Fantasmic! Fastpass!

[figment_jii]

The situation with Fantasmic! at DL has been borderline intolerable for years. The locals, who have all seen the show zillions of times, selfishly hog all the best viewing areas. They leave the scraps for the tourists, who may never get another chance to see it. Either that, or you can stay awake for the later show, despite the fact that it's almost mandatory to get there at rope drop to beat the crowds!

Why don't the tourists grab spots on the ground for hours, just like the locals do? Glad you asked. We're paying big bucks to be there (flight+hotel+tickets, etc., etc.) and have precious little time in which to do everything we want. It would be crazy to waste hours and hours for one show. But for fanatical locals with APs, who can cherry pick the times they enjoy this and that event at DLR, it's no big deal if they don't have time to do much else that day. They live in Cali; they never miss anything.

That's why Fast Pass for this show is highly overdue. It gives someone else a chance to see the show with a good view, without putting a huge cramp in their precious, scarce vacation time.

I can tell that you're feeling frustrated about having trouble seeing Fantasmic!, but I don't think it's fair to blame everything on the AP holders. That's too common a crutch here on the Disboards...something is busy/crowded at DLR, so it must always be the AP holders' faults. Yes, there are a lot of AP holders, but you also have to remember that during the busier times of the year, half of the AP are often blocked and often times all but the top tier of AP holders are blocked. So on Saturdays, the crowds at F! have to be due to a combination of AP holders and tourists.

As for paying "big bucks" you have to make choices. I make those same choices when I go to WDW or DLR and if it's something I want to see enough, then I'll invest the time. It's not that much different than standing in line for hours to ride some attraction.

So, while I am curious to see how the FP system works out at DL and am hopeful that it will improve the flow of traffic around NOS, I don't agree that AP holders should be considered "selfish" or blamed for all of the problems with F! viewing.

 

[bumbershoot]

I completely agree with you. I wish Disney would hurry up and add Magic Band and FP+ to Anaheim.

The idea makes me ill. What a curse to wish on dlr.



I find it amazing that people know where others are from and how they got into the parks, just by walking by.

We've seen fantastic three times and only once have we waited, and that was for much less than an hour. And we were dreaded passholders (we were never "APs" as that would mean we are the form of admission which is weird) at the time, though not the even more dreaded "locals".

 

[sweetpee_1993]

The situation with Fantasmic! at DL has been borderline intolerable for years. The locals, who have all seen the show zillions of times, selfishly hog all the best viewing areas. They leave the scraps for the tourists, who may never get another chance to see it. Either that, or you can stay awake for the later show, despite the fact that it's almost mandatory to get there at rope drop to beat the crowds! Why don't the tourists grab spots on the ground for hours, just like the locals do? Glad you asked. We're paying big bucks to be there (flight+hotel+tickets, etc., etc.) and have precious little time in which to do everything we want. It would be crazy to waste hours and hours for one show. But for fanatical locals with APs, who can cherry pick the times they enjoy this and that event at DLR, it's no big deal if they don't have time to do much else that day. They live in Cali; they never miss anything. That's why Fast Pass for this show is highly overdue. It gives someone else a chance to see the show with a good view, without putting a huge cramp in their precious, scarce vacation time.

I feel where you're coming from but to be fair I'd also consider that the locals who live in CA often have a higher cost of daily living just to be locals. So where we drop a large sum over a week they're paying thru the nose every day.

Also, I'm an AP holder (deluxe) & I live in Texas. Been to DL parks exactly 6 days on my passes purchased last April. Will get 5 more days use before they expire. The large #s of APs aren't just locals. The limited number of days on the multi-day passes dictate that # as well. So, yep, I'm an AP dropping $$$$$ for my room at GCH, food, plane tickets, etc. etc.

In simple terms, DL has a popular nighttime show with limited space that they only show a limited number of nights per week. I applaud them for trying things to alleviate the crush. I think with the attendance numbers being strong with less "slow" times they're next step should be more shows more nights during the week.

 

[5forMickey]

I don't agree that AP holders should be considered "selfish" or blamed for all of the problems with F! viewing.

I agree, it's not just AP holders. We go once a year, have never been AP holders, and my Mother is one of the biggest snake eye given blanket staken outers there is.

And as far as "selfish", I guess I don't get why anyone who took the time to arrive somewhere first and do what is necessary to have a good view of something they enjoy so much should be considered "selfish" because they don't yield their spot to someone who shows up 5 minutes before something starts and is upset because they don't get as good of a view.

