F! Blanket Reservations!

[sirgoofie]

Heha... dont think I can or want to fork out $300 for my family to enjoy F! Maybe if it was a longer show... but I believe its about 25 min. i dont think I could enjoy that splurge... I know it would be a great show... but not for $300. Sooo I will be staking out a spot for the first show to guarantee a spot. I believe I will need to be somewhere in that area at around 6 pm? And I think I will be waiting for 3 hours... as long as I have a drink and a good book I will be ok. Sooo where do i spread out my blanket? I would be upset if I planted myself down somewhere and a CM told me to move at the last minute because I was in a reserved seating area. I am not even sure where that reserved seating is ? Thanks for helping me out!

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Last weekend they had the areas where you can sit roped off around 5:00 or so, and people were already staking out their territory. By about 6:00, it was very crowded in the non-reserved area already. The CM's will not let you stake out a spot where you cannot sit--they will chase you away as soon as they see someone where they should not be.

You want to be located in front of Tom Sawyers Island between Pirates and the Haunted Mansion.

 

[mvf-m11c]

I would be upset if I planted myself down somewhere and a CM told me to move at the last minute because I was in a reserved seating area. I am not even sure where that reserved seating is ? Thanks for helping me out!

There is a reserved seating area right in between the F! dessert viewing area, a bunch of stairs that is right next to the anchor close to the rope area. I have seen people sit on the stairs for the show. I know that F! dessert package people can watch from that area if they don't like there seats and I believe the people who do the VIP tours also gets to sit at those spots. I have seen people who just walked up and sit there and CM told them to move since it is a reserved seating.

 

[Disney Dreams]

For your particular question, this is not the best picture, but it's what I've got so I'm going to try to use it best as I can to help you.

[/IMG]

The lady in the pink sweatshirt with a visor is sitting on steps that you do not want to sit on. You will be asked to move. You can see the chairs set up for the premium dessert/viewing area. The river is to the right, off picture (the visor woman is facing the water) and to the left, off picture, are the shops of New Orleans Square and Pirates of the Caribbean.

Now, see the ladies in shorts walking away (on the right of the photo)? They are in the "sitting area" for Fantasmic! Directly in front of the visor lady is also the "sitting area." The anchor that mvf-m11c mentioned is right in front of the planter that is in the forefront of the photo. If you look real closely, you can see a bit of it.

Going from left to right (towards the riverfront): There is the stairs where visor lady is sitting, a walkway where no one is allowed to stay during the show, the "sitting area" and then the riverfront. The "sitting area" stretches along a large section of the riverfront here. There will be ropes to outline the area starting around 5/6ish.

Hope this helps,
Dreams

 

[pixiewings71]

We never wait for this show.....we like to sit on the wall behind the main seating area, the wall is near Cafe Orleans and is open as a walkway but they will let you watch from there if you stay out of the way. We wait behind the HUGE light towers and everyone looks at us like we are INSANE but then those towers go UP and we have a GREAT view of F!. We usually get there about 30 min. before the show starts. Or we walk up to see the dragon because she's the BEST part.

We've also been able to grab a seat in the section that's reserved but isn't the dessert area. We walked up late one day (we had actually planned to be there early that time but we got "stuck" somewhere and just didn't make it) so we walked along looking a spot for 4, we found one that would fit us all (at the time DD10 was 7 or 8 and she liked to sit on my lap) and DBF asked the surrounding people if the spots were saved, everyone said "no" but as soon as I started to go in this one lady in particular got really nasty and said something like "there isn't enough room for ALL these people, I thought it was just you and the kids" to DBF so I said "Ok her attitude isn't worth it, let's just go" Of course we'd already sat down and we absolutely fit but I suspect she was trying to mack on my man. LOL Anyway we got up and walked down some more and we were saying we would just have to leave and come back later for the evening show, well the CM near where we were trying to sit asked to wait for a few minutes, that she thought she might someplace for us to sit. So we waited on the other side of the ropes, where we weren't supposed to be but that's where she directed us, so that's where we were. She went and spoke with someone else, pointed at us and then came back to us and said "follow me". She took us to the reserved steps and said, "while you have to sit on 2 different levels you can sit here" so we thanked her profusely and had the girls sit on the step in front of us and we watched the show from the steps. It was a GREAT spot to sit and we got really lucky. The CM said she had seen how that lady was talking to me in particular and she wanted us to have a good view so she gifted us the seats. We got lucky but man, those were great seats.

and don't worry OP, you will see others staking out spots early, just join in and you'll be fine. Follow the CM's directions and you'll find a good spot. Also, consider going to the later show(s), a lot of times we've been able to walk right up and get great seats by following the leavers thru.

