Fantasmic dessert seating

[RweTHEREyet]

Does the CM start checking in people as soon as they set up? it sounded to me from what I have read that they show up, the line forms, but they don't check folks in until 7:00 or so.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

All three times we were there the CM showed up around 7, and checked us in promptly at 8pm.

 

[Raindown]

I'm subscribing, looking forward to hear if it is still working the same way Friday and Saturday. I'm giving this my first crack at it Sunday. Going to watch Magical then use the seats for the second showing.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

All three times we were there the CM showed up around 7, and checked us in promptly at 8pm.

And that makes a lot of sense, doesn't it?

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Heck no, it doesn't. I'm in the camp that wants seats assigned when the tickets are purchased, or another alternative would be to assign the seats when we pick up the tickets. At least we'd get the line out of the way earlier in the day instead of during our visit to the Land.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Yeah, what she said.

 

[jacksdaughter]

Heck no, it doesn't. I'm in the camp that wants seats assigned when the tickets are purchased, or another alternative would be to assign the seats when we pick up the tickets. At least we'd get the line out of the way earlier in the day instead of during our visit to the Land.

I agree, just has never worked that way.

H

 

[wendypooh22]

Well, I'm sorry to let you know this embarassing factoid about me, but I don't even have a laptop. I'll have my iphone with me though. Can you access these boards through there?

Shawn in AK

I have a droid and access the boards thru my web browser.. I haven't seen a DIS APP (yet)

Heck no, it doesn't. I'm in the camp that wants seats assigned when the tickets are purchased, or another alternative would be to assign the seats when we pick up the tickets. At least we'd get the line out of the way earlier in the day instead of during our visit to the Land.

I agree with you Mary Jo!!

 

[MeRSiamese]

rolleyes1
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mary Jo
"...I'm in the camp that wants seats assigned when the tickets are purchased, or another alternative would be to assign the seats when we pick up the tickets. At least we'd get the line out of the way earlier in the day instead of during our visit to the Land."
--------------------------------------
I agree with you as well Mary Jo!!
We are going in August and I cannot believe for that price, so much of our precious park time will be wasted standing in yet another line!
(To have to get there 2 hours early to wait to "sign in" after you've already picked up your tickets at Guest Services that same day seems just ridiculous and totally unnecessary!) Why on Earth can't they do it all at once?
There doesn't seem to be any good reason to make you stand in yet another line (you probably had to stand in one at Guest Services already!) to check-in (all over again) and select seating!
For such a high-cost premium "event", you would think they would come up with a much more efficient (and pleasant) way to issue seats. :-(

 

[sierranevada]

All three times we were there the CM showed up around 7, and checked us in promptly at 8pm.

I just want to emphasize what Mary Jo said. We do this almost every time at the parks. Yes, the CM usually shows up around 7 pm but does not and will not check you in until 8 pm. The check in line starts to queue up around 6ish so if you get there around 6, you will be standing in line for 2 hours. At 8 pm, the CM starts check in. She will check each parties tickets - make sure you have all of them, show you a seating chart and you pick you seats. The whole group does not have to be there - just someone with all the tickets. She will write the seat numbers on the tickets - at that time, you can leave and you are free to come back anytime. They start actually seating everyone at 8:30 and distributing the desserts and drinks. Even if you are late, you will still be seated.

I just don't want people to think that if you line up at 6, you get checked in at 7. They are very strict about starting the check in process at 8 pm. And by 8 pm, there will be quite a line.

BTW, you can also pick up your F! tickets at the front desk if you are staying onsite.

I really do not understand why they don't assignment the seats when you buy the tickets to avoid all this queuing up to wait!! If you don't mind the back row, you should be fine getting the the check in line later.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Back row is exactly what I do want, so I am not going to worry about being there at 6 to line up.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

what seats are best to get? dose any one know?

 

[MeRSiamese]

BTW, you can also pick up your F! tickets at the front desk if you are staying onsite.

I really do not understand why they don't assignment the seats when you buy the tickets to avoid all this queuing up to wait!! If you don't mind the back row, you should be fine getting the the check in line later.

The news about picking up the tickets at the hotel is WONDERFUL and I didn't know that! Thank you!

Also... what if you decide that you just don't want the extra hassle/time wasted to stand in line just to pick out where you sit... Can you just show up with tickets in hand to check in at the time of the show instead?

