Fantasmic! Show Discussion Thread

[Susie63]

Yes I'm wondering about this as well! I have it booked for my DD and I next month so very curious to hear some feedback.

Can you only reserve this by phone? I can't sit on the ground so this package would be perfect for my family

 

[22Tink]

Can you only reserve this by phone? I can't sit on the ground so this package would be perfect for my family

Yes by phone only.

 

[Susie63]

Thank you

 

[bethwc101]

I felt so confused during the lion king segment. I feel like they randomly threw it in and it messed up the whole vibe of that scene. And the monkeys . That was one of my favorite scenes and their costumes are weird. I also think the random Mickey giggles and sounds are so awkward and highly unnecessary. Overall, I feel like there were more failures in their changes than successes. But I'm sure I'm not the majority would disagree and love the new additions.

 

[Jperiod]

I was sorta meh about the original so I like this one better, but the pirates scene was underwhelming. Maybe they're still developing characters. Just seemed like a bunch of stunts thrown together.

Riverbelle and Blue bayou are mixed seating starting riverside in front of royal street veranda toward the haunted mansion. When you enter, sit to the right side so you are centered in front of the stage and between the 2 lamp posts at the railing. We sat higher toward the rope and didn't have the railing covering the bottom half of the show. I also noticed people left a gap in front of us, mostly sitting closer.

The strange thing is the fireworks start right after but people stood and went to the railing to watch. So we were forced to stand as well and no longer had a view of the water screens. So if you stay for fireworks, get up after fantastic and move to the rail. Right side is best again, to see water screen with fireworks in the upper right sky.

They let you take strollers in viewing area and park along back.

We were on the right side, but not centered between posts. The last shows the standing fireworks view.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

I was sorta meh about the original so I like this one better, but the pirates scene was underwhelming. Maybe they're still developing characters. Just seemed like a bunch of stunts thrown together.

Riverbelle and Blue bayou are mixed seating starting riverside in front of royal street veranda toward the haunted mansion. When you enter, sit to the right side so you are centered in front of the stage and between the 2 lamp posts at the railing. We sat higher toward the rope and didn't have the railing covering the bottom half of the show. I also noticed people left a gap in front of us, mostly sitting closer.

The strange thing is the fireworks start right after but people stood and went to the railing to watch. So we were forced to stand as well and no longer had a view of the water screens. So if you stay for fireworks, get up after fantastic and move to the rail. Right side is best again, to see water screen with fireworks in the upper right sky.

They let you take strollers in viewing area and park along back.

Hopefully these photo links work. We were on the right side, but not centered between posts. The last shows the standing fireworks view.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/hi2CxZs9OQzqYpxp2
https://photos.app.goo.gl/CwxInuHdqiIH5q1O2
https://photos.app.goo.gl/oc8v9QvFyjuJrXrZ2

What time did you line up for seating?

 

[Jperiod]

What time did you line up for seating?

I arrived about 8:15 and the railing was already 2-3 rows deep (lots of space around people though). Along the back rope it was mostly full, but they make people move for the stroller parking, so we sat in front of the strollers and had no people directly in front of us.

 

[cruisehopeful]

I saw it last night. I was next to the railing in the reserved dinner section. I was underwhelmed by the show. It has been many years since I've seen Fantasmic. My last viewing was back when they had seated dessert parties. I can't really compare shows because it's been so long since I've watched it, but I did miss the Peter Pan segment. I think that may have been my favorite part of the show. The pirate version was loud and and not entertaining to me. The people sitting behind me said that this version seemed like a watered down WOC show. They used to watch the old Fantasmic a lot. I think everyone I overheard were a bit disappointed if they were fans of the old version.

 

[bethwc101]

I feel like with as much bad feedback they have been receiving after just 2 days, they will probably be re-doing the show again in the next year or two and returning some scenes back to the original.

Also is it just me or did some of the lighting seem blah. The yellow and red shapes and lighting seemed lame. Very elementary and blah.

 

[cindyland]

What time should I plan to line up for second show? Hoping for a smaller crowd (on a Thursday night).

 

[Skyegirl1999]

I feel like with as much bad feedback they have been receiving after just 2 days, they will probably be re-doing the show again in the next year or two and returning some scenes back to the original.

Hmm, all I've seen on social media and in person to tonight is positive feedback with the caveat that a lot of people (myself included) preferred Peter Pan to Pirates and have been vocal about that.

I love Fantasmic! and have a lot of nostalgia for the original show, which I saw for the first time on my 10th birthday, shortly after it opened. My take from seeing it tonight:

The good: The technology is hugely improved - you can see so much detail on the water screens! The projections on the island are also cool and added some great visuals. I liked some of the updated movie additions. I also liked how Mickey was incorporated more frequently and was in more of the projections.

The not-so-good: Pirates was a poor substitute for Peter Pan. I didn't care for the new vocals. And the whole show felt less cohesive to me; it felt disjointed (which actually made it seem shorter, somehow, like the flow and pacing was off).

I think the original will always have my heart, but I thoroughly enjoyed the show tonight and look forward to seeing it again.

 

[720L]

So would you guys say a FP for Fantasmic is a must?

 

[cruisehopeful]

What time should I plan to line up for second show? Hoping for a smaller crowd (on a Thursday night).

My second show ticket said to line up between 10:00 and 10:30pm. I got there probably around 10:05. There were plenty of people ahead of me in the holding tank, but they didn't let those in in order. When the opened up the holding tank for us to go sit on the ground, they just said to get in a single file line. Everyone just kind of went for it, trying to be first in. I believe our whole group (both BB and RBT) had front railing views. We could have sat behind people if we wanted to, but didn't need to.

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

Please report back with your experience! I also have a River Belle Premium but I'm not going until August and I'm very interested to see what people think about this option.

Will do.

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

So would you guys say a FP for Fantasmic is a must?

If you don't have a dining package, yes it is a must if you want to see it, otherwise you won't be allowed in to the standing room areas.

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

Does anyone know if they still have the orange passes that they would give out right before Fantasmic (where everyone would line up to get one near Big Thunder once fast passes were out)?

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

The strange thing is the fireworks start right after but people stood and went to the railing to watch. So we were forced to stand as well and no longer had a view of the water screens. So if you stay for fireworks, get up after fantastic and move to the rail. Right side is best again, to see water screen with fireworks in the upper right sky.

We did the RBT package on Tuesday and they made an announcement asking people to stand for the fireworks.

 

[az4boys]

We did the RBT package on Tuesday and they made an announcement asking people to stand for the fireworks.

That is interesting. I thought one of the perks of being there for the package is you could keep your spot for the fireworks. We did the package before the refurb. A lot of people cleared out of the area but we got to sit for the fireworks. We were also there a couple weeks ago (before Fantasmic reopened) and we got to sit in that area. I'm bummed that they make you stand now.

 

[dina444444]

That is interesting. I thought one of the perks of being there for the package is you could keep your spot for the fireworks. We did the package before the refurb. A lot of people cleared out of the area but we got to sit for the fireworks. We were also there a couple weeks ago (before Fantasmic reopened) and we got to sit in that area. I'm bummed that they make you stand now.

I was there Saturday night for the soft opening and some people were sitting and some were standing for fireworks.

 

[wdwfan22]

Those pictures look great. Not crowded in the dining pkg viewing area. All the times I went before the refurb we were packed in that area like sardines. Not enough room to straighten my legs in front of me. Can't wait til October!!