Fantasmic Wait- how does it work?

[jeankeri]

We will be going to WDW first week of December. Not interested in dinner package b/c of restaurant choice. So, question is- how does the wait work? Where does the line form, how long are you sitting in amplitheatre? I've read there is a rope drop 15 min prior to show time then it's everyone for himself. Does not sound like what I've seen in Unofficial guide. Any info greatly appreciated!!! Also- first week in December- how long before showtime would you suggest waiting??

 

[Eiblis]

hiya
no rope drop when we were there.
It does have a CM at entrance from 2 hours before hand..ie 6.30pm when we were there last week. People are advised there is no seat saving and you cannot exit and return to your seat.
We went 90 mins b4 the show started and were in the middle of the stage.
We went back a second time 30 minutes early and were on the far edge of seating (not as good a view).
It seemed that it fils up very quickly. There are food stalls inside and drinks available, also a smoking area and rest rooms.

Word of warning tho.....it gets very scary when show finishes with everyone.....and I mean everyone all trying to get out at the same time, climbing over benches, pushing etc.....so if you are going with small children, keep a tight hold of them.

Having said that...It was a magical show and my family loved it.

 

[Uncleromulus]

A lot depends on what time of year, etc etc, but we've seen people sitting outside the entrance waitng to get in several HOURS before admitting time. I'd say that while a center front seat is nice, it sure isn't worth that kind of effort. We sat on the far right the time we went, and it was fine.
And Eiblis has hit the nail on the head about when the show is over. There is a low "moan" from the audience a scant few seconds before the show ends--then a virtual mob of people getting up and literally running to the exits. Wouldn't have believed it had I not seen it myself.
Reminds me of what a cattle drive must have been like on the Old Chisum Trail--when one cow senses water, and then the stampede is on!!
Anyway--do go and enjoy the show. When it's over, just wait a few minutes before you leave. The place clears quickly.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Try to get there 30-60 minutes ahead of time. You will be directed to the 'next seat available', you can't just go select a seat. Try not to sit in first 6 or so rows (so don't get there too early), unless you don't mind getting damp/wet, depending on the wind. Usually a comedian with the 'sick, Jungle Cruise' typw jokes, always good for a laugh. The wait does seem to go by quickly, always something going on.

I have sat in middle, on the left, clsoer up, further back, all are good seats, IMO. Enjoy!!!!

 

[Shooby doo]

Definately no rope drop the last time we went!Every starts to head that way 60-90 mins before you can leave it later but run the risk of not getting a decent seat or your party split up.There's normally loads going on -How many times can you do a Mexican Wave!-& of course theres always the vendors walking about!

 

[TimeWarp]

I am also trying to plan the Fantasmic entry time. If there are two shows is the late one a better choice for crowds? Do the vendors sell food? Can I take something in for my kids to munch on while we wait for show?What are my exit options? If you go to the first show are the attractions still operating afterwards?

 

[frndofpooh]

Another related question. Are strollers permitted inside the theater, or is it handled like most attractions with a stroller parking area outside? If there is stroller parking, how difficult is it to recover your stroller in the throng of departing guests? Any tips on making it easier to recover a stroller as quickly as possible?

 

[michygoomy]

People are advised there is no seat saving and you cannot exit and return to your seat.

We were not advised of that and did save seats while DH and DD went on R&R one more time. No one commented on it or gave us dirty looks. The people in front of us were saving a bunch of seats and the rest of their party came in in batches. The lady next to me got up and left for a while and came back in, no problem.

However, that only worked for us because we had walkie-talkies. DH would never have found us otherwise, that place is HUGE.

We walked in an hour ahead of time and were directed way, way to the left. Got seats near the top and near the end of the row. There are character signs so we could tell DH over the walkie-talkie to find the Jafar section. We had no entertainment while waiting except for the wave, which got really old really quick.

Leaving there was a mass exodus, but I found it to be very orderly and moving at a reasonable pace. We each took a kid by hand and were able to stay together. There were a couple of people running, but that was the exception. It was a great show and the view was good even far over to the side.

 

[WDWorBUST]

You cannot take strollers in to the show. And be careful exiting - you go right past the stroller parking (if it's still in the same place) and some inconsiderate boob shoved a stroller out into the mob and my mom tripped and fell over it. She was sore for days and had the bruise from it for literally months. I know everyone is in a hurry to get out but just be careful and considerate of others at the same time please.

 

[kashkdz]

Originally posted by frndofpooh
Another related question. Are strollers permitted inside the theater, or is it handled like most attractions with a stroller parking area outside? If there is stroller parking, how difficult is it to recover your stroller in the throng of departing guests? Any tips on making it easier to recover a stroller as quickly as possible?

We went last November, and we lined up about 30 mins before the show, and although it was crowded, the area is SO big that 99 % of the seats have a great view. Also, people are filtering in not all at once. We sat in the middle about 10 rows up. From what I remember, they moved your stroller from the front of Fatasmic! to the exit area.

Leaving is a different story though. You have to understand that at capacaity the ampitheater allows for 6,900 seated guests and 3000 standing per show. This is a whole lotta people moving together at once when it ends, so it can get very chaotic. We had a huge ballon on the stroller, so it made finding it a little easier. Just take your time, you've run around all day, now you can relax a little bit and just go with the flow out the exits.

 

[donna in Oz]

At the end of the show, we just stand and stretch !! The theater usually does empty much quicker than you'd think, so we wait until the mobs have gone before us, then leisurely stroll out.

Usually everyone forms a mass exodus to the parking lot, but we have found that once the crowd is gone, it's fun to leisurely browse through any shops which are still open, and maybe even to grab a piece of wonderful fudge (can't remember the name of the shop).

The parks are so magical after dark when there's no one around; I'm just glad lots of folks are in a hurry to get out!!