Fantasmic advice

[maryfree]

Hi everyone, I will be going to WDW 11-28-05 Through 12-02-05, (staying at The Poly,with my son and grandkids) we have been many times but have yet to experience Fantasmic, which we hear is wonderful. Can anyone recommend which days during our stay would be the best to go, I hear it quite difficult to get seats. Or should we try the Dinner package? ....thank you all...

 

[wendypooh]

I haven't been to Fantasmic yet either........ but we just found out that we can do it on the dining plan, so we've added to our planning. I too am interested in hearing all about it!!!

Have fun ~

 

[Joanna71985]

For anyone who is interested in seeing Fantasmic- DO IT!!! It is a WONDERFUL show and I saw it many times, enjoying it each time. I just have one warning though- GET THERE EARLY!!! There is only one showing of Fantasmic each night now, usually around 8-8:30. Since there is only one show, that means more people are going to be going to the one show. Having the Dining Plan would help, but A) the seats are WAY over on the far right, and B) a lot of people will be doing the same thing as well. Either way you go, with the Dining Plan or without, make sure you get there with plenty of time. When I was there they opened the arena 2 hours early, and plenty of people were there at opening- and that was in the summer when there were 2 shows. I can imagine that LOTS of people will do the same now. I'm not trying to discourge (??) anyone from going, I'm just trying to warn you because the show can get filled to capacity and then they will close the arena. I've seen it happen and I don't want it to happen to anyone who wants to see the show. BTW, when you go, enjoy the show!!!

 

[maryfree]

thanks we will make sure we are there with time to spare...I cant wait, also looking forward to Illuminations , saw it last year for the first time and I was really floored...WDW at Christmas time is truly wonderful!

 

[jmcross]

You can also do the Fantasmic Dinner Package which will give you a seat in a reserved section of the arena. I have done this many times and you only have to go about 30 minutes prior to the show rather than the 2 hours of waiting. It is well worth is for us! If you have any questions about the package, ask away!

Joanne

 

[maryfree]

Maybe I will try the dinner package since my grandchildren are still young 30 minutes seems a little more managagable... also does every show fill to capacity,Im only curious because attendance during our stay is usually fairly low...although I think the cat is out of the bag for wdw at holiday times....thanks so much everyone..

 

[LisaMCob]

Our experience with the Fantasmic dinner package left something to be desired. We went in November (the week before Thanksgiving) 2003. The latest dinner reservation we could get was at 4:30 at Mama Melrose's. While the food was OK, it turned into a real time waster. You see, we missed going to several attractions/shows while at dinner. I seem to remember that a lot of the shows had their last run between 4:30 and 5:00. When we finished dinner, there was NOTHING to do (my DH and DSs are not into shopping!!) We were seated for Fantasmic and waited 1/2 hour or so for the show. The problem was that THERE WAS NO LINE AT ALL for people who didn't do the dinner package!! People were seated right up until the start of the show!! So, we could have caught the last shows, grabbed a bite to eat and then go to Fantasmic. I guess it depends on the crowd level. We were very lucky, I guess. The whole week there, we walked onto virtually every ride in every park without waiting!! So, in short, I wouldn't bother with the Fantasmic dinner package again, unless I was going during a busy time.

BTW, we are heading down 11/5 - 11/12 this year. I didn't realize that it was JERSEY WEEK when I booked the trip - hopefully, the crowds won't be too bad. My DSs will be in for a rude awakening if they have to deal with long waits - we'll see!!!!

 

[MelodyMack]

We LOVED Fantasmic!

We got there right when they opened the gates and staked out our seats early. Half of our group stayed behind to hold seats while the other half grabbed dinner for everyone. We ate dinner while we waited for the show (our own version of the Fantasmic Dinner Package), and got prime seats up front in the middle.

HTH!
Mel

 

[We-Luv-Disney]

Glad to hear about the Dinner package. I thought about doing it because it is hard to wait with a two year old. I will suggest to carry something to sit on(stands get uncomfy after a while) and a blanket incase it is cold. We were there last year and it was cold a few nights. The water will splash you a little(depending on where you sit) and my 7 yr old complained about being cold the whole time. It is something you should see. It is one of my favorite things to do at MGM. Enjoy it!!

 

[cranbiz]

We did the dinner package last year during the week of Dec 5-12. We probably could have not done it as the ampitheatre was not full. We were on the silver plan so we decided to do the package with dinner at HBD. We ate at 4:00 and Fantasmic was at 7pm. We had time to do the GMR after dinner and got to Oscars at 6:30. We had seats nearest the center section right at the end of the row about 8 rows up in the reserved section.

