Fantasmic Dessert Seating Questions

[fidoprincess]

Tickets come to our hotel, right? That day or when we check-in to the hotel? We haven't done preferred seating for Fantasmic since they had the balcony so this is all new to us. I never even saw the chairs set up "in real life" so I appreciate any help you can give me.

What time do you check-in if you want good seats? Where exactly do you check in? I thought you checked in and got your seat assignment and then came back later to be seated at 8:30 so you can munch on your desserts before the show starts at 9:05 but someone recently said that they did not get their seat assigned until 8:30. That doesn't seem correct with everything I've read. I wish they just did it like the old balcony where they assign the seats in order of the calls. This is much more complicated.

What are the best seats to pick? Front row towards the right as you are looking at the island? If front row is already taken, what is second choice? Do you know where the "new" seats are since they expanded the seating recently? Are they just craming more seats in the same area or did they take more space to add seats? Are there any bad seats like on the balcony? We saw people so upset if they got squished into the back right corner of the balcony and truly that was a bad spot to pay money for.

Any tips or tricks while seated? How do you get your drinks? Are the boxes "cute" to save? Did you have lots of leftovers and wished you had a couple of baggies to save them for later? Since it is the first show and you can stay for the fireworks, how long can you stay after? Aren't people waiting to get seated for the next show?

Lastly, do people walk along the river there right in front of you while the show is going on? If so, do they block your view.

Thanks so much for helping me! DH is happy to pay for this but expects me to know the ins and outs of how to do it. He doesn't even know how much it costs but I figured out that it is $2.75 per minute per person. YIKES! I better not mess it up-lol.

 

[sierranevada]

I will try to answer as many of your questions as I can.

If you are staying at one of the DLR hotels, you get your tickets when you check in. If staying offsite, you pick them up at Guest Services - to the left of the main gates into DL.

I use to be OCD and get in line to check in about 6:45 to get front row seats. Last time, I waited until 7:30 and chose the back row and liked it better. You can spread your chairs out a little more. The check in area is across from the Haunted Mansion by the Churro cart. They will have a little podium set up. They start check in at 8 pm and when it is your turn, you choose your seats which are written on your tickets. Then you can leave and come back any time up until 9 pm. They start actually seating people at 8:30. As far as best seats, the CM is really great at helping your pick from what is available when you check in.

The CM's bring you your drinks and dessert box. They will bring you as many drinks as you like - I usually get hot tea and bottled water so you can get several drinks at a time. The boxes are cute - I always think I will save them but realistically don't. And we always have tons of leftovers - you can just reseal them in the box and take them with you - makes for nice treats during your stay.

And yes, you do stay in your seats for the fireworks. It is a nice view - not as good as on Main Street but hey, you are sitting in a real chair, nice treats and drinks!!!! We saw it when they were showing "Magical" and you can see Tinkerbell and Dumbo enough to enjoy them. We usually wait a few minutes after the fireworks before we get up - they don't rush you right out.

We did not have any one walking in front of us - crowd control routes them alternative ways. And anyone who tries to lean on the wall in front of you is ask to move.

Hope that helps. We really love it and do it almost every trip!

 

[fidoprincess]

Thanks Sierra, I appreciate your help and hope you don't mind a few more questions.

Do I understand you correctly that check in podium is next to the steps down to the river by the churro cart? Is it obvious and are the seats set up when you go to check in?

You went at 6:45 and waited until 8:00 before check in even begins just to get the front row? My DH expects me to get the front row-ack! Is the podium even there at 6:45 to line up? I guess that is not horrible when people are getting there at 5 and 6 to save spots with a blanket and as long as I have all the tickets, the kids can go ride rides but I don't know if I can stand there that long.
Maybe we'll just have to take turns on this one if they want the front.

So you haven't seen the new seats yet either?

Thanks so much! I know they will enjoy it. They used to be so scared to watch it so when I found out about the balcony, I booked it right away and then they loved it because they were up and farther back, well, that and I'm sure the "all- you-could-eat" desserts helped too. Now they are much older and we want to be close up!

 

[sierranevada]

Yes - you got the right spot for check in and it is obvious. The podium is set up and the seats are up and being finished. And yes, unfortunately if you want front row, you do have to line up early. I usually stood there with the tickets and the rest of the group got skewers from Bengal BBQ for us to eat and/or went on rides. You can also switch off waiting if you want.

I went on 6/22 but am not sure about new seats you are talking about.

 

[fidoprincess]

Thanks again, the new seats have just been added within the last few weeks from what I understand. If you went 6/22, maybe they were not there yet. I think someone said there used to be about 35 seats and they have added about 10 or 15 more? I am not sure but I saw some pics from a long time ago and there looked to be plenty of room to scoot your chair around to get a better view or be more comfortable. The seats did not look squished in like on the balcony. That is why I was wondering if they just added all the new seats to the same area and we will be more squished in or if they took over more space for extra seats. People are saying it is not as hard to get tickets anymore and some have even gotten them a week out!

I will keep your tip in mind and if we can't get front row, I will pick back row and then the kids can stand up if they can't see, right? Thanks again and I am so glad to hear that you love it and think it is well worth the money!