Can you get a seat at fantasmic if you show up 20 minutes ahead of time?

[minijeanie]

Been to the show twice. Once did dinner pkg. But that was when you couid choose anything you wanted off the menu. No set price

Also did fantasmic 2 yrs ago. went about 30 minutes ahead of time with no problem

so my question is...Have things changed so much that you really need the dinner ressie?
or can I just wing it.

going mid June

 

[disneydiz]

I am also mid-June, and from what I read the parks are going to be packed. I think you would be taking a chance of not getting in. If there was a second show you might be OK. Also, you might end up at the far back seating area, and those seats are awful.

 

[sunny04]

I would say no, but that's just a guess. You don't NEED a dinner res. unless you are unwilling to wait. We used to wait at least an hour and a half to get middle perfect seats. Now that we've done that a few times, it doesn't bother us to do the dinner and get side seats. If you walk in at 20 min. you may end with standing room only in the very back, or if you're lucky a back row seat. I have never seen it less than packed in Fantasmic. It's up to you if you want to risk it.

 

[TOMAR@SSR]

We made a ps for H&V "without" the FDP. I think we`re going to take our chances this year, since the last time we made the fdp ps @ MM, it was awful!! We were rushed to eat, and then sat in the stadium for an hour and a half before the show started!! Minijeanie, you probably had a better experience just walking over @ 30 minutes out!!
the only thing I wish, is that the Aug. Hours were out to get a better handle on the times.

 

[NCombs]

We saw Fantasmic on June 5 last year using the dinner package. I saw people in line at least 90 minutes ahead.

Even the standing room only area was filled up and this was on a rainy night.

So, if you do only go in 1/2 hour ahead at that time of year, you could end up standing on the cement behind a crowd of people the whole time or maybe not get in at all. I guess I'm not sure since I can only go by our one experience. I guess I'm not much help.

I just know that the later in June, the heavier the crowds get.

 

[JoannaOhio]

You might end up at the far back seating area, and those seats are awful.

I don't disagree with those who encourage you to get there early, but I don't think the seats in the back are awful. We sat there because of the wheelchair slots, and we thought they were just fine. Way better than the people in the "standing room only" section across the walkway behind us.

 

[WDWguru]

IF there is a second show that night and you show up 20 minutes before the SECOND show, you should be fine. Otherwise, don't bother. The only other exceptions MIGHT be January or September mid-week performances.

 

[smjj]

Boy we must have been lucky. We went last Nov. and arrived maybe 30 min. before the show and sat almost center stage maybe 20 rows up. It was chilly that night but not to bad and did not rain at all..smjj

 

[QuickGold]

It all depends on the time of year you go. During summer & holidays, you'll need 45-60 minutes but during off-peak times of the year, you can show up 10 minutes before showtime and get a seat. Of course, where you sit is also a consideration; the earlier you show up, the more choice you have in where you sit.

 

[88Keys]

Sure -- in November show up 20 minutes early. We just went in late April on a level 5-6 day and at 1/2 hour all that was available was standing room and that, my friends, is no fun -- especially with young children. I expect June and July will be no better. Try to get a second show.....

 

[disney junky]

We went in June a couple years ago when they had just started the priority seating restaurant thing, and when we presented our voucher, the seats that had been reserved for those with vouchers had been taken. I guess a section had been roped off and people just ignored the ropes. This was probably only 15 or 20 minutes before the show. The CM's wouldn't move the offending parties and apologized to us, but we found that by breaking up into groups of 2's and 3's, we were able to find a lot of space down towards the front of the viewing area. As I said, this wasn't recent, but I think if you are willing to search for gaps in the seats, you can find places to sit. Perhaps the CM's are doing a better job of seating people, making sure to fill the entire arena. For all the hype, IMHO, it was my least favorite of the nightime displays. I much prefer Wishes and Illuminations, but that's just me.

 

[cheerdancer11]

Id go an hour or more early in june to get seats. we went in april and saw our friends getting shut out who showed up a 1/2 hour beforehand. have fun

 

[minijeanie]

does anyone know if there are two shows June 16-23rd?

my kids are teens so we can go late

 

[Luv4Disney]

Not likely. We got there 30 minutes before with FDP. We got there just in time. After that it was standing room only. Crazy.

 

[TNCarole]

We were there the first week in May this year, and at 30 minutes before the show it was standing room only.

What about the last of October? We're planning on seeing Fantasmic October 30th, which is a Sunday. Should we try to get there 1 1/2 hours ahead of time then?

 

[julfre]

The times that I have gone(Aug, Sept, Nov,Dec,May), I always got there about 45 minutes early and had good seats. (I just brought some food and ate while I waited) I also noticed that at 30 minutes before the show, it seemed like everyone decided to show up at once and it filled up very quickly between 30 and 20 minutes before the show and, except for dec, it was standing room only by 10-15 til. I'm not in favor of getting there 60- 90 minutes ahead of time, but 20 might be cutting it too close.