Fantasmic line wait in January...

[funshipm174]

Hello all,

Going to WDW in January and normally we go at the busier times, but this time around, from what I can see the week we are going is a little slower. With that being said we normally get the fantasmic package because we do like the perc that we pay for, the avoiding of fantasmic lines in busy season.

We are looking to do fantasmic on Monday, January 9th (only one show from what the park calendar shows) and was wondering if anyone has an idea of how long the wait time would be around? Or does the slower period not make a difference because only having one show negates that?

Anyway, we never did a fantasmic show without the package, so how long is the wait time gernerally with no package?

Any help appreciated

 

[Robo]

Get a same-day FP+.
Go to the theater 45-60 min. before show time.

What a FP+ for F! offers is more CHOICE in seating.

If you DO get a F! FP+, you can choose to sit in either the FP section (virtually the entire left half of the theater) or the Standby section (virtually the entire right half of the theater.)

So, whatever section has the better seating at the time you arrive, you can go there.

Without a FP, you can only choose a seat in the Standby section.

There is a very good chance that you can get a FP+ for F! as a 4th or 5th FP of the day because they issue SO MANY of them (enough to cover nearly the entire left half of the seating.) On many nights, it is possible that you can gat a FP+ for F! as you are walking to the theater.



As to when to arrive at the theater, I'd get to there 45-60 minutes before the show-time.

Even with a FP or Dining Pkg. reservation, don't wait too late.



On busy nights, the CMs can stop holding the reserved sections within 20-30 minutes before show-time, and turn over any available seats to waiting walk-in guests.



There is sometimes a "pre-show" (such as it is) that can help pass the last 30 minutes before show time.

-------------------------------------------------------------------



Map Below-

Arrows indicate the center of the seating.

Shaded areas:

(First or Only F! performance of the evening)

Cyan= Standby (walk-in) seating

Red= Dining Package Reserved

Blue= FP+ Reserved

Purple= Can be either FP+ or Dining Plan Reserved, depending on needs.



(Second or Third F! performance of the evening)

Cyan= Standby (walk-in) seating

Red, Purple, Blue= FP+ Reserved

(Although much of the outer Blue will likely be used for Standby.)

--------------------------------------

 

[funshipm174]

Thank you Robo, I never even thought about a FP+ for the show.

 

[HelloMimi]

We watched Fantasmic on January 11th (also a Monday) this year, and we walked in about 30 minutes before it started and had no problem finding a place to sit. There were still some empty spots even after the show started, but I'm not sure if that was because of low crowds or low temps.

 

[CAS239]

Whether you're doing standby, FP, or dining package, you don't wait in line (unless you want to arrive more than an hour before showtime which isn't necessary). They open up the arena and you wait at your seat inside. So your dining package doesn't really have a perk of avoiding a line.

We like to sit in the front row so we get there about 65 min before showtime, usually are among the first in line and wait 5 min before they open up the arena. Then we get our seats