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

[singingpixie]

People keep talking about lining up ahead of time to get into the FP sections. Is this absolutely necessary? We don't need premium spots; we just want to be able to see the show without any major obstructions. Assuming we get a FP for the first show, what time should we arrive? Just trying to strike a balance since this is a one-day trip, and while we want to see Fantasmic, we don't want to spend a big chunk of our time trying to score a fabulous spot. If it matters, we're two adults (average-height women), so we're not concerned with little ones being able to see. Thanks!

 

[SplashMo]

People keep talking about lining up ahead of time to get into the FP sections. Is this absolutely necessary? We don't need premium spots; we just want to be able to see the show without any major obstructions. Assuming we get a FP for the first show, what time should we arrive? Just trying to strike a balance since this is a one-day trip, and while we want to see Fantasmic, we don't want to spend a big chunk of our time trying to score a fabulous spot. If it matters, we're two adults (average-height women), so we're not concerned with little ones being able to see. Thanks!

From what I understand from the articles etc. The FP return time will be 60 minutes... I would show up 75 minutes early and expect that nothing will happen until 70 mins till...

 

[DahliaRW]

When we went, the FP return time for the general FP was 60 minutes before the show. They actively tried to keep people from lining up (it really was a mess). I highly doubt you can line up 2 hours early unless things have changed in the last 2 months.

 

[SplashMo]

When we went, the FP return time for the general FP was 60 minutes before the show. They actively tried to keep people from lining up (it really was a mess). I highly doubt you can line up 2 hours early unless things have changed in the last 2 months.

That is excellent news. What time did you collect the FP?

 

[Nonsuch]

Desert--you are escorted to a reserved area after the desert party, that you stand in.

The Desert section was seated next the the BB section, and the guests were not escorted into the section.
This was late December and early January.

It could be different when Critter Country reopens and the Desert Package is offered again.

 

[RemainSeatedPlease]

I just found out Fantasmic now has a FP system and I'm not sure I like the idea. I won't personally experience it until our trip in June, so my opinion now is only based on speculation, but it seems this will mean more waiting (waiting to get the FP section we want and then waiting to get into our section before the show starts). We've always gone to the 2nd show of the night, so for us there was never more than an hour wait. We'd get to the New Orleans Square area just as the first show is ending and as people left the first show, we'd easily come in behind them and get great spots sitting on the ground in the center pretty close to the water (what appears to now be the blue section)...and at that point there was less than about one hour until the 2nd show started.

Now, I'm going to have to try to be at FP machine at the time that they are giving out blue section passes, which will probably mean waiting in that area until blue FP's come up. Then, judging by the WoC show, it will probably require lining up with your FP's at least an hour before the show starts.

Hopefully I'm wrong. As I plan our June trip, can I hear from people who have used the new FP system? What time are blue FP's usually available (1st or 2nd show)? What time are you having to line up to get into your section before the show and how easy is it to get a good spot once they let you in? Again, I'd like to hear experience for the 1st or 2nd show.

You will not need to wait in line to enter your designated area. In fact, you won't be allowed to. The FP states a specific time to return, and if you try to show up before that time, CMs are very aggressive about moving people along and not allowing them to loiter in the area. So, plan to return at the time on your FP or after. I had yellow section (which had very good views, blue is not necessarily the "best"), and we arrived at the designated time. There was a rush of people all entering at the same time, so go directly to where you'd like to sit/stand and stake your claim. Along the river there was some seating in our section, about 10 rows of seated people I'd say, then after that it was standing only (this may have changed since I was there in December). Since we were there on time, we were able to be seated only 3 rows back from the water's edge. However even those who were standing in our section looked like they had a pretty good view. I was near the edge of our section towards the middle, bordering a dining section. We sat and waited about an hour for the show to start. People were packed in real tight, so although my partner sort of had to use the restroom, getting out and back into the area seemed too complicated, so we just waited.

From what I understand from the articles etc. The FP return time will be 90 minutes... I would show up two hours early. However since two adults perhaps arrive later??? Hopefully someone that has tried the new FP will chime in...

As mentioned before you will not be able to arrive that early. However I should also mention that even with just two people, it wouldn't have been possible to "push" your way forward to get a better spot. As people came into the section, they were directed in very tightly, basically squished up together along the river so there was not really any room for others to come in from behind and wiggle their way through.

I went to the first showing, so maybe the second showing would have more breathing room.

 

[CassieF]

For standing sections, unless you are tall, you kind of want to be in the front of whatever section so you don't have heads in your way, as all but the front seated sections are not sloped. For this, you really want to be in the first wave of FP returners, which gather around about 10 minutes before the return time, which is one hour before the start of the show.

