DL Fantasmic! FP and Crowd Issues

[cmwade77]

I am reading more and more about how much more crowded Fantasmic! is with the FP system at Disneyland, especially since they removed many of the walkways.

My question is what do those of us with crowd issues do? I am normally fine as long as I have an escape route of some sort and have just a bit of room around me. In the past I have always self accommodated by getting the early with a blanket and left just enough extra room around me to make the show doable for me. I was respectful of the fact that the show was always busy and so I didn't take up excessive amounts of space, but I do need enough room to where I feel like I am not going to be trampled.

I also have a friend with a service animal, again previously she could simply put down a blanket that was big enough to accommodate her and her service animal without him getting stepped on. She already cannot watch the fireworks on Main Street or near Small World for this very reason, as her service animal has gotten stepped on in both locations, luckily not enough to cause an injury to the animal, but enough to where she doesn't feel comfortable taking him back to those locations for the fireworks in fear of him getting hurt.

Now Fantasmic! which was also where she would stay to view the fireworks may not work for her either, unless there is some accommodation that I am unaware of.

So, I am wondering if anyone knows what accommodations are being made for these situations?

 

[SMD]

The new Fantasmic system has only been in place for 4 days. You may want to ask about accommodations the next time you're in the park. For a service animal, there is a wheelchair viewing area where a companion can stand behind each wheelchair. Maybe service dog could be in the line of chairs with the handler standing behind. You'd probably have to see at the time what the capacity of the area is. My guess is it has been first come, first serve, but not sure how the new FP system will change that.

 

[cmwade77]

The new Fantasmic system has only been in place for 4 days. You may want to ask about accommodations the next time you're in the park. For a service animal, there is a wheelchair viewing area where a companion can stand behind each wheelchair. Maybe service dog could be in the line of chairs with the handler standing behind. You'd probably have to see at the time what the capacity of the area is. My guess is it has been first come, first serve, but not sure how the new FP system will change that.

from what has been reported, it sounds like the wheelchair viewing area no longer exists and they are mixed in with the crowd.

And the person who has the service animal would be unable to stand for the entire length of the show. They have a walker with a seat, but again that won't work if they are behind people who are standing.

 

[spacecanada]

I would talk to a Cast Member, or even Guest Services, to see if they can make a safe place for the person with a service animal during the show. This is a safety issue for everyone, and an ADA requirement, so I'm sure they have a special viewing area or can make accommodations if you ask for them.

I would be surprised if they removed the wheelchair-accessible place completely, as it is frequently used for other people with disabilities also, such as people who cannot stand, people with service animals, Make-A-Wish kids, and random VIPs, family of the day, etc.

As for the OP, is DAS an option? I'm not sure how they would accommodate this, but worth asking again at Guest Services.

 

[aaarcher86]

I would talk to a Cast Member, or even Guest Services, to see if they can make a safe place for the person with a service animal during the show. This is a safety issue for everyone, and an ADA requirement, so I'm sure they have a special viewing area or can make accommodations if you ask for them.

I would be surprised if they removed the wheelchair-accessible place completely, as it is frequently used for other people with disabilities also, such as people who cannot stand, people with service animals, Make-A-Wish kids, and random VIPs, family of the day, etc.

As for the OP, is DAS an option? I'm not sure how they would accommodate this, but worth asking again at Guest Services.

It's not an ADA requirement to make space for a service animal - just to let them in.

I'd also be really shocked if they removed the wheelchair viewing area - maybe it's just smaller? Or in a different place? Is the dog small enough she could put it on her lap?

OP - when are you going? If you've got some time I'd give it a week or two and maybe post or check out the Disneyland board to see people update on the new procedures, etc. If the dining option gets you into a reserved area, maybe that would be an option? If it's soon, I'll mimic the others to talk to GR and see what they say. I'm trying to think of how WDW accommodates space issues for things like parades and F! there but nothing is coming to mind unfortunately.

 

[cmwade77]

It's not an ADA requirement to make space for a service animal - just to let them in.

I'd also be really shocked if they removed the wheelchair viewing area - maybe it's just smaller? Or in a different place? Is the dog small enough she could put it on her lap?

OP - when are you going? If you've got some time I'd give it a week or two and maybe post or check out the Disneyland board to see people update on the new procedures, etc. If the dining option gets you into a reserved area, maybe that would be an option? If it's soon, I'll mimic the others to talk to GR and see what they say. I'm trying to think of how WDW accommodates space issues for things like parades and F! there but nothing is coming to mind unfortunately.

