DHS and Fantasmic Questions

[Tribe]

Background: First family trip to WDW, wife and I, DD6 and DD8. Only spending 5 days and only allotting 1 evening at HS (it will be our arrival day and will get to HS about 4:00 pm). It is Oct. 5th and is a non EMH and a recommended park for crowd level.

Questions: My research says that we should see Fantasmic at 8:00 pm, do we really have to be in line at 7:00 pm that night? What about 7:30? With our very limited time there we want to get in a few more attractions. I was thinking ToT, Mermaid and maybe Art of Animation before getting to Fantasmic. Is this doable? Any advice for our short touring plan?

 

[jsebsirois]

I would say that you should still line up at 7PM to make sure you have a good spot to see the show. If you're spot doesn't matter, then go for 7:30.

Tower of terror can have very long line in the evening. Mermaid is playing on specific time so make sure you have enough time to go at Fantasmic. Art of Animation is next to Mermaid so you could do both in less than an hour.

 

[Tribe]

What's the fastpass situation like (at any park really) when arriving at a park at 4:00 pm? Specifically ToT.

 

[CB Wolf]

The fastpass situation is Generally not good in the evening. The most popular rides will be gone. Most others will probably have returning times that will conflict with Fantasmic. Keep an eye on weather or not they add a 2nd show, if they do, see the 2nd show, the line will look crazy only because everyone is outside the theater. If they do not, I would get there about 7:15. I have walked in later, but you may be in a giant mess of people trying to get settled, which can be a little nerve racking. Sometimes, however 1/2 an hour before hand is more than enough time.

 

[g-dad66]

It's close to 4pm right now in the East, and my Mobile Magic says that Tower of Terror still has Fast Passes available.

7:30 seems uncomfortably late to me for showing up for Fantasmic. It might be "sold out" by then. I think I would check with CMs there about 7:00-ish to see what the Fantasmic crowd situation looks like and whether you might have time to ride ToT one more time. The closeness of ToT to the Fantasmic entrance makes this strategy workable, I think.