Fantasmic $60.00 for preferred seating???

[OFF TO WDW!]

Is seating THAT difficult to get seats for fantasmic? When I was inquiring about the show the rep told me it has become nearly impossible to find a spot for fantasmic and that the prferred seats usually go very quickly once the 30 day window opens up.

$60.00 for a spot and a dessert box sounds crazy.


Is the fantasmic show at DL the same as the one at WDW?


Thanks

 

[sonnyjane]

Many that have seen F! at both parks prefer the DL version. As far as the seating, the F! Dessert package is the ONLY seating for the show, at least in a chair. There are no bleachers or seats elsewhere. You must stand behind others to watch, or stake out a spot multiple hours in advance if you'd like to sit on the ground in the front. Many people don't want to stand behind others or dedicate hours to holding down a spot, so $60 is really quite worth it for someone that wants to sit and have a great seat for the show. The dessert box is an added bonus. What you're really paying for is the seat and the saved time.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Is seating THAT difficult to get seats for fantasmic? When I was inquiring about the show the rep told me it has become nearly impossible to find a spot for fantasmic and that the prferred seats usually go very quickly once the 30 day window opens up.

$60.00 for a spot and a dessert box sounds crazy.


Is the fantasmic show at DL the same as the one at WDW?


Thanks

Haven't been to WDW so can't compare. I can tell you that we have often walked up 1/2 hour or so in advance and watched Fantasmic in DL. That doesn't mean we got the greatest view, but we saw the show. Our best late arrival spot was when we stood off to the side close to the dock for the Tom Sawyer Island rafts and had a good view of the screen on that side and had great views of the boats as they went by. This area was a standing area. The close spots you sit on the ground. The further back and off-to-the-side spots you stand. At peak times of the year, I have seen people staking out their prime spot on a blanket front and center as early as 5 or 6 PM for the 9 PM show. We have sat on the ground before for up to 2 hours to wait for the 9 PM show. We have occasionally caught the 10:30 PM show, and that one is reported to be less crowded usually, but I can tell you that isn't always so. As for the premium seating, I look at that as quite the luxury but one I haven't absolutely ruled out trying someday. For people who don't want to sit on the ground, groups that don't want to wait as long, and people who may just want to feel a bit like a VIP, the dessert seating is probably a good option. It's not a necessity though as there are ways to see Fantasmic without paying extra.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Another post on this subject..http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2498438&highlight=fantasmic

Jack

 

[Bossy22]

We also have walked up about 1/2 an hour before and I had no trouble seeing, my shorter wife didn't complain but her view was not quite as good

 

[KCmike]

DL's version is definitely better. I love the Sailing Ship Columbia/Peter Pan sequence better than the Pocahontas at WDW. I don't think I would ever pay $60 to sit to enjoy it though. Most line up at least an hour before hand to stake out a spot sometimes longer. If you ever seen the WDW version then you would laugh at the little tug boat they use vs. the Mark Twain that DL uses for the finale. Also the Dragon is AMAZING!

 

[Honeybee1983]

ummmm ooookay. I think the cm may have been trying to pull the wool over your eyes a bit to get the sale....when we went last year at busy spring break time, we showed up an hour before (just got some beignets and hot cocoa from the mint julep bar to kill the time-much cheaper than $60 each, I can assure you! ) and we were RIGHT in the center behind the fence with nobody in front of us, and a lot of others didn't start showing up until about 1/2 hour later. Perfect experience! So for a really good seat, you could totally show up 1/2 hour to 45 mins before and save all that money!

 

[mickeymom629]

Honeybee1983 ummmm ooookay. I think the cm may have been trying to pull the wool over your eyes a bit to get the sale....when we went last year at busy spring break time, we showed up an hour before (just got some beignets and hot cocoa from the mint julep bar to kill the time-much cheaper than $60 each, I can assure you! ) and we were RIGHT in the center behind the fence with nobody in front of us, and a lot of others didn't start showing up until about 1/2 hour later. Perfect experience! So for a really good seat, you could totally show up 1/2 hour to 45 mins before and save all that money!

We are going during spring break and I would love to know which day of the week you went. Do you think that made a difference? We are going to be there Mon, Tues and Wed that week.

 

[Disney Dreams]

The key is the chair -- and how much time you are willing to "camp out" for a spot on the ground.

The only places to sit are:

• chair - must pay for the $60 preferred seating with dessert box
• on the ground - sometimes requires a time investment (1-2 hours) to get a spot, sometimes 30-60 min is fine (time of year/crowds/stroller?/size of group)

There are all sorts of places for standing room. We often arrive with less than 30 minutes and find a spot (2-6 adults, no kids).

We like WDW's version better. Have seen it at DLR way too many times to count. Have seen it at WDW twice. Both versions are great.

- Dreams

 

[aan1701]

Is the fantasmic show at DL the same as the one at WDW?


Thanks

in a nut shell yes. The one at WDW sucks big time. I think the person who did the WDW Fantasmic should be fired, sued, and fired again. It is a insult to Fantasmic. The Disneyland one is superior in so many levels.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Is the fantasmic show at DL the same as the one at WDW?


