Fantasmic! Viewing areas?

[Geemo]

I have this map with viewing descriptions from when the show re-opened in August 2017.
Can anyone provide me with current information - compared to what is written in this snippet?

Do you sit or stand for the show now?
Are the sections accurate?

Thanks
Geemo

 

[HydroGuy]

I am not an expert on the updated Fantasmic or the viewing areas. We did HB in December and from what I can tell the map is accurate. There is also standing in the areas behind the 2,3 and 4 areas. Sitting inside the green boxes. On the ground.

HTH

 

[az4boys]

I would like to know this too. I would love pointers on where to go without a fast pass. We got AP's in July and still have not seen Fantasmic. I think my kids would really like it, but being squished like sardines with tall people in front of them is not going to work. That was a lesson learned from WOC. I'm tempted to buy the dining package even though 3 of my 4 kids are Disney adults and might not like the food options. I wish there was a way to buy priority seating that wasn't tied to a food package. We were there last Friday night and were too tired to try and figure out stand-by viewing areas for the 10:30 show. We walked past people on the bridge waiting for the 9:00 show and I thought the view was actually decent. We would have to be right on the railing though. I really need a strategy if we don't buy the package. Unfortunately, I have to see it on a map for it to make any sense.

 

[Geemo]

I would like to know this too. I would love pointers on where to go without a fast pass. We got AP's in July and still have not seen Fantasmic. I think my kids would really like it, but being squished like sardines with tall people in front of them is not going to work. That was a lesson learned from WOC. I'm tempted to buy the dining package even though 3 of my 4 kids are Disney adults and might not like the food options. I wish there was a way to buy priority seating that wasn't tied to a food package. We were there last Friday night and were too tired to try and figure out stand-by viewing areas for the 10:30 show. We walked past people on the bridge waiting for the 9:00 show and I thought the view was actually decent. We would have to be right on the railing though. I really need a strategy if we don't buy the package. Unfortunately, I have to see it on a map for it to make any sense.

On the map block #5 is for Regular FP's. The information from Aug indicates the blue area is the only area to be seated.


It sounds like things have changed and everyone is seated for the show.
I'm hoping someone can let us know what the is happening now. Standing? and where? or Seated?

Geemo

 

[Aimee_Jane83]

Thanks so much for this. I am planning on booking a Blue Bayou Fantasmic package for my boyfriend and I in May. I was wondering what the seating was like and if we got a decent area for the money.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

... I'm tempted to buy the dining package even though 3 of my 4 kids are Disney adults and might not like the food options. I wish there was a way to buy priority seating that wasn't tied to a food package...

Check the other F! Dining Package threads for info on this, but I'm pretty sure I read that other DISers got the HB package and were able to order off the regular menu, e.g. burgers. Not sure if there was an additional charge for this. You can start a new thread to ask about this, but I'm fairly certain that I read a few posts confirming that this was possible. If so, and if your kids will eat items on the regular HB menu, this might be an option for you.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

We did the Hungry Bear package this past Monday. This map looks fairly accurate. I tried to look around and pay attention to the viewing options - uncertainty about FP options is one reason I hadn't seen the show since July (when we did the RBT package).

The FP holders were NOT sitting at our show (quite possibly the blue area indicated on the map was sitting as noted - but the bulk of the #1 and #5 sections on the map were standing). All of the dining package people were sitting on the ground. For me, with a four-year-old, I think I will only take her if we can do a dining package. Like a PP, I wish there was another way to purchase preferred viewing - I'd rather just pay $15 or whatever directly for F! viewing and then get to make my own food choices! I get that they don't want to be that blatant about the money-grab, but still...

From what I've seen, there's nowhere outside of the dining package areas to watch where you aren't "squished like sardines," honestly. People were PACKED together a good 30 minutes before the show even started. I had noted that there were people in standby areas over 90 minutes before the show (up on the bridge) where at least no one would be in front of you?

And finally, you can order off of the regular Hungry Bear menu, but it's still the Fantasmic! dining price. So, I paid $19.99 (before our AP discount) for my daughter to eat four chicken nuggets, some fries, and definitely NOT eat a small bunch of warm and squishy grapes. I didn't care since we were really paying for the viewing and since she loves chicken nuggets and french fries, but I can certainly see why paying $30 for an adult meal and then swapping it out for a $10 burger would be unappealing... I did the BBQ chicken and it was fine but not great, and the weird fruit/rice thing with it was kind of gross, honestly. Like I said... I'd rather eat some of the (MANY) tasty food options I actually enjoy and then just pay directly for F! viewing.

