on my fast pass. Really, I want to know what time it is OVER to make sure I can get to character palooza.

 

[Robo]

I'm confused with shows. When I go to select a FP for Indiana Jones, the time offered is 2:45 - -what is this time? Is this the show start time? Or is this the FP return time for a show that starts...when? 3:00? 3:15?

Is there a standard FP window for shows? Meaning any show that starts at 1pm will have a FP window starting at 12:45pm, or does each show have a different FP window?

Thanks for your help

Just jumping in with a different kind of answer, but since we're discussing FPs for shows,
it might help to know that there are very few shows at WDW that need (or are benefitted by obtaining) a FP.

One notable exception would be for Fantasmic!, and even that one requires that guests should arrive well in advance of
the stated time of the FP. The advantage in a FP for F! is that guests may choose from a much wider choice in seating
in the theater. The best seats still being available for those who arrive 45-60 minutes before show-time.
Also, having a FP for Finding Nemo the Musical can yield much more choice (and better) seating for guests. (And, again, only for those who arrive well in advance of the stated FP arrival time.)

Otherwise, in most cases, holding a FP for a show (you mention Indy in the question) is, generally speaking, just a waste of a FP.
Another example: If guests actually use the FP seating for the Disney Playhouse show,
they will be seated in a section that is too close to the stage, so shorter guests, especially young children (!) will not be able to see the show very well.

 

[Robo]

The true way to judge the ACTUAL start-time of a show is to use the Times Guides.
Any changes will show up on those documents.

Since they are generally printed every week, or so, you must use the most current version.
Anything listed more than a week before your trip (FPs included) can be inaccurate.
(The early-posted times -and FPs- MIGHT be dead-on, but any changes will only be shown on the latest listings.)

Scans of the current weekly WDW "Times Guides" can be found at OrlandoParksNews.com HERE.

 

[FoxC63]

The true way to judge the ACTUAL start-time of a show is to use the Times Guides.
Any changes will show up on those documents.

Since they are generally printed every week, or so, you must use the most current version.
Anything listed more than a week before your trip (FPs included) can be inaccurate.
(The early-posted times -and FPs- MIGHT be dead-on, but any changes will only be shown on the latest listings.)

Scans of the current weekly WDW "Times Guides" can be found at OrlandoParksNews.com HERE.

Thanks for the link as they are always helpful!

 

[mlktwins]

Just jumping in with a different kind of answer, but since we're discussing FPs for shows,
it might help to know that there are very few shows at WDW that need (or are benefitted by obtaining) a FP.

One notable exception would be for Fantasmic!, and even that one requires that guests should arrive well in advance of
the stated time of the FP. The advantage in a FP for F! is that guests may choose from a much wider choice in seating
in the theater. The best seats still being available for those who arrive 45-60 minutes before show-time.
Also, having a FP for Finding Nemo the Musical can yield much more choice (and better) seating for guests. (And, again, only for those who arrive well in advance of the stated FP arrival time.)

Otherwise, in most cases, holding a FP for a show (you mention Indy in the question) is, generally speaking, just a waste of a FP.
Another example: If guests actually use the FP seating for the Disney Playhouse show,
they will be seated in a section that is too close to the stage, so shorter guests, especially young children (!) will not be able to see the show very well.

Robo, I've been to Disney twice and I understand how FP+ works. We are heading back in November - between the Veteran's Day rush and Thanksgiving -- when crowds will be somewhat smaller. Regarding Fantasmic!, which is our favorite show, would we be able to see it without a FP+? If so, how much before the show should we be in line? Would we still get ok seats? Our focus this trip is Universal (we have never been and my boys are new HP fans), but we want to see Fanstasmic! We don't mind waiting in line awhile, but I'm hoping to be a little more flexible this trip and not have everything planned out to the minute. Also, I guess I'm asking about seeing it without FP+ in case it is a rainy night and we decide to try it another night. We literally sat in the theater in the pouring rain for 45 minutes our last trip before they cancelled it.

