Fantasmic in September/October?

[ScarletIndigo]

So I decided to spend part of this sunny Memorial Day working on vacation plans (which parks to visit on what day, how to squish in all our must-see attractions without going totally crazy, etc.) What I hadn't factored into the equation was a night to see Fantasmic. I know, I know -- how could I possibly forget?? ;-)

Here are a few questions I had:

- Is Fantasmic a nightly show? I'll be visiting Sept 28 - Oct 5, so I wasn't sure if the Fantasmic schedule was reduced during the value season (like FITS and Spectro).

- Has anyone experienced Fantasmic in late September or early October? Are the crowds really heavy? I'd like to book a Fantasmic Dinner Package for DF and I, but according to WDWIG.com, the dinner packages were only being offered until the end of June 2003. Does anyone know if the package availability will be extended?

- Traditionally, what's the best night of the week to experience Fantasmic? If the show begins at 7PM, what's the best time to schedule a PS reservation for?

Sorry about all the questions, and thanks in advance for your answers!

 

[Cindymere]

I know you didn't ask for November... but we went in mid-November 2000 and we got to Fantasmik (sp??) around 5:30... got good seats and it still filled to capacity considering that the unofficial guide recommends mid-November as one of the slowest times of the year for WDW... There was a nice, funny comedian that did a pre-show starting around 6:00.

I *think* we went on a Wednesday night..if that helps...

I'm sure you'll get lots of responses from people who went recently.. just wanted to add my 2 cents...

 

[donna in Oz]

According to last year's calendar, FANTASMIC showed at 8:00 nightly in the fall through October 5th, when it changed to 7:30. It's held nightly, but can be cancelled in the event of foul weather.

I've never seen FANTASMIC when the theatre wasn't full. But I've also never done a dinner package, so can't help you too much there. I don't think it matters too much what night of the week you pick; the theatre is an outdoor theatre and is huge. But it always seems to be full anyway. It seems that lots of folks migrate to MGM in the evening to catch the show, resulting in a full theater even when the park seemed uncrowded during the day.

 

[ScarletIndigo]

Originally posted by donna in Oz
According to last year's calendar, FANTASMIC showed at 8:00 nightly in the fall through October 5th, when it changed to 7:30. It's held nightly, but can be cancelled in the event of foul weather.

Thanks, Donna! For some reason I thought Fantasmic began at 7PM on nights when it was only shown once, but when I looked at last year's calendar, I realized my mistake. Thanks for the heads-up!

This is even better; our plane is coming in to MCO at 2:30PM, and since I figure (with some luck!) we'll be at the resort by 4PM, we could probably aim to do a PS and Fantasmic that first night. Great way to get into the Disney mood!

 

[donna in Oz]

What kind of ticket are you using?? If you're going to be using park hoppers, you'll use up a full day on your ticket just by visiting MGM for Fantasmic that first evening.

Just a thought . . . . . .

 

[ScarletIndigo]

Originally posted by donna in Oz
What kind of ticket are you using?? If you're going to be using park hoppers, you'll use up a full day on your ticket just by visiting MGM for Fantasmic that first evening.

Hi again!

We're using 8-Day UPH passes that came with our Fairytale Package deal. Unfortunately we won't even be able to visit the parks all 8 days, as we also have passes for USF/IOA as well. It's too bad the days on UPH passes expire. :-( Oh well, lesson learned for next time!

 

[Miscrapper]

We were at Disney late Sept 2000 and even though MGM was very slow during day (we walked onto ToT and Rnr) when we came back for our dinner package and Fantasmic the show was packed! We were glad we did dinner package! Otherwise we would have had to get there even earlier or risk being way in back or standing.

 

[ScarletIndigo]

Originally posted by Miscrapper
We were at Disney late Sept 2000 and even though MGM was very slow during day (we walked onto ToT and Rnr) when we came back for our dinner package and Fantasmic the show was packed! We were glad we did dinner package! Otherwise we would have had to get there even earlier or risk being way in back or standing.

So they DID offer a Fantasmic Dinner Package in September? That's great! When will we know if a package will be available after the end of June this year?

 

[donna in Oz]

Check this link:

http://wdwig.com/fantdin1.htm#old

Near the bottom of the page, there's a section on what policy will apply for dates after 30 Jun 03.

