Fantasmic Viewing Options - Expert Needed

[Dani's First Time]

Hey now,

I just had my 180 day window open up today and was hoping for a Fantasmic dinner package on 11/18. They did not have any dinner packages available - not sold out, but not available. They had lunch which I foolishly passed on since we were supposed to be in another park and now that is gone as well. So, here are my questions:

- What are the chances of more Fantasmic packages coming available? From what I read, this is the best way to see the show.

- How about FP+ and how does this work? Since we are park hopping that day from Epcot, I was not planning on using my FP+ advanced bookings for DHS at all. Do you think I can get same day availability if I check around 1-2 when we hop over?

- Stand by. How bad is it? How early would we have to get there and how early would we be admitted? I heard horror stories about stand by people being locked out because there was not enough space after the dining packages and the FP+.

Thoughts?

Thanks! Dani

 

[Itinkso]

Hey now, I just had my 180 day window open up today and was hoping for a Fantasmic dinner package on 11/18. They did not have any dinner packages available - not sold out, but not available. They had lunch which I foolishly passed on since we were supposed to be in another park and now that is gone as well. So, here are my questions: - What are the chances of more Fantasmic packages coming available? From what I read, this is the best way to see the show. - How about FP+ and how does this work? Since we are park hopping that day from Epcot, I was not planning on using my FP+ advanced bookings for DHS at all. Do you think I can get same day availability if I check around 1-2 when we hop over? - Stand by. How bad is it? How early would we have to get there and how early would we be admitted? I heard horror stories about stand by people being locked out because there was not enough space after the dining packages and the FP+. Thoughts? Thanks! Dani

- according to those on the Restaurant Board, Fantasmic Dining Packages have changed back to late lunch hours.

- Fp+ should still be available at that time of day.

- For Standby, you should plan to enter the amphitheater an hour before showtime. Diners, Fp+, and Standby all enter at the same time. As soon as the Standby section fills, all remaining Standby guests must wait until 5 minutes before showtime and then will be allowed to find seats in the Fp+ area. Some people have reported Standby also filled in the Dining Area. And, some have reported all Standby guests had to wait to enter.

Keep checking the Dining Reservations sub-forum to check for cancelations, and, if nothing appears, then choose the Fp+ or plan on going to the 2nd Fantasmic if there is one.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

Just making sure you know the Fantasmox FP+ is in tier 1 along with Toy Story and Rock in Rollercoaster...and I think Beauty and the Beast. So if you want to FP+ any of the other attractions, I would do standby for Fantasmic. My plan is to arrive maybe 1 hr and 15 ahead of time and then grab some concession stand food for dinner. Figure we have to eat anyway and this way we'll be sitting and inside the theater.

 

[Dani's First Time]

Thanks for the feedback so far!

I did know about it being a tier 1. That's okay with me if we can pick it up when we get to DHS as our fourth FP of the day. I want to use the first three in Epcot that morning. We will have another morning in DHS for the rides. We are hoping to just see some shows, F!, and the Osborne Lights that evening. You think I could score FP+ as my fourth choice that day?

If we got to the theater an hour ahead for stand by, are you saying we could get right in? We just wouldn't be able to sit in the FP and dining pacage areas.

On-line, it looks like lunch just opened up for November 1 and I can get a reservation (as well as for the entire last week of October). From 11/2 on is not opened up. I was given the option by a CM. I just think they haven't released them all yet. There is something strange going on.

 

[Itinkso]

Gates open an hour before showtime for Diners, Fp+ and Standby. Dining sits in the two central sections:

- Fp+ enter on the left side of the pathway and sit in the Fp+ area - all sections to the left of the Dining Package area are filled one by one with CMs overseeing this process.

- Standby guests enter on the right side of the pathway and veer to the right entrance. Each section to the right of Dining is filled one by one until the complete standby area is filled.

- Once standby is filled, all waiting standby guests are held in the entrance pathway until 5 minutes before showtime. At that time, they are allowed to fill in the Fp+ area and the Dining area.

With a Fp+, plan on arriving at least 45 minutes before showtime for the best selection of seats.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

Not sure the ability to book additional ones has been offered long enough to know whether or not folks are getting it day of. Osborne Lights are fantabulous. Make sure to look for the hidden black cat.