F! At DL Seating Question

[LaurenDis]

we will be doing Fantasmic for the first time at DL, Family of 5, DS8 has Autism and struggles with being smooshed together in lines or searing. We plan to get a DAS and also bring a stroller and get a wheelchair tag for it so he can create a safe space if necessary.

For Fantasmic, we thought if we booked the Blue Bayou dining package the reserved seating might give him more space, but after calling Disney they said it would likely be shoulder to shoulder.

Would it be better to seat us all in the Disability section for more space? Unfortunately DL wasn’t much help when I called and said it was up to the CM at that time. But we need to plan ahead, especially if we need to book a dining package.

Any suggestions for those that have done F! at DL and needed more space?

 

[Lauren in NC]

I haven't done it myself (mostly because my son has the same issues as yours), but the BB package gives you a seat cushion and then you basically get crammed in to that special section. The degree of crowding will change night to night, but it's always pretty crowded. We tried watching once from an outdoor table (before they renovated that restaurant) and it was still a bit overwhelming for my son's sensory issues. If you think your son might have the same issue and would prefer staying in the stroller, I think the disability section might be the better choice. I personally wouldn't spend the extra money on the dining package, because it definitely won't get you anything other than a "better" view.

Hopefully someone else will give you an idea! It may also help to post this on the Disneyland forum, if you haven't already.

 

[BadPinkTink]

Im a solo with no disability issues and I have done Blue Bayou Fantasmic Dining package multiple time. The Blue Bayou reserved area is front and centre. Regular diners get a foam cushion and during the show, everyone must sit on the ground. I have seen a disability section, where EVCs and wheelchairs can "park" set up at the back of the Blue Bayou section. How regular this is I do not know, as I am only at Disney once a year. This is a photo of the Blue Bayou reserved area and at the back there is a wall / railings and this is where I have seen the EVCs and wheelchairs parked. Depending on the crowd level it is possible that people would be sitting on the ground very near the EVCs and wheelchairs.

The other option is the River Belle Terrace Outdoor Terrace Upgrade
River Belle Terrace Lunch $45 per adult; $25 per child (ages 3 to 9) – tax and gratuity not included

River Belle Terrace Dinner $45 per adult and $25 per child (ages 3 to 9) – tax and gratuity not included

Upgrade to premium 8:00 PM seating for an additional $25 per adult and $15 per child (ages 3 to 9) and enjoy your meal as well as the first performance of Fantasmic! from your seat on the outdoor patio.

Reservations for the premium 8:00 PM seating can only be made at the restaurant or by calling (714) 781-DINE or (714) 781-3463 between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM daily. Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call.

 

[LaurenDis]

I haven't done it myself (mostly because my son has the same issues as yours), but the BB package gives you a seat cushion and then you basically get crammed in to that special section. The degree of crowding will change night to night, but it's always pretty crowded. We tried watching once from an outdoor table (before they renovated that restaurant) and it was still a bit overwhelming for my son's sensory issues. If you think your son might have the same issue and would prefer staying in the stroller, I think the disability section might be the better choice. I personally wouldn't spend the extra money on the dining package, because it definitely won't get you anything other than a "better" view.

Hopefully someone else will give you an idea! It may also help to post this on the Disneyland forum, if you haven't already.

Thanks, its hard to say until we are there and we can better judge his mood, so I think the disability section might be better than spending the money and having to leave. Good idea on asking on the DL forum.

 

[LaurenDis]

Im a solo with no disability issues and I have done Blue Bayou Fantasmic Dining package multiple time. The Blue Bayou reserved area is front and centre. Regular diners get a foam cushion and during the show, everyone must sit on the ground. I have seen a disability section, where EVCs and wheelchairs can "park" set up at the back of the Blue Bayou section. How regular this is I do not know, as I am only at Disney once a year. This is a photo of the Blue Bayou reserved area and at the back there is a wall / railings and this is where I have seen the EVCs and wheelchairs parked. Depending on the crowd level it is possible that people would be sitting on the ground very near the EVCs and wheelchairs.