Beause of the design of the theatre, there are no really bad seats, last night I had a seat near the very end of the theatre in the dinner section (I believe it's the Ursuala section) and was able to see everything pretty good. The show projections are done on each end and in the middle so everyone can see the show. Mickey finishes up on the dinner section side.

 

[jmcross]

I have done the FDP a few times. When you call initially, the early times like 4:00 or 4:30 are the only ones available. It's not until about 30 days out that the later times become available.
I am a teacher and I always go at peak times and Fantasmic is always full to capacity. I am always thrilled knowing that I have a seat in the reserved section.

 

[lonegungirl]

I did the package twice, and did without it twice. I got seated at all occasions, however once without the package I ended up sitting in the front middle, behind the pole because there was no other seating (most were standing by that time.)

The saddest time was the first time I used the package, when we waited for about 45 minutes in off-and-on drizzle, until right before the show started, when they announced it was cancelled! That was a little irking, as we invested about 1 1/2 hr eating at the Brown Derby, and another 45 min waiting in the stadium, to find that there was no show and the park was now closed--insult to injury! Although they always tell you that there are no rainchecks, I heard later on that many people flooded over to customer service and got rainchecks for other Fantasmic! shows (we were seeing La Nouba the next night and then leaving the day after so it wouldn't have helped us) It might be a good idea to schedule the package early in your trip, just in case...

 

[We-Luv-Disney]

I'll never forget the first time we tried see it. DH and I were there with our oldest who was 3 at the time and my Sister with her 2 and 4 year olds. It was cold and drizzling also. We tried to get seats but ended up losing DH and DS. We got all frustrated and went back to the room. The next night we went back and I swear they said "Due to technical difficulties there will be no showing of Fantasmic this evening" at least 15 times. The show did eventually go on.

 

[Amyality]

Fantasmic is a WONDERFUL show, we always include it in our trip plans. So excited for anyone viewing it for the first time! It really has an impact the first time.

Here is something not to do: Please don't let your kid hold up one of those annoying light up - spinning toys during the presentation! We had a child do this for the entire fantasmic show two years ago. At one point, I politely explained to the mother that I was having trouble viewing the show because, the toy was directly in my face. She had the kid lower it for about 10 seconds then it was right back up - for the rest of the show. It spoiled the show for my husband and myself.

 

[etink67]

Fantasmic is my son's favorite part of Disney. We have always done the dinner package at Mama Melrose's. I have heard mixed reviews of this restaurant but we have always enjoyed it . You could try it without if you are going at a not so busy time. You could plan on ending your day in this part of the park so you can keep an eye on the crowd level.

 

[maryfree]

Wow , thanks this is better than reading The Unofficial Guide, my son says he wants to chance it and wait for a seat at the last minute, which is fine as well,since its a low attendance time of year I guess we will take a chance...thanks so much..

 

[princesslulu]

does anyone know the first week in October is supposed to be crowd wise? I thought it was supposed to be a good time to go, but since the free dining came out Disney sounds like they are booking up!

 

[bigmac5]

We saw Fantasmic Sept 1 and it was the best night show. We had dinner at H&V. We were an hour late for our ressies due to waiting 50 minutes for the bus. We had no problem getting in--waited 10 mins max. We were on the dining planing but didn't do the Fantasmic Package. Just before we left the waitress asked if we were seeing Fantasmic. we said yes and she gave us the special pass. We got there 30 minutes before the show and got great seats. There was a CM who organized doing the wave-fast,slow-with clapping etc. Lots of fun. By the start of the show it was packed.

 

[eeyore45]

Loved Fantasmic...

Just an FYI, one thing I learned at Fantasmic, is you cant buy more than one beer at a time - - now DH and DD were sitting and holding "my" seat... I got in line to get some food, popcorn, cotton candy for dd and beer for dh and I - nnnope, one beer per person, 'but dh is holding our seats with dd" oh well...

but it is a magical place, and a person behind me offered to stand in for dh, and so I could get around that!! Its just a shock at first!! I get limits, but at $5 a beer.. it would be nice to limit it to two!!

 

[Camping Griswalds]

We've gotten there as much as 75 minutes early, sat about 5 rows back to avoid getting wet and were in the center aisle. There is some minor entertainment going on. My DH took DS on TOT 2 times as we had fast passes while younger son and I waited and snacked. They came in to sit with us with about 30 min to spare. They/we did get some nasty looks doing this. We have also walked into the show with about 5 min to spare and sat in the back and thoroughly enjoyed the show as well. We always go in Jan when crowds are lower, but Fantasmic does fill up at any time of year. This time we'll be taking DD who will be 18 months and we'll probably arrive as close to when it starts as possible. I really feel this is more enjoyable, and the floats and sound effects are so awesome, its a neat perspective, no matter where you sit