 

[Robo]

Robo, I've been to Disney twice and I understand how FP+ works. We are heading back in November - between the Veteran's Day rush and Thanksgiving -- when crowds will be somewhat smaller. Regarding Fantasmic!, which is our favorite show,

1. would we be able to see it without a FP+? If so,
2. how much before the show should we be in line? Would we still get ok seats? Our focus this trip is Universal (we have never been and my boys are new HP fans), but we want to see Fanstasmic!

1. Thousands do.
2. You don't really need to stand in a line.
You want to arrive 50-60 minutes before showtime, and just walk on in.
But, it WOULD be a good idea to get a FP for the show, and it can be very easy, even the day-of.

What a FP+ for F! offers is more CHOICE in seating.



If you DO get a F! FP+, you can choose to sit in either the FP section (virtually the entire left half of the theater) or the Standby section (virtually the entire right half of the theater.)

So, whatever section has the better seating at the time you arrive, you can go there.

Without a FP, you can only choose a seat in the Standby section.



There is a very good chance that you can get a FP+ for F! as a 4th or 5th FP of the day because they issue SO MANY of them (enough to cover nearly the entire left half of the seating.) On many nights, it is possible that you can gat a FP+ for F! as you are walking to the theater.



As to when to arrive at the theater, I'd get to there 45-60 minutes before the show-time.

Even with a FP or Dining Pkg. reservation, don't wait too late.



On busy nights, the CMs can stop holding the reserved sections within 20-30 minutes before show-time, and turn over any available seats to waiting walk-in guests.



There is sometimes a "pre-show" (such as it is) that can help pass the last 30 minutes before show time.

-------------------------------------------------------------------



Map Below-

Arrows indicate the center of the seating.

Shaded areas:

(First or Only F! performance of the evening)

Cyan= Standby (walk-in) seating

Red= Dining Package Reserved

Blue= FP+ Reserved

Purple= Can be either FP+ or Dining Plan Reserved, depending on needs.



(Second or Third F! performance of the evening)

Cyan= Standby (walk-in) seating

Red, Purple, Blue= FP+ Reserved

(Although much of the outer Blue will likely be used for Standby.)

--------------------------------------

 

[mlktwins]

1. Thousands do.
2. You don't really need to stand in a line.
You want to arrive 50-60 minutes before showtime, and just walk on in.
But, it WOULD be a good idea to get a FP for the show, and it can be very easy, even the day-of.

What a FP+ for F! offers is more CHOICE in seating.



If you DO get a F! FP+, you can choose to sit in either the FP section (virtually the entire left half of the theater) or the Standby section (virtually the entire right half of the theater.)

So, whatever section has the better seating at the time you arrive, you can go there.

Without a FP, you can only choose a seat in the Standby section.



There is a very good chance that you can get a FP+ for F! as a 4th or 5th FP of the day because they issue SO MANY of them (enough to cover nearly the entire left half of the seating.) On many nights, it is possible that you can gat a FP+ for F! as you are walking to the theater.



As to when to arrive at the theater, I'd get to there 45-60 minutes before the show-time.

Even with a FP or Dining Pkg. reservation, don't wait too late.



On busy nights, the CMs can stop holding the reserved sections within 20-30 minutes before show-time, and turn over any available seats to waiting walk-in guests.



There is sometimes a "pre-show" (such as it is) that can help pass the last 30 minutes before show time.

-------------------------------------------------------------------



Map Below-

Arrows indicate the center of the seating.

Shaded areas:

(First or Only F! performance of the evening)

Cyan= Standby (walk-in) seating

Red= Dining Package Reserved

Blue= FP+ Reserved

Purple= Can be either FP+ or Dining Plan Reserved, depending on needs.



(Second or Third F! performance of the evening)

Cyan= Standby (walk-in) seating

Red, Purple, Blue= FP+ Reserved

(Although much of the outer Blue will likely be used for Standby.)

--------------------------------------

Robo, thanks so much for this! Your maps and info have helped me so much on past trips !!!!!