 

[ScarletIndigo]

Thanks for the link, Donna. Since the window is only 7 days for reserving a package after June 30th, I'll probably just end up making a PS for Mama Melrose's ahead of time, and hoping for the best when we get to the Fantasmic theater. We're planning on seeing the show our first night at WDW, so there won't be enough time to make the dinner package ressie at Guest Services that afternoon.

 

[helenk]

During the slow periods the 7 day window works fine for the Fantasmic Dinner Packages.
Generally what I do when I get to WDW, I make my PS as soon I check in, since I already have my schedule made up ahead of time.
I like using the package because I do not want to waste my time time standing in line waiting for a seat. The seats for the dinner package are fine. Our last visit, we got there early enough and we were able to sit all the way to the left of the seating area and we had a great view.

 

[ScarletIndigo]

Originally posted by helenk
During the slow periods the 7 day window works fine for the Fantasmic Dinner Packages.
Generally what I do when I get to WDW, I make my PS as soon I check in, since I already have my schedule made up ahead of time.

Hi HelenK!

The only trouble is that we'll be checking in to the ASMu around 4PM on 9/28, and that's the same night we want to see Fantasmic. Unless I reserve a PS well in advance of that night and just take my chances with the regular Fantasmic line, I don't see how we can reserve a dinner package about 1-1/2 hours before we want to use it. ;-)

UNLESS you can reserve the Fantasmic package on the phone 7 days prior. From the info on WDWIG, it sounded like you had to do the reservation in person at Guest Services or in MGM.

 

[alvernon90]

Things might be different as you get closer to October, but we went to Fantasmic in mid-September last year during the middle of the week, and there were plenty of seats. The section that would be used for dinner package seating was completely empty with everyone crowded into the better seats, so doing the dinner package on that evening would have been a waste. We arrived 25 minutes before showtime and were seated in the center section. We wished we had done a few more rides on Tower of Terror instead of waiting.

At the risk of being pelted with rotten tomatoes, I have to say that no matter what time of year you see Fantasmic it's still going to be boring. We (two adults, no kids) were absolutely bored silly, and wished it lasted only half as long as it did.

 

[WDWorBUST]

I wouldn't worry about doing the dinner package unless you wanted to eat at one of the places that offer it. Especially in September. We always get there somewhat early because we love this show - but it really isn't bad. And I wouldn't worry about not being able to do the dinner package booking it on arrival day if that's what you really want to do. We didn't have any problems walking in to most places without a ps in September so I would think odds are in your favor of getting to do it even if you arrange it that afternoon.

Good Luck!

 

[LadyLt]

Originally posted by ScarletIndigo
Thanks, Donna! For some reason I thought Fantasmic began at 7PM on nights when it was only shown once, but when I looked at last year's calendar, I realized my mistake. Thanks for the heads-up!

I'm doing this from memory, not exact times. But when there is one performance of Fantasmic, it is generally shown just at dark. So in the summer and early fall, it is shown later. So if it switched to 7:30 pm after October 5th last year, it meant that was when it became dark.

After the end of Daylight Savings time in later October, it will probably switch to 7:00 pm. By late Novemeber/early December, the show will begin at 6:00 pm.

 

[tc]

I concur with WDWorbust, we've been there in September the last three years in a row, and have never had a bad seat at Fantasmic, and always have showed up about 15 minutes before the show. Crowds are very low in September due to 9/11. It may be a little different in late Sept/early Oct. I would not get a dinner package unless you are going in the weekend, or just want to eat at that restaurant. Our experience is that the seats reserved for the dinner package went empty a lot of the time.

 

[ScarletIndigo]

Originally posted by alvernon90
At the risk of being pelted with rotten tomatoes, I have to say that no matter what time of year you see Fantasmic it's still going to be boring. We (two adults, no kids) were absolutely bored silly, and wished it lasted only half as long as it did.

Wow, Alvernon! I think you're the first person I've ever read about who didn't enjoy Fantasmic! I'd love to hear your perspective on it. Everyone else (with kids or without) seems to think it's the one thing at the MK you can't miss ...

Thanks everyone for the suggestions about the dinner package and seating! Glad to know it probably won't be so insanely crowded in Sept/Oct!