Fantasmic Thread!

[twodogs]

For the BB package, we had my parents with us, so we didn’t want to have to stand to claim our spot for an hour or more before the show. We walked up to the BB viewing area at 8:45pm for the 9pm show. We were on a row about 4-5 rows back from the rail (perfect for us), and we all sat on the concrete (that area was not bricks, it was flat concrete) until the show started and throughout the show. Then they make you stand in the same area if you want to stay there and watch the fireworks and projections on the water screen. I am not sure why Fantasmic requires you to sit, and the fireworks require you to stand, but those were the rules. You can always walk out after Fantasmic if you don’t want to stand for fireworks.

The RDZ and RB areas (to the left and right of the BB area) were basically filled by 8:45pm but BB still had some room left. To me the point of buying the dining package is to NOT have to line up very early to get a good viewing spot!

 

[LKing]

There are two Fantasmic shows.

• The first show starts at 9 pm and ends at 9:27 pm. When it ends, everyone stands for the fireworks show. Fireworks begin at 9:30 pm. The fireworks show is approximately 15 minutes.
• The second show begins at 10:30 pm. The second show is less crowded than the first show. There are no fireworks after the second show.

For the first show, guests with dining package tickets are led to their seating area around 7:45 pm. They can sit or stand until just before the show begins. As was mentioned above, some people choose to arrive closer to the start of the show. They may not be able to sit front and center, but they still have a seat (on the ground) and a good view of the show.
For the second show, guest with dining package tickets are led to their seats around 10 pm.

The seating areas are roped off regions. There are no assigned seats. The first in line are the first to choose where they want to sit. Usually, people want to sit close to the front and close to the center. Many people bring cushions or blankets to sit on.

For each show, there are three restaurants that offer dining packages. Each restaurant offers four options - you can choose lunch or dinner and choose which show you want to attend. For example, there will be a Blue Bayou lunch - first show, Blue Bayou lunch - second show, Blue Bayou dinner - first show, and Blue Bayou dinner - second show. For details on the menu choices, go to the Disneyland website. Each restaurant's name is a hyperlink to their webpage with their menu. https://disneyland.disney.go.com/dining/disneyland/fantasmic-dinner-packages/

Rancho del Zocalo ($35) - Seats are on the ground, on the water front, just to the left of center stage. (see posts #765 and #833 for photos)
Blue Bayou ($89) - Seats are on the ground, on the water front, center stage.
River Belle Terrace ($55) - Seats are on the ground, on the water front, just to the right of center stage. (see #667 for photos)

River Belle Terrace also offers a premium dining package ($89). For the premium package, you check in at the restaurant at 7:15 pm for the 9 pm show. There is no premium package for the second show. You are seated outdoors on a patio. You'll eat dinner there and then view Fantasmic from your table. After the 9 pm show, there are fireworks, but trees block the view of fireworks from the River Belle Terrace patio.

If you read through the reviews, you'll see that everyone has different priorities and there is really no wrong choice.

 

[Kapri18]

Question for anyone who has sat in the front row for the dining packages: how much does the railing obstruct your view? I am wondering if I would rather be up front or sit towards the back and see above the top rail. I will also have my 4 year old with me, if that makes a difference. TIA!

 

[erinch]

I was in the front row on a BB package last night. The area was maybe 90% empty. Definitely peering through the railing.

 

[erinch]

I was back at BB just for lunch today and the server also brought over the fantasmic package. The app didn't show any BB fantasmic availability

 

[LKing]

I was back at BB just for lunch today and the server also brought over the fantasmic package. The app didn't show any BB fantasmic availability

That's great! So they are starting to offer Fantasmic dining on request. I hope they keep it up.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

Question for anyone who has sat in the front row for the dining packages: how much does the railing obstruct your view? I am wondering if I would rather be up front or sit towards the back and see above the top rail. I will also have my 4 year old with me, if that makes a difference. TIA!

I have sat at the railing and in other spots. The railing is nice for the fact that there is no one in front of you. But personally for me I found it too distracting to try to watch through the railing. I prefer to be toward the back of the section but the risk of course is someone very tall might be sitting in front of you. It’s still my preference though.

 

[VicgirlBC]

Looks like Fantasmic isn’t running during the week of August 26th. Was hoping to book it on a night when OBB was happening.

 

[laura&fam]

Looks like Fantasmic isn’t running during the week of August 26th. Was hoping to book it on a night when OBB was happening.

Since the dining reservations are released weeks before the calendar is available , do you know it isn't showing because there aren't any reservations available? I'm wondering about that same week.
If they would release the calendar slightly ahead of the reservation window it would make so much more sense.

