Fantasmic Diners not getting seats?

[jayhjay]

Has anyone arrived at least 30 minutes prior to showtime on the Fantasmic Dinner package and been unable to get seats (or at least good seats) in the reserved section b/c the general admission folks have already been let into reserved? I have been reading bits and pieces about this in various posts and I am trying to get a sense about how often this is really happening or if i am worrying over nothing.

I have ressies for the Fantasmic dinner in October and am only doing it to get good seats w/o waiting an hour in line. I would really prefer to eat at a more normal dinner time than I have been able to get on the package. So I am a little discouraged at reports that the package doesn't seem to be counting for much when getting seats (sounds like CMs are letting people into the reserved seats prematurely).

So I am curious, has anyone out there arrived (when they are told) for their reserved seats and had them already filled from the general admission line?

 

[kitty2kidz]

bump

 

[BethR]

We have never had a problem with getting seats, but I WILL say, that the section seems to be filling up earlier and earlier each time we go. I would not wait to only have 30 minutes before the show, I would go at least 45 minutes early.

I will admit that it is making me wonder sometimes how beneficial the plan is in saving time.

 

[Sorcerer Figment]

Still, I'd rather be sitting down for 30-45 minutes than spending that time standing in line...

 

[DeeDeeDis]

In late August we ate at Hollywood & Vine around 6pm, i did not order the fantasmic dinner package in advance but when our server came to take our order he asked if we wanted the package there was no extra charge for this benefit. We arrive just a little past the 30 minute mark and had excellent seats for the show

 

[ZanneMarie]

We skated in just before they closed the gate and practically ran to the seating area and when we got there all the reserved seats were taken. The CM I talked/complained to told us to hang on a minute, cleared out the handicapped seating (of non handicapped/non family of handicapped people) and after a few minutes sat us there. I felt kinda funny about sitting there but there were still some empty seats so I felt that if someone were in need there would be space availble, until anyways there were not seats anywhere. I felt like we might be getting some looks from others but..... I realize that we 'just' made it in time but since we were in time I did feel like there should have been seats. I am still going to try it again next trip (in 2 1/2 weeks!)-if they open up more seating times-and hopefor the best.

 

[jayhjay]

I am a little confused on how the lines work. When do they start seating for the general admission? Presumably well before the show starts if folks are arriving for their reserved seats 30-40 minutes out and the whole arena (including reserved) is already full. It must take a while to fill up all those seats. So I am trying to figure out how much would be standing outside in line time, versus how much time is sitting and waiting for the show if you are in the general admission line. Even if you are in line an hour before the show, it sounds like they must start seating folks close to then. Or am I misunderstanding how this works?

 

[HaleyB]

That is an excellent question. Anyone?