Fantasmic Seating

[elvispursley]

Sorry to ask this but I didn't really run across any recent threads. I'm trying to decide if my mom and I should do a Fantasmic dining package. She'll be using her ECV and we haven't seen fantasmic for probably 20-years ( I know). We thought we'd give it another shot since they've updated things. We have no desire to wait in a standby line for hours. Is it worth the extra money (even more now since we'll likely see the show after Aug. 29 when they increase the price of the packages) to have the reserved seating or should we just go standby about 30-40 min prior to the show since she'll be using the handicap seating? I don't mind doing the package but I also don't want to have to sit way off to the side. But if it isn't really going to matter, I'd also rather just save the $$

 

[SueM in MN]

We did not go to it when we were recently at WDW, but everything I've seen says it works pretty much like it did in the past.
There was a line of people who start lining up way before the show starts. The gate to go into the amphitheater is closed until about an hour before the show. Once they open the gate and the crowd starts going in, the line goes down quickly and it becomes a slowly moving walk in.
There are a few accessible seats in the front row, but the majority are the back row with a companion seat for each.

I haven't looked, but there might be a recent experience thread about Fantasmic on the Theme Parks forum

 

[ccahpp25]

Not a wheelchair user, but parent of a child with a medical stroller. We never wait in the super long early queue for Fantasmic and we've never done the dining package (although we may this next time as my partner has a special love for Sorcerer Mickey, so I'm thinking about surprising her with it on our next trip). We usually head over 30-40 minutes prior to the show. We prefer the further back accessible seating over the option that's closer to the front, so I time that purposefully to make sure the front row accessible seating is already full. The back row seating makes it far easier to get to bathrooms (very important for my child who doesn't usually tell me he needs the bathroom until he NEEDS the bathroom) and, in my personal opinion, a better view because it's easier to view the full show scenes from further back. The time buffer we give ourselves allows enough time for us to settle into our seats, do a pre-show bathroom trip, and get snacks. We don't usually end up in the center at that time, but we've also never ended up way off to the side, usually just off-center a tad. I think it's also probably important to note that we've used this method during multiple times a year from peak travel times to slightly-less crowds with similar results each time.

 

[sunburnin]

Are you going to Disneyland or Disney Studios?

If Studios, it partially depends on the crowd levels. Fantasmic fills up most days, but you can arrive later on less crowded days.

We were there May 11-17 with my daughter in a power wheelchair and it was a relatively light crowd week (Touring Plans predicted HS to be 6 on the 11th). I had a dining package reserved for May 13, but we were also in HS the evening of May 11 at Oga's at 7:00. We decided to try for Fantasmic that evening. We reached the entrance at 8:35, and there were still open wheelchair spots up top towards the far side when we got up the walkway. The place still filled in and was packed, but it wasn't a crazy wait. I canceled our dining package and saved $$.

 

[elvispursley]

Are you going to Disneyland or Disney Studios?

If Studios, it partially depends on the crowd levels. Fantasmic fills up most days, but you can arrive later on less crowded days.

We were there May 11-17 with my daughter in a power wheelchair and it was a relatively light crowd week (Touring Plans predicted HS to be 6 on the 11th). I had a dining package reserved for May 13, but we were also in HS the evening of May 11 at Oga's at 7:00. We decided to try for Fantasmic that evening. We reached the entrance at 8:35, and there were still open wheelchair spots up top towards the far side when we got up the walkway. The place still filled in and was packed, but it wasn't a crazy wait. I canceled our dining package and saved $$.

WDW HS. I think we’ll try to see it without a dining package. We’re hoping to score Rose & Crown fireworks package and I’d rather spend the money on that. If we don’t get that package, then we may do the Fantasmic package. Our ADRs open next week so I still have time to decide.

 

[Madteaparty001]

WDW HS. I think we’ll try to see it without a dining package. We’re hoping to score Rose & Crown fireworks package and I’d rather spend the money on that. If we don’t get that package, then we may do the Fantasmic package. Our ADRs open next week so I still have time to decide.

I've done the Rose & Crown package and will warn you, the tables nearest to the water have umbrellas and they will lower them right before the show. DD is ASD with a phobia of bugs and when they closed the umbrella insects came raining down on us. DD about lost her mind and was starting to have a panic attack so I had to quickly get her away from the table, DH had them move us to a table further back under an extended roof. Another family was seated at the umbrella table a few minutes later, and I was happy for them to have it because it was off putting even for me.