 

[VicgirlBC]

Since the dining reservations are released weeks before the calendar is available , do you know it isn't showing because there aren't any reservations available? I'm wondering about that same week.
If they would release the calendar slightly ahead of the reservation window it would make so much more sense.

Editing to correct my response as I misunderstood the question .

You are correct. I am guessing it isn’t showing because there are no reservations available for Fantasmic dining packages that week. I guess we will have to see it on Friday or Saturday of that week. Happy planning!

 

[mabucco]

I haven’t been to Disneyland for many years but will be going in a few weeks. I’m especially looking forward to Fantasmic, as it was this show that originally brought me into this hobby .

I noticed you’ve mentioned ‘sitting’ in the reserved areas, and now I’m wondering if these areas are exclusively for sitting or if there is space to stand as well. I have back issues that make it hard for me to sit on the floor for extended periods of time. I have booked the standard River Belle Terrace dining package.

 

[irlandaise]

Looks like Fantasmic isn’t running during the week of August 26th.

Since the dining reservations are released weeks before the calendar is available , do you know it isn't showing because there aren't any reservations available?

Reservations for that week are only just coming available now. So it’s not an unavailability issue.

I think Laura was asking how you know that Fantasmic isn't running the week of the 26th, since the park calendar isn't yet available that far out.

 

[irlandaise]

I noticed you’ve mentioned ‘sitting’ in the reserved areas, and now I’m wondering if these areas are exclusively for sitting or if there is space to stand as well. I have back issues that make it hard for me to sit on the floor for extended periods of time. I have booked the standard River Belle Terrace dining package.

I'm curious about that, too. And tagging on to that question, if one gets the RBT Premium package, can you get up from your seat and stand against the wall of the restaurant during part/all of the show? I've read on this forum that the view can be somewhat obstructed when you're sitting at the patio tables.

 

[VicgirlBC]

I think Laura was asking how you know that Fantasmic isn't running the week of the 26th, since the park calendar isn't yet available that far out.

Gotcha Thank you for clarifying for me. I misunderstood somehow. And yes, I made the assumption it wasn’t running because there are no reservations available for Fantasmic dining packages.

 

[disneychrista]

I noticed you’ve mentioned ‘sitting’ in the reserved areas, and now I’m wondering if these areas are exclusively for sitting or if there is space to stand as well. I have back issues that make it hard for me to sit on the floor for extended periods of time. I have booked the standard River Belle Terrace dining package.

I'm curious about that, too. And tagging on to that question, if one gets the RBT Premium package, can you get up from your seat and stand against the wall of the restaurant during part/all of the show? I've read on this forum that the view can be somewhat obstructed when you're sitting at the patio tables.

If you want to stand you can do so in the back of the reserved section.

 

[LKing]

Last Friday, we watched the second show from the Pirates bridge. This was the view just after 10, when they started filling the dining package sitting area. The light pole, separates Blue Bayou (to the left) from River Belle (to the right). I underlined two ECVs that are in the back row (bottom right of photo). If one wants to stand, they stand next to the ECVs.



For the premium package, the view of Fantasmic is good. The fireworks are what are obscured by trees.

Below is a picture of River Belle Terrace restaurant. I was standing at the water front looking back when I took it. For Fantasmic, the view from the patio will be at an angle between the trees. The large trees in the left of the picture are what obscure fireworks. Standing isn't going to help you see around those trees.

 

[BriannaRuth]

And tagging on to that question, if one gets the RBT Premium package, can you get up from your seat and stand against the wall of the restaurant during part/all of the show? I've read on this forum that the view can be somewhat obstructed when you're sitting at the patio tables.

You can stand anywhere in the premium package dining area as long as you're not blocking other guests' views. At least that was the case when we did it a few years ago. Standing at the wall in the front would partially block the views of the guests who have the front tables, not to mention you'd be standing right next to a group of guests at their table (which would be awkward), but you can see very well standing behind those tables. We got up and walked around some and this was our experience.

 

[irlandaise]

For the premium package, the view of Fantasmic is good. The fireworks are what are obscured by trees.

Ah, no problem then. Thanks for the info!

 

[ShoeCello]

Last Friday, we watched the second show from the Pirates bridge. This was the view just after 10, when they started filling the dining package sitting area. The light pole, separates Blue Bayou (to the left) from River Belle (to the right). I underlined two ECVs that are in the back row (bottom right of photo). If one wants to stand, they stand next to the ECVs.

Out of curiosity, what time did you arrive to claim a spot on the Pirates bridge (and did you get front railing on the bridge)? Were you in the area after fireworks already?

 

[irlandaise]

Out of curiosity, what time did you arrive to claim a spot on the Pirates bridge (and did you get front railing on the bridge)?

And for that matter, at what time do the CMs allow people to start claiming spots on the bridge?