Still need to arrive 1 hour early for Fantasmic?

[Fall1]

We've always arrived 1 hour before Fantasmic for standby seating. Would you say that's still necessary?
Trying to determine if we can do both F! and SW fireworks.
Thanks!

 

[Robo]

We've always arrived 1 hour before Fantasmic for standby seating. Would you say that's still necessary?
Trying to determine if we can do both F! and SW fireworks.
Thanks!

Well…
yes.

I suggest getting a Same-day FP+.

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.)

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[kip0992]

I'd kind of judge it by how busy the park is and how long the line forming outside the theater seems to be. Also definitely check for the FP's - they seem to almost always be available. I tend to usually squeeze in an extra ride on the Tower before F!, then rush into the theater at the last minute, but that is just my style. I'm not all that bothered by sitting in the end sections.

If you want a center seat, then definitely get in line early.

 

[zaccaglin]

It's highly recommended yes.

 

[TeachTink]

We got there about 10 minutes before it started. At that point, they were letting walk-ins sit in the unused FP section. We were smack dab in the middle of the Mickey section with amazing seats. I'm not sure we'd be able to time it like that again, but that was our experience.

 

[pens4821]

We walked in about ten minutes before it started in February, so not high crowds. People were filling the lower seats, we decided to head to the overflow in the front row. A CM came over and said that if we went to the back row we'd have a better view, and could stand if need be (no one behind you). We did this and it was great. No, it wasn't a straight on view, but we saw everything just fine and we loved it. It was also an easy exit, and not overly crowded which made it even better.

 

[poppinspenguins]

Oh my goodness. Learn new things all the time. I have never gotten to fantastic more than 10 minutes before it started.

But we never care about where we sit...back works fine and it's easier to exit.

Do you care about where you sit? Is the back section ok? Is.it during high crowds ?