Fantasmic Question

[ww52]

Does Fantasmic ever get so crowded that people are turned away? I'm trying to determine how best to handle it - book a dinner package for the preferred seating (may already be too late, plus that locks us in and we're trying to be somehat flexible) or stand in line an hour before as is usually suggested.

I've read that there really are no truly bad seats (true or not?), so I'm thinking maybe we'd be OK with lining up later. I think I read there is a standing room section - do they usually resort to using that for the last people in, or do most if not all people in line end up getting seated? And is the SRO section a really bad view?

As you can tell, I'm tempted to simply go there no more than 20 minutes before just to be able to see the show and not worry about our seats (or lack of them).

Any thoughts?

 

[Michelemouse]

It really depends on what time of year your trip is. If it is slow season you *may* luck into seats 20 minutes before showtime but I don't think I'd risk it...particularly if you've never seen it before or it is a "must-do" for you (as it is for us). At busier times of the year, however, the theater will often be completely full (including the standing-room section) 45-60 minutes before showtime. And, to answer your first question, yes they will turn people away once the theater has reached capacity.

 

[Bellefan66]

HI,
we were there in April, and it was crowded. We did the Fantasmic Dinner and yes we had priority seats.I personally didn't think the seats were all that great. They are off to the side.Yes, the view is good,but I'm one of those, gotta be in the middle people.I guess what I'm saying is,IF your going during value season,I wouldn't book the dinner. IF it's going to be crowded, then I would, just to guarantee you seats. Hope this helped.

 

[arm312]

The line gets pretty big. We did the dinner package and it was awesome. It was so nice to not have to worry about a seat. We sat there relaxed, ate dinner, and then after words we went into a hidden path to our seats. I recommend it.

 

[momof2sons]

We were there in early June 2000 and was in line 1 hour 30 min before show time. We were told when we got to the enterance that it was standing room only. So we stood. It was not a good time with a two year old who had fallen asleep. I didn't see much of the show for I sat down to hold son while the rest of the crew watched the show.

Went in late June 2001 and got in line 2 hours before show time and had great seats. Center seating in fourth row. Just a long wait before show started. Make sure to take something to entertain the kids.

Went in the 2nd week of July 2002. Was in line 1 hour and 45 min was seated on the far left about the middle.


We didn't have any trouble seeing in any of the locations we were in, Except the standing room only section. We would not do that again.

This year we are going to try the Fantasmic Dinner Package at Hollywood and Vine.

 

[April76]

We did SRO once with a toddler (we were running late but we didn't want to miss the show, so we went in knowing it would be SRO)--- I will NEVER do SRO ever again!!!! It was a very miserable time.

Although we started with a "not so bad" view - throughout the show people were pushing, shoving, putting kids on their shoulders, coming/go for snacks --- there were so many distractions, I don't think we saw half the show.

Fantasmic is a fabulous show and well worth the wait time..... I also like to be in the middle but many times have sat on either end and had a great view.

Whatever you do -- don't miss this show!

 

[WDWfanatic288]

we have never done the dinner package and never plan on doing it. we always go on a night where there are 2 shows(i know we were just there and on tuesday there was 9 and 10:30 show) the later show never fills up(there were at least 3 or 4 full sections with no one in them) and you don't wait that long....except they didn't even let us into the theatre until 10:15

you can see from any section...no reason to fight or sit for like 2 hours just so you can sit in the Mickey section.

 

[ww52]

Thanks for the tips. There is one night where there are two shows, but I had something else planned for that evening. Looks like I should rearrange our itinerary to hit that show.

I'm hoping they extended park hours in early August. From other threads it sounds like the FTP has resulted in many resorts being fully booked at least through July. So it seems likely there will be some increases in July at least - and hopefully that will spill into August.

 

[peachgirl]

I agree about the later showings. We always go to the last possible show and never arrive more than 1/2 hour or so before they let you in. We've always been able to get middle section seating.

Only once have we gone to the early show and that was during this past Christmas. We were walking by and since it hadn't completely sold out, we decided to go ahead and see what the side seating was like. To each their own, but I really didn't like it at all. The center view is much better and that's why we don't do the dinner package.

If you can schedule in a late show, I'd do it. It beats standing in line for an hour in the heat. Even at night, the way they pack people in that enclosed area shoulder to shoulder waiting to let them in, the heat can be unbearable.

 

[mommystieg]

If you can rearrange your schedule to go to the later show, I highly recommend it. There were 1/2 as many people at the 10:30 show then there were at the 9:00 show. I heard the CMs telling people that they could come back as late as 10:15 and there would be no problem getting seats. It was also a lot easier getting out of MGM that night.

 

[JoNo]

My fiance & I went in the beggining of this month and we had to get a seat 2 hours before showtime for a decent seat. Each time WE'VE gone, we've had to go in at least an hour early just to get a decent seat.

 

[letfuller]

We just got back on Monday and I would say you must go at least 1 hour before show time. We had great seats center 3 rows back, but we did get there fairly early. For some reason these seats were not taken. It did get crowded and, although they didn't turn people back, it could have easily been an issue. Personally, I thought the seats they reserved for those on the meal deal were not as great as ours. They say there are no bad seats, but I prefer front and center any day. It is a fabulous show, nonetheless.