Different Fantasmics??

[ChickenCarlos]

So we are going to disneyland in july, and going to WDW in december and my girlfriend has never seen fantasmic, i looked up priority seating in disneyland and it is like$60 bucks for a box of fruit and a chair,(no balcony anymore), so i was just thinking about doing a dinner and show at WDW, but the question is, are the shows the same?? or do they differ between parks, i have never seen the one in WDW but i know the one in Disneyland is awesome?? any help would be great

 

[TDC Nala]

The Disneyland show is very different from WDW's. It is a good show, but the two are not the same show.

There's no priority seating at WDW unless you purchase the Fantasmic Dinner Package. This is a fixed price package at one of three restaurants at Studios including appetizer, entree, dessert and non-alcoholic beverage (or full buffet plus non-alcoholic beverage at Hollywood & Vine) and you get preferred seating if you arrive at the Fantasmic theater more than a half hour ahead of showtime - don't arrive any later than that, because the preferred seating section is opened for general seating at that time. As for the viewing quality of the preferred section, others will have to give info on that. The package does not cost much if any extra over ordering the same meal a la carte so your real tradeoff is that you have to accept a very early dinnertime.

 

[ChickenCarlos]

so if i get the fantasmic dinner package i am not garunteed preferred seating??

 

[TDC Nala]

so if i get the fantasmic dinner package i am not garunteed preferred seating??

You're guaranteed seating only if you show up prior to the time when they open up the preferred seating section (and it is an entire section - you do not get specific assigned seats). If you turn up after that, even if you have seating vouchers for the dinner you might end up in standing room if all bleacher seating is full - or possibly get turned away if the entire theater is full. If you get the dining package, it does not mean you don't have to plan for when you arrive at the show.

Some of those who have done it recommend arriving at least 45 minutes before showtime. That is after the theater has opened so you don't have to stand in line outside, but before they open the preferred seating section up for general seating. The dinner seatings are so early that you should have no problem making it to the theater 45 minutes before showtime. You will spend your 45 minutes seated in the theater - not 2 hours standing around outside hoping to get a good seat. Yes, for some shows people start lining up 2 hours before showtime. By an hour and a half there is a good sized crowd waiting.

 

[ChickenCarlos]

i see so they open then prioity seating first, and you just have to make sure your there, right

 

[DisneyGrampa]

No, you stand in the same line as everyone else. If you're too far back, you won't get there before they give away the "reserved" seats. The restaurants are telling guests to be on line an hour before the show. The dinners are all scheduled very early, like before five. It's really not worth the effort to get this package any more.

 

[ChickenCarlos]

if i dont get the package and still arrive 45 min. early can i get the preffered seating seats?? it doesnt really sound like it is worth it, why cant they just save seats for people that pay for them?

 

[TDC Nala]

if i dont get the package and still arrive 45 min. early can i get the preffered seating seats?? it doesnt really sound like it is worth it, why cant they just save seats for people that pay for them?

No, you can't get a preferred seat unless you get the package, unless you're lucky enough to be in the right place when they open the preferred seating section to the public. Some have also mentioned that the preferred seating section is not necessarily the best view in the house - the advantage is that you didn't have to stand in line 2 hours to get a decent seat, and unless you arrive way too late you are not running the risk of ending up in standing room. And you are not paying for the seat, but for the meal. Because the meal costs pretty much the same as it would if you ordered that meal a la carte, you are not paying any extra for the seat. For the buffet it's pretty much throwing in a free seat, but for the other restaurants you would have to decide if you would have ordered a full three course meal anyway. Used to be the package guests had a separate entrance to the theater but they don't anymore.

I'd say do it only if Fantasmic is an absolute must do for you, you don't mind eating very early, and you can get to the theater an hour before the show to get your seat (without it, you COULD get there 45 to 30 minutes prior and still end up in standing room depending on the crowd). I personally would not want to see it from standing room.

 

[stepdisney]

For the exact reasons Nala stated, we decided to choose the Fantasmic Dinner Package. Fantasmic is a must-do for us and we don't want to stand. We have a 4:15 dinner at Mama Melrose (not too bad) and we'll eat breakfast that day and no lunch. We are staying at SSR and will have a good breakfast in the room early, a light snack if needed late morning and we'll consider 4:15 a combination of late lunch/early dinner. We'll grab a snack for Fantasmic and we'll be fine. Thanks for the info about no special entrance. This was the best because we didn't have to stand in line with everyone else. It gets pretty crowded but when they open the door, it is a steady stream. If you get there about an hour before show time with a ticket, you'll get your reserved seat. It will take about 10 minutes to walk to your seat depending on how many people are in line that day. With the limited amount of Fantasmic shows scheduled, I'm anticipating standing room only crowds. I'd say plan ahead if you really want to sit and enjoy the show. It is my DS's favorite show and missing it is not an option.