Fantasmic Premium and Balcony Seating

[LJH77]

Hello everyone!

I was just wondering if anyone out there had ever tried the Fantasmic Premium Seating or Balcony Seating?

My fiance and I are getting married in August and are driving the Pacific Coastal Route, Highway 1 for our honeymoon (woo hoo - can't wait!!!!) so of course we HAVE to visit Disneyland!

I have seen Fantasmic before in Disneyland but we just sat on the main walkway so I thought the above two options could be really nice to maybe get some seats booked and watch it in comfort (so to speak!!).

What does everyone think? Has anyone experienced it before? Is it worth the money? Is one better than the other? Any comments would be much appreciated!

We are also thinking about priority seating the Blue Bayou restaurant, there is one very similar at Disneyland Paris that we both love so I really fancy it. I have heard that the restaurant is nice - what does everyone think?

Thanks very much in advance everyone, for all of your help!!!

 

[blackjackdelta]

We have done this twice now and absolutely love it. Gets you above and away from the crowds and we have been luckey to get front row seating.
We have had excellent service and well worth the experience.(That was 6 of us both times.)

Have fun,

Jack

 

[HydroGuy]

Hello everyone!

I was just wondering if anyone out there had ever tried the Fantasmic Premium Seating or Balcony Seating?

My fiance and I are getting married in August and are driving the Pacific Coastal Route, Highway 1 for our honeymoon (woo hoo - can't wait!!!!) so of course we HAVE to visit Disneyland!

I have seen Fantasmic before in Disneyland but we just sat on the main walkway so I thought the above two options could be really nice to maybe get some seats booked and watch it in comfort (so to speak!!).

What does everyone think? Has anyone experienced it before? Is it worth the money? Is one better than the other? Any comments would be much appreciated!

We are also thinking about priority seating the Blue Bayou restaurant, there is one very similar at Disneyland Paris that we both love so I really fancy it. I have heard that the restaurant is nice - what does everyone think?

Thanks very much in advance everyone, for all of your help!!!

Getting the reserved seating for Fantasmic is apparently pretty tough because of limited seats. Here is a recent thread on this www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1409135

We have never done it but are planning to try on our next trip.

The BB would be a great place for lunch. It has a very nice atmoshpere, and being right there by POTC is cool. Do make a PS, and if you want to eat there for lunch your best bet is to get the PS when it opens at 11:30. While they cannot guarantee waterside seating, you should request it anyways and keep your fingers crossed.

 

[cruisin' aunt]

Did balcony seating last year during POTC opening . DH, nephew and I were in the front row. Desserts were scrumptious. Servers asking if you want more!!!

It was so nice to be up and above the crowds and have a fantasmic view of the show.

Is it worth it?? Don't think I'd do it again-been there, done that. But, it was great to experience it and made for a special treat for our little family.

 

[Chocolate lover]

We personally feel balcony seating is the only way to go. A couple of years ago before I found the light of this site we didn't know about Fantasmic and couldn't understand why everyone was lining up 5 hours ahead for a show. So we didn't hang out to watch it last year I got smart thanks to this site and booked balcony seating and wow! Awesome, we were a party of 8 and got the front row on the balcony and it was the best Christmas present I ever gave the entire family! We will always shoot for balcony seating!

 

[CalGal]

Perhaps in part because I try to avoid desserts, I used to think spending $50+ a pop for fantasmic seating was a bit extravagent, especially during busy periods when there are two Fantasmic shows a night (it's not hard to get a decent spot for the second show). But I've changed my tune. I loved it! I highly recommend it for a honeymoon treat. But as said, it is tough to get your reservation. Make sure you read up on how to get the reservation.

