Fantasmic! Package Seating Question

[SeeJackRunn]

We currently have a reservation for this at HBD. It is a little earlier than we would like, we know this is normal though, but was wondering if it would be worth doing since the seating is on the sides of the theater. If we just showed up on our own about 90 minutes before the show, would we get better seats? We are planning on going May 7th...what would you do? It is an EMH morning at Hollywood Studios and we are on the DxDDP so we will be eating dinner in the park before anyhow. We are just more concerned about getting the best seats possible.

Thanks!

 

[BLTLDZ]

I would stick with the package. That is mothers day weekend, which will draw the crowds, PLUS it is a saturday. We did the package in september of '09....We sat in the third row...Never have I had such great seats. I say go for it. Plus, the food at HBD is good.

 

[Tinkerbell2B]

I agree. I have always had great seats with the F! dining package. I have a ressie for the F! package at HDB in March. I didn't like the early dinner time either, but kept trying and finally got a 5:00. Keep checking! It is much easier with the on line ressies now. You can also do a lunch at HBD and get the F! package too. You may want to see if any lunch times work out better, then you can have a later dinner where ever you want!

 

[TDluvsDaisy]

I would keep the Fantasmic package. The reserved section is the 2 sections on the right facing the stage. They are still really good seats. (None of the seats are bad.)

I would recommended getting there 35 to 40 mins early and sitting at least midway up. The seats close to the water have a tendency to get some water spray action.

 

[mainstreetmagic]

I would also stick with your reservations. The seats on the side aren't that bad. You have guaranteed seating with your reservation, so for sure you will get into the stadium. Then, once in there, if you see some free seats more in the middle or another place you would like, grab them!

 

[DisneyFamily123]

Our 2nd time doing the package. At least this way, you don't have to worry about a line or getting into Fantasmic. If you do get to Fantasmic early, you can still enter through the package line and sit wherever you want. You don't have to sit in the reserved seating. We actually like sitting center, in the back (top rows) anyway because it's a fast exit after the show.

The fantasmic package at Brown Derby includes appetizers too whether you are paying out of pocket, or if you are using a dining plan that doesn't include appetizers.

It's always early to make sure you get done dinner in time. We had a 3:50pm ADR which worked out great, right after the parade/block party bash was done. We just skipped breakfast and had a very early lunch that day... SciFi Diner at 11am.

Just finished my review of Brown Derby -- check it out! Link Below.

 

[Music City Mama]

Our 2nd time doing the package. At least this way, you don't have to worry about a line or getting into Fantasmic. If you do get to Fantasmic early, you can still enter through the package line and sit wherever you want. You don't have to sit in the reserved seating. We actually like sitting center, in the back (top rows) anyway because it's a fast exit after the show.

The fantasmic package at Brown Derby includes appetizers too whether you are paying out of pocket, or if you are using a dining plan that doesn't include appetizers.

It's always early to make sure you get done dinner in time. We had a 3:50pm ADR which worked out great, right after the parade/block party bash was done. We just skipped breakfast and had a very early lunch that day... SciFi Diner at 11am.

Just finished my review of Brown Derby -- check it out! Link Below.

Really? That's good to know. I'd like to sit closer to center next time, but didn't know that that was an option. How long before the show starts do they start letting people in (both with F! package and without) -- an hour before?

 

[LovinPooh]

I loved the package. We liked eatign and then going and sitting down watching all the people jam into the other section of the theater. I wish it was a little more center, but I loved it!

 

[TDC Nala]

You have guaranteed seating with your reservation, so for sure you will get into the stadium.

This is true up to about a half hour before showtime - sometime around there they open the remainder of the reserved section for general public seating. You may get in, but if they've already filled up that section along with all the other sections, it'll be standing room only.

It's also true that you are not required to sit in the reserved seating section.

 

[DisneyFamily123]

Really? That's good to know. I'd like to sit closer to center next time, but didn't know that that was an option. How long before the show starts do they start letting people in (both with F! package and without) -- an hour before?

My understanding is the fantasmic package is only good for the first show (if there is more than 1 show). The earliest we have gone is 60 minutes before the show, but you may be able to get in earlier than that. I guess it all depends on the crowd about when/where you find seats. In 2008, we arrived about 30 minutes before and there were plenty of seats in the top 10 or so rows. In 2009, you could sit almost anywhere when we got there but it was a very cold night... maybe a lot of people passed on Fantasmic because it was so cold. There was also a later show that night too.

You can take food and drinks and there's some vending places just outside the entrance/exit in the back center of the stadium (beer, hot chocolate, frozen cola drinks and lemonade, popcorn, stuff like that...)

When there is more than 1 show, I guess they have to clear out the first show and clean before seating people again.

Do an advanced search on the disboards for posts by Robo and use the term Fantasmic to search. Robo has posted some nice diagrams of the Fantasmic seating.

Here's one...
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=39210336&postcount=12

 

[Music City Mama]

My understanding is the fantasmic package is only good for the first show (if there is more than 1 show). The earliest we have gone is 60 minutes before the show, but you may be able to get in earlier than that. I guess it all depends on the crowd about when/where you find seats. In 2008, we arrived about 30 minutes before and there were plenty of seats in the top 10 or so rows. In 2009, you could sit almost anywhere when we got there but it was a very cold night... maybe a lot of people passed on Fantasmic because it was so cold. There was also a later show that night too.

You can take food and drinks and there's some vending places just outside the entrance/exit in the back center of the stadium (beer, hot chocolate, frozen cola drinks and lemonade, popcorn, stuff like that...)

When there is more than 1 show, I guess they have to clear out the first show and clean before seating people again.

Do an advanced search on the disboards for posts by Robo and use the term Fantasmic to search. Robo has posted some nice diagrams of the Fantasmic seating.

Here's one...
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=39210336&postcount=12

Thanks, I'm familiar with the seating as I've sat there before. I don't know why it didn't occur to me that we could sit closer. Obviously they let you get up to get concessions, use the restroom, etc., so really there wouldn't be anything stopping you from going to better seats if you see them -- I just never thought about doing it! LOL

 

[DisneyFamily123]

Thanks, I'm familiar with the seating as I've sat there before. I don't know why it didn't occur to me that we could sit closer. Obviously they let you get up to get concessions, use the restroom, etc., so really there wouldn't be anything stopping you from going to better seats if you see them -- I just never thought about doing it! LOL

In 2009, we sat in the very back (or top depending how you look at it) and that made for a quick exit, etc.. This year we sat about 1/4 away from the front row and when the fire was on the water, I could really feel the heat! Felt good as it was a cold night, but the front rows might feel too hot. I also don't know if water sprays at all in the rows up close... don't think so, but not sure.

 

[LBlovesM&WDW]

We always get the FP at HBD and love the convenience of not having to stand in that very long line(seen guests in line for well over 3 hours). We have a fabulous meal (albeit long) and then walk to the entrance and get a terrific seat. You don't want to be in the very first rows because trust me, you will get wet (especially on a windy night). Yes, the seats are on the right side, but certainly not so far over that you can't see the show. Stick with the FP!