Fantasmic! Fastpass!

[GatorChris]

I read over on MiceChat today that the president of operations over DLR has suggested that Fantasmic! start utilizing a FP system for seating areas. Since it seems to have worked well for World of Color, they want to use it over at DL.

Can I say that I love this idea! One of the things I miss about WDW is being able to show up for the show 1 hour before, walk into a giant arena, and get a good seat (all seats are good seats there). I'm not a fan of DL's version where I need to show up 3 hours early on a Friday evening to grab a good seat....on the ground. Laying out a blanket and one person waiting while the rest of the team heads off to rides - that's just so un-Disney. Hope this happens and happens sooner than later.

 

[figment_jii]

Sorry, as someone who has just gotten back from WDW and FP+, where almost everything seems to have FPs, I'm not sure I like this idea. I guess it all depends on how much of the viewing area is dedicated to FP, how they enforce it, how much roping off of areas it requires, how they distribute FPs, etc.

 

[krispin41]

That area is so congested as it is, I see this failing miserably.

 

[4Mickeys]

I'm not sure it would make that much difference to wait times, as DL Fantasmic area does not have stadium seating. World of Colour has the Fastpass but that just means you get allocated an area ,it does not ensure a good view. You still have to line up early to get the prime positions.

 

[vladimir p]

no!!!!!! please no!!

 

[SMD]

Sorry, as someone who has just gotten back from WDW and FP+, where almost everything seems to have FPs, I'm not sure I like this idea. I guess it all depends on how much of the viewing area is dedicated to FP, how they enforce it, how much roping off of areas it requires, how they distribute FPs, etc.

I don't see it working for this reason. The WOC viewing area isn't high traffic and it's set apart from the walking path. The F! area is the walking path.

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

I love this idea! They would obviously have to rework the cobblestone Frontierland path directly adjacent to the Rivers of America as well as the stairway area further back to make it work. I doubt the area would be able to be used as it is laid out now. But if they could successfully rework it, that would mean both Fantasmic! and the entire west side of Disneyland would finally be navigable after dark again on a show night.

 

[GatorChris]

Wow! Surprised at the response. So everyone here actually likes having to lay out a blanket 3 hours before the show to ensure a decent seat....

Yes, I know WOC is a mess, but that's because of the whole standing issue, which is totally lame. But with F!, you get to sit while you wait and sit for the show. If I could get a FP that says: Show starts at 8pm, Seating starts at 7pm, line forms at 6:30pm, that gives me an extra hour+ of park time without having to rush and sit on the cement for a 3 hour wait like I have to right now. Trying to see how this is a bad thing.

 

[Butterfly123]

I really don't want one more FP I have to worry about getting early in the day if I want to see the show in the evening. I like being able to decide late in the day if we want to view Fantasmic that night, or go on a different night. Or if we have spent the day in DCA still being able to hop over to see Fantasmic in the evening without worrying about if we have a FP for it.

Having to do this for WOC is enough...I wouldn't want to have to do it for Fantasmic, too.

 

[mom2rtk]

Wow! Surprised at the response. So everyone here actually likes having to lay out a blanket 3 hours before the show to ensure a decent seat....

Yes, I know WOC is a mess, but that's because of the whole standing issue, which is totally lame. But with F!, you get to sit while you wait and sit for the show. If I could get a FP that says: Show starts at 8pm, Seating starts at 7pm, line forms at 6:30pm, that gives me an extra hour+ of park time without having to rush and sit on the cement for a 3 hour wait like I have to right now. Trying to see how this is a bad thing.

Except that the pre-line would likely start before 6:30.

I'm skeptical they can make this work.

 

[Tigger Trainer]

I have no doubt that the magicians in crowd control can make the crowd flow work, just as they have over the last 20 years. My question is how do they keep people in and how do they keep people out? Also, where do hey have the space for a pre line? I would say that perhaps Pooh will see more traffic as that is one of the only locations with space. Line the people up and walk them all the way down to the location, which can cause a mess. I am sure Disney has thought of all of this and I am interested to see their solution.

As a side note I would say that this sounds like some pre-MyMagic+ prep as they would need to figure this out for the Fastpass+ offerings.

 

[figment_jii]

My question is how do they keep people in and how do they keep people out?

If they used a system similar to the one WDW uses for parade FP viewing (which is the closest analogy I can think of), it involves stationing CMs inside the reserved viewing area and having them police the rope lines. They try to catch anyone ducking under the ropes, but they miss some folks, especially when it gets really busy.

As a side note I would say that this sounds like some pre-MyMagic+ prep as they would need to figure this out for the Fastpass+ offerings.

That is exactly what came to my mind as well!

 

[goooof1]

YIKES!! Cannot even imagine how they could do that!!!!....hope they get their heads screwed on right before they try this mess. That entire area is a congested WALKWAY. It would take massive destruction to make space for seating....???? and that would ruin the entire portion of the park.
TERRIBLE IDEA !!!!
I have never had to sit on a blanket for 3 hours to get a good view of Fantasmic! There are plenty of spots for good views with minimal waits.

 

[GatorChris]

Of course, they could simply reduce the crowds of Fantasmic! if they offered it nightly. When WOC goes down next year for a lengthy refurb, F! is supposed to be nightly according to VP Mary Niven, as "World of Color has now set a precedence for nightly spectaculars even on slow winter weekdays".

I remember when WDW limited F! to just two days a week, that park became super crowded and the it's was very difficult to see the show. Once it returned to nightly, seeing the show was fairly easy and convenient. I would love it if F! went nightly. Then we wouldn't need a FP.