The dog is not small enough for a lap. They did indeed remove the wheelchair section, it is now part of the FP viewing area and they do have those in wheelchairs just mix in with everyone else, like they do at WOC. The difference is WOC does offer some sections with benches, which is not being provides at Fantasmic!

As for the suggestion of another poster of the DAS, it does not work with shows, parades or character meet and greets.

Bottom line is I am considering if I am going to renew my annual pass or not, but I want to factor in how accessible everything is going to be now. And if I can't have a spot that I can handle for Fantasmic!, that also takes away where I would view the fireworks from.

 

[aaarcher86]

The dog is not small enough for a lap. They did indeed remove the wheelchair section, it is now part of the FP viewing area and they do have those in wheelchairs just mix in with everyone else, like they do at WOC. The difference is WOC does offer some sections with benches, which is not being provides at Fantasmic! As for the suggestion of another poster of the DAS, it does not work with shows, parades or character meet and greets. Bottom line is I am considering if I am going to renew my annual pass or not, but I want to factor in how accessible everything is going to be now. And if I can't have a spot that I can handle for Fantasmic!, that also takes away where I would view the fireworks from.

Could you go before your pass expires and see what they can offer and then decide? If it's not something that helps you could just skips the show since there's no advance commitment.

 

[Aladora]

The dog is not small enough for a lap. They did indeed remove the wheelchair section, it is now part of the FP viewing area and they do have those in wheelchairs just mix in with everyone else, like they do at WOC. The difference is WOC does offer some sections with benches, which is not being provides at Fantasmic!

As for the suggestion of another poster of the DAS, it does not work with shows, parades or character meet and greets.

Bottom line is I am considering if I am going to renew my annual pass or not, but I want to factor in how accessible everything is going to be now. And if I can't have a spot that I can handle for Fantasmic!, that also takes away where I would view the fireworks from.

According to a post in the DL section, they still have a WC section for each of the FP sections for F! although they also mention that things are being changed as they learn what works and what does not work.

Mind that things are changing on a daily basis, but on Saturday, there were designated wheelchair/ECV viewing areas in each FP area. I don't know about lining up, but you will need a FP and then you'll be directed to the appropriate viewing area.

There are lots of stair areas in the F! viewing areas, but the map I saw had all of the handicap accessible viewing areas along the walkway that is next to the river. So you shouldn't need to worry about stairs or anything like that to access the appropriate viewing area. When you go get your F! FP, ask the information CMs in the area where the viewing area is located. They had a map (not available to take with you) that indicated where the handicap viewing was located (it was labelled 'GWP' when I saw it).

From: Who saw Fantasmic! with FastPass on Fri/Sat & wants to share their thoughts?

 

[cmwade77]

Could you go before your pass expires and see what they can offer and then decide? If it's not something that helps you could just skips the show since there's no advance commitment.

No, because my pass is already expired and trying to get any information about accommodations that can be made is near impossible. I'm not about to waste my money if I can't see many of the shows that are remaining.

 

[aaarcher86]

No, because my pass is already expired and trying to get any information about accommodations that can be made is near impossible. I'm not about to waste my money if I can't see many of the shows that are remaining.

Well, since they won't give any information over email or the phone in advance, I guess all you can do is hang tight and see what people report as the system develops.

Are you close enough that you could pop over to guest relations and chat with them without going into the parks? Or is someone you know going that could go in and ask?

 

[purple figment]

from what has been reported, it sounds like the wheelchair viewing area no longer exists and they are mixed in with the crowd.

The FP system for Fantasmic just started less than a week ago (Fri Dec 12) so everything is still fluid and changing daily as the CMs see what does and doesn't work. We were there last weekend and several of the CMs had maps which had specific areas marked GWD (for WC and ECV). Perhaps they are not the areas you are used to, but they do exist. Here's a post that mentions the WC viewing areas:
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=52765529&postcount=70


Most likely you will not get much info if you call or email because the procedure changes constantly and there's no way of knowing what will be in effect from one day to the next. Reading through the Fantasmic thread on the DL board I can see changes from what we experienced on Saturday and Sunday.

I would suggest following the Fantasmic thread (the full thread is linked on the top right corner of the single post I linked). I think it will be a while before the procedures are firmed up, but you can ask there about the most current info if you plan to attend in the near future.