Fantasmic question about seating?

[NicholeB630]

Debating trying and see Fantasmic for our next trip. We are only going to be at HS for half day. Arriving around 1. So we will need to use our Tier 1 FP for Toy Story. I was planning on doing dinner at Sci Fi. So from 1 to dinner time we could use our three fast passes and do other things. Well I read that they allow people to start sitting in for Fantasmic 90 minutes prior to show. Well theres no way we can spend that time just sitting when we have such little time waiting. How is the seating? If we get there like 20 minutes before the show will we have crappy seats? Can you see decent from anywhere? Is there a chance we could score a 4th FP to it that day after we use our third one up?

 

[epcotty]

If your FPs are all right after each other it should be possible to get Fantasmic as a 4th, otherwise it's generally advisable to try to get in the regular line about 1 hr before

 

[hiroMYhero]

Debating trying and see Fantasmic for our next trip. We are only going to be at HS for half day. Arriving around 1. So we will need to use our Tier 1 FP for Toy Story. I was planning on doing dinner at Sci Fi. So from 1 to dinner time we could use our three fast passes and do other things. Well I read that they allow people to start sitting in for Fantasmic 90 minutes prior to show. Well theres no way we can spend that time just sitting when we have such little time waiting. How is the seating? If we get there like 20 minutes before the show will we have crappy seats? Can you see decent from anywhere? Is there a chance we could score a 4th FP to it that day after we use our third one up?

As soon as you finish your 3rd FP, go to a kiosk to select Fantasmic as your 4th FP.

You should still try to plan on being in the amphitheater at least 30 minutes before showtime. If the Standby section has filled early and there are a lot of guests waiting, the CMs may begin filling the FP area with Standby guests earlier than 10 minutes before Fantasmic.

It's best not to sit in the last sections on either side of the amphitheater because it somewhat destroys the magic of some of the exchanges taking place on stage. From the front of the Beast section, you may not be able to see some of the onstage characters - Pocahontas, for example.

 

[NicholeB630]

If your FPs are all right after each other it should be possible to get Fantasmic as a 4th, otherwise it's generally advisable to try to get in the regular line about 1 hr before

Hmm ok. I can def plan our FP's for right when we get to pack one after another. We def can't spend an hour of time waiting. It just would take up to much time. With FP are we able to go in later and then we have reserved seating?

 

[okilydokily]

Depends on the crowd level. Some nights it isn't full and will be fine to walk up. Some nights it is announced as standing room only 20 minutes before. I think you can see just fine from the bleachers in back, but others don't like it. If it is busy, they may do 2 shows, go to the later one and you will have no problem.

After using the 3 FP, go to a kiosk and see if they have any more available for F! and grab them if they do.

 

[NicholeB630]

So if I get the 4th FP for it and we get there 30 minutes prior to the show we would be good and we get good seats? Also what if we decided to do the dining package instead how does that work with seats?

 

[figmentfan423]

How about booking a dining package for it? that's what we do when there's only one show a night and it has worked out quite well.

 

[hiroMYhero]

So if I get the 4th FP for it and we get there 30 minutes prior to the show we would be good and we get good seats? Also what if we decided to do the dining package instead how does that work with seats?

SciFi isn't included in the Fantasmic Dining Package.

Dining package guests get premium seating in the center of the amphitheater for the 1st show or only show of the night. Even with Dining, you'd need to arrive about 30 minutes prior to showtime.

Last night the Parks Blog live streamed Fantasmic and the Dining section was full at 20 minutes before showtime.

 

[NicholeB630]

How about booking a dining package for it? that's what we do when there's only one show a night and it has worked out quite well.

Well I thought about that but I don't really want to eat at any of those places. We've done Hollywood and Vine and were going to do Tusker house so I don't want to see the same characters again. I really wanted to eat at Sci Fi. I think my kids will think its really neat. Ages 4 and 7. The other two options just don't seem that appealing. Is there reserved seating when you do it like that?

 

[NicholeB630]

SciFi isn't included in the Fantasmic Dining Package.

Dining package guests get premium seating in the center of the amphitheater for the 1st show or only show of the night. Even with Dining, you'd need to arrive about 30 minutes prior to showtime.

Last night the Parks Blog live streamed Fantasmic and the Dining section was full at 20 minutes before showtime.

I know that Sci Fi isn't a part of it. We could def get there 30 minutes prior. Do they sell more packages though then they can fit? I mean if its full by 20 minutes prior I'd hope that is all people who paid for the package and everyone showed up. Thats rather crappy to do something like that then get there and theres no spot for you? But like I said we could def do 30 minutes. Just not an hour or more. That waste to much time.