For yellow, they always fill the seated section first, for blue sometimes they fill the seated section first, sometimes they start with the upper standing area (a good view, I love taking pictures from there). Last night they did standing first for the first show, then seated first for second show. It makes it very hard to plan because if they filled the seated section first consistantly you could avoid the initial rush and score a front standing spot, but that's not always the case.

As for how long fp are lasting, this morning, a Tuesday after a holiday weekend that DL is still expecting higher crowds (longer hours, two shows) they were already done with yellow fp for the first show an hour after opening. Yesterday, the actual holiday, I was able to get a blue fp for the first show still at noon, and they had a massive stack of leftover blue fp for the second show that they were handing out to those who were coming for standby. Last week, for one show nights they would typically run out between 1 and 2 pm with a 10am opening.

Sorry, this probably isn't helpful, but it's what's been going on...

 

[DahliaRW]

That is excellent news. What time did you collect the FP?

Sometime in the morning. I think around a half hour after park open. It was the first day the fp system was in place.

 

[dnamertz]

I had yellow section (which had very good views, blue is not necessarily the "best")

Judging by the map, blue covers the area we usually sit in which is near the center and most importantly, it's a seated section. I see some sections on the map also in yellow that I would be glad to have, as long as it's seated and not way off to the side. I don't like what I'm hearing about them directing you specifically to a standing or seated section...hopefully we have a choice of sitting if there are spots in the seated section when we get there.

Also, we usually get our seats and then one of us goes to get snacks (begniets or hot cocoa) to have while waiting. Hopefully they don't make it difficult to leave and come back in.

 

[CassieF]

There are seated areas for both blue and yellow, facing the stage, blue is to the left, yellow is the right, dining is in the center. They have always filled the yellow sitting area first, blue has been back and forth with seemingly no pattern. They will not let you into the seated area if they are filling standing first and they won't let you stand and wait until the open it. They will let you into the standing area if they are filling the seated area though.

As for leaving for snacks just wait until the area around you has been filled, lay your bags down to fill the space and make sure the person getting snacks grabs a fp on the way out from a CM so they are able to get back in.

 

[dnamertz]

There are seated areas for both blue and yellow, facing the stage, blue is to the left, yellow is the right, dining is in the center. They have always filled the yellow sitting area first, blue has been back and forth with seemingly no pattern. They will not let you into the seated area if they are filling standing first and they won't let you stand and wait until the open it. They will let you into the standing area if they are filling the seated area though.

Is there a trick to getting into the seated area if you get there with your FP and they are filling the standing area first? Do you step aside and stand next to the CM and let them know you are waiting for the seated section?

 

[tygersclaw]

I have reservations at BB for 7:30 PM on the 27th (first day they reopen and earliest reservation I could get) and since the reservations are so late, does this mean we (myself and DD5) will have to do the late show, or do we stay at our table and complete dinner and watch show from there, or do they hold our table while we go to the viewing area and then return and finish din-din.

Just asking. Thanks in advance.

 

[moodme]

Not bad for a holiday... I received a phone call response this afternoon and she spent a lovely 20 minutes on the phone answering all my questions, helping me with all kinds of issues. She contacted all the restaurants for me so we could choose whichever one we wanted to go to, and all the managers said that we just needed to let them know when we made our reservations that only 3 of our party of 4 would be eating and they would make sure we got 4 FP/reserved seating passes. I was VERY pleased with the interaction, she made sure I was well informed on both parks regarding how to get the DAS, what was involved, how the rides would work with and without it if we so chose, etc. And gave ma phone number and name in case I had any other questions or issues to discuss so that would have a wonderful trip. (she even researched if they were planning on special "ears" for the Diamond celebration, as my older son collects them... he LOVES his Golden ears from the 50th and would be thrilled to get something special this time around too!).

Could you tell me who you contacted? We are going in April and my 8 yr old DS is also tube fed. I was told we would have to pay for a meal for him to get a ticket.

 

[CassieF]

Is there a trick to getting into the seated area if you get there with your FP and they are filling the standing area first? Do you step aside and stand next to the CM and let them know you are waiting for the seated section?

So I actually found out today that they "blue" seated area they were filling later was actually no longer blue but was for RBT. I asked a lead about it and he said based on how many dining packages they sell, there may not be any seating for blue. This fits what I've seen, as the second show would have less dining demand so they can use it for blue instead. So if you want a guaranteed CHANCE at a seat, you have to get a yellow...which was gone within an hour of park opening today...

I have reservations at BB for 7:30 PM on the 27th (first day they reopen and earliest reservation I could get) and since the reservations are so late, does this mean we (myself and DD5) will have to do the late show, or do we stay at our table and complete dinner and watch show from there, or do they hold our table while we go to the viewing area and then return and finish din-din.

Just asking. Thanks in advance.

There is no way you'll make the first show. BB is an indoor location so there is no view of the show and they won't save your table for the 25 minute show.

