Fantasmic newbie!

[MischaOz]

I’m thinking about finally giving Fantasmic a try this trip! What’s the scoop? Do I need FP? What’s the standby seating like? I expect to be there at a low crowd time, relatively speaking. Thx!

 

[Robo]

I’m thinking about finally giving Fantasmic a try this trip! What’s the scoop? Do I need FP? What’s the standby seating like? I expect to be there at a low crowd time, relatively speaking. Thx!

FANTASMIC!

The CMs open the theater an hour or more before show-time.
Guests at that time will simply walk slowly through the very long pathways to the theater and file in to find a seat.

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 having 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 little "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.)

 

[MischaOz]

Wow, thanks! This is super helpful!

 

[magical-me]

I did the Dessert With VIP viewing. I thought it was awesome being centerstage and so close! You do get wet tho.

 

[Robo]

I did the Dessert With VIP viewing. I thought it was awesome being centerstage and so close!
You do get wet tho.

That's not necessarily the case... for two reasons.
1. If the wind is not blowing toward the seating, guests may not get much spray.
2. AFAIK, Dessert Pkg. guests are not necessarily required to sit in the rows closest
to the water.

 

[kniquy]

I would opt for a fantasmic dinner package and save the FP for one of the rides. We have done Mama melrose and enjoyed our meal there. Brown derby is another good choice. Stay away from hollywood and vine -- it has nothing but bad reviews, but you can look to the restaurant board if you are considering this. If you are planning a TS meal at this park it just makes sense to do the package so you have good seating and you don't have to wait in line for an hour prior to the show.

 

[MischaOz]

Thanks guys! I hadn’t considered a dinner package, I will look into it!

 

[aokeefe]

You can also do a lunch package as well.

 

[MissErikaRae]

We do the lunch package at Mama Melrose every visit. The food and service are one of the best I've ever experience in park. Plus it is nice to have a reserved section in the center But as another poster said, you should still arrive 30-40 minutes early.

 

[madchatter]

If you’re on the DDP the dining package is a good value. You still only use the same number of credits, get more of a meal and get the best seating for the show.

Without is still fine.

We often get FP+ but still end up on a far end. Arriving very early is required even with FP if you want to be Central at all.

 

[KenHutch]

The dinner package is how we always go, but I am recommending the Brown Derby or Mama Melrose's and have fun.

 

[mbcary]

We did the lunch package a couple of weeks ago with Mama Melrose. So good and SO much food. It was a standard price of around $45 but comes with an appetizer, entree, dessert, and drink for every person.