fantasmic show without fantasmic dining package

[cottontail]

Hello:

My adult daughter has a disability where she cannot be in a mass crowd when entering a attraction. We have always done the fantasmic package and it worked out well for entering the attraction. Is there a strategy for entering way earlier thru the entrance without fantasmic dinner package certificate.

How early can you get in the attraction?

Thanks,

Deb

 

[Schmeck]

I would suggest going in late - but then you might not be able to get a seat. Does she need to use the accessible seating that is located at the top of the stadium?

From what has been reported on the Dis, the dinner package doesn't get you away from the crowds any more either - they don't use the alternate entrance now. Even the GAC holding area is going to have a crowded feeling, as it is only off to the side in that great big holding area, right?

I also believe that they let people in about an hour before the show starts, but people line up way before that, so you'd have to go through the crowd to get in right at opening as well.

What strategies work for you when dealing with the crowds that you encounter elsewhere at WDW?

 

[cottontail]

Hi:

She is okay where there are ropes and you keep walking around the ropes and are in a sort of controlled entry. But one time when we were in hollywood studios, we thought we were entering the stadium with hardly any crowd for the stunt show and low and behold when we went around a corner were in a very crowded holding area that got worse by the minute behind a fence and I had to try to get her over to a wall away from people.

They don't let you into the fantasmic show at oscars garage I think it was?

Deb.

 

[iuki]

Hello:

My adult daughter has a disability where she cannot be in a mass crowd when entering a attraction. We have always done the fantasmic package and it worked out well for entering the attraction. Is there a strategy for entering way earlier thru the entrance without fantasmic dinner package certificate.

How early can you get in the attraction?

Thanks,

Deb

I believe that you should be able to get a "pass" to avoid long lines due to her diability.

To all those "seasoned" Disney posters, could you provide info on this special pass?

iuki

 

[Schmeck]

I believe Robo, the map-genius here on the Dis, had a recent post about the lack of alternative entrance for the dining package. I know he had a map showing seating on that particular thread, so you could do a search that way?

There is a roped off section for people with a GAC, but they have to get through the main crowd to get there - at least another poster on the disAbilities forum posted about that, I think. If I have time later, I'll try to find it for you, or you could scan back a few pages - it was a few weeks ago.

ETA - found the thread - called Fantasmic + Autism, it's on the 2nd or 3rd page of this forum.

 

[KPeveler]

I believe that you should be able to get a "pass" to avoid long lines due to her diability.

To all those "seasoned" Disney posters, could you provide info on this special pass?

iuki

iuki - there is no pass to avoid lines at all. There is a GAC which is designed to help with invisible disabilities, but it will not shorten wait times. Sometimes it will provide a different waiting area. Check out the FAQs for more info on it

 

[SueM in MN]

Hi:

She is okay where there are ropes and you keep walking around the ropes and are in a sort of controlled entry. But one time when we were in hollywood studios, we thought we were entering the stadium with hardly any crowd for the stunt show and low and behold when we went around a corner were in a very crowded holding area that got worse by the minute behind a fence and I had to try to get her over to a wall away from people.

They don't let you into the fantasmic show at oscars garage I think it was?

Deb.

The Fantasmic dinner package entrance used to be in that area, but they have not been that entry since at least Oct of 2008. I'm not sure why.

I believe that you should be able to get a "pass" to avoid long lines due to her diability.

To all those "seasoned" Disney posters, could you provide info on this special pass?

iuki

As was already mentioned, it's a Guest Assistance Card (GAC), meant to alert CMs about the needs someone has related to their disability. Not all attractions have a separate place to wait and having a GAC doesn't necessarily mean avoiding long lines.
Post #6 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread is all about Guest Assistance Cards.

I believe Robo, the map-genius here on the Dis, had a recent post about the lack of alternative entrance for the dining package. I know he had a map showing seating on that particular thread, so you could do a search that way?

There is a roped off section for people with a GAC, but they have to get through the main crowd to get there - at least another poster on the disAbilities forum posted about that, I think. If I have time later, I'll try to find it for you, or you could scan back a few pages - it was a few weeks ago.

ETA - found the thread - called Fantasmic + Autism, it's on the 2nd or 3rd page of this forum.

This is a direct link to that thread and there is also a link to it (along with some other threads that might be helpful) in post #3 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread.
We have been to Fantasmic multiple times and have not seen it roped off in the way that was explained in an email from WDW to bookwormed.
If it is blocked off that way, it is probably only before the rope drops.
Once the rope drops to begin letting people in to the entrance, then (in our experience) people with special needs are in the same area with everyone else. It is a large area and it's not that difficult to not have people close to you. I explained in that other thread how it has worked when we have gone.