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

[abwdreaming]

I just called Disney Res. for Cafe Orleans and was told no December reservations are being accepted for Dinner until sometime in November! Is this something New? Has anyone heard news about Cafe Orleans recently?
I am making reservation for the Fantasmic Dessert 9pm show and was trying to have dinner reservations someplace close.

 

[WardFam]

Thanks for the response! I'm not sure why in my mind there was grass that you sit on. Oops! No wonder I've never taken the time to see it - 3 hours is a good chunk of time! Maybe I'll try to make it to the later show, but I don't want my kids to be too tired to enjoy it. Lots of decisions!

 

[pudinhd]

Breaking news on The Disney Parks Blog...

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...tions-coming-to-fantasmic-at-disneyland-park/

Disneyland park guests will be able to experience the popular nighttime spectacular “Fantasmic!” with new viewing options beginning December 12. Similar to the options for “World of Color” at Disney California Adventure park, “Fantasmic!” will feature reserved and stand-by viewing as well as several all-new dining packages. This new reserved viewing will give guests more time to enjoy other entertainment and attractions across the Disneyland Resort.

Beginning December 12, a “Fantasmic!” FASTPASS will be required to gain access to the show’s reserved viewing space. Beginning at Disneyland park opening, “Fantasmic!” FASTPASS distribution will take place along Big Thunder Trail in Frontierland. They will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis until one hour prior to show time or while supplies last, whichever comes first. Each “Fantasmic!” FASTPASS will indicate the assigned showtime, suggested return time and assigned viewing section. Also, a non-ticketed area will be available in the “Fantasmic!” viewing area each night for limited stand-by viewing on a first-come, first-served basis.

Guests will also have the option to receive a “Fantasmic!” FASTPASS with the purchase of new “Fantasmic!” dining packages, including dinner at Blue Bayou Restaurant, special table-service seating at River Belle Terrace, a new dessert party at Hungry Bear Restaurant, on-the-go options and more. Check out all of the new “Fantasmic!” dining packages here. (http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/fantasmic-dining-packages/)

Reservations for December 12 and beyond will be available for booking beginning November 12. Space is limited for these experiences, so advance reservations are recommended online at disneyland.com or by calling 714-781-DINE (714-781-3463).

 

[cari12]

Breaking news on The Disney Parks Blog...

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...tions-coming-to-fantasmic-at-disneyland-park/

Disneyland park guests will be able to experience the popular nighttime spectacular “Fantasmic!” with new viewing options beginning December 12. Similar to the options for “World of Color” at Disney California Adventure park, “Fantasmic!” will feature reserved and stand-by viewing as well as several all-new dining packages. This new reserved viewing will give guests more time to enjoy other entertainment and attractions across the Disneyland Resort.

Beginning December 12, a “Fantasmic!” FASTPASS will be required to gain access to the show’s reserved viewing space. Beginning at Disneyland park opening, “Fantasmic!” FASTPASS distribution will take place along Big Thunder Trail in Frontierland. They will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis until one hour prior to show time or while supplies last, whichever comes first. Each “Fantasmic!” FASTPASS will indicate the assigned showtime, suggested return time and assigned viewing section. Also, a non-ticketed area will be available in the “Fantasmic!” viewing area each night for limited stand-by viewing on a first-come, first-served basis.

Guests will also have the option to receive a “Fantasmic!” FASTPASS with the purchase of new “Fantasmic!” dining packages, including dinner at Blue Bayou Restaurant, special table-service seating at River Belle Terrace, a new dessert party at Hungry Bear Restaurant, on-the-go options and more. Check out all of the new “Fantasmic!” dining packages here. (http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/fantasmic-dining-packages/)

Reservations for December 12 and beyond will be available for booking beginning November 12. Space is limited for these experiences, so advance reservations are recommended online at disneyland.com or by calling 714-781-DINE (714-781-3463).

Does this mean the F! dessert box reserved seating is no longer available?

 

[pudinhd]

Does this mean the F! dessert box reserved seating is no longer available?

I can't imagine they would get rid of that... But, until we see or hear something more specific about the assigned viewing sections, I don't know.

 

[DLR29]

Starting Dec. 8, the Premium “Fantasmic!” Viewing package that is currently offered with a dessert sampler will no longer be available.

 

[pudinhd]

Starting Dec. 8, the Premium “Fantasmic!” Viewing package that is currently offered with a dessert sampler will no longer be available.

