Fantasmic Priority Seating

[lntsmom]

of the seating area??? When we went this was being done at the Disney Gallery...which I hear is pretty much gone for good. Are the seats decent? I'd love it if someone could share a picture.

I still say it's too danged bad they don't bulldoze the boardwalk area at CA, put in an ampetheatre, and move the show over there. It was a major disapointment for us. I know others like the show better there, but give me the one at the Studios any day!

 

[Huff]

I know others like the show better there, but give me the one at the Studios any day!

There is no comparison between the two shows. DL's is hands down superior. Ya, DS has seating for everyone which is great but the show lacks so much.

 

[Disney Dreams]

...I still say it's too danged bad they don't bulldoze the boardwalk area at CA, put in an ampetheatre, and move the show over there. It was a major disapointment for us. I know others like the show better there, but give me the one at the Studios any day!

There is no comparison between the two shows. DL's is hands down superior. Ya, DS has seating for everyone which is great but the show lacks so much.

I think it is always interesting what people find better than something else. I like DL's show being out in the open as opposed to an ampitheatre, that said...

I am a loyal DL-er if there ever was one and no one can ever convince me that the MK lacks a magical something that DL has. However, the one direct comparison that I awarded to DW of DL as being better is Fantasmic! The show at DW has some additional elements and just overall we thought it was better than DL's without a question (to us).

I love that everyone has a different opinion on "what's best" because that's what makes a Disney experience so personal - and therefore magical.

- Dreams

 

[ballarinamom]

You have the absolute right to your opinion. However,WDW doesn't have the Mark Twain filled with the characters or the battle with Peter Pan and Captain Hook on the Columbia. Those are both of our families favorite parts! We saw both and had no problem paying for the Fantasmic seating at DL for this past trip which was our 5th to the Land

 

[DWFan4Life]

Are the seats decent? I've heard on some other boards that they are obstructed and if you don't get in the first row, you're kind of out of luck as to the view.

I don't think so. Out of luck for those who don't want to try it but good thing for those who already experienced. It doesn't matter if your in the first row or not, what matters is, you enjoy it and you really have fun.

 

[Tasscrapper]

So are there good places to see Fantasmic from without the priority seating? How early do you have to show up? I really want to see it on our next trip since we haven't yet but haven't really understood where exactly to go for it. I know it is on the Rivers of America and I'm guessing from an earlier post it should be somewhere by the Haunted Mansion. Anyone have tips of where to sit?

 

[Huff]

I too would like to know where to go for a decent view without priority $'s nor having to arrive an hour or more before the show.

I have stood in front of some of the NOS shops with a decent straight on view. However, this is not good for kids as they would not be able to see over the top of the crowds.

 

[Disney Dreams]

So are there good places to see Fantasmic from without the priority seating? How early do you have to show up? I really want to see it on our next trip since we haven't yet but haven't really understood where exactly to go for it. I know it is on the Rivers of America and I'm guessing from an earlier post it should be somewhere by the Haunted Mansion. Anyone have tips of where to sit?

We like to sit right down by the river front. There is room there for 1,000s of people and it is a sitting area only. Absolutely no standing once the show begins. If you are there during peak season, people "camp out" for hours to save seats, though. During off-peak, you can still get a good seat down front about an hour before show time.

There is also standing room behind the sitting area (and up a level) which is a great view, just not sitting.

If you go on a night when there are 2 shows, the 2nd show is your best bet because there is only a small window between shows so you don't have to deal with "camping out."

ballarinamom - And DLR doesn't have all the animals. We LOVED that portion of the show.

- Dreams

 

[romymichelle21]

I have only seen the DL version twice, but the second time I went by myself, and had luck with the "sitting only" (as in, on the ground) area! It was the day after Thanksgiving so the park was quite busy, but I managed to head over 30 minutes before the show and the sitting-only area was pretty empty. So, if you don't mind sitting cross-legged, try that! It was off to the left of the center slightly, but pretty close to the middle.

... Just don't sit behind the pole

Oh, and on nights when they have the fireworks and you intend to see the 2nd Fantasmic, you'll need to either leave before the end of the fireworks, or RUN! (And, speaking of which, when you see everyone go left of the castle? Going right is NOT gonna get you there any faster. Just FYI ).

 

[Disney Dreams]

Going right is NOT gonna get you there any faster. Just FYI ).

haha! Truer words have never been posted. Even if it LOOKS like a good idea at the time.