 

[hiroMYhero]

I know that Sci Fi isn't a part of it. We could def get there 30 minutes prior. Do they sell more packages though then they can fit? I mean if its full by 20 minutes prior I'd hope that is all people who paid for the package and everyone showed up. Thats rather crappy to do something like that then get there and theres no spot for you? But like I said we could def do 30 minutes. Just not an hour or more. That waste to much time.

The only thing with Fant Dining is that it's for late lunches - a way to fill the restaurant during the lull between lunch and dinner.

With a plan for 30 minutes before showtime, you'd be fine with a FP. And, if it is a two show night, plan on the 2nd Fantasmic. Seating for the 2nd Fantasmic begins 30 minutes before showtime because they need to clean the amphitheater between shows.

 

[figmentfan423]

40 minutes is better than over an hour so for us it works. When are you going @NicholeB630?

 

[SnackCredit]

If there are two shows that night, the later one will be less crowded, so you don't have to arrive super early for that.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

Are there two performances on the night you will be attending?

We go during the summer months when the park closes at 10 pm with Fantasmic at 9 & 10:30. The vast majority of guests attend the 1st show and the line does start to form early.

We like to spend this time reriding the headliners while the lines are short. For example, we've often had luck riding Toy Story 4 times between 9 & 10 pm.

After the final ride, we still have plenty of time to grab some snacks and head over to the amphitheater before showtime. We generally try to arrive about 10 minutes before the performance starts and always have good luck finding great seats. Last summer, 5 sections of the theater were unused the night we went and it's been several years since we've seen the place much more than half full.

Unfortunately, if you're visiting on a day with only 1 performance then you'll want to get there early even with FP+ or Dining Plan seating. It's a really good show that shouldn't be missed, it just doesn't always take a significant time commitment to attend.

 

[KrazeeK120]

I'm not sure a later showing is a good solution for the OP, even if she goes on a 2-show night. She mentioned her kids are ages 4 and 7...10:30 is awful late to see a show for kids that age.

OP...have you made at least a loose schedule of what you'd like to do in the park that day? It will give you an idea of how much time you really have to wait in line and will also help you gauge if the dining package is worth it.

 

[NicholeB630]

40 minutes is better than over an hour so for us it works. When are you going @NicholeB630?

We are going in September from the 9-18.

 

[figmentfan423]

We are going in September from the 9-18.

You should be able to get in about 45 minutes before. Just keep an eye on the line

 

[NicholeB630]

I'm not sure a later showing is a good solution for the OP, even if she goes on a 2-show night. She mentioned her kids are ages 4 and 7...10:30 is awful late to see a show for kids that age.

OP...have you made at least a loose schedule of what you'd like to do in the park that day? It will give you an idea of how much time you really have to wait in line and will also help you gauge if the dining package is worth it.

Well I am thinking we'd arrive around 1. I was hoping to eat at Sci Fi for dinner just to give us more time during the day to do things before eating. We would FP Toy story, Maybe Tower of terror and another one which would really be a waste. Maybe the Muppets. We want to see Beauty and the beast, possibly a few characters and ride the great movie ride. Do you know if there are two shows in September? the later would be way to late I'm sure as we'll be getting up in am to go to another park early. I looked this month and it showed 7pm but guessing thats because its winter and dark so much earlier. Didn't think about the Sept hours being different.

 

[figmentfan423]

Well I am thinking we'd arrive around 1. I was hoping to eat at Sci Fi for dinner just to give us more time during the day to do things before eating. We would FP Toy story, Maybe Tower of terror and another one which would really be a waste. Maybe the Muppets. We want to see Beauty and the beast, possibly a few characters and ride the great movie ride. Do you know if there are two shows in September? the later would be way to late I'm sure as we'll be getting up in am to go to another park early. I looked this month and it showed 7pm but guessing thats because its winter and dark so much earlier. Didn't think about the Sept hours being different.

I'm almost positive there isn't going to be a second show. I'd say get there a bit earlier and don't forget to do Disney Jr show

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

I'm not sure a later showing is a good solution for the OP, even if she goes on a 2-show night. She mentioned her kids are ages 4 and 7...10:30 is awful late to see a show for kids that age.

You would be surprised. Even at half full, there are a lot more young kids at the late show than you would imagine and the guys selling the flashing lights, etc. still do a really good business.

Each of mine took their first WDW trip when they were 1, and we never thought about attending the early show or leaving the parks early. Even when they were little, we found it much easier to let then stay up late than to make them get up early. Plus, I don't think 10:30 is "awful late" while on vacation.