forevercruising
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2006
- Messages
- 228
Hello, all!
Since so many issues are being discussed regarding the Fantasmic Premium Seating experience, I thought I'd share our June 17th experience.
Since I had no recent clarification from anyone regarding the check in time change implementation, I decided to bite the bullet and try to be the "first in line", no matter when the check in began. BTW: ALL of my documentation (my tickets, my Fantasmic VIP receipt, and my printed itinerary from GCH) stated that there would be a 7:00 pm check in. So, going with the documentation I had, I was in line by the Churro cart podium by 6:00 pm and yes, I was the only one there.
I didn't know whether to expect anyone else that early or not, but I was glad when the next ticket holder joined me around 6:20 pm. We had both been given the same information regarding 7 pm check in (it was on paper for both of us). We had a very pleasant conversation and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting her, so I felt my time was actually well-spent!
By 6:45 pm, the line had grown to about six or seven people, all of which had been told check in would begin at 7 pm. However, there was still no sign of any CM or any podium. Right at 7:00 pm, out came a CM with a podium. He set it up and set up his "ropes" and we patiently waited, expecting him to check us in as soon as he was finished. Around 7:10 pm, he announced to all of us that check in would begin at 8:00 pm and BOY, oh BOY, there was nearly a mob uproar! Everyone started chiming in with their "story" of who told them 7 pm and who had what documentation. He looked at our paperwork and, once he studied my documentation, especially the receipt that came with my tickets and the tickets themselves, all of which said to check in at 7 pm. He attempted to explain that the "new" policy is 8 pm check in, but he would try to call a manager to ask about it. Five minutes later, he said he could not reach his manager, but, due to the actual wording on our documentation, esp. the tickets and the receipt, he decided to go ahead and check us in at that time.
FYI: I purchased my tickets exactly 30 days prior to the 17th show, so, I'm not sure when the wording will have changed on the tickets and on the receipts. Even though I purchased on May 17th, I'm sure the tickets weren't actually printed until we arrived to the GCH (or just prior to that).
So, here's the bottom line: We lucked out that the CM was willing to check us in and I would not expect that to happen each night. The new rule is, in fact, check in at 8:00 pm. The problem is that the CMs not working directly with Fantasmic (such as GCH Guest Services and the Vacation Planners) are still not aware of the 8pm check in change and are still telling people to check in at 7pm, which is causing many people to be unhappy.
My review:
Yes, I had to stand in line and play the waiting game, but I wanted so much to have the Fantasmic VIP seating to be a highlight of our trip that I was willing to play the game. I'm VERY glad I did, because we had the best seats possible (1-3 -- no one was in #4, so we basically had a full row)! The view was unbeatable and unforgettable! Our server was excellent and went out of his way to accomodate us. Although it is not mandatory, we tipped him at the end of the evening. Although I did not even get to open my dessert box until later that night, long after the show (I was filming during Fantasmic and the Fireworks!), I, for one, was very happy with the dessert box and the value of "what we got" for our money. The food in the dessert box was fresh and there was a good variety of foods. I was pleased with the quality and the taste of the food.
Overall, the Fantasmic Premium Seating was definitely a highlight of our trip and we will absolutely take advantage of it again in the future. I also would wait in line all over again so I could be first in line to get those excellent, unobstructed seats. It was definitely a positive, memorable experience for us!
Although the VIP experience doesn't appeal to everyone, it was well worth our time and money!
I hope this review provides useful insight! 
Since so many issues are being discussed regarding the Fantasmic Premium Seating experience, I thought I'd share our June 17th experience.
Since I had no recent clarification from anyone regarding the check in time change implementation, I decided to bite the bullet and try to be the "first in line", no matter when the check in began. BTW: ALL of my documentation (my tickets, my Fantasmic VIP receipt, and my printed itinerary from GCH) stated that there would be a 7:00 pm check in. So, going with the documentation I had, I was in line by the Churro cart podium by 6:00 pm and yes, I was the only one there.
I didn't know whether to expect anyone else that early or not, but I was glad when the next ticket holder joined me around 6:20 pm. We had both been given the same information regarding 7 pm check in (it was on paper for both of us). We had a very pleasant conversation and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting her, so I felt my time was actually well-spent!
By 6:45 pm, the line had grown to about six or seven people, all of which had been told check in would begin at 7 pm. However, there was still no sign of any CM or any podium. Right at 7:00 pm, out came a CM with a podium. He set it up and set up his "ropes" and we patiently waited, expecting him to check us in as soon as he was finished. Around 7:10 pm, he announced to all of us that check in would begin at 8:00 pm and BOY, oh BOY, there was nearly a mob uproar! Everyone started chiming in with their "story" of who told them 7 pm and who had what documentation. He looked at our paperwork and, once he studied my documentation, especially the receipt that came with my tickets and the tickets themselves, all of which said to check in at 7 pm. He attempted to explain that the "new" policy is 8 pm check in, but he would try to call a manager to ask about it. Five minutes later, he said he could not reach his manager, but, due to the actual wording on our documentation, esp. the tickets and the receipt, he decided to go ahead and check us in at that time.
FYI: I purchased my tickets exactly 30 days prior to the 17th show, so, I'm not sure when the wording will have changed on the tickets and on the receipts. Even though I purchased on May 17th, I'm sure the tickets weren't actually printed until we arrived to the GCH (or just prior to that).
So, here's the bottom line: We lucked out that the CM was willing to check us in and I would not expect that to happen each night. The new rule is, in fact, check in at 8:00 pm. The problem is that the CMs not working directly with Fantasmic (such as GCH Guest Services and the Vacation Planners) are still not aware of the 8pm check in change and are still telling people to check in at 7pm, which is causing many people to be unhappy.
My review:
Yes, I had to stand in line and play the waiting game, but I wanted so much to have the Fantasmic VIP seating to be a highlight of our trip that I was willing to play the game. I'm VERY glad I did, because we had the best seats possible (1-3 -- no one was in #4, so we basically had a full row)! The view was unbeatable and unforgettable! Our server was excellent and went out of his way to accomodate us. Although it is not mandatory, we tipped him at the end of the evening. Although I did not even get to open my dessert box until later that night, long after the show (I was filming during Fantasmic and the Fireworks!), I, for one, was very happy with the dessert box and the value of "what we got" for our money. The food in the dessert box was fresh and there was a good variety of foods. I was pleased with the quality and the taste of the food.
Overall, the Fantasmic Premium Seating was definitely a highlight of our trip and we will absolutely take advantage of it again in the future. I also would wait in line all over again so I could be first in line to get those excellent, unobstructed seats. It was definitely a positive, memorable experience for us!
Although the VIP experience doesn't appeal to everyone, it was well worth our time and money!
I hope this review provides useful insight!
but ok. We returned at almost exactly 10, and there were multiple lines... one for each seating section (super confusing if you dont remember which lighting tower you were told to go to.. oops). Finally we find where we are supposed to be and are seated in the second row behind a family of a mom, dad, and 2 teenage girls and next to a father and adult son. 
As we were seated we were asked what we would like to drink from a choice of soft drinks, water, coffee, and hot cocoa; and handed our dessert box. 
) But with my brother and dad in tow.. that didnt happen this time. And as for Fantasmic VIP I can only imagine how the people in the last row's view was 
It would be nice if some how they could set up simple risers or something to ensure we get the amazing view we paid for