 

[Tasscrapper]

Disney Dreams now that you say that about 1000's of people being able to sit down it brings to mind a big open area by a cart in my head. I think it was across from the HM. Is that the area? Do they actually tell everyone to sit down so that people further back can see? Can you take a blanket in and spread down to mark your spot? I'm thinking that if either me or my brother went and did that and the other took the kids other places until closer to show time it would be better than trying to get them to just stay in one spot for an hour or so. We will be there the first week of Feb. so I'm hoping the crowds will be comparatively lighter.

 

[lntsmom]

I too would like to know where to go for a decent view without priority $'s nor having to arrive an hour or more before the show.

I have stood in front of some of the NOS shops with a decent straight on view. However, this is not good for kids as they would not be able to see over the top of the crowds.

Okay, DL was a long time ago, so I don't have specific names and this might be outdated, but...

When we went a CM in dining told me to keep an eye out for a closed restaurant - the Riverbelle Terrace. If it's reopened, this advice is useless. However, she suggested we go to The Stagedoor Cafe and grab dinner an hour or so before the show...and sit at one of the tables right up next to the railing at the Riverbelle Terrace.

We had a pretty good view of the show. Mind you, I've wondered if part of the reason we found the show lacking compared to the one at the Studios was due to where we were sitting.

We were there at the end of May and by early afternoon the lawn was covered with blankets...huge blankets that had one person apiece sitting on them.

Since it was our first trip I wasn't willing to give up half a day just to sit on the lawn, so we tried what the CM suggested. We got a seat!

 

[christine*]

I saw it on a Thursday night, went to find a place to stand about 15 minutes before it started and to my suprised i still had options as to where to stand and it wasn't crowded . There was no one standing in front of me or anything. Go left to the left side of the stage! You won't have a front view of the characters on stage but you'll be able to see everything =)

 

[Disney Dreams]

Disney Dreams now that you say that about 1000's of people being able to sit down it brings to mind a big open area by a cart in my head. I think it was across from the HM. Is that the area? Do they actually tell everyone to sit down so that people further back can see? Can you take a blanket in and spread down to mark your spot? I'm thinking that if either me or my brother went and did that and the other took the kids other places until closer to show time it would be better than trying to get them to just stay in one spot for an hour or so. We will be there the first week of Feb. so I'm hoping the crowds will be comparatively lighter.

Starting at the water, the entire front area around the riverfront is seating only. Then there are stairs that go up and there is a railing. All along that railing is standing only. Then there is walking space and then the restaurants.

People do claim space with a blanket and a "guard" hours ahead of time. Really! Sounds like that is exactly what you and your family did.

Not sure when you were there for comparison, but February is a ligther time of year at DL compared to a good part of the year.

- Dreams

 

[Tasscrapper]

Well we haven't seen it at all yet and I was thinking about the blanket mainly because I froze my tush waiting for the Pixar Parade in Decemeber. Now that I think about it though I'll bet it won't be as cold in February. I can't see wasting the afternoon waiting for it either. An hour maybe but not several. I guess we will jsut check it out when we get there.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Well we haven't seen it at all yet and I was thinking about the blanket mainly because I froze my tush waiting for the Pixar Parade in Decemeber. Now that I think about it though I'll bet it won't be as cold in February. I can't see wasting the afternoon waiting for it either. An hour maybe but not several. I guess we will jsut check it out when we get there.

February nights are cold in So. Cal. Your body will thank you for that blanket if you choose to sit on the ground for the show. If you are going in February, you should be okay "camping out" about an hour before show time. It's the off season, crowd-wise. Unless you are going President's weekend, of course.....

Depending on how big your party is, you could be okay showing up about 20 minutes before showtime, but if it is a busy night you will be at the mercy, courtesy, and sharing nature of guests who have sprawled out for an hour or so to fit into spaces in between them. Since there is no fireworks and (possibly depending on the night) only one showing of Fantasmic! it gets crowded fast within an hour of showtime

 

[Tasscrapper]

Thanks for the info. I will still plan on that blanket then. We'll be there Feb. 2-5 and will do Fantasmic on the Monday night probably. It's on my do not miss list so if somethign ha[[ens the first nightwe will still have options. I am so excited to go back I just can't keeep off the boards!

 

[daneenm]

of the seating area??? When we went this was being done at the Disney Gallery...which I hear is pretty much gone for good. Are the seats decent? I'd love it if someone could share a picture.

Sorry, don't have pics, but we have done both the gallery and the riverfront Prefered seating. We did the gallery first and loved it. However, the next time we went, the gallery was full and the riverfront was all they had (obviously this was when they still had both). We took the riverfront and never looked back! We felt much more 'in' the show down there. You can feel the spray and the heat from the fire. It is great!

You can certainly camp out for a seat with the 1000's that feels the same way. DH would never do this (too close for comfort) so we pay for the seats when we want to watch. We were just there in August and had a great time!