Fantasmic! Fastpass!

[2tinkerbell]

Personally, I don't see this as a stepping stone to FP+. DLR has a different visitor profile than WDW. I can't see a local, frequent visitor, AP holder being too keen on deciding when they are going, let alone what attractions they want 30-60 days in advance. I also see how the Fantasmic FP is something that is not too attractive to the local, frequent visitor AP holder. If I live close to the DLR and had an AP, I could easily see myself taking my family on a Friday night to view Fantasmic, if that was something that was important to us. I could easily see how we would be one of those dreaded families that would camp out for 1-2 hours.

I am just willing to wait it out to see how this change plays out. We are going in May 2015 and hopefully there will be some reviews along with some good "how to's"

 

[DahliaRW]

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.

Though they can have CMs that police the area and don't allow people to line up before a certain time (and it seems like that is the plan). If I'm remembering right, they were saying the FP opens an hour before the show, so I'd be surprised if they let people line up more than a half hour prior. That means that it's 1 1/2 hours wait instead of 3-4 (and yes, I have camped out for 3-4 hours on a blanket, swapping with my dh to take the kids on rides).

I'm hoping with the BB FP that the whole area will be decent viewing and we can truly avoid waiting long at all...But we'll see.

 

[5forMickey]

I'm hoping with the BB FP that the whole area will be decent viewing and we can truly avoid waiting long at all...But we'll see.

me too me too (crossing my fingers)

 

[Davey Jones II]

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. Well, call me crazy, but losing a lot of sleep is not my idea of theme park fun.

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.

The last time we were at DCA, we showed up about 30 minutes before the show. We got a nice view. The fast pass worked.

 

[figment_jii]

Right. Well, call me crazy, but losing a lot of sleep is not my idea of theme park fun.

On long trips I usually plan one sleep in day, but on short trips (~less than five days) I want to maximize my time in the parks. So I get there at rope drop and stay until closing. I think it's worth it to get in as many things as possible. Besides, during the slower parts of the year, the parks have shorter hours, so doing the full day and getting to sleep at a decent time is not that hard to do. The longer hour day are only Fri to Sun, so that's not that bad.

This is getting off the topic of the thread, so I'll just chalk it up to the fact that it's clear we have two very different touring styles and points of view.

I'm hoping with the BB FP that the whole area will be decent viewing and we can truly avoid waiting long at all...But we'll see.

From everything I've read, it sounds like the BB viewing area will be seated (on the ground), which hopefully means everyone will be able to see. At least the elements on the stage should be above the sightline so most everyone should be able to see over the guests in front of the. That's the biggest problem with standing only viewing areas, like WoC. I feel like shorter folks (adults and children) are at a disadvantage because you can't see down to the water, if you can't see over the person in front of you!

 

[MouseEXP]

Funny thing is that you can currently get a pretty good sitting viewing spot if you show up an hour and a half before the first show starts (730pm). That is with no Fastpass.

When the Fantasmic FP starts you will of course need to get to the park early enough to get a FP, then be near the viewing holding area 1 hour to 30 minutes (7pm-730pm) before the time posted on the FP ticket. Just like it currently is for the World of Color show.

However, there is no guarantee that all of the regular FP guests will even be able to sit on the floor during the show.

Then the guests with the regular FP for the second show (1030pm) will need to get there 30 minutes before their FP return time shows in order to get a good view of the show. Just like it is for the World of Color show.

Which means you will probably hear the whole first show and miss having a good view of the fireworks.

It all seems unnecessary to me.
Just remove Fantasmic FP, but add the River Belle Terrace and Blue Bayou Dining packages.

Then make a rule that you cannot camp out until an hour to hour and half until showtime for the first show at 9pm.

 

[DahliaRW]

From everything I've read, it sounds like the BB viewing area will be seated (on the ground), which hopefully means everyone will be able to see. At least the elements on the stage should be above the sightline so most everyone should be able to see over the guests in front of the. That's the biggest problem with standing only viewing areas, like WoC. I feel like shorter folks (adults and children) are at a disadvantage because you can't see down to the water, if you can't see over the person in front of you!

Yes, BB is seated right in front (I asked when I called). We actually booked a WOC package yesterday. We're going with 5 kids, it'll probably be my nieces only trip to DL as kids, so it seemed worth it to not have to waste time to try to get a good spot in the general area, but rather have less people to compete with in the dining area...We'll see how it works out...

 

[grnflash]

Hi. Just caught up on this thread and the AP aspect of F! camping. I have an AP and even if I was a local, can't ever imagine trudging a big ole blanket into DL and camping out in walkways for hours. But that's me. Others clearly feel differently. And as much as I do not like the camping, at all, I don't actually think the campers - AP or otherwise - are doing anything wrong. Not a thing.