Thanks

in a nut shell yes. The one at WDW sucks big time. I think the person who did the WDW Fantasmic should be fired, sued, and fired again. It is a insult to Fantasmic. The Disneyland one is superior in so many levels.

Ummm, but you started by saying it was the same. So you hate them both?

And wow do I disagree! We loved the WDW version. So much in it that's missing in the DL version.

- Dreams

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Didn't see WDW version while we were there....after seeing it on YouTube it paled in comparison to the DLR one. We NEVER pay for a spot. If you want to sit, yes you will have to stake out a spot early. We find an excellent view (usually right behind the premium seats) and stand along the rail. While we wait will will sit on the rail curb if we need too. But even during Xmas we don't show up more than maybe an hour ahead of time.

 

[Malcon10t]

It depends on how close you want to sit. You want front and center, you might need to be there a couple hours in advance. But you can get spots up to 30 mins before the show, they just may not be the best.

We do the premium seating. My kids and I enjoy it. We feel it is worth it. Everyone has their own determination of what is worth spending their cash on. I don't care to stay at the resort hotels, for me, it just isn't worth the money. But Fantasmic! seating is worth it to us. We will do it a couple times a year. The staff is great and very friendly. Everyone has things that are of value to them. This is one of ours.

 

[bluegrizzlies1]

Want better view go to the 2nd show.

 

[mousireid]

I prefer DL version to be honest and LOVE that the ship is involved. Sure if you wanted a great view at illuminations or MK fireworks you know you would have to stake out a spot right? Well its the same at DL. The difference between the preferred viewing at DL vs DW (where you buy a dining package to get special seating) is that you do not have to line up even to get your preferred seating and there is NO CHANCE of losing it (like at DW) to fill in spots 5 mins before showtime, you can still turn up and get your seat. What do you do at DW? Can you justify spending extra on the Fireworks Dessert Buffet at MK? I did as a special treat and thought it was worth it but others don't agree. For less hassle during a possibly busy time when I rarely go to DL to see F! I would do it (especially with my ASD son who HATES crazy crowds and waiting for over an hour). Its in your own perspective! Oh I agree with the above poster, the 2nd show is much less busy (same at DHS!)

 

[Honeybee1983]

We are going during spring break and I would love to know which day of the week you went. Do you think that made a difference? We are going to be there Mon, Tues and Wed that week.

We went on one of the weekend days, I know that much. It was either Fri, Sat or Sunday, can't remember specifically though. It WAS busy once people started showing up, but the wait was a breeze (especially with the nummy beignets!) Yea, we didn't have a chair, but we had a big blanket and we all sat on and snuggled up in that. It was perfect!

 

[annadette]

We also pay for the preferred viewing and we really love the experience. The first time we saw Fantasmic, it was a total fluke that we got to stand down by a huge rock beside the water, and it was absolutely incredible. However, the next 2 trips, we got squished, pushed from behind - one of the times a couple actually forced themselves infront of my daughter (again, on the rocks beside the fence) and litererally "made out" during the entire show, directly in front of both of us - we couldn't see the show, and because it was so crowded, we couldn't even leave (and we wanted to) until the show was over. We had staked out that spot for 2 hours, only to have it crashed by two rude teens. Oh, and the couple either didn't speak english or pretended they didn't, because it didn't matter how many "ahems" or "that's so rude"s I dropped, they were completely ignoring us. So, we decided we were no longer going to leave the experience of our favorite Disneyland show to chance. We also don't pay extra for the onsite hotels, and paying for Fantasmic is one luxury we will always treat ourselves to. Last time we did it, a guy down on the path in front of us hoisted his girlfriend up on his shouders, totally obstructing my DH's view, and all he had to do was mention that he couldn't see to a CM - the situation was dealt with immediately. So not only do you get unlimited beverages and a beautiful big box of treats, but you get a guaranteed best-seat-of-the-house. It's not for everyone, but it's for us.

 

[Malcon10t]

We are going during spring break and I would love to know which day of the week you went. Do you think that made a difference? We are going to be there Mon, Tues and Wed that week.

Which "spring break" week? Spring breaks start in mid March and go thru the second week of April.

 

[aan1701]

Ummm, but you started by saying it was the same. So you hate them both?

And wow do I disagree! We loved the WDW version. So much in it that's missing in the DL version.

- Dreams

I hate the WDW version. It is a insult to Fantasmic. If someone told me I had to see it at WDW I would stay home and not go on vacation. I think it is that bad.

 

[nicolispicoli]

I've only seen Fantasmic once and it was with preferred seating. I honestly think if you can spare the money, do it! I totally felt like it was worth it! We plan on doing it again in October when we go. The dessert boxes could really last you for a couple days if you take a ziplock with you. It's nice to not fight for a spot or show up super early. We came to no wait, got stuck with back row, which I though was great. I could stand behind and my nephew could stand on his chair to watch. The CM's were so nice and constantly checking on us, etc. It might not be for everyone, but I thought it was great!!