Fantasmic Seating - any bad seats?

[PinkBudgie]

I am pretty sure they are talking about when general areas fills up with people that are staking out spots (not the dessert seating that you pay for).

Oh, ok. I see. I must have gotten lost in the thread.

 

[GrandBob]

For those who want a chair, or want to sit in a reserved area, or do not want to camp out for a seat (which is NOT necessary although some do chose to do so), the reserved area is perfect. The treats, the beverages, and let's face it, the VIP treatment that some people love are all value-added elements that can be received for $59. Is it worth it? As with everything, only each individual person knows the answer to that question.

Of course your last statement is true; and for those of you who find the value there, I'm not trying to diminish your experience. I'm just pointing out that if they took a little more effort to enhance it, an even larger audience would find it worth the cost.

If the risers don't fit, then that's a perfectly good answer to my question, though I still can't figure out why they can't assign seats over the phone. But I don't buy the cost of the extra labor. They're selling how many seats at $59 each? The extra labor costs would be minor. Heck, DW & I went to a play this weekend for $35 each ($25 for students and seniors). Two and a half hour play, cast of over 100, lots of staging and setup, etc. These things can be done if the production company is motivated.

-Bob

 

[Disney Dreams]

...I'm just pointing out that if they took a little more effort to enhance it, an even larger audience would find it worth the cost.

...These things can be done if the production company is motivated.

-Bob

And I guess the really simple answer is, why do they need to enhance it any more than it already is at all? Not only do the seats sell out - but people have now started to line up to reserve a seat (something that didn't used to happen). They have a product that sells out. Some find the price perfectly acceptable. There is no need to arrive early and yet people have started that trend on their own. I guess if I were in charge, I would not be motivated to change anything with that scenario. It's successful as is.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Of course your last statement is true; and for those of you who find the value there, I'm not trying to diminish your experience. I'm just pointing out that if they took a little more effort to enhance it, an even larger audience would find it worth the cost.

If the risers don't fit, then that's a perfectly good answer to my question, though I still can't figure out why they can't assign seats over the phone. But I don't buy the cost of the extra labor. They're selling how many seats at $59 each? The extra labor costs would be minor. Heck, DW & I went to a play this weekend for $35 each ($25 for students and seniors). Two and a half hour play, cast of over 100, lots of staging and setup, etc. These things can be done if the production company is motivated.

-Bob

If they have a system that is working for them why fix it? The area was packed when we were there and to be honest they can get what they are asking. I true doubt that the play production company has the $$$$$ capitol equipment invested as does Disney with "F".

Jack

 

[blackjackdelta]

Because Jack is on vacation, I thought I would offer some help on this question. Of course, jack can add his own reply when he signs on next.

Once the lower seating area fills up and there are no more availlable spots for anyone to sit, they close off the entry points to the lower area by placing a rope across the entry point (along with a CM to answer questions and let guests in the seating come and go) as there is no point in any additional guests going down there because it is full.


Having worked in Special Event Planning for 10 years, I just don't see risers making sense in this location. Once you see the set up, you will see that it would be quite involved to add risers. First, the chairs get set up and taken down EVERY day. If you have to add risers to that, you are adding to the labor intensity of the set-up process. Also, from a safety perspective, for them to set up risers that are large enough for guests to sit on them, would be quite involved.


For those who want a chair, or want to sit in a reserved area, or do not want to camp out for a seat (which is NOT necessary although some do chose to do so), the reserved area is perfect. The treats, the beverages, and let's face it, the VIP treatment that some people love are all value-added elements that can be received for $59. Is it worth it? As with everything, only each individual person knows the answer to that question.

Totally agree!

Jack

 

[Kayla's Mom]

Totally agree!

Jack

Jack, I am sure this all depends on the night, number of people in each party, etc., but do you know about what time it was when there were a lot of people in line? Just debating on when is the absolute latest I should line up when we go in September.

Also, did you end up doing the Segway tour?

 

[99haunts]

I went this past thursday night, and lined up at 7:30. I was at first worried we wouldn't be able to get a great seat, but ended up about midway in the line. They had the 9 and 10:30 people register at the same time. we were going to the the later show, I dont know if this made a difference but we ended up with amazing seats! And as for the cost, I definitely thought it was worth it.