WOW!!!

 

[DahliaRW]

There is a new dessert offering, which probably is the new "dessert box" equivalent.

 

[katcharlwood]

Confused - why would you buy a dining package for a Fastpass, when you could just collect a Fastpass in the park (assuming you don't leave it too late)? Do dining package Fastpass get preferred viewing area?

 

[MouseEXP]

Confused - why would you buy a dining package for a Fastpass, when you could just collect a Fastpass in the park (assuming you don't leave it too late)? Do dining package Fastpass get preferred viewing area?

As an AP'er I would buy a dining package if I plan to eat and not be in the park early enough to get a Fastpass.

I'm also guessing that the dining package viewing area will be pretty good.

Im just not sure, how you are going to fit all those dining package people without it being a standing room only view.

In either case I would just avoid the first night as I'm sure its going to be a cluster.

I also feel bad for the AP'ers that use to go only for that one show every weekend. It was kind of their life and something they enjoyed weekly.

 

[DahliaRW]

We'll be there the first weekend this is happening. We planned on dinner at BB, so for us, why not just do the F! FP and dinner at the BB, kwim? Hopefully it means a smaller reserved area with less people (sort of like WOC preferred dining). Time will tell...

 

[HydroGuy]

Wow. This totally surprises me.

 

[planningjollyholiday]

Very interesting! We are trying the dessert package next weekend, but i am a little annoyed that i will still have to wait awhile before check in to get my family good seats. I wonder if this new system will fix that problem at all. Looks like there is a variety of options, all at different price points. I am curious to hear reports about which seating views you get with each option.

 

[HydroGuy]

Confused - why would you buy a dining package for a Fastpass, when you could just collect a Fastpass in the park (assuming you don't leave it too late)? Do dining package Fastpass get preferred viewing area?

For the same reason folks do it at DCA for WOC. It is a convenience factor (no need to rush to get FPs in the morning - you can arrive late to the park for dinner and still get a FP) and you may want to dine at one of those places anyways. So why not couple that with an F! FP?

Further, it may get you a superior view of the show depending one where they locate the dining res folks.

 

[pudinhd]

Wow. This totally surprises me.

I agree! I feel like the announcement happened really quickly after the rumors started... I thought it would be a while before they had something in place!

 

[HydroGuy]

As an AP'er I would buy a dining package if I plan to eat and not be in the park early enough to get a Fastpass.

I'm also guessing that the dining package viewing area will be pretty good.

Im just not sure, how you are going to fit all those dining package people without it being a standing room only view.

In either case I would just avoid the first night as I'm sure its going to be a cluster.

I also feel bad for the AP'ers that use to go only for that one show every weekend. It was kind of their life and something they enjoyed weekly.

Unlike WOC, the blog says there will be "standby viewing". So the AP situation you just discussed will still be an option.

 

[MouseEXP]

Unlike WOC, the blog says there will be "standby viewing". So the AP situation you just discussed will still be an option.

Standby viewing is a bit vague.
Plus there's Standby viewing for World of Color. They usually stand by the Little Mermaid attraction.

In my mind the Fantasmic Standby viewing will be near the back by Cafe Orleans and the French Market.

The APer's were the ones that camped out for the seating areas near the front. If those are not for the dining packages, I'm assuming it will be for the fastpass holders.

Funny thing is that the guests with FP that know, still wait for World of Color in the viewing area line 30-60 minutes before the time posted on the ticket.

It should be interesting to see what happened, and I might check it out to see how bad that first week goes.
Especially after the firework show and people try to get into the 2nd show for Fantasmic.

 

[pudinhd]

I hope HydroGuy is ready to design a new map of the area!

Once it is know what areas will be what, I am sure that will be a highly requested item!!

 

[MouseEXP]

I hope HydroGuy is ready to design a new map of the area!

Once it is know what areas will be what, I am sure that will be a highly requested item!!

I expect him to update that map weekly.
I see it being changed more than World of Color ever was.

 

[courtneybeth]

I also feel bad for the AP'ers that use to go only for that one show every weekend. It was kind of their life and something they enjoyed weekly.

As one of those AP'ers I am so sad about the news. I loved deciding on a whim to go see Fantasmic on a Sunday night. We'd sneak into the Riverbelle Terrace section just as the Fireworks start and enjoy the ambiance of the river area until the 1030 pm show would start.

Now it's going to be an area we avoid, just like we do for World of Color.