DL Fantasmic worth it?

[DangerMouse]

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

Molly, I F!, but I'm going to say no, and especially not with a 4 year old. You just need to tell your dh that the two of you will need a couples trip to see F! another time before your AP's expire!

 

[pixiewings71]

Molly I would probably skip the upgrade and I'm DM, I love F!. Isn't that Monday blacked out for us as well? I think it is...if it's not then we may just see you there since that Sunday is my b-day! LOL

 

[bumbershoot]

Thanks, all.

I was actually the one pushing for paying the money...even though he thought it looked great, he was against spending more money. Silly man.

Of course, this means we'll probably go to the fullerton outlet, shop around in the world of disney, eat at RFC...and spend far more than that 120... (of course in reality we'd TRY to do all of it including the blockout passes and that's just impossible!)

The calendar shows that the Sunday is blocked out for Deluxe, but not Monday the 26th. Which is good, b/c we have reservations at Ariel's that morning b/c Eamon wants to have b'fast with them.

 

[pixiewings71]

ahhh, that must be what I saw. I hope Eamon loves his breakfast with the Princesses!!

 

[scooter15]

I've seen both and prefer DLs version. 'nuff said

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

Well I've only seen the DL version, but I've heard it's much better compared to WDW.

We always go to the second showing. We just walk right up and get a front seat, as soon as the first showing ends. A much shorter wait that way. I'd never wait the 5-6+ hours I see people waiting for the first show. That's just ridiculous IMO! What a waste of precious DL time!

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

Well I've only seen the DL version, but I've heard it's much better compared to WDW.

We always go to the second showing. We just walk right up and get a front seat, as soon as the first showing ends. A much shorter wait that way. I'd never wait the 5-6+ hours I see people waiting for the first show. That's just ridiculous IMO! What a waste of precious DL time!

I'm in total agreement! I've done that trick plenty. In fact, DD is going on Friday night with a friend and her family- and I told them this same tip!I am SO not the person to camp out for hours for shows or parades. If I can't squeeze in with less than an hour to go, then it's not worth it to me.

I've done WDW's version of Fantasmic, and I was so disappointed in it. WHAT is that Pocahontas bit all about? My inlaws who have never seen DL's version were amazed- we DL vets were disappointed. DL's version can't be beat! We won't be going back to it on our upcoming trip. I'm not wasting good RockN Roller Coaster time!

 

[quest4dl]

So, with the dessert seating you can see the Fireworks also? I am starting to maybe think about booking the seats. My mother, though pretty healthy at 57, would be much more comfortable in a seat. What is the cancellation policy if I do snag a booking but change my mind later?

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

I've seen both and prefer DLs version. 'nuff said

Me too!

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

So, with the dessert seating you can see the Fireworks also? I am starting to maybe think about booking the seats. My mother, though pretty healthy at 57, would be much more comfortable in a seat. What is the cancellation policy if I do snag a booking but change my mind later?

You are charged as soon as you book IIRC. So I don't think there are any refunds.

 

[sandymandr]

You are charged as soon as you book IIRC. So I don't think there are any refunds.

No refunds for changing your mind, but they will refund if they have to cancel for weather or some other reason.

And yes, you get to watch the fireworks from the seats too.......I watched them from both in front of castle and at F! seating, in front of the castle is better, but at F! seating was ok, you still see all the fireworks, it's just not as intense.

 

[Pinkstarblm]

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.

What were the desserts?

 

[ptlycloudy]

As much as my family loves Fantasmic I don't know if I would upgrade just for that. If you thought there were other blackout dates you would use, then I think I would upgrade to a premium. The one day blockout pass is $40 ea isn't it? Upgrading to a premium is about $80 ea. To me this has a better value, at least it lasts the length of your pass. We have just stopped fighting with the dates and have upgraded ours to premium. There have been too many times when we have arrived on a Sat. eve and just wanted to catch the fireworks or a parade. It makes it easier spread the trifecta events out over multiple days.

