Fantasmic...what would you do?

[ntengwall]

We were just there last week and had signed up for the package, but canceled it at the last minute due to the fact that it was supposed to be 34 degrees that night. We decided to just play it by ear and still go to MGM and see if we thought it was too cold to see Fantasmic that night. We ended up going and had NO problem getting seats (I think we got there at 6:30 for the 7:00 show).

 

[Robo]

i was there on 12/30 and arrived 20 min before the show. we still had a great pick of seats and i was able to go and shop at the fantasmic stands while my parents sat and waited. i'm sure if you want your absolute choice seat, get there early. but bc the arena is so huge and the CM were filling in every row, you shouldn't have a problem. so don't stress out if you can't get there an hour early. the show was amazing, my fave of all the park shows!

Sorry, but although it DOES happen, I would never COUNT on this if I wanted to be sure to see Fantasmic!.

We have been to shows that went "Standing Room Only", and the CMs REFUSED further admissions, 10 to 15 minutes prior to start-time.
(And this was in February!)

Before every show, they still play the recorded "cautions" about NOT leaving the theater area (they mean don't EXIT back to the "MGM street areas") once you're in the Fantazmic! area.

Better to sit INSIDE the theater for 20-40 extra minutes than to sit OUTSIDE the theater and wonder why you missed the show.

 

[slp87]

Just a bit of obvious advise...if there are 2 shows go to the 2nd showing. The park will clear out somewhat during the first show and not as many people will hang around for the 2nd.

 

[T&EMommy]

MOVE the Sci-Fi ressies!

Fantasmic! is at 8:30 that night.

I'd recommend arrival at the theater by 7:30 or 7:45 to get "good" seats.
If you don't mind "pot-luck" on seating, it would be OK to arrive no later than 8pm.

You can't do this with late Sci-Fi seating.

If you don't have it, here's the "OFFICIAL" WDW calendar.

Pick your park and month, then click on the DATE.

Thanks for the information. I will check my reservation time (I think I may be off a little - 7:10) and make changes if necessary. Isn't the SCIFI close to the Tower of Terror and the entrance to FANTASMIC? It's been 9 years since I was in MGM and I am sure a lot has changed. Thanks again for your help!!!!!

 

[Robo]

Thanks for the information. I will check my reservation time (I think I may be off a little - 7:10) and make changes if necessary. Isn't the SCIFI close to the Tower of Terror and the entrance to FANTASMIC? It's been 9 years since I was in MGM and I am sure a lot has changed. Thanks again for your help!!!!!

They are actually about as FAR APART as you can get in MGM.
Look at the map.
Fantazmic! entrance is, indeed, right next to ToT.
Sci-Fi is way over near NY Street/Muppets/Star Tours.

If you walk very FAST (I mean "Disney-Fast"), it will take you 10 minutes (or more) just to get from Sci-Fi's entrance to the Fantazmic! entrance (that's after a meal(!) and through the park "traffic" (other guests).
THEN... its another, maybe FIVE minutes, UP-HILL, to get to the actual theater seating area (ALSO jammed with guests coming and going.)

It will be so much simpler (and easier on your family) to move the ressies a bit earlier (I'd pick 6:30-ish, or earlier) at this point in time (call within a few days).

 

[phisigprincess]

We might try it only because we have the Dining Plan. You'll LOVE Fantasmic!!!

 

[mousemom218]

We did the dinner package at H&V in mid-January. The latest ressies we could get were 4:30, but we weren't seated til nearly 5, which brought us to Fantasmic about 30 minutes before the show. I think the seats are fine, and I like not having to worry about whether seating will be a problem. My favorite part though is the special entrance and exit, as that exit can be a crazy experience if you go out with the crowd!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Just an FYI for all of the families who have really early ADRs for the package:
They will release later times about 2-3 weeks before. Just call back a couple of weeks before you are going and ask if they have later times. If they do you can switch your ADR. That's what we did in October.

When we saw Fantasmic last January we didn't dothe package. We got there about 45 minutes before the show and the theater was pretty empty, but it DID fill up by hte time the show started. We were sitting in the second section from the right (several rows from the top), which is beside the reserved section. The view was fine, and we were the FIRST ones on the bus back to Pop afterwards!

In October we had the package and sat in the far right section, again, several rows from the top. Again, we were FIRST getting to the bus. And they did NOT let us exit the way we came in by Oscar's. We had to go out with the masses! Not sure how they determine the exit procedures.

Anyway, as of now we have a regular ADR for dinner at MGM for August. I want to see how some other things shape up on our schedule. I might try for an ADR for Fantasmic right before we leave, or we might just keep our existing ADR and try to get to the theater a little early.