 

[blackjackdelta]

I went this past thursday night, and lined up at 7:30. I was at first worried we wouldn't be able to get a great seat, but ended up about midway in the line. They had the 9 and 10:30 people register at the same time. we were going to the the later show, I dont know if this made a difference but we ended up with amazing seats! And as for the cost, I definitely thought it was worth it.

Based on what I heard while people were in line and talking, sounds like the later showing made a bid difference.

Jack

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I've been to the Fantasmic Premium seating twice this summer. The first time was on a Saturday - June 14th, and the second was on a Tuesday, July 28th.

For the June 14th one I got there @ 6:30 because Pete (DIS owner) was going to be there w/his family & I wanted to make sure we were in the front row. There was another family there since 6, I think, and they were there for the 10:30 show, so I was the first for the 9pm show.

For the July 28th show I was there with cousins who'd probably never see this again, and were there for one day, so I wanted to make sure they had good views. I got there at 7 for the 10:30 show, and there was no one in line yet. As soon as I got there, someone else came & stood next to me. The podium got there around 7:15 or so. By 7:30 there was a pretty decent line. At 8pm we got our seating arrangements and then I joined my family until it was time to watch the show.

You just have to weigh what's more important to you. If you HAVE to sit in the front, then be prepared to wait. If you don't mind sitting in the 2nd or 3rd rows, then show up at 7:30 or even 8pm. Disney works pretty hard to sit families together, and if you cannot see, you can move your chair slightly for a better position, or stand behind the chairs for an unobstructed view. We did that before, and then sat down for the fireworks.

 

[Kayla's Mom]

I've been to the Fantasmic Premium seating twice this summer. The first time was on a Saturday - June 14th, and the second was on a Tuesday, July 28th.

For the June 14th one I got there @ 6:30 because Pete (DIS owner) was going to be there w/his family & I wanted to make sure we were in the front row. There was another family there since 6, I think, and they were there for the 10:30 show, so I was the first for the 9pm show.

For the July 28th show I was there with cousins who'd probably never see this again, and were there for one day, so I wanted to make sure they had good views. I got there at 7 for the 10:30 show, and there was no one in line yet. As soon as I got there, someone else came & stood next to me. The podium got there around 7:15 or so. By 7:30 there was a pretty decent line. At 8pm we got our seating arrangements and then I joined my family until it was time to watch the show.

Thanks for the info Mary Jo. I think I will plan on being there about 6:30-ish, but definitely before 7:00.

 

[toby78]

My 2 cents...the price is ridiculous enough, but when you tack on a two hour wait(it doesn't matter to me that it is just one person in your party) on the day of the show so you get front row seating, forget about it.

Why not just hand out seat assignments when making reservations over the phone?

I agree with them handing out seat assignments over the phone..I am a big disney fan but it's ridiculous for these people to pay money out the ear and still have to wait in line. You should be able to walk up 10-15 min before and get your assigned seat not 2-2.5 hours....With having to wait in all the other lines for rides(without fastpass), and still pay to watch F! and wait 2 hours,,,,i will never be doing that F! seating!!!!Ever...

 

[Inkmahm]

Ok, now you are scaring me. The whole reason I would do the dessert is to not have to wait for hours for F! but it sounds like you still have to. Does it ever work out where groups have to split up because of where other people sit? Like DH on one side and DW on the other?

No, you don't. We got there at 8 pm last week Tuesday night to get in line for the seats for the 10:30 show. Still got 2 front row seats off to the side a bit but still fine. I'd go with the "no bad seats in the house" evaluation. No way was I paying for seats AND standing in line that long.

 

[nunzia]

Jack, I am sure this all depends on the night, number of people in each party, etc., but do you know about what time it was when there were a lot of people in line? Just debating on when is the absolute latest I should line up when we go in September.

Also, did you end up doing the Segway tour?

I'd like to know also..we'll be there Sept 7. I'd like for the kids to be able to see. Last time I ended up standing at the back during the performace since we were in second row and alot of big heads in front of us.

 

[akdaisy]

I am still on the fence as to whether we do it or not next month. I do not really care what row we are in - I mean, I can stand up in the back if my daughter can't see, right? The show is only 22 minutes long. I would just rather have an assigned "space" and a place to sit down rather than staking out a "claim" for three hours while people descend and squish me in!

