Fantasmic dining or DAS

[amykathleen2005]

Was thinking of doing the fantasmic dining package to have seating for fantasmic in beginning of Dec. However we will be getting a DAS pass hopefully. Does that give any preferred seating for the show so the package is not needed?

 

[DLgal]

No. DAS doesn't work for shows.

 

[HopperFan]

Was thinking of doing the fantasmic dining package to have seating for fantasmic in beginning of Dec. However we will be getting a DAS pass hopefully. Does that give any preferred seating for the show so the package is not needed?

No one has info for sure until it starts BUT based on past experience the DAS only got us in the FP+ now Lighting Lane. We had to follow to whatever section the CMs were sending us too. Once to the section they are sending us we could pick any open seat. Standby was sent to another area. There should be handicapped seating across the whole back of theater if you need mobile accessible seating. Dining Packages have a reserved area. We did it a couple times but as the food offered as well as price changing we shifted to FP+ or Standby. My concern now is the demand that will be there Standby might be tough, we have been shut out from getting in before that way.

My big question is now that they have ILL ability will they sell prime seats via that avenue in addition to the Dining Packages?

 

[TwoMisfits]

Since at this point, you have no certainty you will get a DAS, and if you do that DAS will work for this experience (since it doesn't normally work for shows), I would suggest booking a Fantasmic Dining Package if you must see the show and waiting for the show in line is impossible for your party.

 

[SueM in MN]

DAS does actually work for shows, at least at WDW
My family has used it for Festival of the Lion King, Nemo, Frozen Sing-a-Long, Indiana Jones, Bird Show at AK and the night time Rivers of Light show at AK while it was in existence.
DAS Return Time for shows differs from DAS Return Times for rides in several ways.
1) The show DAS Return Time has a window with beginning time and an end time
2) The show DAS Return Time is for a specific show, so if you come after the end time, you probably won’t get into the show
3) if you need wheelchair/ECV accessible seating, it may be all gone if you come toward the end of the window

My family had the same past experience with using DAS for Fantasmic as HopperFan reported. It allowed entry using the Fastpass entrance, but not specific seating area.

We needed wheelchair seating for one wheelchair and were directed to an accessible spot in the back row, with space for one companion next to the wheelchair. The rest of our group were directed to sit in the row below. The entire back row was wheelchair/mobility device seating, but a section of the back row was part of the Fantasmic Dining Package.

No one knows how Fantasmic will work now, so I agree with the others that booking a Fantasmic Dining Package might be the most choice if you feel seeing it is important to you

 

[Debbie Jean]

DAS does actually work for shows, at least at WDW
My family has used it for Festival of the Lion King, Nemo, Frozen Sing-a-Long, Indiana Jones, Bird Show at AK and the night time Rivers of Light show at AK while it was in existence.
DAS Return Time for shows differs from DAS Return Times for rides in several ways.
1) The show DAS Return Time has a window with beginning time and an end time
2) The show DAS Return Time is for a specific show, so if you come after the end time, you probably won’t get into the show
3) if you need wheelchair/ECV accessible seating, it may be all gone if you come toward the end of the window

My family had the same past experience with using DAS for Fantasmic as HopperFan reported. It allowed entry using the Fastpass entrance, but not specific seating area.

We needed wheelchair seating for one wheelchair and were directed to an accessible spot in the back row, with space for one companion next to the wheelchair. The rest of our group were directed to sit in the row below. The entire back row was wheelchair/mobility device seating, but a section of the back row was part of the Fantasmic Dining Package.

No one knows how Fantasmic will work now, so I agree with the others that booking a Fantasmic Dining Package might be the most choice if you feel seeing it is important to you

So would I be correct in assuming, at least at this point, that if I am in a scooter, there is no advantage for me in a dining package? I’ll be solo this trip so no others to worry about.

 

[SueM in MN]

So would I be correct in assuming, at least at this point, that if I am in a scooter, there is no advantage for me in a dining package? I’ll be solo this trip so no others to worry about.

I haven’t seen anything that indicates exactly where the dining packages section will be.
In the past, it as an entire section from front row to back and the back row was mobility device spaces. What I observed in the past was that they didn’t seem to open those spots to general mobility seating if the general area was full. But, not sure what they will be doing now

We never did a Fantasmic dining package that I can remember (maybe Mama Melrose once). I don’t know if they ask whether you need accessible seating ahead of time.