I think Disney gets an awful lot right at DL. But not this, the camping. But my dislike lies squarely on Disney's shoulders, not on those with the blankets. Disney has allowed the camping. Perhaps not officially, but clearly in practice. Which is their right to do, it's their park. And therefore it has been the right of guests who do bring blankets to camp out.

So I'm happy Disney is fixing something I see as a problem. And I also hope the former campers find ways in the new set up to enjoy the show.

 

[pelagoram]

Delete

 

[GeneralTso]

Huh. Interesting. I think FP could help, like it does over at WOC.
Fantasmic isn't all that fabulous to me. I've seen it many times, usually by walking by as it starts. I'm not one that would wait for it.

I also don't think that people that stake out spots and wait for hours are "hogging" all the good spots. If they choose to use their time waiting there and the show has value to them, they deserve those spots. They put in the time, they get to sit there and watch from that spot.

I don't ever expect to view from that spot because I don't care that much and I won't wait. I hold nothing against those that do, nor do I feel they are impinging on my experience AT ALL.

 

[dnamertz]

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....

No, and I've never had to wait 3 hours. Maybe if you want the best seat in the house, but you usually don't need to wait much longer than an hour for a decent spot. And never more than an hour for the 2nd show (if you're there on a night with two showings). As someone else said, they might let you in with your FP an hour before, but if there are people camped out now for 3 hours, they will be camped out in the line with their FP 2 hours before the entry time.

 

[pudinhd]

Additional details released on the Disney Blog...

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2014/12/a-dining-experience-fantasmic-at-disneyland-park/

 

[figment_jii]

My family that's in DLR this week, sent me this photo! The FP machines were out (not in use) today near Big Thunder. There were three of them. It'll be interesting to hear how it all goes tomorrow!

 

[mom2rtk]

My family that's in DLR this week, sent me this photo! The FP machines were out (not in use) today near Big Thunder. There were three of them. It'll be interesting to hear how it all goes tomorrow!

Too funny. We walked right past those being rolled out from the backstage area and had no idea what were. Now i know!

 

[VandVsmama]

Many thanks to the person who posted the link to the Mouse Planet article about the Fantasmic! changes. I had no idea that they were getting rid of the dessert packages.

Our family has never seen World of Color for 2 reasons:

1. the show is a tad late in the day for our kids
2. I don't want to wait standing up for an hour and a half in order to watch a 20 minute show

We have never seen Fantasmic! either because of all of the camping out that people seem to do. I didn't really want to have to bring in a blanket to DL that day and sit on the pavement for 2-3 hours ahead of time. No thanks.

DH loves the Blue Bayou, so the next time we go to DL, we just might spring for the BB dining package. The other dining packages are good options, too. I kind of like how DL has given multiple pricing options. Before, it was $60-something per person for the dessert package, but that included a chair. Or with World of Color, you pay an arm and a leg for your dining package and you still have to stand up the whole time. My kids are short, so what's the point? An extra $200 just to stand up. No thanks. But sure, I'll pay $200 to eat dinner at the Blue Bayou (when we were planning to eat there anyway), get a cushion to rest my sore behind on, and a guaranteed place to sit so I don't have to camp out 3 hours before the show.

 

[figment_jii]

Today's Parks Time Guide announces the start of the F! FP. Nothing that really hasn't already been announced (FPs are along the Big Thunder Trail, starting from Park opening). I guess there is also a flyer outlining the options.

Front, Top

Front, Bottom

Back, Top

Back, Bottom

 

[figment_jii]

Some more information...the FP distribution location is about 50 ft from the entrance to Big Thunder Jamboree/Ranch. Like WoC, you cannot select which show you want to see and the FPs start with the first show (so 8:45 pm today). They still have FPs for the 8:45 pm show and if those don't run out, it might mean no FPs for the 10:45 pm show.

 

[GatorChris]

I may have mentioned during or after my trip that the Orange County Register interviewed me while waiting for Fantasmic! They wanted to know what I thought about the new FP system that was coming. We talked for about 15 minutes....and I got one quote right at the end of the story! HA! And I even got my picture in the story. Well, kinda. We're picture #3 and you can see my wife and kids and the back of my head. Just too ugly for print. Anyways, here's the story.

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/fantasmic-644929-disney-disneyland.html

 

[HydroGuy]

I may have mentioned during or after my trip that the Orange County Register interviewed me while waiting for Fantasmic! They wanted to know what I thought about the new FP system that was coming. We talked for about 15 minutes....and I got one quote right at the end of the story! HA! And I even got my picture in the story. Well, kinda. We're picture #3 and you can see my wife and kids and the back of my head. Just too ugly for print. Anyways, here's the story.

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/fantasmic-644929-disney-disneyland.html

Go Chris!

 

[disneyobsessed808]

Oh, I guess I wasn't paying attention but I thought the dessert party was going to be a dessert buffet, not just a sampler. That's pretty disappointing.

I'm eager to see the food at River Belle Terrace.