Fantasmic newbie questions--help please

[Karebear]

I have seen Fantasmic at WDW, never at Disneyland and never with kids. We will be at the parks on Friday, 9/25. Based on early Sept. dates, they have 2 Fantasmic shows, one at 9:00 and one at 10:30. Fireworks are at 9:25. I apologize if these questions sound stupid, but we honestly don't know what to expect! Does this sound doable:

1) We have a reservation at Ariel's for dinner at 6:00 in DCA
2) Depending on what time we finish dinner, we could go see the 9:00 show. But then we were wondering if you could see the fireworks from the Fantasmic viewing area?

OR

3) We could go see the Fireworks at 9:25 and then try to catch the 10:30 show. If you watch the fireworks on mainstreet at 9:25, is it hard to get back to the Fantasmic area for the 10:30 show?

Any advice or input would be appreciated!

 

[wrightut]

When we were there, we saw the Fireworks first and then went over to the Fantasmic viewing area. We watched the fireworks from Fantasyland (back by the carousel), then went the back way through Frontierland to get to the Rivers of America. We walked up almost right when they opened the area up to sit for the 2nd Fantasmic showing and got a table on the River Belle Terrace.

It was really, really crowded. If you have 6 pm reservations at Ariel's Grotto, I doubt you'll make it over in time to get a decent viewing spot for Fantasmic at 9 pm. On our trip, I was cutting through the area at about 7:30 and it was already packed with people staking out their spots. Main Street and in front of the castle were already full as well with people waiting for the fireworks.

I would guess that, given your dinner reservations, the 10:30 Fantasmic show would be a better bet for you. You'll have to be on the ball after the fireworks and head over to snag a spot for the late show, however.

Good luck and have a great trip.

 

[annacali]

You can see the fireworks from the Fantasmic viewing area however you have to be careful where you choose to watch. We evidently were in the wrong place because we were informed right before it started that the area we chose (which was roped off for Fantasmic viewing) was NOT a fireworks viewing area and would become a walkway the minute the show was over so we had to start walking.

And yes, the area around the Rivers of America was already fairly packed by 7or so with people staking out their Fantasmic spots.

Not sure what the age of your kids is...but my two enjoyed the parade at DCA more than Fantasmic (they are 6 and 4) so if I had dinner at Ariels, I would be tempted to just stay and watch it at 8:45.

 

[ballarinamom]

You could get ther by the first show. But I don't know if you will find a very good viewing spot. It will be crowded on Main Street to view the fireworks. And the path over to the F! viewing area will be crowded as well. I would try to make my way over to F! first and watch the fireworks from there. The F! at DL is much better than the WDW version. So I hope you can work it out

 

[disneynerd420]

You can see the fireworks from the Fantasmic viewing area however you have to be careful where you choose to watch. We evidently were in the wrong place because we were informed right before it started that the area we chose (which was roped off for Fantasmic viewing) was NOT a fireworks viewing area and would become a walkway the minute the show was over so we had to start walking.

And yes, the area around the Rivers of America was already fairly packed by 7or so with people staking out their Fantasmic spots.

Not sure what the age of your kids is...but my two enjoyed the parade at DCA more than Fantasmic (they are 6 and 4) so if I had dinner at Ariels, I would be tempted to just stay and watch it at 8:45.

I will be there the same time as the OP and I am pretty sure that the parade you are referring to (Electrical Parade) will not be showing. It is not shown in the "off season".

I too have be trying to plan out my Fantasmic plans... providing that it will be playing. But I seem to remember it on my Oct 08 trip, so I am hoping it will be playing for the first weekend of the halloween season.

 

[macman752]

I just got off the phone after making my PS plans for my 9/20-26 stay. I asked about Fantasmic times on 9/25 and was told that there would not be any performances on this date. I realize that this is off season. However, with the HM and SM holiday openings set for this date I assumed that they would have at least on performance.

I left my dinner plans for the 25 open hoping that I received incorrect information.