 

[az4boys]

Check the other F! Dining Package threads for info on this, but I'm pretty sure I read that other DISers got the HB package and were able to order off the regular menu, e.g. burgers. Not sure if there was an additional charge for this. You can start a new thread to ask about this, but I'm fairly certain that I read a few posts confirming that this was possible. If so, and if your kids will eat items on the regular HB menu, this might be an option for you.

Is there some place to see the menus? I know I've seen them before, but I can't find them online.

ETA: I've read the same about buying off the regular HB menu. That might be what we have to do.

 

[az4boys]

Thanks so much for this. I am planning on booking a Blue Bayou Fantasmic package for my boyfriend and I in May. I was wondering what the seating was like and if we got a decent area for the money.

I did the BB package in 2015 with DH and the seating area was about in the same place. We loved it. I wish taking 4 kids wasn't so expensive, but I would highly recommend it for a couple.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Is there some place to see the menus? I know I've seen them before, but I can't find them online.

ETA: I've read the same about buying off the regular HB menu. That might be what we have to do.

Look on allears.net for the menus: http://allears.net/dlr/dining/menu/hungry-bear/special-dinner. You might want to bookmark allears.net for the DLR menus (special and regular) -- it's a really handy site to have for reference.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

We did the Hungry Bear package this past Monday. This map looks fairly accurate. I tried to look around and pay attention to the viewing options - uncertainty about FP options is one reason I hadn't seen the show since July (when we did the RBT package).

The FP holders were NOT sitting at our show (quite possibly the blue area indicated on the map was sitting as noted - but the bulk of the #1 and #5 sections on the map were standing). All of the dining package people were sitting on the ground. For me, with a four-year-old, I think I will only take her if we can do a dining package. Like a PP, I wish there was another way to purchase preferred viewing - I'd rather just pay $15 or whatever directly for F! viewing and then get to make my own food choices! I get that they don't want to be that blatant about the money-grab, but still...

From what I've seen, there's nowhere outside of the dining package areas to watch where you aren't "squished like sardines," honestly. People were PACKED together a good 30 minutes before the show even started. I had noted that there were people in standby areas over 90 minutes before the show (up on the bridge) where at least no one would be in front of you?

And finally, you can order off of the regular Hungry Bear menu, but it's still the Fantasmic! dining price. So, I paid $19.99 (before our AP discount) for my daughter to eat four chicken nuggets, some fries, and definitely NOT eat a small bunch of warm and squishy grapes. I didn't care since we were really paying for the viewing and since she loves chicken nuggets and french fries, but I can certainly see why paying $30 for an adult meal and then swapping it out for a $10 burger would be unappealing... I did the BBQ chicken and it was fine but not great, and the weird fruit/rice thing with it was kind of gross, honestly. Like I said... I'd rather eat some of the (MANY) tasty food options I actually enjoy and then just pay directly for F! viewing.

I also did HB (for the second time) this past Monday. They first time I got the riblets and really did not enjoy it (including the weird fruit/rice side like you mentioned... WAY too sweet!). This time I choose the cheeseburger and while it did sting a little to pay $30 for an $11 cheeseburger and fries, I did like it more than the riblets. Me husband ordered the chicken and he described it as "meh." I did love the seating section on the ground and we were just on the other side of the tape from the BB section so it was a great view, but I don't think I will do it again. The food is just really not good enough. I loved the Aladdin's Oasis to go meal I did for the MSEP, still one of the best meals I've had in the parks (it was a special, some kind of Indian dish and it was delicious!). I wish they still had food like that available.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

I also did HB (for the second time) this past Monday. They first time I got the riblets and really did not enjoy it (including the weird fruit/rice side like you mentioned... WAY too sweet!). This time I choose the cheeseburger and while it did sting a little to pay $30 for an $11 cheeseburger and fries, I did like it more than the riblets. Me husband ordered the chicken and he described it as "meh." I did love the seating section on the ground and we were just on the other side of the tape from the BB section so it was a great view, but I don't think I will do it again. The food is just really not good enough. I loved the Aladdin's Oasis to go meal I did for the MSEP, still one of the best meals I've had in the parks (it was a special, some kind of Indian dish and it was delicious!). I wish they still had food like that available.

Wait, you were in the Hungry Bear section on Monday? I bet you saw me. My daughter and I were dressed... conspicuously.