 

[tinkcollector]

We have seen Fantasmic from the Balcony Seating. It was wonderful. If I were wealthy I would do it again. The cost keeps me from doing it again. But, it was worth the splurge. Be sure and go hungry. When we were there you had your choice of beverages, like mint juleps, sodas, coffee, and tea. The assortment of snacks were amazing. We had a chioce of cheese and crackers, fruit, creme brulee, chocolate cake, cheesecake, and cookies. You could have as much of anything that you wanted. The table of goodies never ran dry. The other viewing area, I believe was called the Premium Seating area. I have not sat there. It is a area roped off, and you are provided chairs. You still are offered beverages of your chioce. But, the desserts are not free flowing like the balcony area. Here you are given a box with goodies in them.
As for the Blue Bayou. The food and atmosphere are wonderful. We try and eat there on each of our visits to the park. Here's my BB tip; Make sure and pack a little flashlite. The lighting is so low that I can never see my bill. I can't reccomend a single dish, as everything we have tried has been delicious.
Congratulations on your up coming marriage. I have been very happily married for 23 years.

 

[DLovinFam]

We did Fantasmic balcony seating in 2005, and we LOVED it. It was a one time spluge for us (family of 5, so pretty spendy) I surprised my husband for our 15th wedding anniversary. (Disneyland is where we honeymooned)
We were seated right in the front and it was amazing! I had never seen Fantasmic before and what a way to see it for the first time!

 

[Grandma Debby]

I agree that the balcony seating is expensive BUT we didn't have to sit around and save spaces - we rode rides; the desserts were to die for and lots of them - what's a vacation for if not to EAT; and no one was in my 7 year old granddaughter's view - PRICELESS. We would do it again except Fantasmic doesn't start back up until the middle of June and we are there the 3-10th Have to go back again

 

[LJH77]

Thanks everyone for your advice and experiences (and the 'congratulations' Tinkcollector!) - I think that since everyone has recommened it we will go ahead and book it.....if we can! Mind you we are staying at the Grand Californian so I might take advantage of the vacation planning services as mentioned in your link Hydroguy (thanks for that by the way it was a big help).

I'm really looking forward to seeing the show again, I saw the DL version first and then the WDW one and I always still feel that the DL version is better, although I don't know if this is just because it was my first viewing and therefore I knew what to expect at WDW?

But anyway - thanks again for all the help!

 

[disneegrl4eva]

Hello everyone!

I was just wondering if anyone out there had ever tried the Fantasmic Premium Seating or Balcony Seating?

My fiance and I are getting married in August and are driving the Pacific Coastal Route, Highway 1 for our honeymoon (woo hoo - can't wait!!!!) so of course we HAVE to visit Disneyland!

I have seen Fantasmic before in Disneyland but we just sat on the main walkway so I thought the above two options could be really nice to maybe get some seats booked and watch it in comfort (so to speak!!).

What does everyone think? Has anyone experienced it before? Is it worth the money? Is one better than the other? Any comments would be much appreciated!

We are also thinking about priority seating the Blue Bayou restaurant, there is one very similar at Disneyland Paris that we both love so I really fancy it. I have heard that the restaurant is nice - what does everyone think?

Thanks very much in advance everyone, for all of your help!!!

I have done both...the last time I did balcony was last year and I did riverside over christmas holidays...if you can afford to do it I would highly recommend it...My personal preference is for riverside(premium) but my reasons are different than most...I am a HUGE Fantasmic freak!! I plan all my visits around it sitting riverside you can actually see behind the scenes which was a very big plus for me...but for you, and it being your first time, I would go with the balcony...one its outside of the gallery high up in the heart of NOS and the desserts are to die for...the dessert box we got riverside was good but the coffee and hot chocolate was yuck...you have better offerings balcony...but the downside to wanting balcony is that you have to be on the phone at the exact time they open 30 days prior to your wanting to see it..they only have like what 12 slots i think and if you want up front you HAVE to make sure your one of the first callers...if someone gets on before you and orders 5 tickets your done for but I definitely would try it...

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Here's some information about Fantasmic with pictures and explanation right here on the DIS :
http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneyland-california/disneyland-fantasmic.htm