The other option is the River Belle Terrace Outdoor Terrace Upgrade
River Belle Terrace Lunch $45 per adult; $25 per child (ages 3 to 9) – tax and gratuity not included

River Belle Terrace Dinner $45 per adult and $25 per child (ages 3 to 9) – tax and gratuity not included

Upgrade to premium 8:00 PM seating for an additional $25 per adult and $15 per child (ages 3 to 9) and enjoy your meal as well as the first performance of Fantasmic! from your seat on the outdoor patio.

Reservations for the premium 8:00 PM seating can only be made at the restaurant or by calling (714) 781-DINE or (714) 781-3463 between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM daily. Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call.

View attachment 385060

Thank you, the picture was very helpful in understanding the area. The premium dining at RBT would have us eating at 8pm, which I don't think will work with three kids, they will be starving by then

 

[theluckyrabbit]

I agree that the Disability Section might be the better choice in this situation. If you don't already have them, you might want to bring headphones and dark sunglasses for your son, too. I love F!, but that show is loud and bright -- sometimes too much so for me. Even with earplugs, I have to use the headphones and the dark glasses really help, too. After the show is over, don't try to leave with the masses -- that crowd/crush is legendary for how overwhelming and uncomfortable it can be (even for people with no issues). Just wait it out for a bit -- if you see the first show, you'll be allowed to view the fireworks from the ROA (projections will be shown on the water screens and the music will be piped in), so that will allow even more of the crowd to disperse. Then slowly make your way out of NOS when most of the F! crowd has already gone. Sometimes we'll have a DAS return time for HM ready to go so that we can go right into that ride area after the fireworks are over. By the time we finish HM, the F! crowds are basically gone.

 

[2tinkerbell]

We did the BB dining package this past Dec. It was the only way my DD could see it. We lined up rather early (1st show) and were the second family in line for the BB section. I found it fairly easy to maintain space for my DD. She sat down and I sat to the side of her. She didn't sit right to the side of the other person - allowing herself some space. No one asked us to move closer together. There was a family that moved in behind us but they also were respectful and didn't move up close - even without mentioning it. We had a good buffer zone by creating it ourselves. We do the same for parades and attraction lines.

The only problem was that we found it somewhat overwhelming when we were leaving - after the fireworks. The CM's have you go one way out (Adventureland?) and one way in (Frontierland?). There were so many people that we couldn't step off to the side anywhere.

With my DD and the sensory overload, I have discovered through the years that she needs to be front and center to see things (and not entirely because of her visual integration problems). She does much better when there isn't so much figure/ground stuff to filter out between her and what she is wanting to watch. Yes, it does take a little more planning and we do a little more sitting and waiting, but, that is just what we have to do. My DD doesn't like the "handicapped" seating as she has a hard time seeing around the ECVs and wheelchairs.

It was wonderful for us. My DD really, really enjoyed it and doing the dining package was the only way that she could see it. Well worth it when Jack Sparrow was on the rope swing. My DD knows that he looked right at her ;-) The look on her face was priceless.

I would also bring noise cancelling earphones as it is loud.

We did the lunch option and then went back to the room for a rest - returning to the parks in time to line up. We did this so to keep the overstimulation at a minimum.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

... The only problem was that we found it somewhat overwhelming when we were leaving - after the fireworks. The CM's have you go one way out (Adventureland?) and one way in (Frontierland?). There were so many people that we couldn't step off to the side anywhere...

This is exactly what I was talking about above. That mass exodus after F! is legendary, and not in a good way. It is important to have your exit plan in place before you view the show because there won't be time or room to think once you get caught up in the horde. If all else fails, head in the opposite direction of the crowd. We head for the restrooms at HB -- usually not crowded at all. You can take your time washing up, then rest at the HB tables while getting organized before heading back out. Take.Your.Time. By the time we head back out, clean and refreshed, the masses have dispersed, and we can make our way more comfortably to wherever we planned to go next.

