Fantasmic - How early for sitting section?

[vpalmer]

Once World of Color Begins (specifically Friday, June 25th), what is your best estimate on what time we should arrive to get blanket seating up front?

 

[Disney Dreams]

No one knows the effect WoC will have on Fantasmic! as it is cross-park. As for how early you need to show up for Fantasmic! there are a few important details that are important to answer your question properly:

1) Does anyone in your group have a wheelchair or required staying in a stroller during the show?

2) How many in your group?

3) First show or second?

- Dreams

P.S. You said, "to blanket seating." If your plan is to leave a blanket and go enjoy the Park, keep in mind your blanket may be nicely folded up and reduced to the spot of a small child when you return (or be gone all together). CMs do not "guard" blanketed areas.

 

[vpalmer]

No one knows the effect WoC will have on Fantasmic! as it is cross-park. As for how early you need to show up for Fantasmic! there are a few important details that are important to answer your question properly:

1) Does anyone in your group have a wheelchair or required staying in a stroller during the show?

2) How many in your group?

3) First show or second?

- Dreams

P.S. You said, "to blanket seating." If your plan is to leave a blanket and go enjoy the Park, keep in mind your blanket may be nicely folded up and reduced to the spot of a small child when you return (or be gone all together). CMs do not "guard" blanketed areas.

I would never consider leaving my blanket unattended. Do people actually try that? We might send one of us to get a counter service dinneror take my DD to the restroom but one adult would always stay on the blanket.

There are three of us, my DH, and DD 7, so no stroller. It would be for the first show.

 

[mvf-m11c]

I would never consider leaving my blanket unattended. Do people actually try that? We might send one of us to get a counter service dinneror take my DD to the restroom but one adult would always stay on the blanket.

There are three of us, my DH, and DD 7, so no stroller. It would be for the first show.

For all the times I get there early for a sitting section for F!, I have seen some people left blankets out in the sitting area for F!. But it is not a good idea to leave a unattended blanket out there while another group can just move it and claim the spot for their group. When you leave it unattended and someone else claims it, you lose your spot.

I've have experienced something like that before when not using a blanket. When I saved a spot for F! with my family of 7, half of them went the bathroom and when the show was about to start in 7 min, another group just all of a sudden came and took the other half of my spot and I told them that it was reserved for my family and they said there was a open space and just ignored me and I called a CM and told them that they took my spot for my family. Then the CM told them to move and find another spot to see the show. I knew that family were not happy of being told to move and finding another spot, but that's why we bring a blanket ever since that day for any nighttime show or parades to tell people that this is our spot.

Just like what Disney Dreams said that this year is unpredictable with WoC effect on F!. During last year Summer Nightastic, people staked out there spots at least 3 hours before the show. It only depends where you want to sit for the show. Right next to the railings will be at least 3 hours or more before the first show.

 

[skiingfast]

Once World of Color Begins (specifically Friday, June 25th), what is your best estimate on what time we should arrive to get blanket seating up front?

I don't think that WoC will pull a noticeable crowd away from F!. I think it anything it will bring more people in, many to DCA and some to DL.

 

[fhtpdw20]

Since your Fantasmic is different from WDW seating, you may have not considered the possiblity of the wind when selecting your view. Depending on how the wind is blowing you could be very wet by the time the show ends. When we choose our seats a WDW Fanstamic, we usually sit 15 rows or so from the railing especially during the winter visits to avoid getting wet. We also take in to consideration which way the wind blows during Illuminations at Epcot so that we do not end up with a face full of smoke from the fireworks.

 

[Disney Dreams]

I would never consider leaving my blanket unattended. Do people actually try that? ...

- giggle - Oh if you only knew. Yeah, people do it all the time. And get upset when it's not "honored" by other guests. But really... come on people, really? Anywho, yeah, people do it. That's why I asked.

Since your Fantasmic is different from WDW seating, you may have not considered the possiblity of the wind when selecting your view. Depending on how the wind is blowing you could be very wet by the time the show ends. When we choose our seats a WDW Fanstamic, we usually sit 15 rows or so from the railing especially during the winter visits to avoid getting wet. We also take in to consideration which way the wind blows during Illuminations at Epcot so that we do not end up with a face full of smoke from the fireworks.

At DL's Fantasmic! you only really need to worry about getting wet in the first 3 or so rows of the seating area. You don't get "really" wet, but if the wind is blowing strongly enough, the water screens can get the first few rows a decent amount... as can the heat from the fire.

- Dreams

 

[vpalmer]

Thenks everyone for your input. The more I read, the more I regratted not booking the dessert seating, so I decided to go that route instead.