Fantasmic Desert seating?

[Disney Dreams]

I don't know if this helps much, but here is a picture of one of the areas with reserved seating.

On a separate note, the fireworks are M U C H better from Main Street, but, yes, you can watch them from the riverfront.

- Dreams

 

[Ariel224]

Here's the dessert box.

Expect that you will hardly make a dent in it and have a plan for getting the boxes back to wherever you are staying at the end of the night....the boxes were a lot larger than we expected, and we had 6 of them! It took us a week to eat through everything.

Contents: chocolate truffels with some sort of caramel and cream filling, purple (very sweet) grapes, Babybel and regular cheeses, crackers, flourless chocolate cake (very rich and gooey), cheesecake with chocolate Mickey head, lemon tart, shortbread cookie with raspberry filling.

 

[Ariel224]

Could anyone tell me how many seats are available for the preferred viewing? In other words how many chairs are set up for Fantasmic? Ok, just checked the schedule for the fireworks and F when we are there, some have said you can sit and watch fireworks after F. The fireworks are at 8:40p and F's first show is at 9, so does that mean if we get there early enough for dessert, at least 30 minutes like other have said we will see the fireworks from our chairs before F at 9. Thanks.

There are 75 seats per show.

 

[princess lovers mom]

do you stay seated for the show? looks like you may need to stand to see over the railing??

 

[Raindown]

do you stay seated for the show? looks like you may need to stand to see over the railing??

You stay seated. However, the last row has the option to stand. The railing isn't too high, for me. The side railing in that picture appear higher than the one actually in front of you and different chairs are used now. I do find the railing too high when you sit at the river's edge but, I think some people like a face through the bars experience.

 

[Ariel224]

do you stay seated for the show? looks like you may need to stand to see over the railing??

Okay, here is a very bad picture I took while sitting in my seat (front row) waiting for the show to start.

Bear in mind that the camera flash makes the railing read as white. In reality, when everything goes dark for the show, the railing is black, and disappears from view, as your focus is beyond it. I didn't feel that the railing interfered with my view at all.

For additional perspective, the little lights you see above the railing in the distance are the stage area.

Or, like the PP said, you can choose back row seats and stand if you wish.

Forgot to add.....they space the groups of chairs in such a way that you won't have one of the stone pillars right in front of you.

 

[princess lovers mom]

do those people below you stay seated too or is a little girl going to pop up on some shoulders in front of us?

 

[Ariel224]

do those people below you stay seated too or is a little girl going to pop up on some shoulders in front of us?

They are seated. And they are a lot lower than the picture would have you believe, as the area is terraced and you are a level above the riverfront. You don't need to worry. The CMs attending you work very hard to make sure it is a premium experience. My party was split in the front and second rows. My DS didn't want the front row. Instead he wanted to sit in the 2nd row with my DH. Our server came over and told us that if it turned out that DS couldn't see, they would move the chairs into one of the open areas and make it so that he can see. There is a sizeable open area behind the back row to park strollers and rework the chairs if needed. Unlike WoC, DLR really does this one right!

 

[princess lovers mom]

They are seated. And they are a lot lower than the picture would have you believe, as the area is terraced and you are a level above the riverfront. You don't need to worry. The CMs attending you work very hard to make sure it is a premium experience. My party was split in the front and second rows. My DS didn't want the front row. Instead he wanted to sit in the 2nd row with my DH. Our server came over and told us that if it turned out that DS couldn't see, they would move the chairs into one of the open areas and make it so that he can see. There is a sizeable open area behind the back row to park strollers and rework the chairs if needed. Unlike WoC, DLR really does this one right!

thank-you - you have relieved my fears - it seemed a bit pricey for "dessert", but we are doing this the week after Christmas - and are doing anything we can to beat the crowds!

 

[pearlieq]

While I imagine this is a godsend for crowded times, DH and I did it on a low crowd night and on the whole I don't think it was really worth it.

We were there on Sunday, Nov 14th. Tickets were still available for the second show a week beforehand and as it happened our section wasn't even full.

We lined up to check at about 7:40 for an 8:00pm check in time and I think we were maybe the 4th or 5th party in line. We got seats 1 and 2, which were in the front row.

After that we were free to wander around until 9:45, so that was fine, but having to wait in line to check in seems to somewhat defeat the purpose of buying the package. Why can't they just assign seats on a first-come, first-served basis when you call to book?

Once we got there, the view from our seats was darn near perfect. The host was pleasant and quickly brought our boxes and drinks. As others have said, the boxes are waaaaaay too big for one person. I'm a pretty good eater and I maybe ate 1/5 of all that I had. The lids from the boxes don't fit well, so it was a little awkward to have to try to balance the leftovers and carry them out.

As I was eating, I looked down at the seating area in front of me. There were seats available right up until showtime. Granted, you would have had to sit on the ground, but they were $120 cheaper and the view was still pretty darn good!

I don't really regret doing it, but I don't think I'd ever do it again, especially during low season. There didn't seem to be much of a valuable benefit.

