Fantasmic! Superthread - Or Everything You Need To Know About Fantasmic at Disneyland

[HydroGuy]

Hi, does this game plan sound possible? We plan on eating dinner at Storytellers at 6pm and head over to the park to watch the fireworks afterwards. Do you think we can trot over to ROA and still snag a decent seat to view the second Fantasmic show?

Did you read the first post in this thread? It tells you how to do this. The answer is yes.

 

[DoodlesMom]

I was lucky enough to sit in the VIP seats inside the control booth area. There are only eight seats available in that spot. Fortunately I know a CM that worked in DW and DL, so she was able to reserve those seats in advance. The show was pretty awesome from there because we were able to talk with the Director and the rest of the staff working the booth.

Wow!! Lucky you!

 

[EeyoreFanInTX]

After reading this thread... I still have some questions. Since there aren't enough dessert ressies available for the 1st show.. I want to see about catching the 2nd show w/o ressies. If I understand correctly, it shouldn't be a problem finding good seating in section #3 but my question is.. it's me, my DH and our dd is 6 yrs old... should we try and sit near the front/center of section 3 so she can see? or is that near the railing which I read will hinder our view? Basically, where is the best place to sit in the sitting area so my dd especially can see everything?

Also, with us being from TX.. I would imagine the 2nd show would be hard to do with the time difference right? if the show starts at 10:30 pm.. her internal clock will be telling her it's 12:30 am.

oh we'll be there 7/29, 7/30 and the morning of 8/2.

 

[sonjaandsue]

Haven't seen this covered yet - apologize if I am wrong. Is the reserved seating area w/c accessible? Are ECVs allowed in or is there a place to park ECVs outside the area? TIA. I will also call to ask but I know sometimes CMs don't know all the answers.

 

[skiingfast]

After reading this thread... I still have some questions. Since there aren't enough dessert ressies available for the 1st show.. I want to see about catching the 2nd show w/o ressies. If I understand correctly, it shouldn't be a problem finding good seating in section #3 but my question is.. it's me, my DH and our dd is 6 yrs old... should we try and sit near the front/center of section 3 so she can see? or is that near the railing which I read will hinder our view? Basically, where is the best place to sit in the sitting area so my dd especially can see everything?

Also, with us being from TX.. I would imagine the 2nd show would be hard to do with the time difference right? if the show starts at 10:30 pm.. her internal clock will be telling her it's 12:30 am.

It will be late.

In the front section you sit on the ground. You will see this when you arrive. It's all good but at some point you or your 6yo will be looking through the top rail. You look all over at the show so something that is in your view won't be as you focus on something else. A good view of the stage is what you should aim for. Also if the stage is at the 12 o'clock position aim for the 6, or 4 or 8.

 

[DoodlesMom]

Sub

 

[EeyoreFanInTX]

It will be late.

In the front section you sit on the ground. You will see this when you arrive. It's all good but at some point you or your 6yo will be looking through the top rail. You look all over at the show so something that is in your view won't be as you focus on something else. A good view of the stage is what you should aim for. Also if the stage is at the 12 o'clock position aim for the 6, or 4 or 8.

very helpful.. thx!

 

[dana278]

Okay guys, I have more questions, please!

I'm heading to DL the weekend of September 14th and 15th. Would it be smarter to do Fantasmic (with reserved dessert package seating) on Friday or Saturday? I'm a bit concerned that with Friday being the first day of Halloween decorations there will be double the congestion in the Fantasmic area. I mean obviously it shouldn't matter if we have reserved seating, but you know what I mean.

I'm also thinking of doing dinner at the Big Thunder Ranch the same night. What time would you suggest making reservations for? Keep in mind that we aren't slow & leisurely eaters so I don't need to spend forever there. And I'm not concerned with being the first in line to pick Fantasmic seats, anywhere in the section will be fine as long as we have three seats together.

Thanks!

 

[ParkHopper1]

I like to do Fantasmic Dessert reservations on the busiest night I will be there. When dealing with crowds all day, it is nice to have a chance to relax and enjoy the show without the cattle call or waiting for hours for something else. Getting into the area won't be an issue.

I would absolutely recommend against Big Thunder BBQ the same night unless you are doing an early dinner and the late F! show. I have learned the hard way...you don't wanna ruin dessert with dinner! The F! dessert box is delicious and a lot of food....if you go in stuffed after the BBQ, you won't be able to make a dent in it. Do a light dinner that night...early.

My recommendation is F! one night, BBQ the other...that way you have two nights of a break with reservations...either night for each wouldn't really matter.

