Fantasmic Question

[ScottNBecky]

We have seen Fantasmic last year at a non-peak time. We had done the dinner package and got seats that way with no problem.

My question is for anyone who has went to Fantasmic during the summer, and without a dinner package, about how early have you gone and waited in line? Thanks in advance and any other tips you have in regards to Fantasmic feel free to list them. Thanks again

 

[stacy6552]

When we went in August, the gates were closed 45 minutes before the show because it reached capacity. We just called for a dinner package later in the trip.

 

[babywewe]

I was there last week. Did fantasmic last sundaynight. The park seemed empty that night even though it was star wars weekend. Had the fantasmic package but could have gotten a seat without it. I would get there 30min ahead of time.

 

[tink1978]

When I go in the summer, I get there 90-120 minutes early...it may sound crazy, but it fills up almost an hour prior to the show.

 

[NatalieO]

Was there 23 May and arrived 60 minutes before the show and had a great seat, middle section halfway up. We actually chose our seat. DS loved it and we "had" to go back. Went again on 25 May and arrived 30 minutes before the show and got the same exact seat, well maybe 2 or 3 rows above or below, but it was great!

 

[Goingtodisneyworld]

We too are trying to plan for seats ~ have been to MGM so many times & have never actually stayed for the show until this May, had no idea but got there about 30mins early & standing room only (kinda tough w/ DDs 2 & 5 on our shoulders) but still totally worth it!!! Upon our return this 10/1 tried for dinner package, not available, so what time would you think so we may avoid standing room, however not an endless wait for DDs?
P.S. Currently holding ADR Mama's 5:10, crowd index day of 5, no EMH.

 

[rangebob]

I was there on Saturday and got there about 20 minutes before show and there were a few seats left. We were in the far left section and went for the down front seating. I don't really like that section since it was hard to see the video on the screens.

 

[Robo]

We too are trying to plan for seats ~ have been to MGM so many times & have never actually stayed for the show until this May, had no idea but got there about 30mins early & standing room only (kinda tough w/ DDs 2 & 5 on our shoulders) but still totally worth it!!! Upon our return this 10/1 tried for dinner package, not available, so what time would you think so we may avoid standing room, however not an endless wait for DDs?
P.S. Currently holding ADR Mama's 5:10, crowd index day of 5, no EMH.

No one can predict EXACTLY what will happen on any given day.
It has totally to do with how much time you wish to invest, and the general crowd levels.
(Take all of these as "average" numbers, sometimes the crowd will be MUCH greater and the theater can fill up much sooner.)

VERY Busy days:
If you go to the first show of the evening (or "only" show that evening), if you arrive about 75-120 minutes before show-time, you can sit just about anywhere.
45-60 minutes before: Good seats
20-40 Minutes: will vary between seats at edges and rear of theater to SRO or even "closed" to further guests.

Busy days:
If you go to the first show of the evening (or "only" show that evening), if you arrive about 50-60 minutes before show-time, you can sit just about anywhere.
40 minutes before: Good seats
25-35 Minutes: will vary between seats at edges and rear of theater to SRO or even "closed" to further guests. (The crowd of "last-minute" arrivals can be slow to get seated before show-time.)

Off-Season (not busy days):
You should be OK to enter by 10-20 minutes before, but you'll likely be seated to the outer edges, and/or way at the back.

If you do the dinner pkg. you can enter 30 minutes before (or a bit later) and still be guaranteed pretty good seats, regardless of crowd-levels.

If there are TWO Fantasmic! shows in one evening, the second one will have lower crowd level than the first one. You can arrive a bit later and still find a seat.

Be aware that the second show waiting area will LOOK like the show is too crowded.
That's because they HOLD the 2nd crowd outside the theater while the CMs CLEAN it after the first crowd has exited.

Then, they will let those waiting together in that big group IN... all at once, and there will be PLENTY of room.

(The theater holds 10,000 guests!)

 

[jams]

What time are the Fantasmic shows generally held?

 

[joyeric]

we went to the second show at 10:30 last saturday, we waited 30 minutes and the the theatre was only about 1/2 full. what a terrific show!

 

[Amirah95]

We get there a 45mins to an hour before always.

 

[dischick4778]

We have gone in mid-late August several times and arrived 45 minutes before and were able to pick seats anywhere.