Fantasmic strategy

[Cyrano]

Still not sure about Hollywood & Vine after not getting Mama Melrose

If we decide against or cannot get a dinner package what are the best strategies for Fantasmic? Do we really have to be waiting 1 hour plus to get a good view to see this show

We will be there I'm anticipating high crowds end June/early July

 

[wayneg]

I think with the cut in shows/week its going to make it harder than ever to arrive within the hour and get a seat.
Xmas we arrived around 1 hour before(entrance near T of T), then it took 10 mins to walk to Fantasmic with DMIL, so 50 mins to kick off, had to take standing room at back(not good when DMIL is under 5' tall, never seen it so busy so early and that was with a show every evening.
Unfortunately I guess 1 hour will be essential, I think we are going to try do it with one of our meals in August or not see it, seen it at least 6 times so no biggie for us but a must see for anyone that hasn't seen it.

 

[orangetiggs]

i think you can get a good view whereever you are. we normally get there about 30/40 mins before hand i think

 

[UKDEB]

The good news is that it should be shown most nights whilst you're there. Keep your eye on the hours closer to the time and, if it's scheduled twice on any given night, that's a good option as the later show will be considerably less busy than the earlier one (that also applies to SpectroMagic at MK).

CMs open the gates around an hour before showtime, but people will start queuing up to an hour before that. Being first in isn't actually a benefit because you're likely to be shepherded to the far left and front. Not only will your view not be great, you'll be the last of 9,000 people out at the end! Having said that, once you're in the auditorium, you can easily hang back until they start filling the seats in the area you want to sit. There's plenty of open space at the rear of the seating areas to do that. Ideally you want to be in a fairly central position, although I wouldn't get too hung up about that. Do make sure you're not too near the front, though.

If you go for the dinner package, you'll still need to be at the designated meeting point 45 minutes ahead of the show. The far two right-hand seating sections are reserved for those on the package, but they won't hold the seats once the main auditorium fills and, as that's likely to be around 30 minutes before the show, you'll need to make sure you're on time.

 

[Cinderella]

We usually go at least 40 minutes before, even with the Fantasmic package. I know it sounds a long time but it goes quite quickly.

I have always avoided Hollywood and Vine - have heard to many bad reviews. Have you checked whether the Brown Derby package is available? It's a bit more expensive than Mama Melrose but it really is worth it.

 

[team harris]

We always do a meal package, but how about starting to queue 1-2 hours before with burgers or other similar easy to eat food.
It will be essential to queue, given the time of year and the better seats are in the middle blocks, but you can see from wherever you are in the stadium.

 

[Cyrano]

Thanks for the comments and advice.
The suggestion that Fantasmic will hopefully be on other nights is what we are hoping for. Definitely makes it difficult to plan when Tuesday, Thursdays and Sundays are the list days while we are there.
There were no dinner packages available now ,so we'll have to aim to queue and eat

 

[Dimplenose]

I've read mixed reviews for H&V but am going to try it for myself this year - not sure whether as a Fantasmic package yet.

On the other hand one of our worst dining experiences was at Mama Melroses (squashed tables, slow service, stroppy kids (ours!!), food not brilliant, etc.).

At the end of the day the only meal that counts is the one that you experience.

 

[UKDEB]

The suggestion that Fantasmic will hopefully be on other nights is what we are hoping for. Definitely makes it difficult to plan when Tuesday, Thursdays and Sundays are the list days while we are there.

Just to clarify, I think there's a chance that Fantasmic will be shown every night, but some showings could fall during EMH evening hours. It might not necessarily mean you have much more flexibility in when you choose to go, but at least those attending would be spread more evenly across your stay. It's hard to predict what Disney might decide to do, but it's probably safe to say that the hours and events they're forecasting at the moment will change to some extent closer to the time.

 

[Cazbucket]

Have done H&V twice as a package, not overly impressed but I did it to avoid the queueing at the onset. Don't think I got a better view because of, but at least got to sit down a lot earlier!

Caz

 

[Cyrano]

Just to clarify, I think there's a chance that Fantasmic will be shown every night, but some showings could fall during EMH evening hours. It might not necessarily mean you have much more flexibility in when you choose to go, but at least those attending would be spread more evenly across your stay. It's hard to predict what Disney might decide to do, but it's probably safe to say that the hours and events they're forecasting at the moment will change to some extent closer to the time.

Thanks. Will watch this carefully as the dates loom closer

 

[arielrocks]

Heres what we do - PLEASE DON'T FLAME ME

There are usually 5 of us travelling - we ALL go to the theatre about 1.5 BEFORE its due to start - once they let people in we get out seats. The 1 of us goes back out to get drinks and hotdogs and we sit and have our dinner in the seats!

Someone in our party has to save 1 seat for approx 20 mins while the another person goes to grab dinner for the group!

I REFUSE to be bullied into booking a dinner package to secure my seat when I can do my own dinner package much cheaper

 

[stephensmum]

Don't see why you'd be flamed, sounds like a good idea to me & i'm sure someone suggested it before.

 

[maleficent_man]

It'll be interesting to see how they play it once the summer season hits!

 

[Lizzybear]

arielrocks, that sounds like a great plan to me I don't think anyone would begrudge someone saving a seat for 1 person, it's when it's for huge groups that it gets a bit annoying!

 

[wayneg]

I REFUSE to be bullied into booking a dinner package to secure my seat when I can do my own dinner package much cheaper

Doubt I would ever pay to do it, only way I would do it is with free DDP.

 

[Ware Bears]

If it's any help we've done the dinner package at Hollywood & Vine twice and thoroughly enjoyed the buffet both times. Best key lime pie I've ever tasted!

 

[Cyrano]

Someone in our party has to save 1 seat for approx 20 mins while the another person goes to grab dinner for the group!

This might be the only option. I phoned again to find out there are no Fantasmic dinner packages available for any of the dates we are there.

I'm wondering if others are booking Brown Derby, Mama Melrose or Hollywood and Vine for other days and then hoping that these become Fantasmic show days

 

[arielrocks]

This might be the only option. I phoned again to find out there are no Fantasmic dinner packages available for any of the dates we are there.

I'm wondering if others are booking Brown Derby, Mama Melrose or Hollywood and Vine for other days and then hoping that these become Fantasmic show days

How many of you are going to see the show?

if there are 4 or more then do what I do - I go down to the stand at teh bottom of the hill you walk up and get turkey legs, fries and hot dogs for the rabble then go back into the theatre! Saves a small fortune too!

 

[minniecassie]

Hi, we went to Fantasmic last Thursday which is a very busy time, we had originally booked The Brown Derby for 8 of us but after I worked out it would cost us $450 we decided to queue. We arrived at the park about 4 ish so we wouldn't be too tired, went and did Tower of Terror and Star Tours and then started to queue just before 7. There were food and drink nearby and at 7 they let you in to get seats. We got good seats in the Mickey section but all of it has a good view. Once we had our seats we sent a couple of the party to go and get food and drinks and just entertained ourselves, at least we had somewhere to sit and the mexican waves were still going strong when the show started. Well worth the wait and it didn't cost $450 just about $50 for hot dogs etc. Afterwards we went on Rockin Roller coaster so we did abit in the time we were there. Hope this helps.