fantasmic entrance with ECV

[jodywgirl]

My husband was in a bad accident several years ago and broke his leg in several places and it never healed right. He cannot walk long distances so we will be renting an ECV for our vacation. At Disney Hollywood Studios will we have to wait in the normal line for Fantasmic or is there an alternate entrance.

 

[honugirl]

I always go with the Fantasmic Package with one of the restaurants. You're guaranteed seating and you generally get a decent meal (except for the Brown Derby, ugh). That means you don't have to line up, they have parking for ECV's in the back and then you can pick your bleacher seat. If you stay in the regular line I do not believe there is an alternate entrance because I always see ECV's come right up with the rest of the crowd...

 

[Vijoge]

Unless you're going at a really busy time I wouldn't bother with the dinner package. There is plenty of ECV seating available. (And we did love the food at the Brown Derby!)

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Just use the regular entrance. When you actually get into the theater you and your party will be escorted to an area in the back row. There are several seats and then space for two chairs or ECVs; this repeats all the way through the back row of the theater. The row immediately in front of that special row is reserved for overflow for members of the party who cannot sit right next to the wheelchair/ECV.

 

[SueM in MN]

We have been to Fantasmic even in very busy times (like Spring break) and have not had a problem getting in with a wheelchair.

You will see people start lining up in front of the entrance to Fantasmic pretty early (like starting an 90-120 minutes before the show). It's NOT necessary to join that line up.
About 1 hour before the show actually starts, the CMs open the gates and let people begin coming into the amphitheater area. The 'mob' that had been waiting outside will start going in as one large, slowly moving mob of people. Within a few minutes, they will all be in the amphitheater area and it will be much easier for the next guests to get in. So, don't try to go in until you can see the line moving. People using wheelchairs and ECVs should stay to the right (unless you are directed by a CM to go somewhere else). Before you get to the actual seating area, you will be met by a CM and escorted to a spot.
The seating for people traveling with wheelchairs/ECVs and other special needs who want to sit in the back is in the last row of the amphitheater. There are a lot of ECV/wheelchair spaces in the last row, with one companion seat next to each. The rest of your party will sit in the row(s) directly ahead of where the ECV/wheelchair is parked. The seating is the same for people using ECVs and wheelchairs whether or not you are using a Dinner Package (i.e. wheelchair and ECV users park in the back row).

One other suggestion - when the show is over, take your time leaving. The majority of the audience will try to get out quickly. This means it's very crowded and congested. We always wait until the crowd has thinned out considerably before we even try to move. We also usually do not go out using the path that mosts guests are taking (all the way across the top; the same way we came in). We usually follow the path that the guests who used the dinner package used to get in - go all the way across the amphitheater toward the exit. Once you get to the end of the row of seats, look for a ramp that goes all the way down to the front of the amphitheater and go down that toward the 'stage'. You will find a path on your right that will take you out of the area and toward the front of the park. YOU WILL be in a backstage area that goes by the back of the Beauty and the Beast theater; that's where you are supposed to be. Just keep following the path around and it will take you back into the front of the park area.
This thread shows some maps made by a posted called Robo that show what I described.

 

[KPeveler]

we always get the dinner package, but we like to eat at hollywood and vine. this time, however, we cant get a reservation.

also, i have a difficult time waiting in mobs - lines are no problems, but i cannot handle moving in a mob.

if i had a GAC, would it be possible for me to wait off to the side or go through the dinner package entrance or something? believe it or not, i am eating at H&V earlier in the day, so i am still spending money there, and i will be sitting in the back row with my wheelchair, so i am not in hte "reserved' section... i try to get there after the crowd starts moving, but last time i got pushed and tripped over and kicked, and it set off all my sensory problems... any ideas?

 

[cmwade77]

I would recommend calling back and seeing if the dinner package has become available, you never know. Also, when eating at Hollywood & Vine, ask if you can make it a Fantasmic! package (I have seen others with ADRs do that there and they checked and had space open and did it for them when I was there lat time, so you never know, the worst they can say is no right?)

As far as getting in, I wouldn't worry too much though, shouldn't be too hard.

 

[Sandy321]

We were there last of October - and I was surprised the Dinner Pkg people go in the same entrance as everyone else - but when you get to the top, those with GAC's, and FDP tickets went to the right for the usually first 2 bleacher sections...

When we exited, instead of going out the way we came in, we did leave the "old" way, but we didnt exit at the entrance - but down the back street - that confuzzled me!! (basically you end up merging with the crowd but further down after the Beauty and Beast street area) From what I recall - I just thought we'd be exiting out the main street since we went out the "back way" but I'm not good with directions!

It all worked out - I got there 45 min before show time, (with FDP but my friend was coming the week after with a GAC and asked me to scope it out for her - so I did ask a CM) and I noted for her on our night there was just one Fantasmic Show, and there were still plenty of seats 15 min before show time -

and if you had to leave to go to the restroom, they gave you an orange ticket... there were 2 CM's in this roped off entrance...

 

[KPeveler]

they are not offering dinner packages on the days we can have time to go to DHS - the only night is the same night as the xmas party!

My problem is mobs - i ALWAYS end up getting hurt by people. controlled lines are no problem, but mobs i cant handle (i stay in wheelchair viewing areas or wherever i am til the crowds are gone after shows and fireworks too)... hopefully things wont be too crowded!

 

[SueM in MN]

When we exited, instead of going out the way we came in, we did leave the "old" way, but we didnt exit at the entrance - but down the back street - that confuzzled me!! (basically you end up merging with the crowd but further down after the Beauty and Beast street area) From what I recall - I just thought we'd be exiting out the main street since we went out the "back way" but I'm not good with directions!.

You are correct.
When you go out the 'back way', it did used to lead to the Main Street area (if I recall right, it was near the wheelchair/stroller rental area).
When we went in October, we used the 'back way', but came out soon after passing the backstage area of Beauty and the Beast. We used the back way when we saw Fantasmic in April, but I can't remember where we came out exactly.
They are doing renovations to some of the shops near Beauty and the Beast on that same side of the street. My best guess is that the re-routing is related to that construction probably blocking access behind those stores. I would expect it to go back to the way it was once the construction is compete.