Fantasmic - How early do I REALLY have to get there?

[cruisnfamily]

I know there was a thread on exactly this subject very recently but I didn't read it because I wasn't considering doing Fantasmic. Now that I see MK is closing at 7pm I realize we will have a "free evening" during our trip.

OUr family has never done Fantasmic(don't even think they've heard of it!). But I thought it might be fun to do after MK closes if we're not too worn out.

So, tell me, is this doable? Head over to MGM from MK after closing and catch Fantasmic? We absolutely hate waiting in lines and on curbs for parades, etc. What if we just walked up around 8:30-8:45? Would we get seats? This would be on Tues 6/3.

I know someone recently questioned if the dinner package was worthwhile and I would definitely do that if we were going to be in the park that day but we won't be. We would be going over soley to view Fantasmic.

So, give me your advice. Should we do it?

 

[SuiteDisney]

If you're planning on showing up at the last minute (within 15 minutes of showtime), don't even waste your time.

If you want to stand in the back or get a seat all the way in the back on the far side, go about 30-40 minutes early.

If you want to make sure to have a seat on the far side, go about 45-60 minutes early.

If you want front and center, go about 2 hours early.

 

[QuickGold]

30 minutes is the baseline requirement to make it for the showing(unless there is a second or third showing that night). 45-60 is usually a good bet.

 

[mcnuss]

I think that much depends on how the crowds are during your trip.

For the last 2 years, we've been in WDW the first week of May, and we were able to get perfectly good seats by arriving 30-45 minutes in advance. There is no way I would ever give up 2 hours of park time to wait for a show. I just don't have the patience!

 

[DISNEYNUT1230]

WE WENT TO FANTASMIC IN MARCH AND WERE THERE ABOUT AN HOUR EARLY....WHICH WAS, EVEN THEN, A LITTLE TOO EARLY. WE COULD HAVE BEEN THERE 30 MINUTES OR SO EARLY AND STILL HAD A GOOD SEAT. WE FELT WE WASTED SOME VERY PRECIOUS DISNEY TIME JUST SITTING WAITING FOR THE SHOW TO BEGIN. HOWEVER, IT IS WELL WORTH THE WAIT AND REALLY IS FANTASTIC!!

HAVE A GREAT TIME.....WISH I WERE GOING, TOO, BUT NOT UNTIL NEXT FEBRUARY!

 

[Disbabe]

At this time of year I would sit down at least an hour before although no one can ever be certain with lessening crowds. We'll be there soon and I will allow about an hour and play it by ear!!

 

[nativetxn]

I don't go early to Fantasmic. I just book the dinner package then enter just before the show through the exit.

It's worth it to me, I'm eating anyway

 

[beattyfamily]

I used to do the package until they recently changed it to pre-paid. Now I'll take my chances.

 

[cruisnfamily]

Originally posted by nativetxn
I don't go early to Fantasmic. I just book the dinner package then enter just before the show through the exit.

It's worth it to me, I'm eating anyway

I would do the dinner package but we won't be eating in MGM, we'll be at MK until 7pm and heading to MGM soley to see Fantasmic. We can't fit it in on our other park days and I don't want to waste a day on our hoppers by going in to see it on a non-park day. The way I figure it we can get there between 8 & 8:30 and Fantasmic is at 9. I was wondering what everybody thought our chances were if we showed up around 8:30

 

[spectro man]

You'll probably be ok arriving 30 minutes early and still get a decent seat.

 

[Muffinish]

I'm so glad you posted this, because we are planning to do the same thing! Whew!

 

[timbud1]

I suggest sticking with 45-to 60 minutes. I sort of panicked. You get to the entrance and it looks like ten million people are headed down the trail. There are all these vendors hawking food and drink like it is your last chance. IT"S NOT!!!

I finally asked a CM and she told me there were lots of snacks available at the show. Most people didn't seem to know this, including me. The walk to the show is sort of long, and you feel like you might not get in there is so much tension in the air. I'm not kidding! Oh! There is also a bathroom up there!

Anyway, lots of food with no lines at the show! I was there on a Friday evening, and I'd say that most seats were gone with not much less than thirty minutes to spare. I'm glad we waited...we were tired anyway on our last night.

Following the advice of these boards, I brought glow necklaces and bracelets from home for my girls and didn't have to buy the $8 things there.

Worth it!

 

[Pembo]

We tried to get in one time about 30 mins before and would have had to do standing only. Another trip we got seated, near the back but still in a seat.

My suggestion: just go over and try it. You just never know.

 

[donna in Oz]

Go for it!! What's the worst that could happen . . . no seats available, you say??

Well, guess that would mean no lines at TOT or RNRC!!

 

[mmounsey]

Since we're on the Fantasmic topic...do they have benches (like Indiana Jones?), individual seats, floor seating?

I thought I had read that there aren't any seats...but it sounds like they have something.

I'm glad I read this post, I really didn't want to waste 2 hours (with 2 kids!) waiting, but an hour seems more reasonable...

 

[donna in Oz]

The seating is continuous metal benches, bleacher style.