Fantasmic FP?

[JenniferFolsomCa]

If I do Rock and Roll Roller Coaster at 10, Tower of Terror at 11 and Star Tours at 12. Is it likely I might be able to get Fantasmic FP? If so, I know I can't use it until later in the evening so would that mean no FP all afternoon since I can't redeem it earlier on?

Jenn

 

[CAS239]

Yes. Usually very easy to get it later in the day. You can likely get it up until the showtime. So I would book others then grab Fantasmic FP an hour or two before the show.

If you get it right after your first 3 then you won't be able to select any other FP's

 

[JETSDAD]

It's easy to get later on in the day. I'd keep getting FP's through the afternoon prior to grabbing the Fantasmic FP as you would otherwise be blocked out.

 

[ericbansemer]

We've thought about a Fantasmic FP too because we were planning on doing the Mama Melrose Fantasmic Dining Package but it seems as though the latest reservation they book for that now is 3:00.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

You can get one not too far before the show on many nights.

 

[B. Shoe]

I've been considering this, also. We currently have a 3PM reservation at Mama Melrose's, which is honestly a time that DD10 and I never eat. We'll be there in October, and if crowds are genuinely lower as anticipated, I can't expect that we'd really *need* the VIP seating? And I can free those dining dollars up and maybe find something a little more cost-friendly in terms of an evening meal. Thanks for the info, everyone!

 

[greg9x]

Just know the FP just gets you a seat... Not necessarily a good one as we found out last trip.

 

[CAS239]

I've been considering this, also. We currently have a 3PM reservation at Mama Melrose's, which is honestly a time that DD10 and I never eat. We'll be there in October, and if crowds are genuinely lower as anticipated, I can't expect that we'd really *need* the VIP seating? And I can free those dining dollars up and maybe find something a little more cost-friendly in terms of an evening meal. Thanks for the info, everyone!

I would drop the dining reservation and just do FP for later in the day for Fantasmic.

I would only recommend doing the dining package if you already were planning on eating at one of those restaurants inside the park. If you are, then adding on the dining package is really a no brainer. But if you don't plan on eating at one of those restaurants or its too early for you, then I would save the money and eat elsewhere and just do standby or FP.

No matter which option, you'll still want to get to the theater early. My wife and I usually get there about 60 min prior to showtime and we usually grab a FP within 2 hours of showtime. The times that we've watched it this year and last year, the dining section gets about nearly full about 30 min prior. I'm saying this so you, or others, don't do the dining package then show up 5 min before showtime thinking you have a guaranteed seat then see the section full.

 

[CAS239]

Just know the FP just gets you a seat... Not necessarily a good one as we found out last trip.

What was wrong with your seat in the FP area? It's almost center in the stadium.

 

[greg9x]

What was wrong with your seat in the FP area? It's almost center in the stadium.

That's only for the dining FP I believe.. and I thought so too, and arrived a bit later thinking that in August...we were directed down the left side and ended up in 2nd section from end. Have always had center-ish seats just arriving earlier in regular seating and was dissapointed with the view from the side.

 

[Robo]

That's only for the dining FP I believe.. and I thought so too, and arrived a bit later thinking that in August...we were directed down the left side and ended up in 2nd section from end. Have always had center-ish seats just arriving earlier in regular seating and was dissapointed with the view from the side.

It’s not the FP that was the problem. It was your later arrival. If better seating is your goal, even if you have a Dining pkg or a FP, you should arrive 45 min or more before show time.
That’s just how these amazingly-popular shows fill.

 

[greg9x]

It’s not the FP that was the problem. It was your later arrival. If better seating is your goal, even if you have a Dining pkg or a FP, you should arrive 45 min or more before show time.
That’s just how these amazingly-popular shows fill.

Yes, I know... had never used the FP before on it and thought they kept a middle section for FP.. obviously was mistaken.. Before had always just showed up early and gotten a middle seat, so don't really see the value of FP if still have to show up early.

 

[Robo]

Yes, I know... had never used the FP before on it and thought they kept a middle section for FP.. obviously was mistaken.. Before had always just showed up early and gotten a middle seat, so don't really see the value of FP if still have to show up early.

What a FP+ for F! offers is more CHOICE in seating.

If you DO get a F! FP+, you can choose to sit in either the FP section (virtually the entire left half of the theater) or the Standby section (virtually the entire right half of the theater.)
So, whatever section has the better seating at the time you arrive, you can go there.
Without a FP, you can only choose a seat in the Standby section.

There is a very good chance that you can get a FP+ for F! as a 4th or 5th FP of the day because they issue SO MANY of them (enough to cover nearly the entire left half of the seating.) On many nights, it is possible that you can gat a FP+ for F! as you are walking to the theater.

As to when to arrive at the theater, I'd get to there 45-60 minutes before the show-time.
Even WITH having a FP or Dining Pkg. reservation, don't wait too late.

On busy nights, the CMs can stop holding the reserved sections within 20-30 minutes before show-time, and turn over any available seats to waiting walk-in guests.

Guests who learn how to take advantage of the various available "tools" and timing strategies will be able to take more control over their WDW experiences.
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Map Below-
Arrows indicate the center of the seating.
Shaded areas:
(First or Only F! performance of the evening)
Cyan= Standby (walk-in) seating
Red= Dining Package Reserved
Blue= FP+ Reserved
Purple= Can be either FP+ or Dining Plan Reserved, depending on needs.

(Second or Third F! performance of the evening)
Cyan= Standby (walk-in) seating
Red, Purple, Blue= FP+ Reserved
(Although much of the outer Blue will likely be used for Standby.)

 

[Haley R]

We went at the end of February and were able to get a FP for Fantasmic about an hour or two before the show started. I wouldn't be too worried. We showed up for the actual show about 30-45 minutes early (can't remember exactly) and they walked us down into rows. I believe we were in the Pocahontas section or close to it. We were in the front row which I would not do again. I think I had water in my eyes the entire show.