Fantasmic balcony seating question

[mad hatter fan]

I was just wondering what happens when you have paid all of that money for the Fantasmic balcony seating and Fantasmic is cancelled because of rain. Are you just out all of the money? Thanks

 

[mundaremom]

Good question, I would like to know as well!

 

[tomjhansen]

You receive tickets at the will call window (Guest services or ticket booth number 5 if guest services is closed - both outside the park). If it rains, you can return the tickets for a full refund.

It's worth the money.

 

[disneegrl4eva]

If it rains, you can return the tickets for a full refund.

yep and you still get to eat the dessert buffet

 

[mundaremom]

Get out, money back and still get All You Can Eat Buffet?! Disneyland is heaven!!!

 

[Dis Ohana]

I've been debating whether or not to book the balcony on our next trip. When we were there last Dec, it was unusually busy and they actually closed entry to the park for a while. There was a rumor that some people had Fantasmic reservations were not allowed back in to see the show. Anyone know if this is true?

 

[XTinabell]

I'm actually just wondering where you purchase the balcony tickets in the first place? I read somewhere a "special window" but that's not very helpful.

 

[SamIAm21]

Nope you can call the main Disneyland number and purchase your tickets 30 days in advance (which is what I recommend). You pick them up at the "very special" Guest Services window which is left of the entrance turnstiles in the plaza outside the park. All you need is a photo ID and the credit card you purchased the tickets with. Check in with the host/hostess about an hour before the Fantasmic show. You can then go do something else for an hour, come back and proceed up to the balcony.

Have fun...

ps. if you miss out on the balcony seats, the riverside seating is just as fun with the dessert buffet as well.

 

[thmar]

Check in with the host/hostess about an hour before the Fantasmic show. You can then go do something else for an hour, come back and proceed up to the balcony.

That's great...I wasn't sure if you had to check in then just wait on the balcony for an hour...Thanks for the info.

 

[ScooterL]

We just did this Saturday night - if you have balcony seating there really isn't much of a check-in process - they didn't take our names or anything when we arrived there, though a little later they started collecting tickets from people. Although they told us to be there 45 minutes before the show started they didn't start seating people until 30 minutes before the show, and seating had nothing to do with when people arrived at the Gallery or turned in their tickets - there were a number of people who arrived after we did that were seated before we were.

If you want balcony seating you MUST call right at 8:00 a.m. 30 days before, and even then you might not get it.

It's expensive, but I think it's worth doing at least once! It was a terrific view of the show, plus we had a good view of the fireworks afterwards, though we couldn't see the castle.

 

[HydroGuy]

If you want balcony seating you MUST call right at 8:00 a.m. 30 days before, and even then you might not get it.

I have never done this myself, but know someone who followed this advice and got burned. She called exactly 30 days in advance and was told she was one day too late for the day she wanted. Depending on the month, sometimes you need to call 30 days in advance, and sometimes 31.

I might do this in 2007, and if I do I will call 32+ days in advance and find out whether the 30 days or 31 days applies.

 

[disneegrl4eva]

I have never done this myself, but know someone who followed this advice and got burned. She called exactly 30 days in advance and was told she was one day too late for the day she wanted. Depending on the month, sometimes you need to call 30 days in advance, and sometimes 31.

I might do this in 2007, and if I do I will call 32+ days in advance and find out whether the 30 days or 31 days applies.

that stinks.....Im doin premium this time...done the balcony but I want to experience both

 

[Dis Ohana]

Although they told us to be there 45 minutes before the show started they didn't start seating people until 30 minutes before the show, and seating had nothing to do with when people arrived at the Gallery or turned in their tickets - there were a number of people who arrived after we did that were seated before we were.
.

How is seating determined then? Is it in the order of ticket purchase?

 

[thmar]

How is seating determined then? Is it in the order of ticket purchase?

I'm wondering the same thing! Hopefully someone knows the answer to this one.

 

[SamIAm21]

Speaking only to the riverside seating, it is the first people to get to the podium in the hour before Fantasmic get their pick of seats. As people come to the podium, the seats are filled. I was there exactly an hour before and people were already there. It was fine though, given that it was just me and my daughter, we were able to get some great seats!

The balcony may be totally different though!

 

[DLovinFam]

How is seating determined then? Is it in the order of ticket purchase?

Yes, I believe balcony seating is determined by the order of ticket purchase. My family wasn't the first ones to arrive but we were the first seated right in front. I believe Vacation Planning must have been the first to call on our behalf that particular morning.

 

[LittleWoodenHead]

How is seating determined then? Is it in the order of ticket purchase?

I can confirm that. I just did balcony seating last Friday (my first time!). When I picked up my ticket, Guest Services told me that I didn't have to get there too early because seating was already assigned based on purchase order.

There were about 14 people waiting at the balcony steps when I arrived (about 25 minutes prior to the show), yet I was one of the first two parties to be seated - right in front, at the railing!

 

[Dis Ohana]

I can confirm that. I just did balcony seating last Friday (my first time!). When I picked up my ticket, Guest Services told me that I didn't have to get there too early because seating was already assigned based on purchase order.

There were about 14 people waiting at the balcony steps when I arrived (about 25 minutes prior to the show), yet I was one of the first two parties to be seated - right in front, at the railing!

Did you use V.P. to make your reservations too? Maybe that's the key to getting a good place in line.
We are considering making balcony reservations on our next trip. We have never seen Fantasmic and it sounds like something not to be missed. Maybe someone can help me with this question: I suffer from panic attacks in large crowds so I usually avoid the parades and leave the park when it gets too bad. I really want to see F! though, and I'm wondering how it is on the balcony. I was thinking that it would be far enough removed from the general crush of people that it wouldn't be too bad for me. Anyone else have this problem?

 

[thmar]

Yes, I believe balcony seating is determined by the order of ticket purchase. My family wasn't the first ones to arrive but we were the first seated right in front. I believe Vacation Planning must have been the first to call on our behalf that particular morning.

Did you make you reservations through WDTC and ask for this at the time you booked?

 

[LittleWoodenHead]

Did you use V.P. to make your reservations too? Maybe that's the key to getting a good place in line.

I called the Park direct at (714) 781-4400 the week before I went. They had just added Fantasmic shows on Fridays, so there had been no 30-day advance purchases. I lucked out.

Maybe someone can help me with this question: I suffer from panic attacks in large crowds so I usually avoid the parades and leave the park when it gets too bad. I really want to see F! though, and I'm wondering how it is on the balcony. I was thinking that it would be far enough removed from the general crush of people that it wouldn't be too bad for me.

You are seated well above the crowd. The balcony itself, though small, only seats 20 people - so it is not crowded at all.

The only thing you might consider is getting to New Orleans Square fairly early. As it gets closer to showtime, the crowd on the ground grows considerably thicker. It was a bit of a chore making my way through them to even get to the balcony stairs. (But then, I was making my way from Main Street for the 10:30 post-Fireworks show.)

It is well worth doing - at least once!