 

[Liberator]

we are a little bit confused abouth the dining and dessert packages for Fantasmic. I like the idea to get a Dessert Box for the show or eat at a restaurant before the show.

We do not want to stand during the show, we would like to sit in one of those areas with chairs. When we book one of the packages, do we only get a FP for a reserved standing-area? What do we need to book in advance, to have chairs?

If having a reserved place in those seating-areas, do we really need to be there 90 min in advance? We would not mind to sit in the last row, so when to arrive?

Thanks in advance for helpful answers

 

[figment_jii]

We do not want to stand during the show, we would like to sit in one of those areas with chairs. When we book one of the packages, do we only get a FP for a reserved standing-area? What do we need to book in advance, to have chairs?

In general there are no chairs in any of the F! viewing areas. The only chairs I recall seeing was in the "VIP" viewing area, which is not available to the general public. There used to be chairs in the Dessert Party viewing area, but when they switched to the FP system and moved the Dessert Party to Hungry Bear they also did away with the chairs. So at this point, it's either standing room or ground sitting only. The blue Bayou dining package guarantees ground sitting, while the RBT and Dessert Party viewing areas do not guarantee it, but most reports indicate folks do sit on the ground.

 

[RemainSeatedPlease]

Judging by the map, blue covers the area we usually sit in which is near the center and most importantly, it's a seated section. I see some sections on the map also in yellow that I would be glad to have, as long as it's seated and not way off to the side. I don't like what I'm hearing about them directing you specifically to a standing or seated section...hopefully we have a choice of sitting if there are spots in the seated section when we get there.

Also, we usually get our seats and then one of us goes to get snacks (begniets or hot cocoa) to have while waiting. Hopefully they don't make it difficult to leave and come back in.

If you are looking at the same map as me (figment_jii's), you may be confusing the blue section in the center with the blue section off to the left. The blue rectangle in the center is only for Blue Bayou dining package seating. Getting a regular blue FP will put you in the section off to the left. As mentioned before, the yellow section is similarly positioned off to the right. The yellow section has some seating in front (which filled up within a couple of minutes of the return time), and it sounds like blue section may or may not have seating.

we are a little bit confused abouth the dining and dessert packages for Fantasmic. I like the idea to get a Dessert Box for the show or eat at a restaurant before the show.

We do not want to stand during the show, we would like to sit in one of those areas with chairs. When we book one of the packages, do we only get a FP for a reserved standing-area? What do we need to book in advance, to have chairs?

If having a reserved place in those seating-areas, do we really need to be there 90 min in advance? We would not mind to sit in the last row, so when to arrive?

Thanks in advance for helpful answers

There are no longer any areas with chair seating. There are only standing areas, or areas where you sit on the ground. The Blue Bayou dining package offers you a cushion to put on the ground and is the only section with guaranteed seating.

 

[dnamertz]

If you are looking at the same map as me (figment_jii's), you may be confusing the blue section in the center with the blue section off to the left. The blue rectangle in the center is only for Blue Bayou dining package seating. Getting a regular blue FP will put you in the section off to the left. As mentioned before, the yellow section is similarly positioned off to the right. The yellow section has some seating in front (which filled up within a couple of minutes of the return time), and it sounds like blue section may or may not have seating.

This keeps getting worse. They only way to get a center seat, which used to be free, is to now pay for the Blue Bayou?

The other thing that will really affect our two day trip in June is that I planned on seeing the new parade and firework show the first night (just in case the weather postpones the fireworks, we'll have a chance the 2nd night), and then planned on doing F! our 2nd night. But, because we will be there on a Wed and Thur, we will start our 1st morning at DL and our 2nd at DCA (to avoid the EE crowds). But now, in order to get F! FP's on our 2nd morning, I'd have to leave DCA and go over to DL to get them.

 

[DahliaRW]

This keeps getting worse. They only way to get a center seat, which used to be free, is to now pay for the Blue Bayou?

The other thing that will really affect our two day trip in June is that I planned on seeing the new parade and firework show the first night (just in case the weather postpones the fireworks, we'll have a chance the 2nd night), and then planned on doing F! our 2nd night. But, because we will be there on a Wed and Thur, we will start our 1st morning at DL and our 2nd at DCA (to avoid the EE crowds). But now, in order to get F! FP's on our 2nd morning, I'd have to leave DCA and go over to DL to get them.

The trade off is you don't spend hours sitting there to get those spots, and toy can get a good view with a regular fp too without sinking a bunch of time.

If you don't want to go to dl to pick up fp, you can book the dinner or dessrt package.

 

[figment_jii]

The other thing that will really affect our two day trip in June is that I planned on seeing the new parade and firework show the first night (just in case the weather postpones the fireworks, we'll have a chance the 2nd night), and then planned on doing F! our 2nd night.

We don't know the entertainment schedule for June either, so there is a chance that it might be timed so that you could see the parade, fireworks, and F! on the same night.