Do you need fast passes to see the shows?

[Tasscrapper]

Being a Disneyland gal about to embark on her first WDW trip I'm curious as to whether or not you really need fast pass to get into most of the shows? I am hoping to do Festival of the Lion King, Finding Nemo the Musical, Little Mermaid, BATB Live on Stage, Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular, Muppets, Monsters Laugh Floor, and the night time Star Wars show. Are there any of these that it would really be a benefit to have a fastpass? Seems strange to me to need them for the shows particularly with how often some of them run.

Also, it seems to me from reading on the boards that to see HEA you can show up close to show time and be able to fit in somewhere. Is that accurate? My biggest issue physically at DL/DCA is standing still for any length of time. I would rather show up right before the show and accept whatever viewing is left rather than wait 30-45 minutes before the show even starts.

I have thought about trying to watch HEA from outside the park on one of the evenings but not sure where would be the best place to do that with music piped in.

 

[Robo]

Being a Disneyland gal about to embark on her first WDW trip I'm curious as to whether or not you really need fast pass to get into most of the shows? I am hoping to do
1. Festival of the Lion King,
2. Finding Nemo the Musical,
3. Little Mermaid,
4. BATB Live on Stage,
5. Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular,
6. Muppets,
7. Monsters Laugh Floor, and the
8. night time Star Wars show.

Also, it seems to me from reading on the boards that to see HEA you can show up close to show time and be able to fit in somewhere.
9. Is that accurate?
10. My biggest issue physically at DL/DCA is standing still for any length of time. I would rather show up right before the show and accept whatever viewing is left rather than wait 30-45 minutes before the show even starts.

11. I have thought about trying to watch HEA from outside the park on one of the evenings but not sure where would be the best place to do that with music piped in.

You should check the FP FAQ Sticky for a list of FP "priorities."

But, here is my personal (studied) opinion:
1. No FP needed.
2. It can help with getting a better seat to have a FP (coupled with arriving early.)
3. Can help to have FP.
4. No FP needed.
5. No FP needed.
6. No FP needed. (You've seen this identical show at DCA.)
7. No FP needed.
8. If you mean the Star Wars Fireworks, there are no FPs offered.
9. The if you wait too late, you may have to be farther away.
10. If that is an overriding factor for you, then you may have to get more FPs
which might mean over the course of extra days in the park(s.)
Every decision like this is a trade-off.
11. Look at my "Maps of WDW by Robo" Sticky. (Linked in my signature.)
In the MK post, there is an entire section regarding MK fireworks viewing outside MK.

 

[sjlogghe]

In my experience, 1-4, 6, and 7 (going by Robo's lovely list) we don't bother with FPs. When we were there in April, the other family I was with booked FPs for Little Mermaid - and they weren't even separating FP from regular at the entrance! A wasted FP. Indiana Jones it depends ... I have seen them actually shut the entrance down and not let anyone else in d/t being at capacity, on a couple of different occasions (most recently in April for me). So if there is a time slot you specifically want to go to, I would suggest either getting a FP or going at least 15-20 minutes ahead of time.

 

[Tasscrapper]

You should check the FP FAQ Sticky for a list of FP "priorities."

But, here is my personal (studied) opinion:
1. No FP needed.
2. It can help with getting a better seat to have a FP (coupled with arriving early.)
3. Can help to have FP.
4. No FP needed.
5. No FP needed.
6. No FP needed. (You've seen this identical show at DCA.)
7. No FP needed.
8. If you mean the Star Wars Fireworks, there are no FPs offered.
9. The if you wait too late, you may have to be farther away.
10. If that is an overriding factor for you, then you may have to get more FPs
which might mean over the course of extra days in the park(s.)
Every decision like this is a trade-off.
11. Look at my "Maps of WDW by Robo" Sticky. (Linked in my signature.)
In the MK post, there is an entire section regarding MK fireworks viewing outside MK.

Those maps are amazing!! I can't imagine how long it took you to do them but wow, what a resource for people! All of that is super helpful info and now I know which shows to try and focus getting fast passes for. We go in two weeks but I have FP+'s planned earlier in the day so we can hopefully continue adding more throughout the day. One nice thing about this trip is it's just hubby and I celebrating an anniversary and we can do as much or as little as we want once we get there. The important part will be enjoying our time together and at the parks without overdoing it in the heat.

