DL Fantasmic worth it?

[quest4dl]

I've seen Fantasmic at WDW twice - it's a great show but I don't know if I want to wait over an hour and a half in line or pay the hefty dessert/special seating price. The deal at WDW is so much better - make res at a certain restaurants and get special seating - at no extra cost! Also, it seems there aren't 'real seats' the general seating?

 

[HydroGuy]

Think of DL Fantasmic like a parade or fireworks show at WDW. In general there is no seating for such things. But people still go. And sometimes you need to arrive 30-60 minutes early to get a decent spot. But people still go.

Is DL Fantasmic worth it? It depends on how many days you have I guess. If there are two showings and you can go to the later 10:30 showing, I would answer that Fantasmic is definitely worth it. Arriving 30-45 minutes for show #2 will net you a fine spot.

Show #1 is more difficult. I only did show #1 once when our kids were younger (about 8 years ago). We waited 90-120 minutes. And it was definitely worth it for us. While we waited we got hot dogs and had dinner. But we had never seen it before at DL or WDW.

Most people who have seen both like the DL version better.

So in summary here is my two cents for your situation:

1. If you can go to the later show then it is worth it.

2. If you must go to a 9PM show, it may be worth it if you have plenty of days at DLR (I would say at least three evenings). If you only have one or two evenings it is probably not worth it for someone who has seen the WDW version.

 

[audrabolster]

I can't believe the price of the Fantasmic priority seating!

I agree with seeing the later showing- it's less busy and you don't have to wait as long!

 

[quest4dl]

I think the later show would be tough for us to do - with the time change, it would be like seeing the show past midnight - too late for the kids. Does Ridemax account for show wait times - if it looks reasonable (less than an hour imo) we might go for it. My 7 yo has very little patience so we'll really have to play it by ear.

 

[bonita_babe232]

I've never been to wdw to see that one but i really enjoyed the DL one! For my family its a must do!

 

[HydroGuy]

I think the later show would be tough for us to do - with the time change, it would be like seeing the show past midnight - too late for the kids. Does Ridemax account for show wait times - if it looks reasonable (less than an hour imo) we might go for it. My 7 yo has very little patience so we'll really have to play it by ear.

The current version of RM does not account for show times or wait times for shows. At least directly. You would need to schedule a "break" during that time.

If you decide to do Fantasmic then get a spot - beach towels or blankets are helpful to "mark your territory" - and then have someone in your party wait there (and guard the territory ) while another adult takes the 7-year-old to do something else.

 

[DSNY4ever]

I love both Fantasmic versions. If I was judging just based on the show Disneyland's is the better of the two for sure...but I do love the bleacher seating in WDW. I say it is definitely worth a viewing- if you love WDW's you will love Disneyland's even more. But definitely see the second show to avoid the long wait.

 

[Tink208]

Fantasmic! is my absolute favorite DL experience. Since the first time I saw it back in 1992, I believe I have seen it every night of every trip. Granted, there have only been five trips to DL in the past 16 years, but still, it is a must see for me. I have never paid to do the reserved seating, and have never spent more than probably forty-five minutes waiting to see the show, even the earlier one.

 

[fairycat]

I always think its interesting how so many people scout out spots and sit for Fantasmic for so long. If you want the best of the best spots at the front of the lake then yes you need to wait, but there are many places that offer a great view that you can walk up and get in 5 minutes before show start, no matter which show.

Because there are no seats it is good and bad because you don't automatically know what the "good" spots are and at the same time its also great because you can sneak into some great spots last minute.

I think you should take some time to see the show it is really great!

 

[Tink208]

I always think its interesting how so many people scout out spots and sit for Fantasmic for so long. If you want the best of the best spots at the front of the lake then yes you need to wait, but there are many places that offer a great view that you can walk up and get in 5 minutes before show start, no matter which show.

Very true. While I have waited upwards of forty-five minutes in order to hold a particularly great viewing vantage, I have also just walked up as the show is starting and been able to see and enjoy just as much. (I do find the key to waiting is to be able to have someone make a popcorn and drink run, and just make it a nice break time.)

 

[quest4dl]

I can't quite imagine what the viewing area is like - is there an enclosed area for this show or is it like fireworks/parade viewing and free form around a certain park area? I know I've been frustrated staking out a spot early just to have someone wiggle their way in front of me or hop onto a restricted area totally blocking our view! Any tips on good viewing areas?

 

[fairycat]

I can't quite imagine what the viewing area is like - is there an enclosed area for this show or is it like fireworks/parade viewing and free form around a certain park area? I know I've been frustrated staking out a spot early just to have someone wiggle their way in front of me or hop onto a restricted area totally blocking our view! Any tips on good viewing areas?

The whole show is held on the Island (Pirate's Lair) and on the River's of America. Your "seating" is actually parade style, they block areas off next to the river with rope and you find a spot in that area. They allow you to sit for a period on the ground and then closer to show time they have you stand. For the most part if you claim your space early you ae good but there is no accounting for bad manners and sometimes a jerk will try to squeeze in.

