Crowds moving from Fantasmic to Symphony in the Stars?

[cindyfan]

So for those that have done Fantasmic and then tried to get over to see the Star Wars fireworks show, is it insane? Is it push and shove to get a decent viewing spot? If F! Starts at 9 and the fireworks is at 9:45? Fantasmic runs about 30 minutes and it's taken us as long as 20 minutes to make our way to Hollywood Blvd. it just seems they'd schedule it a little better so as not to create chaos!

 

[jo-jo]

We were there in early May. Yes, it was awful. I'm not sure if there is more than one exit from Fantasmic, but we were let out almost at the exit. We couldn't get quite clear of the side street, never mind trying to walk up toward the fireworks. The fireworks had already started while we were still walking.

Side note, we hadn't seen Fantasmic for several yrs. I don't remember the 8 miles of walking it takes to get in and out. Anybody know how long the walk really is?

 

[Skywise]

We were there in early May. Yes, it was awful. I'm not sure if there is more than one exit from Fantasmic, but we were let out almost at the exit. We couldn't get quite clear of the side street, never mind trying to walk up toward the fireworks. The fireworks had already started while we were still walking.

Side note, we hadn't seen Fantasmic for several yrs. I don't remember the 8 miles of walking it takes to get in and out. Anybody know how long the walk really is?

Just measured in on the Nike running website - about a quarter mile from the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror entrance to the far end of the Fantasmic theater

(According to the site it's about 2 miles to go all around MK...)

 

[DWillowBay]

We did this the first week of May. We intentionally sat near the top of the theatre for Fantasmic! and then began to move toward the exit right as the show was over. We got spots right at the corner of Sunset and Hollywood without any problem. It was a great venue....except for the woman who insisted on putting her 10 year old son on her shoulders...really....the fireworks are IN THE SKY. Whatever. Back on topic....we did not experience any problems, but we needed to be intentional about doing both events. The fireworks were very, very good! The people I felt sorry for were the ones who wanted to leave, but got caught in the wall of people.

 

[reverie1729]

I have never been to DHS so obviously have not seen Fantasmic. We want to see it and the Star Wars fireworks so I think we will try the sitting at the top and trying to exit right before it ends strategy. Any tips on how I will know when to get up and move to the exit since I have no idea having never seen the show? TIA

 

[wallskm]

It was not an issue for us last January, we made it to a nice spot with time to spare. We didn't have a stroller to retrieve or anything though.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

We were there in early May. Yes, it was awful. I'm not sure if there is more than one exit from Fantasmic, but we were let out almost at the exit. We couldn't get quite clear of the side street, never mind trying to walk up toward the fireworks. The fireworks had already started while we were still walking.

Side note, we hadn't seen Fantasmic for several yrs. I don't remember the 8 miles of walking it takes to get in and out. Anybody know how long the walk really is?

This was our experience as well. By the time we doubled back, we had missed a few of them. My DDIL had to get the stroller, so she came out of the entrance near the ToT and got to see the whole thing.

 

[CAS239]

Sit near the top or leave about two minutes before the end of Fantasmic. We leave about 2 min prior and watch the finale as we're walking up top and on the way out. We see the whole show and are always among the first out. We haven't had to deal with a crowd leaving Fantasmic for a long time

 

[Rivergirl2005]

This was our experience as well. By the time we doubled back, we had missed a few of them. My DDIL had to get the stroller, so she came out of the entrance near the ToT and got to see the whole thing.

Does everyone have to go out the long exit that takes you to the front? Or can you exit where we entered?

 

[Keyser]

Why on earth would Disney schedule these two things so close together that you need to leave 2 minutes early from Fantasmic or else you might have to miss the beginning of the fireworks show? If they don't want people to see both, then put the fireworks at 9:30 or something. Or, if they do want people to see both, put the fireworks at 10:00. It's as though they picked the exact time that was likely to cause the most problems.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

I think the timing is bad. I Know we will see Fantasmic over fireworks any day but I do wish I didn't have to pick. To bad they didn't have these separated so everyone could see them both.

 

[MelanieRI]

We did both during spring break. We left via the way we came in (entrance by TOT) and had no problem getting to see the FW for SW. We stood in the street right at a roped off area near the popcorn vender across from H&V. It was a nice spot. Previously, when we hadn't done Fantasmic 1st, we had a spot right up front near the Chinese theater and my neck hurt after watching those FW!

 

[AJA]

We sat near the top really not thinking about the timing/leaving. We had no problem seeing the SW's fireworks after. Will you get a prime spot, no. Will you still see and enjoy them, yes.

 

[quagmire0]

We ended up on the left side seating area, so we had to wait a while before the crowd started moving. We caught the beginning of the show while we were walking to Hollywood Blvd. Ended up getting to Hollywood near the Pluto sign and that viewpoint was great. Crowds are crowds. We arrived 'late' to the spot and still found a spot. Hollywood near the entrance is a great view with the palm trees in the foreground , plus you just turn around and are steps from the exit. So, key is to sit on the left side near the top, or be one of those people that cuts across to the other side to get out earlier. I'm wondering if they won't make some time changes with the new show coming up.

 

[jo-jo]

We were sitting about halfway down and didn't rush out. DH has some issues with climbing stairs without any support, so we weren't trying get anywhere fast. It sounds like if you follow the" sit near the top" method you would be ok.

 

[cindyfan]

Thanks! I just don't understand Disney scheduling it like that either? Almost as if they purposely did it so they wouldn't have everyone on Hollywood Blvd for the fireworks! Seriously, I don't think DHS is set up very well for a fireworks show.... we've been there for July 4th and it's quite a bottle neck at Sunset and Hollywood, and there are several taller building and trees that block a lot of it. I wonder how the newest Star Wars fireworks will compare to what they've been showing the last several months?

 

[MouseEars4Ever]

If they have the second showing of Fantasmic!, I would recommend doing that one. Over Spring Break, we were able to enjoy the fireworks then head over to F! (with our FP) without any crowd issue and had great viewing locations for both. It was nice not trying to get over there in a panic!

 

[Missyrose]

One thing to keep in mind for the new Star Wars fireworks show, it will have a big projections component, so you will have to be fairly central in the main viewing are to see it. So you might have to rush even more to get out of Fantasmic so you get to a good position for the fireworks.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

Does everyone have to go out the long exit that takes you to the front? Or can you exit where we entered?

I'm pretty sure you can exit where you entered. That's what DDIL did when she got the stroller.

 

[amyadams1020]

What if you don't want to stay for the fireworks? What is the best way to "get out?"