Fantasmic in ecv?

[eeyorefanatic]

WHere is the seating for fantasmic if one uses an ecv? Is it better to walk in ? I am worried about having to stand in line for a very long time. Any suggestions?

 

[teri]

They have a few viewing areas for people on wheels. There is one right up at the top that has a very nice broad view of the amphitheatre, and I believe another one in front, closer to the splash zone. There is no need for you to stand in any lines if you have an ECV. You might consider doing a Fantasmic Dinner Package, which includes reserved seating, so you won't have to deal with the lines at all.

 

[SueM in MN]

Hi, I can help you out with this question.
There is a wheelchair viewing area in the first row of the amphitheater (although we haven't used it, several posters to the board have). The other wheelchair/ecv area is the whole back row of the theater. There are places to park all along the back row where you can pull a wheelchair or ecv into a space next to seats There is space for one or two people to sit next to the wheelchair or ecv and the row right in front of you for the rest of your party.
If you don't want to do the Fantasmic dinner deal, there is a board at the entrance to Hollywood Blvd where the CMs post/update the ride wait times. You can ask there how long ahead of the show you should get in line for Fantasmic. It varies depending on how busy the park is.
The view is good because the seats are arranged stadium style, so there is no one sitting on the same level as you right in front of you. The show is arranged so that you get a good view whether you are in the middle or off to one side.

 

[nancycels]

just be careful if they put you along the upper tier at the back... a few years ago we
were back there and I ended up walked on, yelled at, dumped on etc. unfortunately the cast members
who were supposed to be keeping the general public from using the handicap seating and
behaving themselves in general were busy with personal business! I always swear I'm
going to get one of those light up swords!!!! to goose the people who think my ecv is
part of the sidewalk and they can walk on it, kick it, kick me, spill sodas down my back etc!
you name, its been spilled on me! <g> so, take your sense of humor and your sense of
self preservation, and hope they put you in the front! At least that way you don't have
the whole ampitheatre emptying out on you(they may leave before you
but hopefully not on you! before you can leave! If they do park you along
the back, I suggest not even attempting to leave until the general crowd disperses! Have
fun, its a great show, worth the hassle i went thru! <g>

 

[YangYang]

We have also had a not so pleasant experience with handicapped seating at Fantasmic. We arrived extremely early (about 90 minutes). They seated us on the top row with the wheelchair behind us. My sister who uses the wheelchair is on about a 2yo level mentally. We tried to explain to the CM that someone would need to be next to her but they weren't listening. Finally my other sister just sat down on the ground beside her. That brought a CM running to tell her she couldn't do it! I ended up turning around so that I sould touch her the whole time. Needless to say, I haven't wanted to return! Could someone tell me if doing a dinner package would help us get a better seating situation?

 

[SueM in MN]

Sorry to hear that you haven't had good experiences with seating. There are some things that should help.

1) Most of the wheelchair/ecv spaces have room for at least one person to sit next to the person in the wheelchair. Some have room for two or room for a person on each side. There are a few that don't have a seat next to them. Those should be used for adults who can manage without someone sitting next to them. If the seat they lead you to won't work, let the CM know that you need a seat next to the person (demand if you need to). We have had to do that when they tried to seat DD in one of the spots without a seat next to it.

2) The standing room only area has been moved so that it is not behind the wheelchair row. In the past, we've had people lean on DD's wheelchair; one person even set his toddler on top of DD's headrest to watch the show. We were not looking forward to that when we went in March. We were pleasantly surprised to find that there is actually a standing room area with a rail about 20-25 feet behind the last row. A CM told us that they decreased the number of people they allow in to each show and they are required to maintain a fire lane between the last row and the standing room only area. They policed it well during the show. Anyone who was standing for more than a few seconds was told to move on or move into the designated standing area. I don't know if this was one of the things they changed after 9-11, but the CMs told us it was for fire safety and also because of numerous complaints they got from handicapped guests and the inability of CMs to do anything about people crowding the wheelchairs and ecvs.

I'd also suggest not leaving until the crowd is thinned out. We just sit until most of the theater is emptied and haven't had any trouble. It didn't take us any longer to get out and the experience was a whole lot more enjoyable.

 

[JudithM]

We saw Fantasmic Tuesday of last week. I could not ask for better, more aware CMs than the ones working that night. They make sure you get settled into a spot. My ECV, rented from Disney, was running out of power by the time I got to the top. A CM brought me another one without hesitation. Other CMs tried to pay close attention to who was sitting in the handicapped section, & they asked people who were not with handicapped guests to move. Manager CMs decided who sat in the roped off section used for guests with handicaped guests. I did notice they moved the standing room only section. CMs paid attention & asked guests to move if they were standing behind wheelchairs, ECVs, etc. CMs at Fantasmic do a great job considering some of the guests!

 

[teri]

Oh, Judith, I am so glad to hear that they are taking care of people there now. When I was there a year and a half ago, and my arthritis was flaring, and my son was still acting up, we had a terrible experience at that section -- a perfectly normal-bodied couple literally *jumped* over the lady in the wheelchair behind us and crowded into my son's seat seconds after he suddenly stood up and jumped into my lap during a loud part of the performance. I am not kidding, 2 adults into a space of a little boy, between us and my daughter, and I had to keep my son in my lap... my hip and knee were killing me. I asked them to please move, they glared at me. The CMs were nowhere in sight. I am so glad they have changed that!

 

[SueM in MN]

We were very glad to see they moved the standing room only area.
We've always had good CMs before the show started. In fact, the CMs have usually asked the wheelchair parties to let them know if someone sits in the area who didn't belong. One time, a family plopped down in the roped off area and basically told the other guests to "bug off" when they said the area was for guests with disabilities. When the CM came back over, the family was reportes, tried to say they belonged to another wheelchair party farther along the row. The CM went and asked that party (who had nver seen the family before) and the family was escorted away.
Most of the problems with "jumpers" into the row were after the show had begun. With no one allowed to stand behind the handicapped row, they are mush more visible to the CMs and they can take care of them.