While I'm not defending my Mother's behavior, the fact that both her and my dd are 4' 10" at best has a lot to do with why she go's to such lengths to secure her spot.......she is unable to see around those "selfish" tall people that exist She is also "choosing" to give up that precious limited park time that she could be doing something else because that is what is MOST IMPORTANT to her on her trip.

I guess I am excited to see how the new system works because I also hate the camping out that my Mother and others do, and now she will have a different way to accomplish being in the front and able to see the show. But I don't think it fair or correct to blame only the locals or AP holders for taking all the good viewing spots.

 

[Minnie Loves Mickey]

I am waiting to hear how all of this works out, I am one of the ones who will stake out a spot!!! I will do this if I have just bought a reg. park ticket or if I have an AP does not matter, I love the show! and yes I will do the package and get front row seats:good vibes I do wish it had stayed the same but life goes on.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I am waiting to hear how all of this works out, I am one of the ones who will stake out a spot!!! I will do this if I have just bought a reg. park ticket or if I have an AP does not matter, I love the show! and yes I will do the package and get front row seats:good vibes I do wish it had stayed the same but life goes on.

This.

That's because the show means that much to you. It's your thing. If someone really loves something they'll do what it takes, ya know? If you're a big F! fan or seeing that show means that much I say do what you must to stake that spot & enjoy. Recently when friends & I were at WDW/MK we had like 4 things total we wanted to do most during our 1 day, one of which was seeing the Festival of Fantasy parade. We staked our spot on the curb on Main St. over an hour early because it was THAT important. To others still hitting attractions it must not have been as big a priority. Not a thing wrong with that.

 

[DahliaRW]

I completely agree with you. I wish Disney would hurry up and add Magic Band and FP+ to Anaheim.

I actually LOVED FP+ when we went to WDW last January. We had no issues, and we could plan our day around the FP (and get more if we wanted). With the return windows being enforced at DLR, it'll be hard to have a plan until we pull the passes. I'm not liking that. And magic bands were so convenient. I didn't have to carry around my credit card and worry about it getting stolen, I left it locked in the room safe! The PINs on the magic bands made it hard for someone else to pick up and use if I did drop it somewhere, unlike a credit card where anyone could pick it up and use it if the CM is not asking for ID!

 

[figment_jii]

I actually LOVED FP+ when we went to WDW last January. We had no issues, and we could plan our day around the FP (and get more if we wanted). With the return windows being enforced at DLR, it'll be hard to have a plan until we pull the passes. I'm not liking that. And magic bands were so convenient.

I too like parts of FP+ (the ease of using the MB, being able to select FP+ online), but I did not like the fact you had to pre-select your FP+s 60- or 30-days in advance if you wanted FP+s for the most popular attractions/shows. With the current system, I like the fact that everyone has equal access/chance at getting the most popular FPs (e.g., RSR, Space, F! (when it starts), etc.). As long as you are willing/able to get there at opening, you'll most likely be able to get a FP for some time that day. At WDW, if you don't set-up your FP+ in advance, you aren't going to get the most popular FP+s (e.g., Peter Pan, 7DMT, A&E, Wishes, MSEP, etc.). Basically, I found that FP+ was great in some ways, but made the trip very rigid/inflexible in other ways. For example, we wanted to swtich our MK and AK days, but we couldn't because there were no more 7DMT, A&E or Peter Pan FP+s available for any time in our trip. So, in that way, you get locked into a schedule and can't necessarily change it without having to forgo FP+s for some attractions.

Given the hesitation about the F! FP here, can you imagine how it would go if you told folks they had to reserve the FP weeks or months in advance? At least there would still be standby (hopefully, though WDW toyed with no standby line for TSMM at one point).

 

[Davey Jones II]

I stand by my statement in post #97. I've visited DLR five times since 2008. In all that time, I never get better than a decent view of Fantasmic! because of the hogging of the best viewing spots hours in advance. I get a pretty good view if I stay for the second show, but then I can kiss off rope drop the next day. I don't go during peak tourist season, so it's obvious who is doing the hogging. Maybe 5% of those people are from out of town?

After 20 years, why is Disney finally putting F! on the Fast Pass system? My guess is that they are tired of the complaints from tourists who get frozen out of the best viewing spots every damn time.

On our recent WDW visit, we grabbed good viewing spots for the Electrical Parade 45 minutes in advance, because it was a priority for us. That's less than an hour (and the MK was BUSY on Electrical Parade days). Perhaps more to the point, we took our seats for F! at DHS an hour in advance. We got an excellent view with a minimum of sweat (usually we go in 30 minutes before the show, but the crowds were pretty heavy this October).

