Anyone done Fantasmic Dessert Package lately??

[MeLaNie9]

We just booked this for the late Fantasmic show on Nov 1. We are hoping to catch the Halloween fireworks at 9:30 from a good spot then head to the Fantasmic seating area. However, we have gotten different info about this package. We read on the dis that people who have booked this package have to wait in a line at some podium as early as an hour before F! to get their tickets and seats. The CM who I booked with said that I had to go to DL guest services that day before 5:30pm to pick up the tickets then head to the seating area just before the show. We will be arriving at DL sometime that late afternoon and are getting park tickets for that day solely for these shows - hopefully we will be there before 5:30 if that is indeed the process one takes for this...
What is the real deal for this package?
How could it be that we would have to wait for our seat - isn't it now reserved? Or are there better seats within this viewing area?

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

You have to check in prior to the 1st show (I think around 7 pm?) with the CM and they will assign you seats then, then come back prior to show time.

I'm not sure when you are supposed to pick up the tickets by. Someone who has done it should be able to help with that.

 

[Kayla's Mom]

We did this 3 weeks ago and picked up our tickets at Guest Services in the morning before the park opened. At 8:00 is when they start the check in for both shows. We lined up at 6:45 and there were already 3 people in front of us (3 different groups). By the time they started checking in at 8:00, the line was very long. You don't have to get there early if you aren't picky about what seats you get. We got in line because we were already there, tired and wanted to sit down, and wanted to get front row. Once you get checked in and seats assigned to you, they won't let you sit down in your seats until 8:30 (if you go to the early show). When we finally were able to sit down at 8:30, they were just getting through checking people in from the end of the line.

I don't know if you can wait to check in right before the second show or if you have to do it earlier, sorry I can't help with that.

 

[ballarinamom]

You have to go to guest services with the credit card you used to purchase the seats. They will give you the tickets for F! at that time. Then the podium, which is located byt the popcorn cart by HM. This is where you get to select where you sit. As most people want front row, they get in line early. Your entire group does not have to be there. After you have your seat assignment, you can leave. Then come back about 15 minutes before F! starts to get your seat, drinks and dessert box. If you are not there early to select your seat, you could end up on the 3rd row. You will still have a good view but not front row.
I wait in line while DH takes DD on POTC and HM. For me it's worth it for my family to have a good seat. It's still better than sitting on a blamket on the hard concrete for 3-4 hours. As reported here, folks start camping out at 5:00-5:30 for the 9:00 show. to wait 1 hour for a front row seat is not bad IMHO

 

[ballarinamom]

I don't know if you can wait to check in right before the second show or if you have to do it earlier, sorry I can't help with that.

Late shows can check in when the early show checks in. That's one of the reasons why the line gets so long.

 

[Lights_Out]

So you pay for seats... that might not even be in the front row?
I really don't get the point of doing that... (unless you're guaranteed to be seated in the front)

Is the view amazing no matter where you sit or something?

 

[Kiwianna]

on September 25, I arrived at about 7.15 and joined the queue that was waiting for seat allocation. At 8pm two stands were set up and you were directed to one or the other depending on which show you were attending.
I was surprised to find that most of the people in front of me were getting seats for the late session, and I was able to get front row seats for our group of five.
I can't comment on the view from all seats, but the group sitting behind us did not seem to have any problems.

 

[Kayla's Mom]

Late shows can check in when the early show checks in. That's one of the reasons why the line gets so long.

Right...I just didn't know if the late show HAD to check in at that time or if they could come after the first show and get their tickets.

 

[DisDancerina]

OK, so what we did (and I definitely suggest this) is to line up at 6:30 because 8 is when they start checking people in and it gets pretty darn crazy, because people from all the shows have to line up.

Once it's 8 o'clock and you reach the podium, you point out the seats you want on their chart and then you can chill for about half an hour somewhere else. Go to the bathroom... Do something, but don't try to get on a ride or you may miss the show!

Return and they'll seat you in the seats you chose earlier. You can't move from there. Your trays will be handed to you, but be careful, the lids are REALLY loose!

Then you'll get to order your drinks and they'll give it to you.


Tip: Where the grapes are is a good place to put your cup, my hot cocoa and water both fit great!

Hope this helps!

 

[ACDSNY]

Does anyone know what happens if you don't check in early? I purchased two tickets for this Friday's 10:30PM show, but we'll be in San Diego during the day so we won't be back early enough to do the check in. I really don't care about the location of our seats as long as we have one.

