Can I just walk into Fantasmic these days?

[jodifla]

We're going mid May. Is a dining package necessary, or can you just show up?

 

[Dis703]

I've never had a dining package and we go to Fantasmic pretty much every trip just walking in. Once in a while I grab a FP a couple hours ahead to buy us a little more time for rides, but we've never had a problem getting in. May is our usual time of year we visit as well.

 

[poppinspenguins]

Same as pp. I have never once stood in line for fantasmic. We Walk in 5 min before and sit in back.

 

[Silvermist999]

We've always just walked in (not last minute though) and gotten good seats. And we always go in May as well.

 

[Robo]

Be very, VERY careful about accepting that "just walking in 5 minutes before the show" is standard procedure.
While it is possible on some nights, it is far from the case on many nights of the year.

I recommend getting a FP+ for the show.
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.)

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

 

[OFF2NVRLAND]

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.

Good to know! My trip is in 6 weeks and I wondered what might be available for a 4th FP. This will be our first time staying for Fantasmic.

 

[ParrotBill]

Also if the cutbacks impact Fantasmic and it is scheduled fewer times per week than in the past, it will fill up faster.

 

[loves to dive]

I've done the just walk up thing and had pretty good success but as the wise Robo says, it's not always possible. I did it one night with standing room only, which would have been fine except for the SRO section is upper tier way in the back. If you are allowed to stand (which one would think you would be given it's name) it would have worked but we weren't allowed to stand. I happened to be on the bottom row, which meant that people on the top row in the regular section were higher than me, I could see 80% of the show semi-o.k. but the ending was a total no go, couldn't see a thing.

 

[Dis703]

I've done the just walk up thing and had pretty good success but as the wise Robo says, it's not always possible. I did it one night with standing room only, which would have been fine except for the SRO section is upper tier way in the back. If you are allowed to stand (which one would think you would be given it's name) it would have worked but we weren't allowed to stand. I happened to be on the bottom row, which meant that people on the top row in the regular section were higher than me, I could see 80% of the show semi-o.k. but the ending was a total no go, couldn't see a thing.

That happened to me in February. Our dinner ran late and then my 4 year old needed a 30 minute potty break (only a slight exaggeration) so we heard the announcements for standing room only as we were walking back to HS from YC. We got the front row as well in the back section and for the first time I could say we had bad seats. I guess it was better than trying to stand the whole time but part of our view was definitely blocked.

To beat the crowds out though I started a very slow walk towards the exit during the very end and carried my DS so he could watch the rest of it and that was a much better view.

 

[DisneyMom111]

It's possible but I wouldn't chance it if it's your first time going. You want to get the full experience because it's awesome! That being said, we have walked in 15 mins before the show and got seats in the very first row. Some don't like that but we LOVED it. We sit in the front every time now. Only once did we get spray back and get wet. But it was fun. Enjoy your trip!!

 

[cvjw]

On our last two trips, we have tried to attend Fantasmic about 30 minutes before show time. Both times, they announced that the theater was full (no standing room either) as we were walking down Hollywood Blvd towards the theater. Our last two trips were the 1st week of January and the 1st week of March of 2016 - pretty recent experiences.

Take the advice about showing up 5 minutes before with a grain of salt. It might work sometimes, but it certainly does not work everytime.

 

[kdawng]

Is Fantasmic worth it? We are doing it in October and have a dining reservation. Thanks!

 

[Crystal824]

We just went the first week of March. While we were able to walk in without a FP or dining package, it wasn't 5 min. before the show. We lined up about 45 min. prior to the show, and we barely got into the show. They kept making announcements that it was standing room only. It wasn't a pleasant wait either. They made us stay in line until a few minutes before the show started. It was incredibly crowded, dark, and the air wasn't really circulating well. I would do a dining package or get a FP. From now on, that is what I will be doing.

 

[DisneyMom111]

Is Fantasmic worth it? We are doing it in October and have a dining reservation. Thanks!

Absolutely...IMO We make a point to see it every trip. Others may disagree. I would say do it at least once and then you can decide for yourself.

 

[Mousemommy1]

We have never done a dining package for Fantasmic and always walk-in. We have done it that way countless times. I never understood the need for the dining package.

 

[mathgeek]

Well, I'm confused. Robo's map is inconsistent with what I've seen. When I've gone I could swear they've had Ursula, Sebastian, Scar, and Mickey blocked off for dining package, and only Witch for standby. But when I go in standby, I usually go down to the blue section anyway.

 

[mikeyg1479]

Never did any meal packages- I've always gotten there roughly 40-60 mins early to get a somewhat centered view of the stage which is important to us. If you don't, you are basically either sitting way off to the side (not a good view of stage action), or standing- unacceptable to me, but if you don't care- go for it.

 

[CAS239]

Well, I'm confused. Robo's map is inconsistent with what I've seen. When I've gone I could swear they've had Ursula, Sebastian, Scar, and Mickey blocked off for dining package, and only Witch for standby. But when I go in standby, I usually go down to the blue section anyway.

The map is right. Only the very middle is used for Dining packages. Then to the left is used for FP..Pocahontas usually fills up first. To the right of the dining package is where they send standby and they fill in in. Then usually closer to showtime all sections are opened to fill in what's left

 

[CAS239]

No one ever needs a meal package to see Fantasmic. If you're already planning on eating in the park, it's a nice addition. But I wouldn't go out my way to purposely eat in the park for it.

No matter whether you have dining package, FP, or standby you should still show up 45 min-1 hour prior to showtime to have ultimate choice of seats.

 

[SeeDisney]

Be very, VERY careful about accepting that "just walking in 5 minutes before the show" is standard procedure.
While it is possible on some nights, it is far from the case on many nights of the year.

I recommend getting a FP+ for the show.
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.)

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