DAS and Fantasmic

[harrowgirl]

My 5 year old son has autism. I think he would love Fantasmic, but I really don't think he would have the ability to sit still, in a seat, for an hour waiting for a show to start.

I could be wrong, but it was my understanding that the FP+ for Fantasmic basically just gave you a special section to sit in, and you still need to show up pretty early before the show.

Is there anything we could do with the DAS card to allow my son to show up maybe 10 or 15 minutes before the show?

I'm sure "saving seats" isn't permitted - or otherwise I had been thinking we could all get FP+ for Fantastmic, DD and DH could go at the hour before point or whenever is best, and then I could go in with DS closer to showtime and sit with them. But I assume that's not allowed?

I'm also reading maybe a Fantasmic dining package might be the way to go?

Thoughts?

 

[gap2368]

I think you could do a few things
1 all get fast pass go and sit and then take your son to walk around if you sit close to the isle I do not think people would mind you can also let your child play a game on your phone maybe one of his favorite ones and one that he dose not get to play that much.
2 if there are two show the second one is normally less crowded ( I was there after the 4 of july) and I had just about the whole section to my self it was off to the side but I could see everything.

most people at disney are understanding and if a child is getting where they need to go for a walk or use the bathroom I think saving 2 sets would be fine I just would not have one person saving 4 or more sets

 

[Toffeewoffy]

It might be worth speaking to the CMs because they may well let you go and sit in the disabled section. There were plenty of seats going spare in March while the rest of the auditorium was full. There was also a whole lot of bleachers behind our section for overflow, so I'm sure you'd be able to come in later - with permission.

 

[3Gsandme]

When are you going? Honestly, there's not going to be a super great way to wait and still get good seats for the show. I think, if it were me, I'd try to do the dining package, if I could. If you're going in the slow season you shouldn't have to get there an hour early to get good seats for the show. We went in February with only one showing of Fantasmic! and using the dining plan got in line about 30 minutes prior to show time and had reasonably good (meaning, center) seats. Since people are seated to see the show getting their early for a close seat for kids to be able to see isn't as big of an issue. There are also food vendors at the top of the stadium, so leaving your seats to walk around really isn't as big of an issue. It will be crowded in there, of course. How many are in your party? I don't think you'd have a problem with two people saving two seats (for a total of four).

 

[harrowgirl]

We are going the first week of October. I don't think there are any BAD seats, so I'm not concerned about getting the greatest seats. There are 4 of us total.

Thanks everyone! Sounds like even if he wants to walk around we'll be okay. We just have to plan, and have a contingency plan, and then a contingency plan to our contingency plan if we want things to go smoothly.

 

[3Gsandme]

My only concern is that is busy at the top of the stadium with people entering, buying concessions, etc so if he gets freaked out by crowds (my dd with ASD doesn't, but some do!) it could be overwhelming up there for him, depending.

 

[harrowgirl]

My only concern is that is busy at the top of the stadium with people entering, buying concessions, etc so if he gets freaked out by crowds (my dd with ASD doesn't, but some do!) it could be overwhelming up there for him, depending.

Thanks for the heads up. My goal is to get there as late as possible. He usually doesn't mind crowds too much, but as you know, sometimes just the way the wind is blowing can set them off

 

[gap2368]

I have read on another web sit that they are going to try to do reserve setting for the show one day they will be doing sets the next day just section you will be able to go into the park go to a kiosk and get a set when you enter the park ( I think I read they will be trying this for a day or 2 in Augest) but this is not what I read form anything that came from Disney so take it with a grain of salt. I do not know when your vacation is or if this will be an option for you

 

[momofkids]

http://www.disboards.com/threads/allocated-seating-trial-at-fantasmic.3430203/
Maybe you can get allocated seating.

 

[SueM in MN]

The second show is generally much less busy.

My only concern is that is busy at the top of the stadium with people entering, buying concessions, etc so if he gets freaked out by crowds (my dd with ASD doesn't, but some do!) it could be overwhelming up there for him, depending.

they do announce that everyone should enter together. If you don't, there is a chance that some of your group will get in and the rest will come after it has closed go further entry. The amphitheater is also very large, so trying to find your group who are saving seats is difficult.

I agree with this poster. Until you have been there, it is hard to visualize the commotion at the top of the stadium. It's noisy and there are lots of people going in all directions. Coming and going from the concession area and restrooms, just getting in and going to their seats, trying to find the rest of their group.

If you can get past that, the area near the restrooms is usually a good place to hang out. But, remember, you will have to go back thru that top area to get back to your seats.
Some people prefer to go in and just hunker down in their seats with earphones, music, video games and whatever helps them to cope. That would be my suggestion.

For Fastpass Plus, the dinner package or using DAS, you will be given a range of time to enter, but it will be more than 10-15 minutes before the show starts. Very frankly, I have been at the top of the stadium getting food from concessions and would not want to try to navigate thru that area that close to the start of the show, the closer you get to show time, the busier and more confusing it gets up there. I would not want to be trying to find the rest of my group.

I have read on another web sit that they are going to try to do reserve setting for the show one day they will be doing sets the next day just section you will be able to go into the park go to a kiosk and get a set when you enter the park ( I think I read they will be trying this for a day or 2 in Augest) but this is not what I read form anything that came from Disney so take it with a grain of salt. I do not know when your vacation is or if this will be an option for you

That has been reported in a number of places as a trial on 3 different days of 3 different ways to deal with entry - pre-assign a specific seat, pre-assign a specific row, pre-assign a specific area.
Disney has done similar trials of different attractions before, which they did not come out with any announcements about (before, during or after).