Fantasmic question

[Nancyg56]

I need some advice, if you all can help. I am going to Disney Oct 21 thru Oct 28 for F&W, with my friend. I subscribe to touring plans, and see the crowd levels are not huge, but I also understand how that can change. I know my friend will love Fantasmic, and I had planned on booking the package, but I would like to be able to play it by ear for a lot of this because has only done a few day trips into the parks, she has no idea what is waiting for her!

Anyway, do you think that we would be okay if we skipped the package as long as we were willing to wait in a line? I do not want to spoil this for her, and will book if we really should. My fear is that since we are without kids this time, and because of the restrictions on cancellations, we may end up being to attached to ADR's and I do not want that to happen. I usually am good with commitments written in stone while at WDW, but I always knew I could call and cancel if I needed to. The new policy makes that pretty tough, and since I don't need to consider the family and their meals, I kind of want to fly a bit free so if my friend wants to drop everything and hop to another park, I don't cringe and consider the cancellation charge. KWIM?

 

[mesaboy2]

I need some advice, if you all can help. I am going to Disney Oct 21 thru Oct 28 for F&W, with my friend. I subscribe to touring plans, and see the crowd levels are not huge, but I also understand how that can change. I know my friend will love Fantasmic, and I had planned on booking the package, but I would like to be able to play it by ear for a lot of this because has only done a few day trips into the parks, she has no idea what is waiting for her!

Anyway, do you think that we would be okay if we skipped the package as long as we were willing to wait in a line? I do not want to spoil this for her, and will book if we really should. My fear is that since we are without kids this time, and because of the restrictions on cancellations, we may end up being to attached to ADR's and I do not want that to happen. I usually am good with commitments written in stone while at WDW, but I always knew I could call and cancel if I needed to. The new policy makes that pretty tough, and since I don't need to consider the family and their meals, I kind of want to fly a bit free so if my friend wants to drop everything and hop to another park, I don't cringe and consider the cancellation charge. KWIM?

Yes.

 

[Nancyg56]

Thank you! The thought of being tied to an ADR like that one, when I have not even really made a solid plan for parks made me very nervous. I have never gone to Disney without kids, and so I really wanted to make only a few ADR's. We are getting to meet up with some DIS'ers and I wanted a level of flexibility in place. Thanks again!

 

[mesaboy2]

Thank you! The thought of being tied to an ADR like that one, when I have not even really made a solid plan for parks made me very nervous. I have never gone to Disney without kids, and so I really wanted to make only a few ADR's. We are getting to meet up with some DIS'ers and I wanted a level of flexibility in place. Thanks again!

If you are willing to wait in line, you are good. (Goes for anything at WDW.)

 

[Nancyg56]

If you are willing to wait in line, you are good. (Goes for anything at WDW.)

LOL! I know. I am an early bird anyway, so I would tend to be in place no matter what.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

And of course if there are nights with 2 shows planned go ton the 2nd show. You might even be able to snag a FP+ for it. I would have never ever ever imagined saying that b/c it's tier 1 and TSM and RnRC are way better choices in my opinion but if you got those rides in and there was availability for Fantasmic, I might be tempted. A friend told me for her family they just show up about an hour before and then grab some food from the concessions and have dinner while waiting for the show to start. Sounds like a good plan to me as long as you're OK eating concession type food.

 

[Nancyg56]

. A friend told me for her family they just show up about an hour before and then grab some food from the concessions and have dinner while waiting for the show to start. Sounds like a good plan to me as long as you're OK eating concession type food.

This is exactly what I asked my friend if she was willing to do if we chose to forego the package. She told me as long as she had a snack, and someone to talk to she was good. I just was a little worried that if I was careless in this she would not get to see the show, and I would not be willing to do that.

 

[Itinkso]

This is exactly what I asked my friend if she was willing to do if we chose to forego the package. She told me as long as she had a snack, and someone to talk to she was good. I just was a little worried that if I was careless in this she would not get to see the show, and I would not be willing to do that.

If you choose to go in without a Fp+, plan on entering 45-60 minutes before showtime. But, you may as well check to see if Fp+ is available after you have used your 4th or 5th Fp+. Using a Fp+ assures you of a seat and you can enter the amphitheater up to 10 minutes before the show.

 

[Nancyg56]

If you choose to go in without a Fp+, plan on entering 45-60 minutes before showtime. But, you may as well check to see if Fp+ is available after you have used your 4th or 5th Fp+. Using a Fp+ assures you of a seat and you can enter the amphitheater up to 10 minutes before the show.

I have not done much research into FP+ because I was not planning a trip. I can see that I need to spend some time on the boards getting to know how best to use it. I think that if it is possible to book this one, it will be well worth it for us!

I am going to have a pretty good idea of which parks on any given day that we plan on visiting, so this will help a lot. What I am trying to avoid is an over abundance of ADR's that I am married to. If I lose a FP because something better comes up, it is no harm no foul, for me. I just cannot look at ADR's that way, and honestly, for a planner like me, it is hard to try to have a loose plan as it is LOL!