P.S. I already know what happens if the park reaches capacity and I'm OK with that.

 

[MegRN]

What happens if the park reaches capacity?

We have Fantasmic tickets for the early show on the 23rd. If we leave the park do you think we could get back in at 4 or 5? What happens if we can't get back in?

 

[ACDSNY]

What happens if the park reaches capacity?

We have Fantasmic tickets for the early show on the 23rd. If we leave the park do you think we could get back in at 4 or 5? What happens if we can't get back in?

I think you should be fine going back around 4 or 5PM with a handstamp from earlier in the day, but check with the CMs before you leave the park. I think last Friday closure was around 6PM.

Our situation is a little different since we won't be going to the park that day except for Fantasmic so I was told if we can't get in we could request a refund of our tickets and that's fine with me.

 

[nunzia]

To me the cost is worth it to have a seat after a long day..plus, that dessert box is HUGE..yes, they really need to work on those lids! We were there on Labor Day (my birthday) and only lined up at the churro cart about a hour early while the rest of my party went looking for dinner (which we could have skipped and just had the cheese and crackers and fruit) We were at the early show and most people in line were checking in for the later show. We got the section that only had 1 row of chairs and it was fine, but the screens weren't super clear. They had a great CM who got the crown going, singing Happy Birthday to all us BD folks and trying to get a wave going. Lots of fun and I'd certainly do it again (we've done it twice and will do it again when take one of our son's and family in 2011). You also stay seated for the fireworks, so that's a nice added bonus. Another decent spot is over by the Pirate Lair barges..the side view is pretty interesting, and the screens and action was actually closer and clearer there.

 

[JoRo]

This is a great thread thank you we are doing this for the first time this coming saturday - very excited -

Day of get our tickets from guest relations -

Question so we go over to the area around 6:30 to check in early correct? Is it clearly marked, is there someone there easy to find?

Then we check in get our seats assigned and come back at 8 -

Think I got it all, Just want to make sure I find the check in early.

 

[Queenbillabong]

This is a great thread thank you we are doing this for the first time this coming saturday - very excited -

Day of get our tickets from guest relations -

Question so we go over to the area around 6:30 to check in early correct? Is it clearly marked, is there someone there easy to find?

Then we check in get our seats assigned and come back at 8 -

Think I got it all, Just want to make sure I find the check in early.

Not quite right. If you get there at 6:30, you will be waiting there until about 8:00 to get your seats assigned. It is not clearly marked as the podium does not actually come out until about 8:00 p.m. - but it's easy enough to find. It's in front of the churro cart in front of the Haunted Mansion. If you're going to the early show, you come back around 8:30 or so to get seated before the show.

 

[JoRo]

Oh no really that is no fun, I thought the benefit of doing this was to not have to wait hours for a decent seat -

So I still have to wait and hour 1/2 to get the front row for early show - bummer!

 

[DanT]

we have tickets reserved for the 9:30 show on Friday the 16th of October....this Friday
My wife and I have been discussing the entire process and have decided to just take our chances with the seating. Since we have only ourselves to be concerned with, we have decided to just go over and check in around 7:45, get what ever seats are available and see what we get.
It has to be better than hanging out for hours sitting on concrete.

I just hope it will be half as good as it used to be up on the Disney Gallery Balcony....now that was a great seat and superb food service

 

[21yankees]

I'm thinking about doing this for my birthday trip. I don't need the front row though, I'll be happy with a seat, treat box, and drinks. Anyway what time should I get there since I'm not worried about a front row seat???

steph

 

[DizMe]

Uh-oh...I just read ballarinamom's post where it says you have to show Guest Services the credit card you paid with. I used dh's credit card and won't be taking it with me (he's not coming, just dd and I). Will that be a problem? Will they not give me the tickets? Nothing was said about that over the phone. The CM just told me to bring picture ID.

 

[MeLaNie9]

Hmmm...We did not think we would have to wait even that long (6:30-8) to get "good seats" once we booked this. We may have to take the tactic of one of the other posters and just take what we can get by lining up at 7:45 or so. What happens if you don't do this at all and just show up for your show??? We are driving down the coast from San Fran with sightseeing on Sat and Sun and weren't originally planning to be in DLR early on Sun, were just going into DL to see the fireworks and F! since there will be no other showings of these during our visit. I guess we will have to plan such that we make it to guest services before they close! The whole process seems pretty convoluted. We would have been fine with being assigned seats on a first come first served basis based on when people made the phone calls to book... but thanks to all who have let us know how this works!