 

[sirgoofie]

great info! thanks for the advice! I guess we can try to squueze in on the second show on our first night after the fireworks... but if that doesnt work out then we can keep my original plan and stake out my 3 hour wait spot on Sunday.... thanks again ladies for great info!

 

[Grim_Grinning_Girl]

Just curious about this $300 dollar arrangement, do they now offer some sort of reserved seating other than the Dessert seating? I've been out of the Disboard loop for awhile!

Oh wait, I'm too sleepy to do math at the moment, maybe you are talking about the Dessert reservations and your total cost for your family comes out to $300 . Well if it's your first time then it would be good and helpful, however not very necessary. Yes, people start blanketing very very early, even before 5 you will see early birds. It's not too hard to find a spot even if you arrive late, you just need to look very carefully and everywhere. Same goes for the fireworks show, people start to stake out spots pretty early in front of the castle - which is the best location for the show.

 

[Mini Sorcerer's Mom]

WHAT?????? THREE HOURS???!!! WDW vet here going to DL for the first time at the end of June (yeah) and the very thought of waiting three hours for Fantasmic, which is one of our favorites at WDW is insaine!

Does the later show require such a lengthy steak out?

Is the DL Fantasmic better/not as good/exactly the same as WDW F?

Since it is our first time to DL, I know we will not want to waste three hours. Should we:
Try to get a spot by the wall by Cafe Orleans waiting for the lights to go up, or, wait until December when we are back at WDW?

 

[mvf-m11c]

WHAT?????? THREE HOURS???!!! WDW vet here going to DL for the first time at the end of June (yeah) and the very thought of waiting three hours for Fantasmic, which is one of our favorites at WDW is insaine!

Does the later show require such a lengthy steak out?

Is the DL Fantasmic better/not as good/exactly the same as WDW F?

Since it is our first time to DL, I know we will not want to waste three hours. Should we:
Try to get a spot by the wall by Cafe Orleans waiting for the lights to go up, or, wait until December when we are back at WDW?

If you want to get a center viewing area of F!, people even show up earlier than 3 hours even more just to get the railing viewing area right at the roa. But you can get there 2 hours before the show and still get a ground sitting area, but most of the spots will have people right next to the railings and the center. It is a good idea to bring a blanket if you stake out a spot and it tells other guests that this is your spot for the show. If you have multiple people in your group, you can have one person watch your spot while other members of your group can go on rides, get food or go to the bathroom, you should do this half hour before the show starts. Here is a picture of people waiting for F!

This was taken in August last year and it is like 2 hours before the show starts.

F! at DL is better than WDW. Both shows are almost the same except DL uses S.S. Columbia with Peter Pan and captain hook with his pirate gang on the Columbia, they have Ursula's eels (Flotsam and Jetsam) and definitely Murphy the dragon a way better AA.

A lot of the Disers say they would not do the long wait for the 1st show and just do the 2nd show instead of the 1st show. Since when the fireworks ends, the CMs instruct the guests that watch the first F! must exit towards the Adventureland side. Sometimes people want to see F! again, (I have done this before) and the people who did not have a good view to watch F!, they just move up closer for their group. Most of the people watching the fireworks from the hub come through the Frontierland area and the guests have to wait until most of the guests that watch F! have cleared the area. Some people also wait when they are in Critter Country and head over to the viewing area when everyone is moving. It's another good way to watch F! if people are not wanting to wait for hours to see the first show of F!.

I think you were talking about the light tower trick. Here is a post about the light tower trick. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2225094&highlight=light+tower+trick+fantasmic Mostly everyone knows about it, but it is not a bad idea to try it you are showing up late for the 1st or if there is no sitting area for the 2nd show.

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

F! at DL is better than WDW. Both shows are almost the same except DL uses S.S. Columbia with Peter Pan and captain hook with his pirate gang on the Columbia, they have Ursula's eels (Flotsam and Jetsam) and definitely Murphy the dragon a way better AA.

A lot of the Disers say they would not do the long wait for the 1st show and just do the 2nd show instead of the 1st show. Since when the fireworks ends, the CMs instruct the guests that watch the first F! must exit towards the Adventureland side. Sometimes people want to see F! again, (I have done this before) and the people who did not have a good view to watch F!, they just move up closer for their group. Most of the people watching the fireworks from the hub come through the Frontierland area and the guests have to wait until most of the guests that watch F! have cleared the area. Some people also wait when they are in Critter Country and head over to the viewing area when everyone is moving. It's another good way to watch F! if people are not wanting to wait for hours to see the first show of F!.