ETA: I ordered the chicken because I’d read your comment on here that the riblets weren’t good. I think “meh” works to describe it.

 

[az4boys]

Look on allears.net for the menus: http://allears.net/dlr/dining/menu/hungry-bear/special-dinner. You might want to bookmark allears.net for the DLR menus (special and regular) -- it's a really handy site to have for reference.

Thanks! I knew I had seen it somewhere but couldn't remember. It is a little frustrating that Disney doesn't publish it.

 

[HuskyGal]

We did the HB package on Tuesday and Thursday, the second time because DD loved the show and HB restaurant so much that she asked to do both again. I got the picnic salad the first time and it was very good, I’d get it again. Second time I got the fried chicken burger with onion rings and felt the chicken sandwich was worse than cafeteria food quality, the onion rings were REALLY good, i would def eat the onion rings again. Dh got the salmon the first time which he thought was good and the chicken the second time which he only ate a little bit of. I tried both and thought the was salmon good, chicken was terrible.

On Tuesday we sat maybe towards the middle of the HB package section. We were between the two light projectors so we had to choose which image to focus on and missed some parts of the show. Second time they offered us seating IN the left side of the B.B. package area, next to the green tape, to the right of the tape. It was freakin awesome and I realized how much of the show we’d missed and was unaware of the first time because a pole was partially obstructing our view when we would look at the stage to our right, the angle was pretty severe and the ending was barely visible. If I could do it again, I’m not sure which one I would choose. Is the food at B.B. REALLY that good??? Do kids like eating at B.B.?

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

Wait, you were in the Hungry Bear section on Monday? I bet you saw me. My daughter and I were dressed... conspicuously.

ETA: I ordered the chicken because I’d read your comment on here that the riblets weren’t good. I think “meh” works to describe it.

No, I didn't, but I wish I had!

 

[Steve19842015]

Dumb question, if FP for F! Is “disconnected” why wouldn’t everyone go straight to the FP terminals as soon as they get there?

 

[HydroGuy]

Dumb question, if FP for F! Is “disconnected” why wouldn’t everyone go straight to the FP terminals as soon as they get there?

Not everyone wants to see Fantasmic!. And not everyone knows about FP or that they need it for F!.

 

[Steve19842015]

Those in the know. I like it

 

[Geemo]

We did the HB package on Tuesday and Thursday, the second time because DD loved the show and HB restaurant so much that she asked to do both again. I got the picnic salad the first time and it was very good, I’d get it again. Second time I got the fried chicken burger with onion rings and felt the chicken sandwich was worse than cafeteria food quality, the onion rings were REALLY good, i would def eat the onion rings again. Dh got the salmon the first time which he thought was good and the chicken the second time which he only ate a little bit of. I tried both and thought the was salmon good, chicken was terrible.

On Tuesday we sat maybe towards the middle of the HB package section. We were between the two light projectors so we had to choose which image to focus on and missed some parts of the show. Second time they offered us seating IN the left side of the B.B. package area, next to the green tape, to the right of the tape. It was freakin awesome and I realized how much of the show we’d missed and was unaware of the first time because a pole was partially obstructing our view when we would look at the stage to our right, the angle was pretty severe and the ending was barely visible. If I could do it again, I’m not sure which one I would choose. Is the food at B.B. REALLY that good??? Do kids like eating at B.B.?

I'll be doing the HB meal for F! at the end of the month.
What time did you line up?
What time do they let you in to the viewing areas?
Is the lineup still be the Harbour Galley? or by the rafts to the island?

Thanks
Geemo

 

[HuskyGal]

I'll be doing the HB meal for F! at the end of the month.
What time did you line up?
What time do they let you in to the viewing areas?
Is the lineup still be the Harbour Galley? or by the rafts to the island?

Thanks
Geemo

We came much later than most people, around 7:15-7:20 for the 7:45 show (busy riding Winnie the Pooh/meeting Mickey ), I don’t know when they start letting people in. The fp tickets said to arrive starting at 6:45. I didn’t realize that people would line up before that. Thursday was much busier crowd wise and the HB package seating was full which must be the reason we were offered B.B. seating. Tuesday night we entered next to harbor galley, Thursday they were letting people in before Harbor galley at some stairs, not sure if it was by the rafts or not, sorry, geographically challenged and it was very crowded and lots of confused people. We had a double stroller so they told us to keep going and enter down the ramp at harbor galley.