Fantasmic in January - crowded??

[goofygal531]

I've seen Fantasmic once like 5 years ago. I'd like to go back and take our toddler but I HATE the restaurants offering the Fantasmic Package. How crowded would it be in January (16-20) to just walk in and get a seat in the theater? Is this a crazy idea? I don't think it runs everynight in January, I think it's every other or even three times a week.

 

[WDWguru]

You may not be able to walk right in five minutes before, but 20 minutes ahead or so in January should be fine. Aside from MLK weekend, the crowds are nonexistent for the entire month.

 

[mtdevine615]

We'll be there from Jan. 12th - 23rd and we've gone every Jan. since 2001 and we always walk in about 1/2 hour before the show and never have any problems getting good seats. See ya there. Maine

 

[jann1033]

went in jan from the 9 to 19 and it was "seats open' till fantasmic started( it was cold a few nights so maybe people didn't want to stay but not on the night we actually went) if you had a large group maybe gono less than 1/2 an hr before, if not you'd probably be fine even a llttle closer to show time

it did show every night when we were there so if it doesn't that may make adifference

 

[goofygal531]

Those where the answers I was hoping to hear!!!

1/2 hour before the theater should be open and we can sit right? I remember people lineing up hours before the show in peak season!! Can't do that with a toddler!

Thanks!

 

[addicted2disney]

goofygal.. are you dates over Martin Luther King Weekend?? If so, just go after the crowds die down after that Monday. We go every January, and they do indeed show Fantasmic every night. We have never gone to get seats earlier than 30 minutes before and we always get a good seat. IF you can, sit at the top. Its much easier to get out if you can jump up and beat the crowds that are all the way down to the first row! PLus, you can get misted sitting close, and your Ds may not like that. With the fire, fireworks, etc. you may be better off in the back anyway. We love Fantasmic! Its a must do for us!!

 

[Camping Griswalds]

We have walked in as Fantasmic was starting and sat in the back row. A neat and different perspective! We could have sat in lower seats, but didn't want to disturb anyone else. to be honest, it was so great to just walk in, that the hour i had spent sitting and waiting at other times was useless wasted time. We have done this in the last week of Jan/first week of Feb with absolutely NO problems. I also seem to recall (its been since Jan of '04 since we were there) that Fantasmic was shown every night. Hope this helps!

 

[PaulaSue]

what is Fantasmic? Is that in MGM?

P.S. We are going the week MLK too.

 

[goofygal531]

It's an amazing night time event at MGM:

http://www.allearsnet.com/tp/mgm/m_fantasmic.htm

 

[LizAgna]

This is great to hear. I have a toddler also so sitting for an hour before a show is definitley not an option for us either.

Does anyone know what time it usually runs in Jan? I get to start making my ADRs this weekend and I am thinking about dinner after Fantasmic at a resort instead of eating at MGM. BTW DD is a night owl...still awake and happy and it is 11pm!!!

 

[WDWguru]

It's typically at park closing, which is around dusk (has to be dark to do the show). I believe that's around 7 pm that time of year.

 

[LizAgna]

Ohh, I believe I have read that it lasts 25 mins. If it does start at 7 would an 8:30 ADR be possible at O'Hana?

 

[addicted2disney]

Im thinking that 7pm sounds about right. It actually may start later, like 8, over MLK Weekend. So a search on historical hours and see what time MGM closed last year. If it starts at 7:00, and is over at 7:30ish.. depending on where you sit, it might take you another 20 minutes or so to get OUT of the amphitheater!! Getting to the buses after Fantasmic will be a slow crawl out of MGM,and the bus lines will be long. I dont think you will make an 8:30 dinner ressie at AKL. (Unless of course you are driving, then MAYBE...) You might want to leave MGM after the afternoon parade ( around 4) go eat , then come back for the evening and see Fantasmic. You can just get on the AKL bus both ways

 

[goofygal531]

O'Hana is at the Polynesian not AKL.

I'd get a later dinner time, like 9:15 to play it safe. You have a far way to go from MGM to the Poly. Plus your'll be leaving with crowds, your'll have lines at the buses, etc...

Can I suggest a dinner at the Boardwalk area resorts? You can take the boat from MGM to the Boardwalk and might have less of a crowd to deal with. Plus if your little one does fall asleep, you can roll your stroller right on the bus and have a nice quite adult meal (this is what we always pray for! )