Fantasmic Timing

[OnlyDisney]

In all our times to the parks we've never made it to Fantasmic (even after living here for the past year!). I've heard we need to arrive 45-70 minutes before it starts.

Since we're only going to be in Hollywood Studios for a couple of hours that night I made Fastpasses for:
Star Tours 4:40-5:40pm
Tower of Terror 6:15-7:15pm
Fantasmic 7:50pm
We'll DAS Slinky if we can fit it in.

Is a 7:50 FP early enough to get snacks and a good seat? I'll be using a walker if that makes a difference. Our son would like to sit as close to the middle as possible (without a dining package).

 

[Robo]

In all our times to the parks we've never made it to Fantasmic (even after living here for the past year!).
1. I've heard we need to arrive 45-70 minutes before it starts.

Since we're only going to be in Hollywood Studios for a couple of hours that night I made Fastpasses for:
Star Tours 4:40-5:40pm
Tower of Terror 6:15-7:15pm
Fantasmic 7:50pm
We'll DAS Slinky if we can fit it in.

2. Is a 7:50 FP early enough to get snacks and a good seat? I'll be using a walker if that makes a difference. Our son would like to sit as close to the middle as possible (without a dining package).

You didn't mention what time the show starts.
(It frequently changes start time, even within a given week.)

1. That's to be on the "safe side," yes.
2. For an 8PM show time, no.
For an 8:30PM show time, yes.

The above is also contingent on the overall crowd level in DHS,
so if it is particularly busy that night (again, you didn't say WHEN) then add several extra minutes to your arrival time.

 

[OnlyDisney]

Sorry for leaving out pertinent info. We're going this Sunday 9/2 and it's an 8pm start. Will Labor Day weekend make a difference?

 

[Robo]

Sorry for leaving out pertinent info. We're going this Sunday 9/2 and it's an 8pm start. Will Labor Day weekend make a difference?

Holiday weekend will make a difference!

If you want to see F!, even WITH a FP, I'd arrive at least an hour (maybe even 75 min.) before show-time.

If you are using a walker, that "hill and valley" trek way, way back to the theater can be a long one!


Map Below-
Arrows indicate the center of the seating.
Shaded areas:
(First or Only F! performance of the evening)

Cyan= Standby (walk-in) seating
Red= Dining Package Reserved
Blue= FP+ Reserved
Purple= Can be either FP+ or Dining Package Reserved, depending on needs.

(Second or Third F! performance of the evening)
Cyan= Standby (walk-in) seating
Red, Purple, Blue= FP+ Reserved
(Although much of the outer Blue will likely be used for Standby.)

 

[OnlyDisney]

How does arriving early with a FP work?

And I just realized I made a mistake, it's actually an 8:30pm showing.

 

[Robo]

1. How does arriving early with a FP work?

2. And I just realized I made a mistake, it's actually an 8:30pm showing.

1. FP has a separate entrance and pathway (right next to the regular entrance and pathway, but divided from it.)
You can enter the pathway about an hour, or so, before show time. (If it's really busy, that path may be open up to 75-90 min. early.)
As you approach the actual theater (deep into the pathway) you'll come to the FP scanners.
Scan and head on into the theater and choose your seats.
(The time stated for the FP is virtually meaningless for Fantasmic!)

2. That's a major difference!
Still, I'd arrive 60-75 min. before show time.
With the walker and you wanting to sit closer to center, that's about the only way to make it work.