I am a bit afraid my friend will feel we need to stick to a schedule if I tie CC commitments to our trip, so I am going to keep that at a minimum. SO far, her only request has been Beaches and Cream so I booked that on our arrival day at about 3PM. That gives us plenty of time to explore the Boardwalk, and if she wanted to head to DHS, we could. She has never really been to WDW, except for two trips, day trips, and saw nothing.

 

[Itinkso]

I have not done much research into FP+ because I was not planning a trip. I can see that I need to spend some time on the boards getting to know how best to use it. I think that if it is possible to book this one, it will be well worth it for us! I am going to have a pretty good idea of which parks on any given day that we plan on visiting, so this will help a lot. What I am trying to avoid is an over abundance of ADR's that I am married to. If I lose a FP because something better comes up, it is no harm no foul, for me. I just cannot look at ADR's that way, and honestly, for a planner like me, it is hard to try to have a loose plan as it is LOL! I am a bit afraid my friend will feel we need to stick to a schedule if I tie CC commitments to our trip, so I am going to keep that at a minimum. SO far, her only request has been Beaches and Cream so I booked that on our arrival day at about 3PM. That gives us plenty of time to explore the Boardwalk, and if she wanted to head to DHS, we could. She has never really been to WDW, except for two trips, day trips, and saw nothing.

By the time of your trip, there may be the "rolling 3 Fp+." 3 Fp+ in hand, use one and get another so you can always hold one for Fant while you continually book others. Here's how they load the amphitheater now:

- Fp+ enter on the left side of the pathway and sit in the Fp+ area - all sections to the left of dining are filled one by one with CMs overseeing this process.

- Standby guests enter on the right side of the pathway and veer to the right entrance. Each section to the right of Dining is filled one by one until the complete standby area is filled.

- Once standby is filled, all waiting standby guests are held in the entrance pathway until 5 minutes before showtime. At that time, they are allowed to fill in the Fp+ area.

 

[bjam12]

Does Fantasmic typically sell out? I always was under the impression that there is plenty of seating and nobody gets turned away.

 

[Itinkso]

Does Fantasmic typically sell out? I always was under the impression that there is plenty of seating and nobody gets turned away.

No longer true if you are "Standby" as the two center sections are the Dining Area and the Fp+ area is all of the left sections. Regular/standby guests only have the right area and once those sections are filled, 30 minutes or so before show, then the non-Fp+ guests stand and wait to fill-in the Fp+ area.

The 2nd show of the night, if there is one, is less crowded.

 

[Nancyg56]

No longer true if you are "Standby" as the two center sections are the Dining Area and the Fp+ area is all of the left sections. Regular/standby guests only have the right area and once those sections are filled, 30 minutes or so before show, then the non-Fp+ guests stand and wait to fill-in the Fp+ area.

The 2nd show of the night, if there is one, is less crowded.

So I should aim for FP. Now, I have never seen these, so does rolling FP mean I lock one in for Fantasmic, and then hang on to it. Then as I use the ones I have, I continue to hold Fantasmic, but can then try for another as I use the FP's I have?

 

[Itinkso]

So I should aim for FP. Now, I have never seen these, so does rolling FP mean I lock one in for Fantasmic, and then hang on to it. Then as I use the ones I have, I continue to hold Fantasmic, but can then try for another as I use the FP's I have?

Yes, if the rolling Fp+ goes into effect, that is how it will work for you.

 

[Kate and Family]

I am confused about waiting - line time vs sitting in seat and waiting.

Do I understand correctly, that you are allowed in about an hour before the show to your seats?

 

[Itinkso]

I am confused about waiting - line time vs sitting in seat and waiting. Do I understand correctly, that you are allowed in about an hour before the show to your seats?

Yes, the entrance gates open for all guests: Diners, Fp+, and Standby/regular guests an hour before the first show.

Gates open 30 minutes before the second/third shows.

 

[Nancyg56]

I have a plan for day one! We have lunch scheduled around 3 which gives us plenty of time to get to DHS for Fantasmic. I was not planning anything that day, but I think I will book FP for Fantasmic and whatever else is available for later in the afternoon/early evening. This will be a great way to kick of a Disney trip! Thank you for the suggestions!

 

[Itinkso]

I have a plan for day one! We have lunch scheduled around 3 which gives us plenty of time to get to DHS for Fantasmic. I was not planning anything that day, but I think I will book FP for Fantasmic and whatever else is available for later in the afternoon/early evening. This will be a great way to kick of a Disney trip! Thank you for the suggestions!

Very cool! Have a great time in October and keep watching for Fp+ updates and changes!

 

[Nancyg56]

Very cool! Have a great time in October and keep watching for Fp+ updates and changes!

I sure will. I have paid very little attention to the FP debate, but now that I am in the planning stages, I will get busy learning how to use the system effectively. I really had never though tto use one for the show, but this is teh perfect way to spend a few hours in DHS and not have the financial commitment of a meal, that I really do not want. Thank you again for you help!