Fantasmic w/out package?

[tbuot]

I am wondering if it is possible to get seats that are decent and together w/out getting a package? We don't have to have the best seats. We will be going to WDW May 30-June2 and don't know if the crowds would dictate us getting a pkg.

 

[Robo]

We have seen Fantasmic! dozens of times.

Never have done the dinner package.

But we DO always arrive one full hour before showtime.

We get very good seats (never have I seen the theater even near HALF FULL at an hour before.)

The seating is BLEACHER-style, so they are long benches. You can slide together tighter to fit in extra folks if you HAVE to.

We always eat a "snack-dinner" in the theater. They have ballpark-style concession stands with hot dogs, giant pretzels, soft drinks, even beer (sold ONE-at-a-time and per-person ONLY.)

 

[pdchris]

I used the dinner pkg last year (and will again this year). It doesn't cost extra as long as you eat at one of the participating restaurants. We used H&V last year. With the package we got there about 15 minutes before the show started and had fine seats with no waiting in line. As you look at the stage, the dinner pkg crowd sits in the right-hand section.

 

[clonetothebone]

First come first serve for seats unless you get the dinner package. Arrive at least an hour early, bring a snack or grab n go sandwich and eat dinner while waiting for the show.

 

[Linzybrooke]

We have never done the package before but always manage to get great seats in the middle, even without waiting an hour to get in. I find that if you scan the crowd you find the people that feel the need to spread out and take up more room then necessary...then politely ask them to shift down a little bit...works like a charm!

 

[liveforthemagic]

We went last week of May last year and didn't do the package. I called too late and couldn't get a ressie....but in retrospect...I would never even try for a package from now on.

We got there about an hour and 10 minutes early. Brought a little blanket in case it got chilly and a deck of cards. DD and DS went to fetch us dinner--somebody else described it perfectly---its like ballpark food--while me and DD saved four seats. It was great. Its almost like waiting for a free summer concert to start--that sort of feeling among the crowd. In our section, all the parents just sort of started talking and the kids all got along. The time goes by very quickly and its a nice relaxing time after a hectic day.

I would say when you sit down, take note of where the columns are up front near the lake. We didn't pay attention to them, and they were sort of blocking our view a little. But I'll also say that the way this theater is set up, there really isn't a bad seat--the seats are graduated so well that even if a 7 foot tall man sat right in front of you, you'd still see the show without watching the back of his head.!

Have fun!

 

[Belle1111]

We don't do the package either. We get there about an hour before and then my dh and my eldest dd go out of the theater and get us pizza "Catalina Eddi'es" on Sunset Blvd. There's great music and my kids (11,8,6) seem to enjoy the atmosphere. It's kind of our tradition now and we really love Fantasmic!

 

[kellyf2626]

We have done with the package and w/out. We actually had a great experience w/out the package. At first we weren't going to see the show, but then at the last minute decided to go! So...at about 8:55 we ran into the stadium (no waiting in line!) and they had removed the ropes from the area sectioned off for the "package people". There were extra seats, so we sat right down!! And we weren't even that far back!! We were so excited!!! I would do this again in a heartbeat!!

 

[QuickGold]

Absolutely! I recommend going without the package. The seatings for the package are at the far right section and unless you get the best seat in the section, your view can and probably will be obstructed a bit. If you get the worst seat near the dinner package seating, that seat is probably better than the worst seat in the dinner package section.

 

[Joanna71985]

I don't do the package. But I do prefer to go to the 2nd show (if possible). In all the times I have seen the 2nd show, I have NEVER seen it even half full.

 

[tbuot]

I think we will try it without the package. Thanks for all the advice! One more question...how long is the show?

 

[Joanna71985]

About 25 minutes.

 

[Robo]

About 25 minutes.

Of course that does NOT include the additional 25 minutes it takes to LEAVE the theater and trudge the circuitous pathway(s) to the park exit.

Consider that folks (up to 10,000!!) ARRIVE over the course of an hour or more, but they ALL LEAVE at the same time.


(OK, it may not take 25 minutes to leave... maybe its just 22 minutes.)

 

[pdchris]

Absolutely! I recommend going without the package. The seatings for the package are at the far right section and unless you get the best seat in the section, your view can and probably will be obstructed a bit. If you get the worst seat near the dinner package seating, that seat is probably better than the worst seat in the dinner package section.

I"m going to have to disagree with that statement about the view. We had a great, unobstructed view when we went last year. Of course, with everything Disney, it's a matter of taste.