Best place for viewing Fantasmic?

[wdwfreak]

We will be at DL in June and plan to take in Fantasmic. I'm sure it will be extremely crowded, so where are some good spots to view it from? And how long before the show should we stake out the spot?

 

[LeftCoaster]

Originally posted by wdwfreak
We will be at DL in June and plan to take in Fantasmic. I'm sure it will be extremely crowded, so where are some good spots to view it from? And how long before the show should we stake out the spot?

If you can avoid the 9:00 p.m. show and go to the 10:30 show instead, then do that! Then, here's a cool little trick. There are three massive light towers for Fantasmic that raise up for the show. Few people stand behind the center light tower because you can't see past it. Then, a couple of minutes before show time, the light towers get raised all the way up and you have a perfect view of the show. If I see the 10:30 show. I show up like 10 minutes before hand and can get a decent spot. With the 9:00 show, you need to show up a good 45 minutes to get a good spot.

 

[MandaMom]

We have always enjoyed viewing fantasmic from the Riverbelle Terrace patio. I would show up 45 minutes prior. You don't have to order anything. We usually do but the majority of people that sit here to view Fantasmic do not purchase anything from the restaurant, at least this has been what we have observed.

The best way to view fantasmic though is from "the balcony". It is a luxury but since I have heard rumors that this is the last summer for Fantasmic (supposedly creating a new show) I would recommend trying the Fantasmic dessert buffet.

Hope this helps

MandaMom

 

[dcfromva]

Jay,
We were able to get tickets to view Fantasmic from the balcony (just off from the Disney Gallery) one time, and it is the absolutely best spot for viewing.

When we went, they didn't have any advance PS for this--you had to go to guest services on the day of (this may have changed, though). Since we had just arrived from the east coast the day before, I was up at 3:00am in the morning, anyway. I was over to guest services by 5:00am and there was 1 person in line in front of me. By the time guest services opened up (I think it was 8:00am), there was quite a line. The tickets are quite expensive (I think we paid around $40-45 a ticket--that was a couple years ago), but worth it in my opinion.
Something I didn't realize at the time, but since I took a Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour on our last visit I discovered that the Disney Gallery would have been Walt Disney's family apartment--except he died before it was completed. I was thinking that balcony would have been the view that Walt's family would have had from their apartments (how cool is that?). Here's a link to more information on this board
-DC

 

[ilovemky]

you are now supposedly able to call ahead and reserve the buffet up to 30 days in advance. try this number
714-781-DINE


it is $45 extra but well worth a comfy seat on the balcony!

 

[sgtdilbert]

Well, front and center is the best viewing place, of course! And it's not terribly difficult to arrange this with a little planning.

All you really need is a blanket and a commitment from one person in your group to be at your area at all times. I often like to take something to read with me, and get there by 5 p.m. for the 9 p.m. show. Yes, 4 hours in advance. Put the blanket down and read.

Then we take turns taking the kids around to various rides until 9, and also get our dinner "to go" and eat it at the edge of the river.

If you can bring anything to support your back, then do so.

Anyway, that's really the easiest and cheapest way to get the best spot.

Another *giant* tip. When Fantasmic is over, do not leave your spot to try and make it over to see the fireworks from Main Street. Everyone tries this, makes a huge traffic jam, and then you'll be stuck in a horrible area for viewing the fireworks. From your spot at Fantasmic, you can see the fireworks just fine!

s.

 

[ilovemky]

Yes, front and center is the best but my back and disabilities will not allow me to sit on the cement for long periods so I try to get into the second seating. come into the area near haunted mansion right before the 1st show ends and when the masses of folks stream out through adventureland and frontierland, you can stream in behind them and get a great seat with a short wait.

 

[AprilsZoo]

When we were there 3 weeks ago, they were not doing Fantasmic. You probably want to check online to see if it's going now.

And Sgtdilbert is right. The view of the fireworks is fabulous from the New Orleans Square/riverfront area. Practically right over your head!