Difference in views between Fantasmic FP area and general admission seats

[disprincess2213]

We are going back and forth between booking a F! package vs. non F!. What is the viewing difference between having a FP, having the F! dinner package seats, and just GA seats? What is the advantage of having a F! package over just going in for GA? Are you guaranteed a seat? Do you have to line up early for F! dinner seats and FP seats? What is the best way to go in your opinion? F! dinner, FP, or GA for view of the show, and ease of seeing the show?

 

[Robo]

We are going back and forth between booking a F! package vs. non F!. What is the viewing difference between having a FP, having the F! dinner package seats, and just GA seats? What is the advantage of having a F! package over just going in for GA? Are you guaranteed a seat? Do you have to line up early for F! dinner seats and FP seats? What is the best way to go in your opinion? F! dinner, FP, or GA for view of the show, and ease of seeing the show?

Virtually no difference, as the show plays so LARGE that it is not
"directed" at any specific area.

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.
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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.)

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[journies_end]

The F! amphitheater is broken in to 8 sections.
- Dinner package guests get the center two sections (4, and 5), and are guaranteed a seat.
- FP+ guests are seated in sections 6, 7 and 8 and are guaranteed a seat.
- GA guests are seated in sections 1, 2 and 3 are, of course, first come first served.

If you are either FP+ or GA I would still recommend arriving around and hour before showtime if you want to be seated as close to the center as possible (yes, even with FP+, even though they don't begin scanning 15 mins before showtime, FP+ guests who want the best seats will be already in line queuing up. Really, the only reason for getting a F! FP+ is if you don't want to wait an hour but do want a garanteed seat and don't mind where you sit (really, even the end provides an adequate view, not ideal, but adequate, if you've ever sat on the end row of any Disney theater show then you know "it'll do").

 

[Robo]

The F! amphitheater is broken in to 8 sections.
- Dinner package guests get the center two sections (4, and 5), and are guaranteed a seat.
- FP+ guests are seated in sections 6, 7 and 8 and are guaranteed a seat.
- GA guests are seated in sections 1, 2 and 3 are, of course, first come first served.

If you are either FP+ or GA I would still recommend arriving around and hour before showtime if you want to be seated as close to the center as possible (yes, even with FP+, even though they don't begin scanning 15 mins before showtime, FP+ guests who want the best seats will be already in line queuing up. Really, the only reason for getting a F! FP+ is if you don't want to wait an hour but do want a garanteed seat and don't mind where you sit (really, even the end provides an adequate view, not ideal, but adequate, if you've ever sat on the end row of any Disney theater show then you know "it'll do").

I don't echo some of that info.
If guests show up in the last 15-25 minutes before showtime on a busy night, and... even with a FP or Dining Pkg... they may not get seats.

Also, there are 10 named sections.

I do like the "arrive an hour early to sit more centrally" advice.

 

[tomatecerise]

We had fantasmic package and a fantastic view saturday. Mickey section second row (i don't care if We have water on us). We leave at 6:25pm to have seats at 7pm show.

 

[disprincess2213]

OK, so if the crowd day is a "5" and we are a party of 5 people, and there is one fantasmic at 8:30 weeknight, you think we have a chance to get a fastpass (assuming we try at about 3:00 when our last fastpass is done)? Would there be any advantage to PAYING for the F! dinner package if we plan to arrive an hour early and just basically want a SEAT and dont care to be front and center? I just want to be sure we get to see the show...and it would be great to get a fastpass but hope that could still be done at the 3:00 hour. What would you suggest?

 

[Robo]

OK, so if the crowd day is a "5" and we are a party of 5 people, and there is one fantasmic at 8:30 weeknight,

1. you think we have a chance to get a fastpass (assuming we try at about 3:00 when our last fastpass is done)?

2. Would there be any advantage to PAYING for the F! dinner package if we plan to arrive an hour early and just basically want a SEAT and dont care to be front and center?
3. I just want to be sure we get to see the show...and it would be great to get a fastpass but hope that could still be done at the 3:00 hour. What would you suggest?

1. I'ii say yes.
2. Having seen F! literally (not virtually) dozens of times, I've never once used the Dining Plan.
3. I you arrive at the F! gates an hour before show time, with or without a FP, you will get a seat.
With a FP, you'll have more CHOICES of seats.