fantasmic seating

[gonnago]

calling all the experts if we could have our choice of any seats which are the best for the show not worrying about leaving afterwards plan to be there 1 1/2 to 2 hours before the show to get good seats

 

[Robo]

calling all the experts if we could have our choice of any seats which are the best for the show not worrying about leaving afterwards plan to be there 1 1/2 to 2 hours before the show to get good seats

The little Blue Dot on the map below.

Front and center.

 

[g-dad66]

The only place I have sat that I didn't like at all was right next to one of those 2 huge columns you see on Robo's map on either side of the middle sections numbered "6".

At that location, you see two "screens" at the same time (either the middle one and the left one, or the middle one and the right one, depending on which column you are near). I found it very annoying.

When we were all the way in the far left section, we only saw one of the three screens, and I thought it was a far better viewing experience.

 

[pat fan]

Well, not that I would ever disagree with Robo, but you are going to get wet where the blue dot is. Not Kali River wet, but nicely misted from the water fans for sure. It is especially troublesome if you are filming it.

We like the section Robo selected, but up at the top.Yes, there will be people in front of you, but it has never hindered our viewing and it's SO much easier to get out if you have to go to the bathroom or want to get a snack while waiting. And again, if you are filming it you don't have guilt that you are in someones way with the camera. Really, not a bad seat in that section, it's just personal preference and I prefer not getting wet

 

[Robo]

Well, not that I would ever disagree with Robo, but you are going to get wet where the blue dot is. Not Kali River wet, but nicely misted from the water fans for sure.

Having sat at the "blue dot" for over 2 dozen performances, I can tell you that while there is a possibility of getting wet there (and we have, several times... we take our ponchos) there are also nights where there is not a drop of water that comes your way.

It all depends on the wind speed and direction (similar thing as at IllumiNations and the fireworks smoke.)

 

[laura_<3]

We sat where the blue dot is but half way up that section. We had a great view.

 

[dburg30]

With the cutback on F! showings will 1 1/2 to 2 hours get you that 'prime' real estate?

 

[Robo]

With the cutback on F! showings will 1 1/2 to 2 hours get you that 'prime' real estate?

No one can predict exactly how large the crowds will be or how early you should go to find a seat for Fantasmic! on any given day.
It has totally to do with the whim of the crowd at DHS on that day, and the general crowd LEVELS.
How much time you wish to "invest" in waiting is a personal decision. We have never done the formal Dinner Package, and have always seen the show (dozens of times).

(Take all of these as "average" numbers, sometimes the crowd will be MUCH greater and the theater can fill up much sooner.)

VERY Busy days:
If you go to the first show of the evening (or "only" show that evening), if you arrive about 75-120 minutes before show-time, you can sit just about anywhere.
45-60 minutes before: Outside seats likely still available.
30-40 Minutes: will vary between seats at edges and rear of theater to SRO or even "closed" to further guests.

Yes, the lines can start forming over 2 hours before the show-time.

At about 120 min. before show-time, they will open the gates and begin allowing guests in line to approach the theater seating.

(See my maps. It is a very long ramp.)

They will continue with the lines of guests walking in until the theater is completely filled or the show begins, whichever comes first.

They will "hold open" the Dining Pkg. seating area ONLY for guests who have the Dining Pkg. voucher.

BUT, if the theater is over-crowded (a very likely scenario in 2009)
then, at about 35 min. before show-time,
the CM's will cease holding the DP area open for DP voucher guests
and, at that time, begin to allow ANYONE
who still needs a seat to sit in (any seats left) the DP area.


Busy days:
If you go to the first show of the evening (or "only" show that evening), if you arrive about 75-120 minutes before show-time, you can sit just about anywhere.
60 minutes before: Good seats
25-35 Minutes: will vary between seats at edges and rear of theater to SRO or even "closed" to further guests. (The crowd of "last-minute" arrivals can be slow to get seated before show-time.)

Off-Season (not busy days):
You should be OK to enter by 30-50 minutes before, but you'll likely be seated to the outer edges, and/or way at the back.

Dining Package:
New Dining Pkg. Entrance was added in mid-Sept. 2009.
If you do the Fantasmic! Dinner Pkg. you still SHOULD enter by AT LEAST 35-45 minutes ("safer" at 45 minutes) before show-time and still be guaranteed "pretty good" seats (not my "first choice" area, but fine), regardless of crowd-levels. Remember, the DP is only valid for the first show of the evening, if there are 2 or more. If you do have DP and you spy some seats outside the DP "reserved" area, you are free to choose to sit anywhere outside that area you like, no problem.

If there are TWO Fantasmic! shows in one evening, the second one will have lower crowd level than the first one. You can arrive a bit later (generally, 45-60 minutes) and still find a seat.
(Some say less advance time will be needed, but I'm cautious.)


Be aware that the second show waiting area will LOOK like the show is "too crowded".
That's because they HOLD the 2nd crowd outside the theater while the CMs CLEAN it after the first crowd has exited.

Then, they will let those waiting together in that big group IN... all at once, and there will be PLENTY of room.

(The theater seats over 7,000 guests.)

When you enter the theater, there will be CMs along the way directing the flow of traffic, but you may (if you are early enough to have a choice) simply choose any open seats in the theater to be your own.
If you want to exit more quickly, choose a seat farther back and to towards audience-right.
If you want to be immersed in the show (and sometimes, immersed in water-mist, if the wind is blowing "in") choose a seat towards the front.

We like to eat our evening meal while waiting for Fantasmic! to start.
You can bring in items from the counter-service places in DHS, or they DO have concession stands at the rear of the theater serving "baseball stadium-type" food and drinks. Yes, even beer, sold strictly ONE-at-a-time, one-only-to-a-person, so a single person can't go and buy beer for other members of a group... all guests wanting to buy a beer must be present in-person at the counter.
We have a hot dog, maybe a pretzel, later some popcorn or cotton candy (Disney Health Food).
http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/menu_fan.htm
Click above for the "menu."

But, nothing ALWAYS happens the same way at WDW.
I would be cautious about assuming anything, as WDW has been experiencing
unpredictable (sometimes record-breaking) crowds even over the past couple of years.

If its IMPORTANT to see a particular show, arriving a bit too early will be better than arriving a bit late.

If its not a really big deal to see a particular show, you may certainly arrive closer to show-time and just see if you get lucky.
Many folks do.

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[gonnago]

Thanks Robo I feel very honored you answered my question your information on this as well as other things is truly amazing and very much appreciated!

 

[gonnago]

Oh and by the way we are going on 11/29 only one show at 6:30

 

[Robo]

Thanks Robo I feel very honored you answered my question your information on this as well as other things is truly amazing and very much appreciated!

Aw, shucks!

You're more than welcome.

Thanks for the kind words!

Oh and by the way we are going on 11/29 only one show at 6:30

Just keep checking the calendars, especially as your trip gets closer.

Disney has frequently added F! shows to the schedule as the actual dates approach.

 

[debh028]

Off the subject here,but I've been looking for maps like this for Stormalong Bay. Can anyone help out? Staying at YC solo and would like to have some idea of where the different water areas are. No sense of direction, but can follow a map! Thanks