Fantasmic - wait time??

[amystevekai&bump]

Hi all

We are off to Florida with our friends in October and it will likely be their one and only trip to the World. We have generally avoided Fantasmic since the boys have been with us, as I know they won't want to queue for ages. But this year I suspect we will need to see it with our friends.

We will be at DHS on Sunday Oct 21st and just wondered if anyone had any ideas of what time we should start queueing to see the show? (I would like to be there for as short a time as possible - unless it is acceptable for a couple of us to go get food to bring back for the others as thats the only way I can see my two impatient boys waiting too long!!)

Many thanks for any advice

 

[2Tiggies]

If you don't do the dinner package and want to be sure to get seating (and decent seating at that) you really do want to be in line 45-60 minutes ahead of time.

We've only done this twice because of this. However last year, like you, we went with friends and the hour wait felt like nothing as they let you in a good while before the show starts and you tend to get lost in conversation, the kids entertained each other and it really didn't feel that bad at all

 

[wayneg]

Last couple of years we have done the dining package on DDP. Before that we used to arrive about 30-40 mins before, never had a problem getting in, only time it was a minor problem was Xmas we ended up standing at the back.

 

[queendisney]

we did it in October one year (half term time) and we were in line a good 40 mins and still only managed to get seats right at the back in the far corner. It was mega packed..
Other times we've been in November, the 40 min wait got us excellent seats.
Not keen on the dinner package but have done it a couple of times and that really does help the wait time you experience..
We like this show but it really does require half decent seats..be warned the front rows you get quite damp from the spray if the wind is blowing the wrong way!!

 

[Groovee]

We normally head for about an hour before. There were kiosks at the back and we used it as chill time. Doesn't harm children to learn to deal with boredom.

 

[tracey1302]

About an hour. We always save seats as well. Even though I suspect you're not supposed to, no-one tells us off. We got seats at the front but round to the side about 30 mins before starting last May and reserved a bench with jackets and bags etc.

 

[tinkerpea]

My mum uses an ECV and so i know we can go and sit in the disabled entrance seats BUT i know that this yr the boys will want to be nearer to the front, My mum has said that she is more then happy to go and get into the que when it 1st starts to form and for us to go and to TOT and RNR while she waits,We will come and check every 15 or so minutes to see if she has gone in or not yet but i wanted to know if this would be Ok

We have a son with Autism and so he would never keep still in the line we will have a GAC for him incase anybody gets snarky plus I will still be getting over the head surgery "Im praying that im going to be doing much better then i am now but healing has taken a turn as i got an infection and my stitches and scar split open in a few places" but if its totally not the thing to do then id rather just not do it.

Instead we would just que together while Dh takes off the kids in turn to grab a drink and go to the restrooms etc

 

[DISWolves]

Tonight arriving 30 minutes before show was standing room only. On leaving there was large queues forming 90 mins before final show

 

[Loz&J]

45-60 mins is going to be your queue time sorry The best option is to go for a restaurant that gives you reserved seating. We ate early at Hollywood & Vine and just walked straight in 10 mins before show time (in fact we were escorted to our reserved seating area)
Good tip, go to Poundland buy a few boxes of glow sticks, it will keep the kids entertained and is a great way for them to make friends with the other bored kids (Plus it will save you a packet on the mad array of overpriced glowing spinning things they sell at Fantasmic!)

 

[disneyholic family]

My mum uses an ECV and so i know we can go and sit in the disabled entrance seats BUT i know that this yr the boys will want to be nearer to the front, My mum has said that she is more then happy to go and get into the que when it 1st starts to form and for us to go and to TOT and RNR while she waits,We will come and check every 15 or so minutes to see if she has gone in or not yet but i wanted to know if this would be Ok

We have a son with Autism and so he would never keep still in the line we will have a GAC for him incase anybody gets snarky plus I will still be getting over the head surgery "Im praying that im going to be doing much better then i am now but healing has taken a turn as i got an infection and my stitches and scar split open in a few places" but if its totally not the thing to do then id rather just not do it.

Instead we would just que together while Dh takes off the kids in turn to grab a drink and go to the restrooms etc

the disabled area is fine....that's where we sat last year..
i didn't think there was anything wrong with the view from that area..

we had a GAC card last year for my son in law and they sat us in the disabled area...

 

[2Tiggies]

Tonight arriving 30 minutes before show was standing room only. On leaving there was large queues forming 90 mins before final show

That's what we found in 2010. I think it does vary during the quieter seasons, but not significantly.

I didnt know you were there right now Nigel!

 

[wayneg]

I didnt know you were there right now Nigel!

We went to Hoop Dee Doo with them on our last night, 10th Aug.

 

[2Tiggies]

We went to Hoop Dee Doo with them on our last night, 10th Aug.

(Cue guilty apologies here) I am SO out of touch this year! Going to have to do a trip report this year to make amends

 

[TheFram4]

Just been to fantasmic tonight arrived at the earlier 8.30pm showing only half an hour before and it was only half full. They have re-introduced the pre-show which keeps you mildly occupied.
BE WARNED there were loads of midges in the theatre and am expecting bites to appear tomorrow as I hadn't used repellant (we rushed out after driving up from vero beach)

EDIT: there was a prolonged storm around 4pm which prob drove a lot of people out of the park

 

[disneyholic family]

Just been to fantasmic tonight arrived at the earlier 8.30pm showing only half an hour before and it was only half full. They have re-introduced the pre-show which keeps you mildly occupied.
BE WARNED there were loads of midges in the theatre and am expecting bites to appear tomorrow as I hadn't used repellant (we rushed out after driving up from vero beach)

EDIT: there was a prolonged storm around 4pm which prob drove a lot of people out of the park

it's the end of august - aren't crowd levels much lower in the parks?
just about everyone is either back in school, or about to go back so that usually drops the crowd level significantly..

 

[amystevekai&bump]

Hi everyone - sorry I've been so long in replying (just 'popped' over to DLP for a few days!!).

I think we will be able to cope with an hours wait (great tip about the glow sticks as a distraction) - I was worried it might be even longer than that and I thought that might push my boys over the edge!!

Many thanks for all of your help