 

[Ariel224]

While I imagine this is a godsend for crowded times, DH and I did it on a low crowd night and on the whole I don't think it was really worth it.

This right here is the key. When we went (Sat 11/20), it was supposed to be a very crowded day, but the rain kind of changed that. Since my kids can't stay awake for the second show, and wouldn't have done well just waiting around for hours to save spots for the first show, this was the most efficient way to ensure that they saw it. In reality, due to the rain, we probably could have gotten a decent spot by waiting it out, but there was no way to predict ahead of time that that would be the outcome. The rest of the family got to stay in DCA riding rides while I waited to check us in. It worked out really well for us.

 

[wdwmickey]

We did this as a special treat for DD's birthday in August and I have to say it was the highlight of our trip! We went to the first show and watched the fireworks from our seats while drinking the yummiest hot chocolate As prevously stated the dessert box is huge! and has lots of variety, the CM's take care of your every need (DD felt very special). I'm so happy we sprung for this experience.

 

[Pearl_Mirror]

Does anyone know if you can go to guest services and get tickets to the dessert buffet the same night? Of if you can get them at guest services at all? I know it would be a far stretch that it would be available but I am just wondering, since even when I call at 8 am I am on hold for an hour and I can't stay on the phone because of work.

 

[Raindown]

Does anyone know if you can go to guest services and get tickets to the dessert buffet the same night? Of if you can get them at guest services at all? I know it would be a far stretch that it would be available but I am just wondering, since even when I call at 8 am I am on hold for an hour and I can't stay on the phone because of work.

As long as the show is not sold out, you can get same day tickets at City Hall for sure, and probably guest services as well. If your going during a time when attendance is higher, the first show has a higher chance of being sold out. It might be a good idea to head to City Hall first thing in the morning if you plan to buy same day.

 

[Pearl_Mirror]

Thank you soo much. I really figured it was just a calling thing, so now I am a bit more excited.

Thank you again.

 

[ArchOwl]

So, hubby and I have been going to Disneyland for a few years now and have an anniversary trip coming up soon. Reading the information here on the Dis was the first I had ever heard of the Fantasmic dessert. We have never seen the entire show, mainly because we don't want to carve out hours of the day to save a seat.

But I guess I was wondering if we buy the tickets (and they are still available), do we really have to check in so early? It kinda defeats the whole purpose. I don't really need to sit in the front row, I would be ok with the back row. If that is the case, could I check in at 8 instead of waiting in line earlier?

Secondly, since we are going in February which isn't really high season, do you think it is worth it? Or would we be able to watch it fairly easily without booking the dessert?

Any advice would be helpful! Thanks!

 

[sierranevada]

So, hubby and I have been going to Disneyland for a few years now and have an anniversary trip coming up soon. Reading the information here on the Dis was the first I had ever heard of the Fantasmic dessert. We have never seen the entire show, mainly because we don't want to carve out hours of the day to save a seat.

But I guess I was wondering if we buy the tickets (and they are still available), do we really have to check in so early? It kinda defeats the whole purpose. I don't really need to sit in the front row, I would be ok with the back row. If that is the case, could I check in at 8 instead of waiting in line earlier?

Secondly, since we are going in February which isn't really high season, do you think it is worth it? Or would we be able to watch it fairly easily without booking the dessert?

Any advice would be helpful! Thanks!

People stand in line so early to get front row seats. If you are okay with back row, go ahead and line up at 8 pm. Quite frankly, I think all the seats are good and it is such a special way to see Fantasmic! - especially for an anniversary trip!

 

[DahliaRW]

When we went dh waited in line for an hour. Two days later when we staked out spots (we were right in front) it was 3 1/2 hours of switching off and on to "guard" that spot. So it does make a difference. Of course, if you don't care about front row in the dessert section you wouldn't have to wait at all.

 

[Praise2Him]

We did it January 14 (so slow season) - got in line at 7:20 and were the first seats in the 2nd row. It was perfectly fine and a great view. So you should be okay waiting to check in, especially if you don't mind being in the back row (which would still be a great view, I think)

 

[ArchOwl]

People stand in line so early to get front row seats. If you are okay with back row, go ahead and line up at 8 pm. Quite frankly, I think all the seats are good and it is such a special way to see Fantasmic! - especially for an anniversary trip!

When we went dh waited in line for an hour. Two days later when we staked out spots (we were right in front) it was 3 1/2 hours of switching off and on to "guard" that spot. So it does make a difference. Of course, if you don't care about front row in the dessert section you wouldn't have to wait at all.

We did it January 14 (so slow season) - got in line at 7:20 and were the first seats in the 2nd row. It was perfectly fine and a great view. So you should be okay waiting to check in, especially if you don't mind being in the back row (which would still be a great view, I think)

Thanks for the advice! I think I will see if there are any tickets left. It sounds like a special way to celebrate our anniversary.

Any recs for first or second showing of Fantasmic?