Just a note from a "frugal spender" -- we strongly considered this option for our trip last September but I just couldn't bring myself to pay the money for us all (me, husb, my mom, and 2 kids 5 & 2). Especially when I read that the seating is rowed and people start lining up to get their reservations at 4 pm. I was worried we would get seats in a middle or back row and my young daughters wouldn't be able to see. So this is what we did, my mom & I arrived early (around 4 pm - before the Main St parade) after spending the day at CA. We got second "blanket row" seating next to the fence off center facing the left center area of the island. There were already quite a few other people with blankets lining the center/offcenter front right up against the fence. My husband had my 2 daughters and kept them playing while my mom & I put down the blanket and played cards. When my husband came over from CA the parade was going and he watched it with the kids then joined us. I went and bought dinner for all of us and then we took a bathroom break. It is hard to get around the crowds so it helps to pick a spot right near a set of steps because you have a pathway to get in and out. We had one last bathroom break before the show and the crowds were completely insane by that point. We stayed after and watched the fireworks from our spot. I am very happy that we did not spend the money on the dessert seating because this all worked out quite nicely for our family and saved us big bucks. We did spend 5 days at the park so it didn't matter that we missed a few rides while waiting. Also, the Tarzan treehouse is right by there so we took the kids through it while we waited for the show to begin. So, if you are watching your money and have a person who is willing to wait, it can be done.