 

[Tigger Trainer]

Of course, they could simply reduce the crowds of Fantasmic! if they offered it nightly. When WOC goes down next year for a lengthy refurb, F! is supposed to be nightly according to VP Mary Niven, as "World of Color has now set a precedence for nightly spectaculars even on slow winter weekdays".

I remember when WDW limited F! to just two days a week, that park became super crowded and the it's was very difficult to see the show. Once it returned to nightly, seeing the show was fairly easy and convenient. I would love it if F! went nightly. Then we wouldn't need a FP.

I think the issue here is not the problems it may create during the off season, but rather how it will effect the big crowds of late June, July, and August. We will have to wait and see.

 

[Jerryp49]

They could limit the FP for Fantasmic to 2000 and queue them on the path by Big Thunder BBQ No FP , then don`t get in the queue. Then lead them like they do at rope drop at RRS to the viewing area. Those without FP can view outside the viewing area , same as WOC, but keep the walk paths open.

 

[HydroGuy]

I read the Fantasmic! FP article yesterday with intereste.

There are reasons why F! FP would work better than WOC FP, and reasons why it would work worse.

Here are my initial thoughts...


BETTER

1. The F! viewing area has far more good viewing spots than WOC. All of the sitting area has great viewing spots. The standing area is very spread out and works better for adults for sure.

Thus a FP system to different viewing sections will not create the pent up demand like does WOC because there is lesser need to be first into your viewing section at F! WHich further means the need to queue 90 minutes in advance like WOC would be much reduced.


WORSE

2. The queuing for WOC has much less impact on the park that any such queuing at F! I mean, where would people queue?


3. F! can handle 9,000 viewers while WOC can handle 4,000. See #2. Where would these additional 5,000 people queue? Much less, the other 4,000?


4. When WOC has two shows the queues are located further away near GRR. DCA has space for this. At DL, where would a queue for a second show be located where it was not in plain view of the first show? In the Adventureland gauntlet by IJA and JC?

The only possible place I can think of is the Big Thunder Mountain walkway to FantasyLand.

 

[grnflash]

I'm so excited to see what they come up with!

We're super go-with-the flow people, none of the usual DL pet peeves bother us (like line cutters, sudden stoppers, stroller bargers.) Except for the carpet camping. It's not about the conjestion, which will presumably just form elsewhere. It's the 3 hour+ ambiance-killing picnic area the riverside turns into before the first F! showing. Some of the full size blankets are even left empty. More commonly there is a "guard" giving the stink eye to passerbys who may be stepping too close to their blanketed territory.

So I'm willing to learn a new F! viewing gameplan (and chokepoint avoidance strategy) if only to get the river area back for a couple hours.

 

[MouseEXP]

If the reason to bring Fastpass to Fantasmic is to remove the campers that usually start at 5pm-530pm for the 9pm show. Why would you even need a Fastpass?

You can tell the campers that the camping rules have changed and you cant start saving a spot till say 7pm.

You can tell the campers that they need to line up in a designated area at 7pm. Of course those campers will be lining up at the designated spot hours ahead of time anyways. Just like they do now for World of Color.

The majority of the campers are Annual Passholders that only come for the Fantasmic show. They treat it like a picnic and show. They come at 5pm-530pm, they lay out their blankets and then go get something to eat.

If you add FP then those/most Annual Passholders won't be able to watch the show.

However, there are some guests that leave their blankets and then come back much closer to showtime. Disney needs to be a bit more aggressive here and remove these blankets if no one is watching them. This can easily be mentioned by a Cast Member to those guests setting up blankets.

Then you have the whole issue of the second show, plus the mass of guests that come from the Firework show on Main Street to see the second show of Fantasmic.

My recommendation:
Change the camping rules for the first show, where they can only setup at 7pm-730pm.
The second show will remain first come first spot.

Now of course if this is really for a test of Fastpass+, then they should just modify the River Belle Terrace and use that area as the FP+ viewing area.

 

[pudinhd]

Breaking news on The Disney Parks Blog...

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...tions-coming-to-fantasmic-at-disneyland-park/

Disneyland park guests will be able to experience the popular nighttime spectacular “Fantasmic!” with new viewing options beginning December 12. Similar to the options for “World of Color” at Disney California Adventure park, “Fantasmic!” will feature reserved and stand-by viewing as well as several all-new dining packages. This new reserved viewing will give guests more time to enjoy other entertainment and attractions across the Disneyland Resort.

Beginning December 12, a “Fantasmic!” FASTPASS will be required to gain access to the show’s reserved viewing space. Beginning at Disneyland park opening, “Fantasmic!” FASTPASS distribution will take place along Big Thunder Trail in Frontierland. They will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis until one hour prior to show time or while supplies last, whichever comes first. Each “Fantasmic!” FASTPASS will indicate the assigned showtime, suggested return time and assigned viewing section. Also, a non-ticketed area will be available in the “Fantasmic!” viewing area each night for limited stand-by viewing on a first-come, first-served basis.

Guests will also have the option to receive a “Fantasmic!” FASTPASS with the purchase of new “Fantasmic!” dining packages, including dinner at Blue Bayou Restaurant, special table-service seating at River Belle Terrace, a new dessert party at Hungry Bear Restaurant, on-the-go options and more. Check out all of the new “Fantasmic!” dining packages here. (http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/fantasmic-dining-packages/)

Reservations for December 12 and beyond will be available for booking beginning November 12. Space is limited for these experiences, so advance reservations are recommended online at disneyland.com or by calling 714-781-DINE (714-781-3463).