Fantasmic - Must do?

[nalajms]

November 14 - 21.

We were there around that time last year. Started the trip the Friday before Thanksgiving. Spent Sat in DH. We got in line about 40ish minutes prior. The line wasn't long and we go to pick where we wanted to sit. Bought popcorn for the kids, watch the "pre show". We had spent the afternoon at DH and just happened to finish around that time. Otherwise we would have just skipped it.

You're going to wait about the same amount of time. The seating is more "center" but it's such a big stage I didn't see it as a problem.

Make sure the 4yo is ok with loud noises, close up fireworks, total darkness and fire. We were mid way in the bleachers and could feel the heat from the dragon.

 

[GWhitten98]

Fantasmic is one of our favorites...In fact on our upcoming trip DH and I are going to HS for 3 reasons....eat at Sci-Fi, ride RnR/TOT and see Fantasmic!

 

[Satchmo128]

So many wonderful memories of Fantasmic at Disneyland (my first trip in high school was with my choir and we went backstage and learned the Fantasmic music )! So, yes!!

 

[Gumbo4x4]

We found it weird & creepy - easily our entire family's least favorite thing we did in WDW.

So no, it definitely not on our "must do" list LOL

 

[tinkerhon]

Absolutely a must do for our family. It is our favorite show at Disney!!

Totally agree !! IMHO , might be the most underrated attraction at wdw

Rarely hear about it on the boards, except when people are asking about the package

We do the same as some others--- dinner at Sci-Fi and then Fantasmic !!

 

[MulingAround]

I LOVE Fantasmic! It is a beautiful show and a perfect way to wrap your day at Hollywood studios.
The lights, the music, the images on the water. Like whoa! It's phenomenal.
I straight up cry just by watching it on YouTube. And that's from a video! It doesn't even do it justice as seeing it live.
Totally do it
Tho I might add, I've never done a Fantasmic package dinner. So I can't speak on that experience. We didn't mind waiting in the audience because you are with your loved ones, enjoying the atmosphere of excitement.

 

[Dis703]

Fantasmic is an absolute must see for us. We would (and did) miss Wishes before we would ever consider missing Fantasmic. We've had other family members come with us on trips and we all agree it's our favorite nighttime show.

We've never done the Fantasmic dining package only because none of the restaurant options appeal to us. But we've always had great seats. We saw it almost 2 weeks ago and found in the early evening there was still FP availability so we booked FP so we could hit an extra ride or two and not have to get there too early. But really we've done well with being there 30-45 minutes before the show in the past during average crowd times.

 

[CAS239]

Yes it's a MUST DO if you have people that haven't seen it. It's a great show.

Just get Fast Passes for it. You don't have to worry about trying to do the dining package if you don't 100% want the dining package..a FP is just as good.

I'd only recommend the dining package if you know for a fact you want to eat in the park. If you eat outside the park, then the fast pass works just as good as you still get a great view. With the FP and dining package you'll still wait the same amount of time to enter. Both enter roughly the same time, ahead of standby. I see some people from time to time think dining package gets to enter first or can show up 10 min before show time and have the best seats, that's not true. Also see others who think unless they have the dining package they won't get to see the show or they'll have to wait 2 hours in line.

So I'd strongly recommend seeing it for the fact others in your group haven't. And we always go with the FP as we eat outside the park. If you do the dining plan I still recommend getting there 1 hour before showtime (if you want to be among the first in and have the best choice of seats)

 

[CAS239]

We found it weird & creepy - easily our entire family's least favorite thing we did in WDW.

So no, it definitely not on our "must do" list LOL

Idk how one would find it weird or creepy. That's a first lol

 

[THarrison]

My family always tries to go because we think it's just really amazing
But
Its definitely something that needs to be done at least once.

 

[Belleandtinker]

We have seen it once - done! Our family has no "need" to see it again. We watch the parades, fireworks and Illuminations again and again, but don't have that same need with Fantasmic.

It's good, but it was truly a hassle to view.

If you are new to WDW, skip it this time. There are so many more great things to do with your evening while in WDW.

If you go to WDW more often, then add it to your list.

 

[MulingAround]

Idk how one would find it weird or creepy. That's a first lol

That's what I thought too!!
but then realized that I'm coo-coo for Fantas-puffs.

 

[CrazyDisneyChix]

We always go in September and the first year we got a fast pass because we just weren't sure if it would be really busy or not but to be honest we didn't even need the fast pass. I'm not sure of the crowd level in Novemeber but last year when we went in September we didn't use the fast pass and didn't have any problems getting a seat!

Thanks, this is exactly the info I was looking for. My family has never seen Fantasmic, but the dinner package had us eating way too early so I nixed that. I made ADR for Mama Melrose's, and thought we would just wander over afterwards. I was wondering if I needed a FP+ if only to get a better seat.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Idk how one would find it weird or creepy. That's a first lol

Well, the entire premise is, "What if Mickey had a nightmare?".

 

[YawningDodo]

Going to chime in with another "it depends on your group." I worked backstage at Fantasmic during my second College Program and got to where I had the show memorized, but I'd still go occasionally on days off to see it from the other side and it's still something I'd like to see again. I guess for all that it's not a "must-do," though; my mom's not interested in seeing it again and I don't want it badly enough to really push for it.

I have never done the Fantasmic dining package, and depending on the time of season I'd just show up twenty minutes or half an hour before the show. With the time OP is going there may be Thanksgiving crowds, I don't know, but I'd be surprised if you couldn't go standby and get seats just fine.

 

[skuttle]

It's not a must do for us. Mainly because we don't care for DHS much. We get there at rope drop and are finished long before Fantasmic. We did get a FP for it during our last trip and went to DHS Easter evening just to catch Fantasmic. First time we had seen it in many many years. It was okay. My kids enjoyed it. The little ones especially loved seeing so many different characters.

 

[Parker Clan]

We just went for the first time last summer, did the lunch Fantasmic package. Really enjoyed it.. Except it was August and unbelievably hot as it is, but being packed in there just sitting and sweating.. Never again in summer DBF said. Glad we did it but will only go in cooler months. I definitely think it's something to try once!

 

[Mikie]

Opinions on extreme ends of the spectrum for sure! I guess I'm in the middle, though. Of course Wishes, Illuminations and Fantasmic are very different. However, I haven't seen any often enough to memorize them or know all the music. We finally saw F! for the first time last fall and thoroughly enjoyed it. But since we have some young ones in our group, we can't stay up through nighttime entertainment every night. As long as we see 2-3 nighttime shows in a trip, I'm happy. I would want first-timers to see at least 2 - whichever ones fit best into your overall park days and schedule.

ETA: much as I liked having the dining package, I wouldn't dine at an inconvenient time just to get those tickets. If there's no F! package so a good time, I'd try for a Fastpass or watch the second showing, which is generally less full.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

Absolutely a must do. Saw it over the summer and hadn't seen it in years and was reminded at how wonderful it was!

 

[PetePanMan]

you should go. We now tend to go every 3rd trip (whereas we'll do wishes every trip)