I know it is just crucial to some people that they sit in the front row - but I've seen pictures and videos and those taken from even the back row are pretty spectacular. I guess I just don't know whether I want to spend $150 and still have to stand in line for an hour. Seems stupid - but worth it if you and your family enjoy the show.

Still thinking...........

 

[Inkmahm]

I am still on the fence as to whether we do it or not next month. I do not really care what row we are in - I mean, I can stand up in the back if my daughter can't see, right? The show is only 22 minutes long. I would just rather have an assigned "space" and a place to sit down rather than staking out a "claim" for three hours while people descend and squish me in!

I know it is just crucial to some people that they sit in the front row - but I've seen pictures and videos and those taken from even the back row are pretty spectacular. I guess I just don't know whether I want to spend $150 and still have to stand in line for an hour. Seems stupid - but worth it if you and your family enjoy the show.

Still thinking...........

would have been fine in the 2nd or 3rd row, too. We took first row based on the CM's recommendation of which seats to take that were left.

 

[Kayla's Mom]

would have been fine in the 2nd or 3rd row, too.

Thanks...That makes me feel better!

 

[CaliforniaDreamer]

We were there last week and arrived around 7:30ish to wait. There were maybe 12 people in front of us. Turned out we were the first ones in that line who were booked for the 10:30 show, so we had our pick. You do not have to come more than an hour ahead, even for the first show. If everyone starts doing that, the line up time will just get ridiculous.

To the person who asked, no you cannot just stand. Only if you are in the back row can you stand. So for that reason, some people say if you cannot get the first row, then go for the last row.

I think the reason they do not book the exact seats on the phone is because the seating is somewhat fluid. The chairs and ropes can be arranged differently depending on need.

Also, there were some chairs where we noticed people were not getting the dessert service (off to the side). We overheard a CM say something about how they pick people during the day for this. If anyone has more details on that..?

I asked a CM if tipping was allowed for our servers and she said yes. I think very few people realize the waiters could be making more money over at one of the restaurants, and our server was just great, so I tipped him at the end.

 

[PinkBudgie]

Also, there were some chairs where we noticed people were not getting the dessert service (off to the side). We overheard a CM say something about how they pick people during the day for this. If anyone has more details on that..?

When we were there, Honda and Disney were having a drawing out in the area between the parks. You enter your name and cell number and they call you if you won for that night. They were giving aways vip seating to various parades and shows. So maybe that was it.

 

[nunzia]

We were there last week and arrived around 7:30ish to wait. There were maybe 12 people in front of us. Turned out we were the first ones in that line who were booked for the 10:30 show, so we had our pick. You do not have to come more than an hour ahead, even for the first show. If everyone starts doing that, the line up time will just get ridiculous.

To the person who asked, no you cannot just stand. Only if you are in the back row can you stand. So for that reason, some people say if you cannot get the first row, then go for the last row.

I think the reason they do not book the exact seats on the phone is because the seating is somewhat fluid. The chairs and ropes can be arranged differently depending on need.

Also, there were some chairs where we noticed people were not getting the dessert service (off to the side). We overheard a CM say something about how they pick people during the day for this. If anyone has more details on that..?

I asked a CM if tipping was allowed for our servers and she said yes. I think very few people realize the waiters could be making more money over at one of the restaurants, and our server was just great, so I tipped him at the end.

We had second row and we were allowed to move to the back of the section and stand behind all the rows. Since the F! crowd was terraced on ahigher level, we didn't block anyone. So, you can stand no matter what row you are in, you just have to leave your seat and go to the back.
That was really fine, since the main thing is being away form the presing crowds and getting a chair for at least part of the time.

I didn't realize they were food service CMs and not just park cms..thanks for the tipping tip

 

[akdaisy]

To the person who asked, no you cannot just stand. Only if you are in the back row can you stand.

I wouldn't think of sitting in the second row and then just standing up...I was thinking if there was a huge person in front of my daughter, I would get up and go to the back and stand for the 22 minutes. My husband and I are both over 6 feet tall, so I'm not worried about us, just her.

But I will take your advice and snag the back row if nothing in the front is open. Since we are so tall, I hate sitting in front of people anyway. I usually pick the back row naturally.