Do they turn people away from Fantasmic?

[GoofyDad1]

I'm reading that Fantasmic is very popular with people lining up 90 minutes or more before the show.

I don't want to stand in line for 90 minutes. I understand that a dinner package is also an option.

Do they turn people away when all the seats are full?
How often does this happen?
We probably will be there on March 21.

 

[shelleybell]

Yes, they will turn you away. When the seats fill up, they have an area in the back for standing room. When that gets full, you are turned away. If you are worried about this, then go for the dinner package.

shelleybell

 

[snowwite]

I'm reading that Fantasmic is very popular with people lining up 90 minutes or more before the show.

I don't want to stand in line for 90 minutes. I understand that a dinner package is also an option.

Do they turn people away when all the seats are full?
How often does this happen?
We probably will be there on March 21.

Yes.But we have only had it happen once and we came back to the second show.When it is really crowded there are often two shows.The meal is a rip off IMHO.We had better seats waiting in the regular line and we had a nicer meal.They may have changed it but last time we did it you were limited to certain menu choices and we all had to pay even though DS was not feeling well and just sipped ginger ale.

 

[Ilovestitch]

When my bf and I went in July it was super crowded and we walked in 5 minutes before it started and stood to watch the show and we were practically the first ones out at the end. It was nice not being stuck in a mob of people.

 

[bicker]

We've only been turned away twice (though we only have visited in October and January). There is often, but not always, a second showing when they turn folks away. If it is essential to see the show, arrive early. If it is essential to get a seat, arrive very early.

 

[Windy City Heather]

I once went the first week of October and got there half an hour before the show and was standing in the back. I was also there February 12th and there were many empty sections (it was really really cold that night). Now we always do the dinner package. We eat at Hollywood & Vine. It is a buffet and costs $22.99 pp. You then get the VIP seats. They section off 2 sections all the way at one side of the theater. The seats are fine imho. The best thing is you get your own exit out of the theater (they did not do this on February 12 and I was not happy). Usually I am boarding my bus as most of the people are exiting the park.

 

[cortegro]

Also, If I remember correctly, we didn't wait standing in line really at all. The "waiting" is done in your seats. I think we had some sodas and popcorn and such and "hung out". It wasn't that bad of a wait and I personally LOVE the show!

Have Fun...

-cortegro

 

[bicker]

We learned (the hard way) though that unless you think hot dogs and potato chips (or nachos and cheese) is dinner, have dinner before you get to the show (or carry it in), because there isn't an actual CS restaurant in the amphitheater.

 

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

We have gotten there as early as 90 minutes early, and to be honest, I don't remember ever waiting in line. Maybe we had to stand at the gate until they opened it, but it wasn't long. So, you spend your wait time in the bleacher-type seats. They have snack vendors right inside the entrance, so we spent some of our wait time munching on snacks for our "dinner". The CM's help pass the time, too. Closer to the start time (maybe a half hour), they will start doing games, the wave, etc. with the audience. It really doesn't seem that long....and we've done it with 3 small children, and survived.

 

[QuickGold]

If there are 2 showings of Fantasmic the night you go, ALWAYS see the second showing

 

[Mimi Q]

We went to the second showing of Fantasmic in November, and they turned people away.

 

[Amy&Dan]

The longest I have waited for Fantasmic! was to arrive 55 minutes before the show. This was the week between Christmas and New Years, 2005. The busiest week of the year, every year. And most of that 55 minutes, as others have experienced, was spent sitting in a bleacher eating pretzels and hot chocolate in a very good location within the theater! We have also arrived 5 minutes before the show and gotten in just fine, sitting way off to the side but still able to see and enjoy the show. To the op, since March 21 is Spring Break season I would try to see the second show if there is one and arrive around 60 minutes beforehand. The fact that you can eat dinner (in hot dog form) helps the time go quickly while you wait. The concessions never seem horribly crowded and there are also restrooms inside the theater.We always get our seats and then either DH or I will get the snacks. Have a really fun trip and don't miss this show, its one of our favorites!

 

[aunt kelly]

Wev'e seen the show twice during Thanksgiving week when the parks were packed. Both times, we arrived about fifteen minutes before the show started. It was packed, but we found seats and could see just fine. The show is "fantastic" and not to be missed. If you don't care whether you have "great" seats and there are two shows the night you are there, you might try walking up 15 minutes or so before the first show begins and see if you can get a seat. If you can't get a seat, just arrive early for the second show. (Can you tell I'm inpatient and don't like waiting?)

I did get a great tip from someone on these boards about passing the time at Fantasmic while we wait. I bought a bunch of glow in the dark bracelets and necklaces at the dollar store. (The bracelets come six to a package and only cost a dollar). I think my kids will have fun giving them out to the kids around us and hopefully it might make the wait seem shorter for everyone.