Or would they actually give your pre-paid seats away?

 

[blackjackdelta]

what seats are best to get? dose any one know?

Jade, we like the front as best as possible. Nothing between you and the mouse.

Jack

 

[sierranevada]

The news about picking up the tickets at the hotel is WONDERFUL and I didn't know that! Thank you!

Also... what if you decide that you just don't want the extra hassle/time wasted to stand in line just to pick out where you sit... Can you just show up with tickets in hand to check in at the time of the show instead?

Or would they actually give your pre-paid seats away?

It is nice, the tickets are been there when we checked in the last few times and it is just one less place to have to stand in line!

They won't give away your seats but you would just be stuck with whatever is left. But I would not get there any later than 8:30 to be safe.

 

[MeRSiamese]

Thank you - I'll be very glad to at least have one less line to stand in.

On that thought, though... Is there anyone that has done this Preferred Dessert seating for Fantasmic lately - like within the past few weeks?
All the posts I read are from several months ago - and I am really really hoping that Disney has perhaps changed the procedures for this and standing in line just to choose seats isn't still the routine...?

We've moved our trip up to July (our original trip was scheduled during the re-opening of the blocked out pass periods - GASP!) and I'm trying to scramble to get all the planning/rezzies/itineraries in place as soon as possible!

THANKS AGAIN!!

 

[Raindown]

I did it Sunday. You still have to check in and I recommend you do get their early, especially if you book the 9PM show (first show).

I booked the second show because I wanted to watch the fireworks then head over for our reserved seating. I think the package was worth it. I really really like they include some real food besides just dessert. You get cheese and crackers and grapes. It is not a dinner substitute, but after eating dinner at 6, it was a nice snack.

 

[so_oregon]

we did on Friday, May 28th.....told to pick up tickets anytime at Guest Services at City Hall.....picked them up at like 11 a.m. when a.m. lines had died down....

told to report at 8 p.m. to podium. We got there (upon reading this board) at 7:15ish as we wanted front row with little ones. We were fifth in line (and actually three of the ones in front of me were for the LATE SHOW!!!). anyway, got the seats assigned and were told to go have fun for a while and then come back anytime after 8:30. Attendants very attentive. The 3 year old dropped his box immediately and they brought another one right over. Checked on us every five minutes to see if we wanted any more coffee, hot cocoa, soda, etc. We sat there and watched the fireworks after.

However, I missed it, but one of my party saw it...a woman stopped and went OFF on the attendants, wanted to know what the roped off section was for, didn't like the answer and started screaming what a bunch of [edited] Disney was to charge for seating...apparently it was quite the show. (I had been the line sitter and had gone off to find the bathroom and couldn't get back to the area without going to Adventureland --warning, all traffic is one-way immediately before the show starts and the women's bathroom is at the wrong end of that one-way route.... anyway, apparently the fireworks before the show shook up CMs as well, as I heard discrete discussion about her.

 

[Raindown]

Attendants very attentive.

I too found that to be the case. We ended up slipping our attendant a generous tip.

 

[jodeja]

If you don't mind the back row, you should be fine getting the the check in line later.

We will be doing this for the first time June 17. I am debating whether we will spend the 2 hours (from 6 - 8pm) waiting in line or just show up at 7:45ish. (Well, everything may be 20 minutes ahead of schedule since F! is 20 min earlier due to Grad Nite)

I have 2 questions about showing up late:
*I have 2 kids (11 and 9)- will they still be able to see if we are in whatever the "leftover" (undesirable) seats are?
*Is there any chance that we won't get seats together?

Unfortunately, since it's just the 3 of us we can't have 1 person stay and wait in line while the others play.

I am thinking about letting the boys bring their ds's so they can play games while we're in the 2 hour line. It will be a shorter park day since it's our arrival day.
When we went last year, we showed up and hour and a half early to stake out spots to watch. We sat on the ground next to someone who drove to the park that day and had already been there for an hour and a half before us. We thought we had great seats that were worth waiting for... until about 10 minutes before the show when our area got flooded with people cramming in right in FRONT of us and neither of my kids could see the show. I tried to alternate holding up one kiddo then the other, but they were 10 and 8 years old and my puny arms gave out in 5 minute increments THIS is why I gladly paid for the seating this year! And I have a sweet tooth - can't wait for that dessert box!