 

[catherines_mama]

I'm on the 'no dinner package' bandwagon. We've seen it and without the Package. We get to MGM a few hrs before, do a few things, go in an hr early and grab hotdogs at consessions then wait for the show. Remember, up close is not always good.. *mist from the water* just look for something in the center Good luck!

 

[mom2isaac&ella]

the problem I have with the FDP is that you cannot get a reservation at a reasonable time anymore. The lastest I could get was 4:30 so this time we are going to just do the regular dinner reservation and wait with the masses.

Last week I made reservations at BD at 5:10 for our trip the first week of August. We have 2 families going & didn't get a table of 7 so we had to be split up into 2 tables, but we don't have a problem with that. I like the idea that we know we'll have seats with the package without getting there 2 hours ahead of time with 2 little ones in tow. I've sat on the sides of the theater before, right behind the reserved seats & loved the show.

 

[FWFamily4Life]

we go each year the 1st week of april so it is busy and we thought about the DP but never did it. Instead we went th 90 mins early picked our seats right in the middle great seats. It took forever to get out of the theater. We also had to endure our children asking to buy food and all of those light up overpriced toys (think CIRCUS TOYS) during that time. On that note we went the next time showed up about 20 mins before the show got a seats just off to the right 2 rows from the top and we definately got out faster, no buying toys, and it was closer to food, drinks and the bathroom.The seats were just as good as the others. I will never buy a DP or go that early again. They make you believe you should go so early because what are you going to do for an hour besides eat drink and buy souveniers

 

[Robo]

I will never buy a DP or go that early again. They make you believe you should go so early because what are you going to do for an hour besides eat drink and buy souveniers

Yes, that's EXACTLY why I tell people to go early.
I want them to spend money.

Nope, no reason to go early. No reason to go to Disney at all.
It costs money and you don't get much.

 

[jenrose66]

I think if you want a sit down dinner before Fantasmic you can book the package, I've heard it's not the best value; but I don't have experience with that because I've never purchased it.

Personally, I don't think it's necessary. We went to fantasmic on the 4th of July (well, it was cancelled because of the weather, but we got in!). Even though they said it was standing room only while we were walking in, there was plently of places to sit.

 

[MinnieMom]

For all of you experienced DISers, we are going to MGM March 9 and I do have the dining package booked at H&V. Do you think it's necessary for this time of year?

Also, some of the previous posts mentioned sitting wherever you want once you enter using the separate entrance for dining package people. Can you really do that? Thanks!

 

[Robo]

some of the previous posts mentioned sitting wherever you want once you enter using the separate entrance for dining package people. Can you really do that? Thanks!

The theater is completely OPEN.
No tickets needed for "regular folks".
So you're free to go to the restrooms, buy hot-dogs or trinkets, and roam around and change seats anytime/anywhere you want (unless/until it gets too crowded to do so).

So, no matter where you enter (with the "regular" folks or via the "special" dinner-package entrance)... you can just go find a seat "anyplace you'll fit".

BUT, if you don't have the dinner-package "certificate" you can't sit in the dinner-package reserved area. And that is the advantage of the package... even if the theater is near capacity for whatever reason, if you HAVE the dinner-package "certificate", you CAN sit in THAT section.

 

[bdink921]

We had the DP and ate at H&V--we liked the food, arrived about 30 mins before the show, and thought the seats were great. We went during spring break in April and the crowds were huge--it looked like all the seats were taken except in the reserved seating area. To us it was worth doing the package--would've stunk though if the show was cancelled .

 

[mickeyluv]

Thanks everyone. I think we'll just stick with not doign the dinner package and get there early. We're going April 29th. Is this a busy time? I know that Grad night will be going on over at MK so this may be a disadvantage for us. Thanks for all opinions!!

 

[brer rabbit 28]

we went in june 2004 and were in the standing area at the back (couldn't see too well),we had arrived 45 minutes early as well.This time we have booked the package.Rang last week and got H&V at 6.10pm.
Hopefully the show won't be cancelled

 

[Dallas_Lady]

I have never done the dinner package, but I have seen Fantasmic twice in what I suppose others would call "bad" seats. I was fairly high up and I could see everything just fine. I had a really good panoramic view of the lagoon. I think had I been too close, I wouldn't have been able to take it all in.

So I say unless you really want to eat there, forgo the dinner package. You'll be just fine.

 

[TESTRACKLOVER92]

on our last trip we went about 15 min. before and got seats dead center and front row...... maybe we were just lucky?