IMO, Fantasmic at DL is WAY better than at WDW. Hands down. We don't even go see it at WDW anymore, to tell you the truth! Fantasmic at DL is my very favorite thing there, so I see it whenever I can.

We only do the 2nd show because I don't want to wait 3 hours, either. I have never had trouble getting a seat right down by the riverfront for the 2nd show. Sometimes we have entered by Frontierland- the CM there will have a rope holding back the crowd while the first show exits. Just be sure to go down in front of Cafe Orleans- once you pass the reserved seating, it's much easier to find a spot. Most folks are coming from that direction, and will plop down somewhere in front of Pirates. Coming from Critter Country like the PP suggested is also a good one. My kids like to ride an almost always empty Splash Mountain during the first Fantasmic, then we grab a spot for the 2nd. Timing that can be a little tricky though, I'd suggest just being in the Critter Country area if you are nervous about getting a spot.

We don't mind parking out butts on the Rivers of America- one of the kids will go up and get us some popcorn, or a turkey leg. We relax and snack before the show, then ride the train around the park to leave, rather than fight the crowd heading out through Adventureland and down Main Street.

 

[mvf-m11c]

IMO, Fantasmic at DL is WAY better than at WDW. Hands down. We don't even go see it at WDW anymore, to tell you the truth! Fantasmic at DL is my very favorite thing there, so I see it whenever I can.

I know, I got to see WDW F! just a few months ago, and DL is way better than WDW especially that WDW has benches for the show. F! at DL is still my favorite night time show to watch and its a must see every time I go to DL if it is running.

 

[MAH4546]

I have seen Fantasmic! dozens of times. I waited more than 30 minutes once, and that was the debut of the new dragon. You will get a good spot if you show up 30 minutes in advance. Honestly, you will.

 

[pixiewings71]

To watch the 2nd F! we generally head to HM or Critter Country and either ride HM (depending on the wait, once it was so good we just walked from HM to the seating for F!) or wait in CC for them to let you in to the F! seating area.

 

[mom4princesses]

If I lived close to DLR, I would rent myself out. For a minimal fee I will hold your spot (for F!) so you can ride rides, eat and have fun (oh and it won't cost you an arm and a leg).

 

[rentayenta]

I have seen people as early as 5:00 for the first F! showing.

 

[grumpyskirtgirl]

If I lived close to DLR, I would rent myself out. For a minimal fee I will hold your spot (for F!) so you can ride rides, eat and have fun (oh and it won't cost you an arm and a leg).

I would hire you. I think you may have have something going with this idea!!

 

[plutorules]

WHAT?????? THREE HOURS???!!! WDW vet here going to DL for the first time at the end of June (yeah) and the very thought of waiting three hours for Fantasmic, which is one of our favorites at WDW is insaine!

Does the later show require such a lengthy steak out?

Is the DL Fantasmic better/not as good/exactly the same as WDW F?

Since it is our first time to DL, I know we will not want to waste three hours. Should we:
Try to get a spot by the wall by Cafe Orleans waiting for the lights to go up, or, wait until December when we are back at WDW?

FINALLY! Someone who thinks like I do. We went on opening night, and people were already waiting at 4:30 when we were heading to dinner. I've never waited that long for anything at WDW, but apparently it's the norm at DL. They wait that long for this little parade too. I think it's absolutely insane.

We thought Fantasmic was awesome. The dragon was better than WDW. I wouldn't say it's better, just different, and I'm glad we got to see it. But then again, we splurged and bought the dessert package so we had the reserved seats.

Shawn in AK

 

[Castillo Mom]

Yes, F! at DLR is better than at the Studios in WDW. The dragon is better and WDW doesn't have the Columbia with Peter Pan, Captain Hook and his cronies swinging from the ropes up high.

We never go to the first show, we go to the 2nd after the fireworks. It takes a bit of maneuvering but we usually get a good spot.

 

[wdvak]

I saw F! many moons ago during a soft opening. At that time there was still grass banks on RoA where you could sit, and there wasn't a crowd waiting. In the intervening years we have been going to wdw and enjoying F! there. DH and I still remembered liking F! At dlr more.

So now just back from my first trip to dlr since that long ago time with dd15, first dlr visit, and we both like F! at dlr better.

However, that said, they do start sitting and waiting between 4:00 and 5:00. We were unwilling to do this and found that many stay there to watch the fireworks and maybe even the next show. Since we were unwilling for the 2 of us to just sit and wait, especially as most mornings we were in appointments so didn't get to the parks until well after noon, we found the area around Pirates Lair (to the left of center) open enough to get a fairly good view.

We watched it twice from there and enjoyed it a lot.