Fantasmic questions

[ErinInCT]

I need some advice about seeing Fantasmic. (Starts at 7:30pm)
The trip is mid-Oct so hopefully still off season & less crowded.
We can go Sun where they have 2 shows, early & late - we have to go early but I wonder which show is more crowded?
Or we can go another day where they only have 1 show.
Which is recommended, Sun or another day?
What are the seats like? Are they bleachers or stadium?
Can people "hold" seats (put bags & stuff on the seats so it looks like someone is sitting there) for you or is that frowned upon? (For example, can a couple people hold seats while the rest of us go see Playhouse Disney)
How early do we need to get there in mid Oct to get a decent seat? Be honest.
Sorry to bombard you with questions, but we can only go 1 afternoon & we want to see the parade, VotLM, PHD, B&TB & Fantasmic. Trying to figure out if this is do-able. The times listed on Steve Soares' site (while they may change) are not favorable to us!!
Thanks so much!

 

[pamouselover]

Just back...We saw it on Sept.23rd. They are bleachers seats. We ate dinner at sci-fi dine and then headed over to Aerosmith roller coaster. We walk over at about 15 mins till the show start time of 8pm and found perfect seats right in the middle about five rows up fromt he front.
Walk down and look for holes..... that is what we did.
Caution though....
When we want in 2000 in Oct. we had to stand for the show!

 

[QuickGold]

Erin,

Always see the last showing of Fantasmic!, so go for the second showing.
See it on the day with 2 shows because you'll find the second showing to be nice and empty compared to the other show. When there's one show per day, then you're stuck with everyone.
Seats are like bleachers. Hard, metal benches with no back support.
You can hold seats in general. I'd keep at least one person there to keep watch.
In Mid-Oct, assuming it's not Columbus Day weekend, about 30-45 minutes should do it.

You might find the latest episode of my podcast interesting because we talk about (among other parades & firework shows), advice on when to arrive for F! and where (and where not to) sit: http://www.wdwtoday.com/article.php?story=20050929070555246

 

[ErinInCT]

Matt,
Did your DIS id change? I remember you from last year when I was more "active" on the DIS, but I don't remember that ID.
Anyhoo,
We just CAN'T see the late show with 3 kids 5 & under. They normally go to bed at 7:30pm so even the 7:30pm show is pushing it!! Trust me, if there was any way, I'd do it.
I liked your podcast! Some of your comments (and Len's) made me crack up! For "Disney lovers" there sure are a lot of things you don't like!! Thanks for the great tips on where to sit for Fantasmic.
One last MGM question,
if we saw the 3:30pm B&TB show (ending at 4pm), can we still get out to the Hat to catch the 4pm parade? I know that is not an ideal spot, but I'm sure all the celeb heads would be taken by the time we attempted to get over there from Sunset Blvd. I don't even think we could get there without having to cross the parade!
Thanks for everything. You are a great MGM resource!