The spot I do tends to be less popular (but offers a great view) so it doesn't fill till show time so no pushing or waiting. I know others have their own less popular spots as well that work for them.

If you treat it like a parade you will be just fine.

 

[ptlycloudy]

I don't know if they allow you to do this still, we haven't been in about 1 yr. But with our young kids we usually get a table at the Riverbelle Terrace , outside by the railing where you have a good view of the river, and we have a late dinner. We just eat slowly, have dessert and keep the table until show time for the early show. The only complaint my girls have is they would like to be closer to the floats but it isn't worth sitting on the ground for long periods of time. They also don't like standing for long periods so here they have a chair to sit in. While waiting my DH and I usually take turns using an earlier fastpass for Indie or going on pirates.

 

[cmwade77]

I don't know if they allow you to do this still, we haven't been in about 1 yr. But with our young kids we usually get a table at the Riverbelle Terrace , outside by the railing where you have a good view of the river, and we have a late dinner. We just eat slowly, have dessert and keep the table until show time for the early show. The only complaint my girls have is they would like to be closer to the floats but it isn't worth sitting on the ground for long periods of time. They also don't like standing for long periods so here they have a chair to sit in. While waiting my DH and I usually take turns using an earlier fastpass for Indie or going on pirates.

NOTE: In general, at least on busier days, they do say something if you are taking a really long time to eat (usually more than an hour or so). To the OP, PM me with when you are going, some friends of mine go frequently and they always save extra space and invite people to sit with them, let me know and I will see what I can do.

 

[HydroGuy]

I always think its interesting how so many people scout out spots and sit for Fantasmic for so long. If you want the best of the best spots at the front of the lake then yes you need to wait, but there are many places that offer a great view that you can walk up and get in 5 minutes before show start, no matter which show.

Because there are no seats it is good and bad because you don't automatically know what the "good" spots are and at the same time its also great because you can sneak into some great spots last minute.

I think you should take some time to see the show it is really great!

Even with small children? For the 9PM show? This has not been my experience.

 

[pixiewings71]

We've got an 8 and 11 y.o. we usually walk up about 15-20 min. before the show and find a place. We've been lucky, usually we walk up and there is a roped off area and the CM's squeeze us in, there was 1 time when someone was rude about it and it wasn't a CM. In fact the CM was going to step in and I said "No, it's obviously more important that her 2 (missing) people sit in that spot than the 10 you can still put there" after that the CM kindly indicated a better spot that might be just big enough for us. It was, fit us perfect and they were great seats! For me F! is a definite must do!!

 

[fairycat]

Even with small children? For the 9PM show? This has not been my experience.

Yup even with small children we did it twice, but admit it was not at the highest crowd level but also not with low crowds.

I think eating is a good option too.

 

[sandymandr]

I did the 9pm show during spring break when it was extremely crowded. We did the dessert box, priority seating and LOVED IT I know it is a lot of money ($118 for 2 of us), but it was worth EVERY penny! All we had to do was pick up our tickets at guest relations earlier in the day, check in at (or after) 7 pm (guests are seated in order of checking in), and go to our seats at 830. It was great, no sitting on the cold ground, drinking hot chocolate and bottled water (they also have tea and coffee I think), and snacking on our delicious snack box which includes cheese, crackers, grapes, an edible sugar spoon. and a variety of desserts.
My only recommendation is to have a very light dinner. We had a very filling dinner at Ariel's at 6pm and didn't make it back to check-in until 745 (and still had a great view!). Anyway, we couldn't eat much of what was in the box, so we took it back to our hotel and snacked on it the rest of trip! Oh, and the service was fabulous!
Also, you get to stay in your seats and watch the fireworks if you do the early seating! Cool!!

I haven't seen the WDW version, but I really can not imagine how it could be better because of where they have it in MGM. The raft and boat parts are truly spectacular and not to be missed IMO. Whatever you decide, have a wonderful time!
And PS. I've been to both parks now and have decided that DL is much better it is easier to navigate and the theming on the rides seems much more elaborate!! (no offense....I still LOVE WDW!!)

 

[bumbershoot]

Can I piggyback with my own question here?

When we are going, the day we get to Anaheim is a block-out day for our APs (the Sunday of Mem Day weekend). Therefore, it would cost $120 for blockout passes to get in.

The only reason we would want to go in would be b/c it's the only day for Fantasmic, which none of us have ever seen. Well, Dh caught a glimpse, and he said his glimpse looked amazing.

Of course we'd likely have fun other than F, but we can do that Monday and beyond. My son is turning 4 that Monday, and I *think* it might be best to just have a relaxed out-of-parks day and get to bed early.

Is Fantasmic worth staying up late and the cost of 3 block-out tickets?

 

[audrabolster]

I personally don't think Fantasmic is worth $120. Yea, it is really cool, but I'm sure it would be around the next time you were to visit?