fantasmic question

[SnowWhiteIsDreaming]

If you don't do the Fantasmic Dinner Package, do you get to go into the Fantasmic theatre and sit and wait in your seats while waiting for the show, or do you have to wait standing in a line outside of the theater for an hour or two?

 

[Twigs]

Last time we went to fantasmic we were able to go into the stadim early, I am pretty srue we were there about 2 hours early.

 

[SnowWhiteIsDreaming]

Thanks! That's good to know. With little ones it's easier to entertain them while sitting than standing in a crowded line.

Could I send my hubby out to buy snacks and food while I save his seat?

- can you bring food into the theatre?
- can you come and go freely before it starts while someone saves seats (if the kids need to go to the bathroom, or if DH wants to go shopping or on a quick ride?

 

[jerseydizdreamer]

Hi there! I'm not sure that my experience was exactly the same, or will be something you want to hear, but here goes:

I had to wait in line for quite a while before going into the stadium. Now, granted, I'm not one, generally speaking, to stand in line or sit on a curb for a couple hours waiting for a show or parade to start. So my friend Betsy and I probably arrived at the stadium about 30-45 minutes before showtime. There was a huge mass of people waiting, and the line wasn't moving at all. Eventually, we were allowed into the stadium, wound up getting pretty good seats (about halfway back from the front row) and enjoyed a fabulous show. So I'm not really sure when you can go into the theater. Waiting in line wasn't a whole lot of fun, especially as there were a whole lot of impatient kids who, as one might guess, got a little whiny, what with there being a whole, big, wonderful world of Disney out there, and them not understanding why they had to stand in this rather crushing line.

Good news: Once inside and seated, we still had about 15 minutes to go until showtime and the crowd was having a lot of fun, doing the wave (this has happened three different times when I went) which was silly and fun. And once you've secured seats, you can always send an emmisary to the snack stand for food, or you can wait for the vendors who come around selling popcorn, etc. I don't think it would be wise to try and leave the stadium for food, shopping or a ride, as they might not allow you back into the stadium once you've exited and it's gotten full. On a more personal note, I'll admit that I'm not a big fan of people saving seats for someone who's off enjoying the parks or whatever. It just strikes me as unfair to all the people who are sitting, trying to keep the kids entertained or just patiently waiting for the show. Not to sound all Scrooge-esque or anything!

Generally, I like to grab a turkey leg on Sunset Boulevard before diving into line. Fun to eat, if a little messy, and by the time I'm done with it.. hey, the line is moving!

Word of warning: Be prepard, while you're waiting for the show to start there are a huge number of vendors trying to sell you and the kids everything from glow sticks to souvenier cups. It's pretty relentless!

Richard

 

[WendyCFG]

What time of year are you going...

I only have 2 experiences with Fantasmic... Both last year. The third week of September we walked into the theatre minutes before the show started and got great seats. We had talked to a CM at the gate about an hour before Showtime that told us the show had not been filling for a few weeks.

The first week of December, we walked in about 30 minutes before showtime (no line), with our snacks in hand and got great seats again. oh... At that show, the 3 year old little girl next to us "adopted" me, and since we were "kidless" that week, I accomodated. I think her Mom and Dad were exhausted, and were glad to get the rest. The funny thing was, the show was much more enjoyable for me watching it through her eyes

Have fun!!!

 

[FloridaCat]

During our July trip we did the late show. We stopped at Rosies for a Chesseburger and watched the crowd. You wait at a rope gate, just as they dropped the rope we walked in and had great seats.
a great show.

 

[SnowWhiteIsDreaming]

WendyCFG,
We are going Oct 5-12. Is that a busy time for Fantasmic?

jerseydizdreamer,
Yeah, I admit that I don't think it's a good idea to save seats for someone while they're doing a ride or something. I guess I was more concerned about little ones needing to use the bathroom. Are there facilities in the theatre area?

 

[SnowWhite33]

There are restrooms at the back of the stadium, so no need to leave.

The first year we went we did not have to wait in line to get to our reserved seats with the package, and we showed up about 45 minutes in advance. Last October we ate at the counter service place-Rosies? about 2 hours ahead of time and when we were finished we were let in with a little over an hour to spare-we had great seats in the center. I have to admit though that it got very tiring to sit for that entire time with the vendors coming around, to an 8 yo anything they sell seems to be like gold whether it's a pretzel, lemonade, or those lighted spinner toys! So for the next trip we will have the Gameboy as a distraction, .

 

[mmeb144]

I'm in the "buy a snack, then sit down" crowd. I came an hour early, got great seats for me, my ds, 11, and my dd, 8. We bought ice cold cokes and caramel corn to share on the way in. They had their own spending money, so the vendors were no problem. The gadgets were too high priced for my kids, when it's their money.

Marie

 

[jerseydizdreamer]

I love that show, it's one of my favorites (don't ask me why, but when they break into the Little Mermaid theme, mixing it with the words "in your imagination" it just rips my heart out and leaves me crying... ok, that's the second time today I've posted something about the little mermaid making me cry. I might need some form of professional help).

But...

Man, are those benches tough to sit on for long stretches! Maybe if we all click our heels, clap our hands and say a few incantations, they'll eventually put in seats with backs!

Richard

 

[SnowWhite33]

mmeb14-This was our strategy for the entire vacation last year. DS had a set amount of money everyday and it amazed me how he would not buy the same trinkets with his own money that he would beg me for any other time. Another thing that amazed me was that he was wanting a game for his PS2 and he quickly figured out how many days he would have to go without spending so that he could have the money saved at the end of the trip . He was 7 and financially better off then we were at the end of the trip !

Sorry off topic I know, but wanted to share!