Oops I just looked and I think to upgrade to a premium is $120 ea. so you would really need to use it for some blackout days to make it worth it!

 

[lawyergirl22]

I hope it's not too late to seek some advice. We are going to DL in May for the first time as a family and I thought the dessert seating would be a great treat for us to start the trip with. Going to the 9pm show on Saturday, after a long boring drive to DL--so kids shouldn't be too exhausted having simply sat in car seats all day!

My kids are 4 are 18 months. The younger will likely poop out by 9:30pm or so(but he might make it). On the other hand, my 4 yo is a total night owl and will certainly be awake enough to enjoy.

What are your experiences with the younger kids?

Thanks in advance for any help!
Gianna

 

[tortugaverde]

My 5 year old loved Fantasmic... my 3 year old, not so much. We were there during spring break last week... and the crowds were crazy. The only way we could see Fantasmic was to wait for the 10:30 showing. The crowds for the earlier showing were crazy. We stood behind the green metal railing in New Orleans Square next to a large light post. It was a good view, although we had to stand and wait for about 20 min. My son was done with Fantasmic about half way through... so we went and rode the Winnie the Pooh ride over by Splash Mountain (which is a walk on during Fantasmic... we rode several times )

 

[quest4dl]

With our time difference of 2 hours from the Midwest, I can see my 7 yo being too pooped to stand. I guess I should re-phrase my original post and ask if it is worth $59 to purchase a seat? I guess one option would be to just purchase seats for my 7 yo and my mother.

 

[twinspluscade]

With our time difference of 2 hours from the Midwest, I can see my 7 yo being too pooped to stand. I guess I should re-phrase my original post and ask if it is worth $59 to purchase a seat? I guess one option would be to just purchase seats for my 7 yo and my mother.

I'm debating this as well. We're also from the Midwest, and driving, so I know theres no way the kids will last for a 10:30 show, if they even have one that night. The 9:00 MIGHT be do-able for my twins, but my 4 year old will probably be out of commision by that point. So I might just get tickets for myself, and my 6 year daughters--sending Dh and 4 year old back to the room to bed. There's no way my daughters will last having to wait for a long time, or having to stand during the show--and I sure ain't holding them.

OTOH, maybe we'll skip Fantasmic altogether and just do the fireworks.

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

I hope it's not too late to seek some advice. We are going to DL in May for the first time as a family and I thought the dessert seating would be a great treat for us to start the trip with. Going to the 9pm show on Saturday, after a long boring drive to DL--so kids shouldn't be too exhausted having simply sat in car seats all day!

My kids are 4 are 18 months. The younger will likely poop out by 9:30pm or so(but he might make it). On the other hand, my 4 yo is a total night owl and will certainly be awake enough to enjoy.

What are your experiences with the younger kids?

Thanks in advance for any help!
Gianna

My 3 yr old loved F!... still talks about it... we did pay for the seating though, and went to the 9 pm, as I knew she could make it to the 10:30 but wouldn't enjoy it as much... We are doing it again in May...

--Lisa

 

[davidsprincess]

When we went in Ocotber of last year we went to the late show with our daughter ( then almost 2) after the fireworks. It was nuts and intense with people, but a kindly CM told us to go and stand behind the area where they had all the controls for the music and lighting (it looks like your view will be blocked but when they raise the lights into the air you get the best view). We thought that our daughter would be scared, but she loved it. She loved seeing Mickey and all of the princesses. It is a definite must see!!

 

[Disney Deb]

The DL version is very different from the WDW version. Having seen both the DL and WDW version I like the DL version better, although you can't beat the seating in WDW.

One option for priority seating other then the dessert feature, is booking a VIP tour where you will be "given" priority seating for all parades, fireworks, and even Aladdin. Since our time was limited this was a great, though pricy time-saver for us. The cost is $300 (4 hour minimum at $75 hour for tour guide). We just did this last week and would be glad to answer any questions. Good luck and have a great time.