For F! at DL, you have to spend 3-4 hours or more waiting for one show. So you have to choose between lousy choice A (allocate way too much of your scarce vacation time for one show) or lousy choice B (settle for a mediocre/bad view of the best show at the resort).

Now (finally!) we will have a third option: grab a fast pass, like you can with WOC. Bring it on.

P.S.: I'm not trying to bash all Cali locals. I meet up with some of them when I'm there, and there are definitely great people in Cali. But there is also a contingent of AP holders who have an attitude of entitlement and are contemptuous of tourists visiting "their" park.

 

[figment_jii]

I stand by my statement in post #97. I
know the situation at DLR because I've visited once every couple years since 2008. I never get better than a decent view of Fantasmic because of the hogging of the best viewing spots hours in advance. I don't go during peak tourist season, so it's obvious to me who are the ones who are doing the hogging.

I suppose then this is one of those "agree to disagree" type of things. I still don't think it's fair to blame everything on the annual passholders. Just because you go in the less busy times doesn't mean that the crowds are entirely the passholders' faults. There are plenty of weekend blockout dates throughout the year. Not to mention, there are tourists in the parks throughout the year, contributing to the crowds. It's a combination of things, so hopefully FP will improve the situation...for everyone, tourists and annual passholder alike.

For F! at DL, you have to spend 3-4 hours or more for one show. So you have to choose between lousy choice A (allocate way too much of your scarce vacation time for one show) or lousy choice B (settle for a mediocre/bad view of the best show at the resort).

I haven't had this type of experience. I've gone in various months throughout the year (February, May, September, October, November, December) and I've never waited 3 to 4 hours for a good viewing spot.

I should add that I'm not one of those passholders that stake out a viewing spot hours before the show. I tend to go see the second show, if there is one. So, it's not that your comments are about me personally, but I do feel like you're attacking annual passholders as if they're a single collective group.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Hasn't attendance across the board gone up? I hear a lot if people, locals included, say there's no true "slow" times anymore. I haven't been to DL enough to make that observation but I've definitely watched this happen at the FL parks over the years. If the attendance is going up maybe the whole addition of FP to F! is an effort to manage their guest flow better. Maybe in the past FP wasn't needed but maybe it is now. I don't know. I don't see Disney making changes because it amuses them. That wouldn't make any sense. Right?

 

[Davey Jones II]

I suppose then this is one of those "agree to disagree" type of things. I still don't think it's fair to blame everything on the annual passholders. Just because you go in the less busy times doesn't mean that the crowds are entirely the passholders' faults. There are plenty of weekend blockout dates throughout the year. Not to mention, there are tourists in the parks throughout the year, contributing to the crowds. It's a combination of things, so hopefully FP will improve the situation...for everyone, tourists and annual passholder alike.


I haven't had this type of experience. I've gone in various months throughout the year (February, May, September, October, November, December) and I've never waited 3 to 4 hours for a good viewing spot.

I should add that I'm not one of those passholders that stake out a viewing spot hours before the show. I tend to go see the second show, if there is one. So, it's not that your comments are about me personally, but I do feel like you're attacking annual passholders as if they're a single collective group.

Yes, you can see the show pretty well if you go to the second showing of the night. But, when you're vacationing at DLR, rope drop is a priority unless you're going at one of the very few "quiet" times of year (which hardly seem to exist anymore). So if you were there at rope drop, you'll be half asleep by the time the second show goes on...and forget about making rope drop tomorrow, unless you want to be half asleep all day!

 

[sweetpee_1993]

So, it's not that your comments are about me personally, but I do feel like you're attacking annual passholders as if they're a single collective group.

Same here. I don't feel as if the disdain is directed at me even tho I am a pass holder because I'm not a local. I hope to be an example that not all pass holders are the same so generalizing might not be fair. APs aren't all the same.

 

[Davey Jones II]

Same here. I don't feel as if the disdain is directed at me even tho I am a pass holder because I'm not a local. I hope to be an example that not all pass holders are the same so generalizing might not be fair. APs aren't all the same.

Right. Please read my "P.S." at the end of post #109.

