Early arrival to stage shows: necessary?

[rejobako]

For those who have cruised DCL (particularly Wonder) before, I'm wondering if it's necessary to show up early to get a decent seat for the stage productions. We have an early dinner seating, so we'd be going to the late shows. If we walk in around showtime, are we liable to not have a seat or be sitting in the last row?

Also: are refreshments sold or permitted inside the WD Theatre?

 

[TooPure4u]

I cant imagine the wonder and magic being much different. I (on both cruises) have been able to walk into the theatre nearly right at showtime and still could have sat basically anywhere. They do also sell snacks outside the theatre for you to bring in with you.

 

[NYGiantsRule!]

They also sell drinks both outside of the theater and sometimes they come around with smoothies before the shows start. I believe there are cup holders at each seat. You do not have to get there early, but if you are very particular about where you sit you may want to get there about 15 minutes before the show starts.

 

[crisi]

We had a different experience than TooPure4U on the Wonder. We arrived about five minutes before showtime and the seats remaining were fairly far back and/or on the edges. We were only looking for two, so it wasn't too bad. By a few minutes into the show it was SRO.

We had no problem getting a good seat for the comedian.

Also, the kids show is very popular - at least that part of the theatre that allows you to take pictures of your kids! Plenty of room in the back, but no one wanted to be back there!

 

[disneylover5]

Golden Mickeys was packed a few weeks ago at the 8:30 pm show and they did turn people away.

 

[jacobatt1]

Maybe it depends on which seating you have. We had late seating and so we went to the early (6:30) shows. We had a group of 12, and all 3 nights we walked in at showtime and still were able to sit together! Obviously, not in the front row, but not on the back row either. One night we sat 6 and 6, right in front of each other, but with a smaller group, I think you'd be fine!

Amy

 

[inkkognito]

If you want very specific seats (i.e. front row or something like that), you'll definitely want to be there when the doors open. Other than that, I wouldn't get there any later than 10 minutes beforehand. Sometimes it's not crowded, but we have seen the shows fill a few times or have a very sparse selection of seats.
Barb

 

[tmocker]

We just love the shows and wouldn't miss them for anything! The jugglers are my son's favorite!

 

[rejobako]

Thank you all for your responses. I'm glad to hear that we don't necessarily have to be there early to get a decent seat.

 

[lbgraves]

If you just want to watch the shows, there really aren't any bad seats. If you have small children or want to take pictures (without flash) you may want to get there earlier for an end seat or one closer to the stage for a clearer view. (IOW so that someone taller than you doesn't block your view.)

 

[jrabbit]

Also: are refreshments sold or permitted inside the WD Theatre?

but after early dinner the thought of more food turned me After a great meal and wonderful desert in the restaurant trying to toss down more food would make me Frankly I'm surprised at how much stuff (food) they do sell. Not so much the smoothies because kids have unlimited capacity for those

What we've done when we had early seating was to go to dinner, then one of the adults would go to the theater and save seats for the other 3 of us (near the center of the lower section of the WDT) while the rest of the group would go to one of the cabarette shows (from 7:45 to 8:15). This unfortunatly meant that someone had to miss one of these very good cabarette/game shows. Now that we "do" late seating, we all can go to the family cabarette shows together because we have a reserved table for us in the restaurant afterwards.

 

[tinknsnow]

We cruised on the 2/3 Wonder. When we went to see Golden Mickeys (2nd night) we arrived about 2 minutes before showtime and the only seats were either individual seats (there were 4 of us) or way down front on the far sides. We opted for the front far left and missed some of the effects (and could see what was happening offstage LOL). I think it would be best to arrive earlier than we did! Have fun!

 

[turtle51]

I was on the wonder and for the most part we got there no more the 15 mins early. You should be fine. They have enough space for everyone.

 

[PhotoLisa]

On our last cruise in Feb/2004, we took the option of attending the matinee performances in the afternoon instead of night. Seating was much better for the matinees.

Lisa

 

[videogal1]

For those who have cruised DCL (particularly Wonder) before, I'm wondering if it's necessary to show up early to get a decent seat for the stage productions. We have an early dinner seating, so we'd be going to the late shows. If we walk in around showtime, are we liable to not have a seat or be sitting in the last row?

Yeah, those dreaded last row seats....


( for you, Bunny, wherever you are...)