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

[HydroGuy]

Hey Hydroguy,

Great thread... helped me a TON last year when we went during Thanksgiving.

I should have responded earlier when I still remembered the issue, but one thing that happened to us that maybe you can clarify in case someone else has same issues. We booked the Fantasmic Dessert Party seating, I showed up 7PM to get our seats and I was speaking to the CM's there about it. They asked me if I had checked in at the Guest Services to get my tickets (paid online in advance), but I hadn't done that, I just had a copy of my receipt. I believe they showed me a place on the e-mail where it instructed me to check in at GS first. I literally had to run to the front of the park, check in, then run back in order to be in line to get a good seat. So just a pointer to those booking it, check in at GS 1st thing when you get into the park to make sure you get your tickets.

That is a good point. I will add it to the OP. Glad the thread helped you have a good experience!

 

[HydroGuy]

I really can't decide what to do so can I ask a 'what would you do' question please?

We are going to the park for four days at the end of Sept. Thanks to advice on here we've changed one of the days to a saturday and it's the ONLY day that is showing the fireworks and Fantasmic! Saturday 28th September.

We are a party of two adults, no kids and we want to see both shows, and this is where I get stuck on what to do. So Please can you give me your advice/thoughts?

Option 1: We see the fireworks at 9:30, standing on the left of the hub when looking at the castle. Then dash through the quieter passageway to Fantasmic and try to get a good viewing spot for the second showing at 10:30. I'm short so standing can be problematic if I'm too far back.

Option 2: Pay for dessert package at the second showing of Fantasmic. Watch the 9:30 fireworks and then go to check-in for the dining as soon as that ends.

I know it's a personal choice but I'm not sure how the dessert package works in terms of the second show and not checking in til later? If you think we'd be fine dashing across then I'll save the $60 as we're already doing WOC dining and a tour. BUT if you guys think it's risky and that the dessert package method would work better please say so cause I'd rather pay $60 each than miss Fantasmic, which is my fave show. I know you can't make the decision for me but I'd appreciate advice and thoughts.

THANK YOU!

If it is only the two of you, and it sounds like if you skip dessert you would prefer to be in the sitting area for F!, then I think you will be fine doing that. I have done it with a group of six and still got sitting spots for all.

If you go for dessert, then why don't you just go over at 8PM and get your seats assigned? I am not sure what happens if you show up at 10PM trying to get your seats assigned but I am sure that happens all the time so they will have a process for it. That will also work for you and the chair will certainly be more comfortable than the ground. But at $60 a person you can decide if it is worth it to you.

 

[seobaina]

If it is only the two of you, and it sounds like if you skip dessert you would prefer to be in the sitting area for F!, then I think you will be fine doing that. I have done it with a group of six and still got sitting spots for all.

If you go for dessert, then why don't you just go over at 8PM and get your seats assigned? I am not sure what happens if you show up at 10PM trying to get your seats assigned but I am sure that happens all the time so they will have a process for it. That will also work for you and the chair will certainly be more comfortable than the ground. But at $60 a person you can decide if it is worth it to you.

Thank you Are the lines crazy at 8pm or not too bad? ie will we have to line up at 7pm for 8pm check in?

 

[HydroGuy]

Thank you Are the lines crazy at 8pm or not too bad? ie will we have to line up at 7pm for 8pm check in?

There are only seats for maybe 80 people so the lines for F! dessert seating is never crazy. If you are comfortable sitting in the third row then just show up at 8:00-8:15PM and you will have a short wait to get your seating assignment.

 

[Aigantighe]

Hi everyone, hoping you can help with a newbie question. We are all booked for January 2014 and I know that Fantasmic is usually only weekends for off season but I just heard a rumour it isn't on at all during January?!? DH and I were really looking forward to sharing Fantasmic with DD7 and DD4 and seeing we are coming all the way from New Zealand changing dates or coming another time won't be an option. Any ideas if Fantasmic runs 8-13 January 2014?

 

[seobaina]

There are only seats for maybe 80 people so the lines for F! dessert seating is never crazy. If you are comfortable sitting in the third row then just show up at 8:00-8:15PM and you will have a short wait to get your seating assignment.

Fab thanks

 

[HydroGuy]

Hi everyone, hoping you can help with a newbie question. We are all booked for January 2014 and I know that Fantasmic is usually only weekends for off season but I just heard a rumour it isn't on at all during January?!? DH and I were really looking forward to sharing Fantasmic with DD7 and DD4 and seeing we are coming all the way from New Zealand changing dates or coming another time won't be an option. Any ideas if Fantasmic runs 8-13 January 2014?

I have not heard about F! going down in January. When it does go down for some kind of refurb then Jan is usually when it happens. Like many other refurbs.

Good luck!

 

[Aigantighe]

I have not heard about F! going down in January. When it does go down for some kind of refurb then Jan is usually when it happens. Like many other refurbs.

Good luck!

Thanks! Fingers crossed!!