Seriously, Robo, those maps are awesome.

 

[ArielDreams]

I have never felt I needed a FP for any show at WDW. We don’t really care about priority seating sections or anything like that. I’ve also never felt I needed a dining package for nighttime shows like Fantasmic.

As for HEA - it can get absolutely mobbed. We squeezed in on the Tomorrowland bridge about 20 mins before but had a partially obstructed view due to trees. I think it just depends what type of experience you want with HEA - just a casual viewing or a once in a lifetime, full experience viewing (then I would camp out in the hub!)

 

[Robo]

Those maps are amazing!! I can't imagine how long it took you to do them but wow, what a resource for people! All of that is super helpful info and now I know which shows to try and focus getting fast passes for. We go in two weeks but I have FP+'s planned earlier in the day so we can hopefully continue adding more throughout the day. One nice thing about this trip is it's just hubby and I celebrating an anniversary and we can do as much or as little as we want once we get there. The important part will be enjoying our time together and at the parks without overdoing it in the heat.

Seriously, Robo, those maps are awesome.

Thank you for your very kind words about the maps.

Happy anniversary and have a great trip to WDW!

 

[MHSweb79]

We watched HEA from over by Gaston’s. You lose the castle projections but you get the added excitement of being near where the fireworks are launched. It was not crowded at all.

 

[AngieInOH]

In my experience, 1-4, 6, and 7 (going by Robo's lovely list) we don't bother with FPs. When we were there in April, the other family I was with booked FPs for Little Mermaid - and they weren't even separating FP from regular at the entrance! A wasted FP. Indiana Jones it depends ... I have seen them actually shut the entrance down and not let anyone else in d/t being at capacity, on a couple of different occasions (most recently in April for me). So if there is a time slot you specifically want to go to, I would suggest either getting a FP or going at least 15-20 minutes ahead of time.

We also had the same experience with Indiana Jones in January 2016. We just made it in before they shut the entrance (we probably arrived 10 min before start). Probably not a FP show however don't wait until the last minute to get in line.

 

[PrincessNelly]

Honestly,

I have never fastpassed any of these, we always walk right in! Outside of the fireworks, none of these should require one.

As for HEA, if its your first time - I think you really should see it inside the park. Its still nice outside of the park but its not the same. We like the dessert parties for fireworks but you could easily find a spot on Main street last minute for it.

 

[Indio]

We've been going to Disney World for 30 years and have never had the 1st fastpass for a show. Not 1 and have always got in to any of the shows we wanted to see.

 

[DisneyPolaroids]

We don't use fast passes for shows. They (usually) have large capacity and haven't had issues. If the line seems long, we return back later.

 

[only hope]

The only shows a fp can be useful for are Monsters Inc and Little Mermaid, since these are constant cycle shows where you wait in a line like its a ride. There are times when the line is so long you don’t get into the next show, unless you have a fp. Note that Monsters is your standard one hour window fp while LM is for a specific time and gives you a short window in which to tap in. If you arrive aftwr your window for LM, there is no guarantee you will see the next show. I would never prebook a fp for either of those though. They’re plentiful as a 4th+ fp.

One of the most pointless fp between all four parks is Muppets. Unless you’re there on an insanely crowded day, you will always get into the next show. Everybody waits together. FP gives you absolutely no advantage.

The rest of the shows just require showing up 5-20 minutes early, depending on crowd levels and whether you want to be closer to the front than the back.

HEA is actually quite nice away from the park. The different perspective makes the fireworks look huge compared to the castle. We watched from the ferrydock and while the music was piped in, it was hard to hear. Maybe the MK resorts have better volume. You should be able to get a spot near the train station without a problem just before it starts, if you’re not going during a peak time. You can see the projections, just not very well. You can sit on one of the curbs til its about to start.

 

[LA Poolboy]

As far as HEA, at one time you could actually go over to the Polynesian and watch from the beach with piped in music. We did it once but it was long ago. Someone else may have an update. The park gets very crowded in all the good viewing areas.

 

[Robo]

As far as HEA, at one time you could actually go over to the Polynesian and watch from the beach with piped in music. We did it once but it was long ago. Someone else may have an update. The park gets very crowded in all the good viewing areas.

Look at my "Maps of WDW by Robo" Sticky. (Linked in my signature.)
In the MK post, there is an entire section regarding MK fireworks viewing outside MK.