 

[AmberStar]

I did not like the fact you had to pre-select your FP+s 60- or 30-days in advance if you wanted FP+s for the most popular attractions/shows. With the current system, I like the fact that everyone has equal access/chance at getting the most popular FPs (e.g., RSR, Space, F! (when it starts), etc.). As long as you are willing/able to get there at opening, you'll most likely be able to get a FP for some time that day. At WDW, if you don't set-up your FP+ in advance, you aren't going to get the most popular FP+s (e.g., Peter Pan, 7DMT, A&E, Wishes, MSEP, etc.). Basically, I found that FP+ was great in some ways, but made the trip very rigid/inflexible in other ways. For example, we wanted to swtich our MK and AK days, but we couldn't because there were no more 7DMT, A&E or Peter Pan FP+s available for any time in our trip. So, in that way, you get locked into a schedule and can't necessarily change it without having to forgo FP+s for some attractions.

Given the hesitation about the F! FP here, can you imagine how it would go if you told folks they had to reserve the FP weeks or months in advance? At least there would still be standby (hopefully, though WDW toyed with no standby line for TSMM at one point).

YES x 1000. I do not want fastpass + for the lack of its flexibility. Granted with the A&E meet and greet and now fantasmic all falling into fastpass systems I am scared we are heading that way. I am terrified that all character meet and greets will go to this fastpass system. I just love the random spontaneity of never knowing who you will bump into.

 

[figment_jii]

Yes, you can see the show pretty well if you go to the second showing of the night. But, when you're vacationing at DLR, rope drop is a priority unless you're going at one of the very few "quiet" times of year (which hardly seem to exist anymore). So if you were there at rope drop, you'll be half asleep by the time the second show goes on...and forget about making rope drop tomorrow, unless you want to be half asleep all day!

Just to clarify, I do sometimes see the first show and I am usually at the parks at rope drop (to ride either TSMM or get an RSR FP). I guess I just don't see being there at rope drop and staying for the second show as being a problem; it fits in with my touring style, but we do "pay" for it when we got home. Lots of sleeping in then!

Right. Please read my "P.S." at the end of post #109.

Glad you added that. I do really hope that adding FP to F! will make things better for everyone at Disneyland.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Right. Please read my "P.S." at the end of post #109.

I gotcha. But really, entitlement issues are never pretty I don't care who or where you are. ((Like the article I read today about an awful 21 yro woman suing her estranged parents for out-of-state college tuition because she's entitled to that. Really?!?! People are crazy sometimes!))

If someone chooses to camp for a show for 3 hours then it must be that important to them. Their prerogative. I could camp out that long, too. I just choose not to. I don't find it unfair, personally, because that was 1 less person in line in front of me for an attraction (or several attractions!) while they were elsewhere sitting. You know? I don't really think of it in terms of groups who feel entitled. It's just people who choose to do sonething. As long as they aren't breaking any rules and all then I'm good. I don't pay that much mind to others to really care. Just me.

I've heard of the types of people you described. I've seen APers who felt that sense ownership and I've seen tourists who feel they should get more because they paid so much to be there. There's jerks in all walks of life. We just quietly have a laugh & move along.

My oldest son when he was a little guy out of the blue totally nailed it one day when he witnessed someone being a jerk: "Boy, we must be playing the jerk game and he's winning!" Yep. That happens.

 

[nicolispicoli]

I don't think it matters who is filling up those spots as long as they came early to stake them. Local AP holders or not. If they took the time to come stake out that spot, they are entitiled to it.

I am an AP holder, but I live in Sacramento and only get 10 days or so out of my deluxe AP. I don't think it's fair to say it's just AP holders. I feel sorry for tourists who don't follow a site like this and don't know the ins and outs of F! to know they need to give up precious time to stake out a spot because that's what others do (AP/Local, etc.).

Because I do follow disboards, I know I would never want to wait an hour, two or more for a F! spot, so I purchase the dessert seating when I want to watch F!. My days/hours at DLR are just as precious and limited as any other tourist that travels from further away, so that's my solution.

While I am bummed to see my easy out disappear, forcing me to spend more, at least I have options if I really don't want to sit and wait for hours.

 

[Blue32]

After 20 years, why is Disney finally putting F! on the Fast Pass system? My guess is that they are tired of the complaints from tourists who get frozen out of the best viewing spots every damn time.

My guess is it has WAY more to do with $$ than with this reason.

BTW...I am not an AP but I would be willing to wait 3 hours for this show if it meant a prime spot and meant my kids could see. Also, I don't think the FP will eliminate the waiting. You are likely still going to need to line up quite early to get the best viewing spots, just like at WOC.

 

[MouseEXP]

My guess is it has WAY more to do with $$ than with this reason.

Also, I don't think the FP will eliminate the waiting. You are likely still going to need to line up quite early to get the best viewing spots, just like at WOC.

Exactly X2