 

[HollenAngi]

I hope it's not going down in January. I have the fantasmic package reserved for our trip then.

 

[Aigantighe]

I hope it's not going down in January. I have the fantasmic package reserved for our trip then.

Reserved as in already booked (and if so how do I do that too!) or reserved as in planned and you want to do it too?

 

[HollenAngi]

Made an ADR at Mama Melrose for the Fantasmic package.

 

[Disney Dreams]

... I'm short so standing can be problematic if I'm too far back....

There are only seats for maybe 80 people so the lines for F! dessert seating is never crazy. If you are comfortable sitting in the third row then just show up at 8:00-8:15PM and you will have a short wait to get your seating assignment.

I just wanted to chime in that I noticed you mentioned that you are short, as am I. The three rows of seats for Fantasmic! are not tiered or sloped. Many have reported here over the years that if you are short and end up in the back row, it is difficult to see -- if not impossible depending upon who is in front of you. Being short myself, and having seen the dessert seating section many times, I would not want to be in the back row as I would possibly end up standing the entire show to be able to see. If I am paying $60/person, I would be very not happy if I had to stand to see the show -- no matter how giant of a dessert box I got and how many cups of hot chocolate I enjoyed. just something for you to factor into your decision.

Hi everyone, hoping you can help with a newbie question. We are all booked for January 2014 ... but I just heard a rumour it isn't on at all during January?!? ...Any ideas if Fantasmic runs 8-13 January 2014?

I have not heard about F! going down in January. When it does go down for some kind of refurb then Jan is usually when it happens. Like many other refurbs.

Good luck!

I hope it's not going down in January. I have the fantasmic package reserved for our trip then.

Reserved as in already booked (and if so how do I do that too!) or reserved as in planned and you want to do it too?

Made an ADR at Mama Melrose for the Fantasmic package.

Aigantighe, HollenAngi appears to have an ADR for the Fantasmic! dinner package at WDW, as opposed to the dessert package at Disneyland that you are asking about here. You can book the DL Fantasmic! Dessert package 30 days out from your desired date.

HollenAngi, I hope you enjoy! FYI That is at WDW. All of the information in this thread is for Fantasmic! at Disneyland. The seating, viewing, and deluxe experiences are VERY different. The show is different as well. Any information you read on this thread will not apply to anything you will want or need to do to view Fantasmic! at WDW. You may want to check the WDW boards of DIS for Fantasmic! information.

- Dreams

 

[seobaina]

I just wanted to chime in that I noticed you mentioned that you are short, as am I. The three rows of seats for Fantasmic! are not tiered or sloped. Many have reported here over the years that if you are short and end up in the back row, it is difficult to see -- if not impossible depending upon who is in front of you. Being short myself, and having seen the dessert seating section many times, I would not want to be in the back row as I would possibly end up standing the entire show to be able to see. If I am paying $60/person, I would be very not happy if I had to stand to see the show -- no matter how giant of a dessert box I got and how many cups of hot chocolate I enjoyed. just something for you to factor into your decision.

Thank you, that is worth considering and might just swing the decision. Thanks

 

[mom2rtk]

I have concerns about spending $60 each for all the reasons outlined above.

I'm guessing it will be done Fri, Sat and Sunday in early December. Am I correct in assuming Sunday will be the best time to go? I'm sort of hesitant to wait until Sunday though to see it in case any weather issues arise. That would be our last chance.

On a Friday or Saturday night in early December, how far ahead of time would we need to be there for a decent spot without the dessert package?

If we find a spot down close and people are sitting around us, do they stand up once the show starts?

 

[HollenAngi]

Sorry. I did not pay attention that this was California.

 

[Geemo]

If we find a spot down close and people are sitting around us, do they stand up once the show starts?

Go back to page one and look at the map. The sections are color coded and in the guide legend it states which at "standing" or "sitting" sections.

Geemo

 

[jd4nati]

The last time I viewed Fantasmic (which I believe was in early January) there was a reserved seating section at the river near the smoking area for people with glow with the show ears. Does anyone know if this section still exists? We are trying to decide whether we want to bring the ears this weekend.

Thanks!!!

 

[piratenightmares]

I sincerely hope December 9 - 15 will have at least ONE night of Fantasmic!

 

[AndyR]

The CMs also allow guests in the 3rd row to stand. We did this last Saturday

 

[smidgy]

as usual, the handicapped area seems to be mainly for those in wheelchairs, ecvs, etc.

is there any area for the visually disabled? at wdw, we got a stamp for front of shows. we were allowed into the "handicapped" area for illuminations, but had to stand behind the wheelchairs. understand that you don't want to stand right in front of a wheel chair and block their view. but aren't there any accomadtions for those with low vision, who need to be up close to see anything?

(I am NOT asking about the dessert package, staking out a spot way ahead of time, etc. I know about these options. I am specifically asking if disney has any accommodations for those who can still see(as of now,..) , but only for a short distance.
we would like my husband, who has macular degenration, to see this and the fantasmic show while he can still see them