 

[Yubbie]

The overall viewing capacity for Fantasmic! at Disney Hollywood Studios is closer to 10,000. There are 6900 seats and an additional 3000 spots for standing.

 

[dana278]

I like to do Fantasmic Dessert reservations on the busiest night I will be there. When dealing with crowds all day, it is nice to have a chance to relax and enjoy the show without the cattle call or waiting for hours for something else. Getting into the area won't be an issue.

I would absolutely recommend against Big Thunder BBQ the same night unless you are doing an early dinner and the late F! show. I have learned the hard way...you don't wanna ruin dessert with dinner! The F! dessert box is delicious and a lot of food....if you go in stuffed after the BBQ, you won't be able to make a dent in it. Do a light dinner that night...early.

My recommendation is F! one night, BBQ the other...that way you have two nights of a break with reservations...either night for each wouldn't really matter.

That's a good idea, thanks for the suggestion. Unfortunately I only have 3 nights to work with, and I was planning on doing Carthay Circle and World of Color the other night. I guess maybe we'll just do Big Thunder on Thursday instead.

 

[zeferjen]

Hi - I will be in DL Aug 27-29. I don't see Fantasmic time listed yet. The park is closing at 10pm and Fireworks are at 9:30. Does that mean there is no Fantasmic??? Or just not listed yet.

 

[HydroGuy]

Okay guys, I have more questions, please!

I'm heading to DL the weekend of September 14th and 15th. Would it be smarter to do Fantasmic (with reserved dessert package seating) on Friday or Saturday? I'm a bit concerned that with Friday being the first day of Halloween decorations there will be double the congestion in the Fantasmic area. I mean obviously it shouldn't matter if we have reserved seating, but you know what I mean.

I'm also thinking of doing dinner at the Big Thunder Ranch the same night. What time would you suggest making reservations for? Keep in mind that we aren't slow & leisurely eaters so I don't need to spend forever there. And I'm not concerned with being the first in line to pick Fantasmic seats, anywhere in the section will be fine as long as we have three seats together.

Thanks!

I would not recommend doing the F! dessert after and all-you-can-eat dinner at BTMRR. You will have no appetite for the dessert.

I agree with the sentiment of using your F! dining on the busiest noght and the Friday will probably be it.

 

[HydroGuy]

Hi - I will be in DL Aug 27-29. I don't see Fantasmic time listed yet. The park is closing at 10pm and Fireworks are at 9:30. Does that mean there is no Fantasmic??? Or just not listed yet.

No Fantasmic. There generally isn't the last week of August on weekdays as summer high season has ended by then.

See "What You Should Know About Off-Season at DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=18462889

"Historical DLR Park Hours, Entertainment and Refurbs" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2291124

 

[HydroGuy]

The overall viewing capacity for Fantasmic! at Disney Hollywood Studios is closer to 10,000. There are 6900 seats and an additional 3000 spots for standing.

Is that right? I have never seen a standing section at the DHS Fantasmic. And I have heard repeatedly the 5000 seating for the stadium. I would love to get this updated if you have some references I could use.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

Yes, we have had to use the standing section before. Most, if not all of the areas are level and it makes for difficult viewing.

 

[Eeee-va]

I stood for Fantasmic! at WDW as well (we got there a few minutes before showtime, though this was 2008, I think). The standing section was nearly empty and if I recall correctly, rather far away, probably behind all the seats. Not a great viewing area.

 

[papamouse1]

Is that right? I have never seen a standing section at the DHS Fantasmic. And I have heard repeatedly the 5000 seating for the stadium. I would love to get this updated if you have some references I could use.

I know that studioscentral.com lists the numbers mentioned for seating in its description of Fantasmic, and he is usually pretty accurate when it comes to DHS>

Here is a direct link

 

[HydroGuy]

I know that studioscentral.com lists the numbers mentioned for seating in its description of Fantasmic, and he is usually pretty accurate when it comes to DHS>

Here is a direct link

Thanks for the link. I updated the OP accordingly.

 

[BayGirl22]

Does the reserved/dessert seating still sell out far in advance? I'll be there for 2 shows - the Monday night of Labor Day, and the following Friday night Sept 7. If we try for a decent seat the first night and don't get it, would I still be able to buy the reserved seating for the next weekend a few days out? (I want the first show.)

I'm leaning toward doing the reserved just so my kids can see and we don't waste hours waiting. Just struggling with the cost if there's a chance we can get decent sitting area seats because its low season.

My other question: How early to line up for reserved seating to get the first row during low season?