 

[cmwade77]

If you are going to see the first Fantasmic! And there are fireworks/Mickey's Mix Magic right after, stay there, there will be several people trying to leave, just wait it out, same goes after the fireworks, wait about 15 minutes before going anywhere.

As for exit strategy, you don't say when this will be, if it is before Galaxy's Edge opens in June, then I would say exiting towards Critter Country or Fantasyland will most likely have the lowest crowds. If after, all bets are off.

 

[Lilsia]

Do the River Belle Terrace Outdoor Terrace Upgrade. You get to stay at your table and watch from there. My daughter and I did that on our last trip and we really liked it. We still had a great view without being smooshed in like sardines. You can always get them some food earlier to hold them over until dinner.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

There have been recent reports that the Disability Area viewing is better than the reserved area viewing. And there have been reports from people very dissatisfied with their view (and sometimes with the service, too) with the RBT Premium Package. It really pays to do your research with that package and to see whether you will be satisfied with a view of the show that far back and possibly obstructed in some way by pedestrians and people in the free FP section with kids on their shoulders. Some people love that package and others have reported feeling ripped off.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

This is my view from our 2nd row table. The walkway in front of RBT was kept pretty clear so people walking by wasn't really an issue, but note the guests seated in front of us, the kids on shoulders, the large tree on the right, and the pole located in the restaurant, all of which partially blocked the view. I could have gotten up and stood in the back of the restaurant to get rid of the view of the pole, but overall it just wasn't a great view. You can see that the waterline where some of the projections happen is really not visible at all. Even the view of the guests in the front row would be partially blocked from the guests standing watching the show on the other side of the walkway.

View attachment 343247

I've watched the show from a "stand by" spot (ie, grabbing a spot where I could) in the past in front of HM ... this was a better view than that was, but the other dining packages definitely have better views than RBT IMO.

This is a review from someone dissatisfied with the RBT Premium Package -- click on the link to see the photo of her view. You can't pre-pick your table, so it is luck of the draw which row and which table you'll get. There are much better views available than this.

 

[LaurenDis]

This is a review from someone dissatisfied with the RBT Premium Package -- click on the link to see the photo of her view. You can't pre-pick your table, so it is luck of the draw which row and which table you'll get. There are much better views available than this.

Wow, that view is surprisingly bad for a premium upgrade.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Wow, that view is surprisingly bad for a premium upgrade.

I would agree and, having done the BB dining package, I would not be satisfied with paying for a view that far back and that obscured. I could get an equally poor view or a possibly much better view with a free FP.

 

[gap2368]

If you are going to see the first Fantasmic! And there are fireworks/Mickey's Mix Magic right after, stay there, there will be several people trying to leave, just wait it out, same goes after the fireworks, wait about 15 minutes before going anywhere.

As for exit strategy, you don't say when this will be, if it is before Galaxy's Edge opens in June, then I would say exiting towards Critter Country or Fantasyland will most likely have the lowest crowds. If after, all bets are off.

The is Disney world Galaxy edge is not opening in June that is at Disneyland

 

[Aladora]

If you are going to see the first Fantasmic! And there are fireworks/Mickey's Mix Magic right after, stay there, there will be several people trying to leave, just wait it out, same goes after the fireworks, wait about 15 minutes before going anywhere.

As for exit strategy, you don't say when this will be, if it is before Galaxy's Edge opens in June, then I would say exiting towards Critter Country or Fantasyland will most likely have the lowest crowds. If after, all bets are off.

The is Disney world Galaxy edge is not opening in June that is at Disneyland

Everything mentioned in cmwade77's post is about DL, as is the OP who mentions going to DL.

 

[gap2368]

Everything mentioned in cmwade77's post is about DL, as is the OP who mentions going to DL.

oops, I thought this was Disney world sorry