Fantasmic wait time

[disneygeek]

We would like to see Fantasmic when we go to WDW in November. Our group has 2 two year olds and I'm concerned that they won't sit and wait an hour for the show. What the latest that we can arrive and still expect a seat? ?What the latest for standing room only?

 

[QuickGold]

30 minutes is cutting it close....20 is pushing it. But this all depends on when you're going. If its anytime before the week of Thanksgiving, you should be fine. If its around Thanksgiving, you better bring a tent or something.

 

[jenny2]

We went to Fantasmic last Friday, and have a 1 year old and a 3 year old. We walked into the theater 10 minutes before the show started and they were seating all the way over to the left... we got 10th row seats. It really depends on the time of year. If you're going in early November I wouldn't think you'd have a problem getting a seat if you waited till 20 minutes or so before. As those of you with kids know even a 20 minutes wait can be tough!

We've gone in September, January, February and early October and have never gotten there more than 15 minutes before the show starts and have always gotten a seat.

 

[sters]

How about during JErsey Week? Will we have to wait a long time? Just wondering...

 

[nicolep91]

Originally posted by sters
How about during JErsey Week? Will we have to wait a long time? Just wondering...

I would also like someone's opinion on this. We only planned half a day at MGM and I know my husband won't be keen on waisting valuable "ride time" on waiting!

 

[rachael95]

Originally posted by nicolep91
I would also like someone's opinion on this. We only planned half a day at MGM and I know my husband won't be keen on waisting valuable "ride time" on waiting!

Can't help you with how the crowds will be, but you might want to plan on making this your eat light night. They sell hotdogs right above the stands, pretzels, ice cream, etc. They're $4 per dog, but the dogs are really large (probably the size of 2 regular hot dogs). We showed up 45 minutes early and then had one hold the seat and the other went to get the food. By the time we both were back in the seats, the crowds were really full and we were enjoying dinner.

Remember too, it might be nice to just sit after a day of walking. Your feet will probably thank you.

Rachael

 

[nicolep91]

Thanks, Rachael!

That sounds like a good plan!

 

[Rosered]

We were there second and third week of last November. Fantasmic was definitely filled up early. We got in about 30 minute before show time and we were seated all the way to the left. Not the best seats. I suggested picking a weekday and getting to MGM about an hour before the show and going straight to Fantasmic. Maybe you can go to another park in the morning, go back to the hotel for a rest, then head to MGM. We did this in early September and it worked out well.

 

[jann1033]

good to hear as we were planning on that too. so I am guessing from a couple of these posts they actually seat you in the order you get there, you don't just pick any old seat? If so if we got there a hr before and did the hot dog thing would we be too far up front? would it be hard to see, like in the first row of a movie? (this is in Jan) also are there backs on the seats or just benches?

Thansk

 

[snuggles]

We were there this week and went with less than an hour to spare and were some of the last people to get standing room seats. The place was packed!! It was our first time and next time we will go very early and try to get a better place.

 

[abitjaded]

I think they still do Fantasmic dinner packages. The most reasonable ones are the buffet at Hollywood and Vine. Nice kid's selection and decent adult food. Not a whole lot of atmosphere, though. But that way you can cut it really close and not stand in a long line. We get desert to go if we do the Fantasmic Package at Mama's or Brown Derby, then eat the desert at Fantasmic, showing up about half an hour before. Even the seats at the top are still fine for the show. We always do this because our group is lousy at waiting in line. Deb has details at:

http://wdwig.com/fantdin1.htm

Carla

 

[mathboy]

During really busy times, they will do Fantasmic two times every night. If this is the case when you are there, go to the second show. Most people go to the first show and then leave.

 

[rachael95]

Originally posted by jann1033
good to hear as we were planning on that too. so I am guessing from a couple of these posts they actually seat you in the order you get there, you don't just pick any old seat? If so if we got there a hr before and did the hot dog thing would we be too far up front? would it be hard to see, like in the first row of a movie? (this is in Jan) also are there backs on the seats or just benches?

Thansk

They sort of tell you where to sit. But they start in the middle section, front row, asking people to slide all the way to the right. The seats are benches, I think they were cement. Even if you got the first row though, your view would probably be almost one of the best you could get. I'd much rather have been closer than standing in the back. We got 6th row left-center of the middle section when we went and they were really good seats. I think I would have preffered to be slightly right of center in the middle section because we'd have had slightly better seats, but the ones we had were great. To give you an idea though, we were probably a good 30 feet from the water moat and still got some of the water sprayed on us and we could definitely feel the fire.

I'd say, the closer you can get, the better off you'd be for this performance. The "stage" is actually very far away from the first seat because it's a mountain (straight out of Fantasia) with a water moat around it.

Rachael

 

[jann1033]

thanks!