Fantasmic...what would you do?

[Robo]

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.

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

Its because of the two completely OPPOSITE experiences like these that prompt the CAUTIONS that are posted by "veterans" of WDW like me.

There is always the CHANCE that you can "pop in" 10-15 minutes before showtime and find great seats... but can you COUNT on it?
No way!

There are many nights in a year where the show is so crowded they CLOSE IT to further admission 15 or more minutes before showtime.

I plan my trips with the idea that I WANT to see a show on a given night.
I will make arrangements to insure I will not be disappointed.
If that means that I may, on occasion, get there "too early", that's just the breaks... I plan on eating my evening meal in the stands (hotdogs and pretzels are pretty good)... and just enjoying that I got the seat that I wanted without a hassle, and my party and I will have a GREAT TIME!

If you find you don't have the time or consitution to enter early before the show, then a Dinner Package will allow you a pretty good seat, even if you arrive later to the theater.

If it "really doesn't MATTER" if you must stand at the top of the theater or just not get inside that night... or MAYBE even find GREAT SEATS 10 minutes before the show, then, I wouldn't worry about making any special plans.

But that's why many of us spend extra time HERE... to help avoid "unexpected problems".

 

[seobaina]

I must admit I'm a little surprised to see so many people saying not to do the DP. I saw good things about it on another thread. We're going end of april, early may time and we're planning to book the DP for H&V. I figure we've gotta eat anyway, and we're staying in a resort hotel...so we might as well treat ourselves. I've not been to Fantasmic in orlando, but I know I had to queue for 2 hours to get a seat at Disneyland. I figure I'd rather wander round and shop than queue for that long if I don't have too. Besides, most people on the other thread seemed to like the reserved seats, and said there weren't bad seats. Is this wrong?

 

[Robo]

Besides, most people on the other thread seemed to like the reserved seats, and said there weren't bad seats. Is this wrong?

As a great post once said, "If you find you don't have the time or consitution to enter early before the show, then a Dinner Package will allow you a pretty good seat, even if you arrive later to the theater."

 

[REL1203]

Are the seats as bad as people have talked about here in 06 as they are now? Are they still on the side? I am going during the early Free Dining time of Late Aug Early Sept, and not sure if I should make a Dinner package with this or not... If the seats were better, I would be inclinded to do it, but dont want the worst seats if thats what they gurentee... Any thoughts on the current packages?

 

[tentaguasu]

My advice - go to the later show if there are two, don't freak out if you see a bunch of people in line, and scout locations with more than one person.

Here's my experience:

I was there over spring break when it was supposedly super crowded. We waited for the second show, and at first we were freaked out. There seemed to be a MILLION people ahead of us in line. I was just sweating a chance to get in.

However, as described in the Unoffical Guide, once people started going in it was surprisingly easy to get a good seat. We were very close to dead center and only about 15 rows up.

The earlier show appeared to be packed. I'd go for the second show.

A secondly, if you've got multiple people in your party, have one grab the best seats they can get, and then have another scout around.

People who came in after us were so freaked out about getting a good seat that they immediately ran to the first obviously vacant area and sat down.

The result was that center front there were a ton of empty seats through the whole show! Right in front of us was easily room for 15-20 people, and in the entire section you could have probably put in another 100 people. I spent the whole show with my feet on the row ahead of me, and there were a row or two ahead of that empty too!

This wasn't terribly obvious standing at the entry points, but if you scouted around you'd have seen them easily.

So grab the best you see right away, but have someone scout around a bit.

 

[TommyTutone]

Something to keep in mind is that the side where the DDP seats are are closest to the exits that lead to the exit of the park. If you are wanting to avoid a large onslaught of people swarming out of the parking lots/bus stops/etc. it may be worth considering, especially if it is raining when you see the show, like it did on us.

 

[Simba22]

I also vote NO to the package. I looked into for our October trip but it's not really a huge help. You have to pay a non-refundable deposit (so if it rains and the show is cancelled, you don't get your money back), and you still have to be there an hour before the show to be seated...so it's not like you get to use that time to do other things.

 

[silverarrowknits]

When I went to see Fantasmic with my parents, we lined up about 1.5 hours ahead of time. It was the only night we could see the show, and we wanted to make sure we got good seats. After about 15 minutes, we were let into the amphitheater. We got great seats, right in the middle. My parents and I had already ate, but there was a CS-type place in the amphitheater if you wanted food and you could bring food in from the other CS/vendors/etc. The hour went by pretty fast, since there was music playing, we got to sit down on benches (as opposed to waiting for SpectroMagic or IllumiNations), and the crowd did the wave every so often. If you are not going during a super crowded day, I would just get in line early as opposed to meal. The wait isn't too bad. Have fun at Fantasmic!

 

[piglet50]

we went in july of last year and didn't get the package. we did arrive early and sat for a really long time. the place was packed when it was time for the show. i think it depends on what time of year you go (crowds) and how long you are willing to sit and wait before the show starts.

it was a good show, but - and this may be an unpopular statement - i didn't enjoy it enough to want to go back when we go in may.

 

[Millie12591]

we went in july of last year and didn't get the package. we did arrive early and sat for a really long time. the place was packed when it was time for the show. i think it depends on what time of year you go (crowds) and how long you are willing to sit and wait before the show starts.

it was a good show, but - and this may be an unpopular statement - i didn't enjoy it enough to want to go back when we go in may.

May I ask why? I'm curious because I want to go, but not sure how my dd7 will accept it. I've alreay talked with her about the show and what will happen (best to my ability without having seen it) and she seems to want to see it. She's usually a really brave kiddo and not much scares her, but you never know. I really would rather eat at Mama's (have package for H & V) and then wait in line because I've heard so many people getting sick after eating at Hollywood and Vines, these were people who posted in 06 so I'm not sure how things would be now, of course I've heard decent things also. So I don't know what in the world to do.

 

[ilovecountry]

My friends & I are seeing it in mid-June. We booked it through Hollywood & Vine (we're not on a DDP). So we can't sit anywhere in the middle? Are we forced to sit on the side b/c I don't want that.

 

[Robo]

May I ask why? I'm curious because I want to go, but not sure how my dd7 will accept it. I've alreay talked with her about the show and what will happen (best to my ability without having seen it) and she seems to want to see it. She's usually a really brave kiddo and not much scares her, but you never know. I really would rather eat at Mama's (have package for H & V) and then wait in line because I've heard so many people getting sick after eating at Hollywood and Vines, these were people who posted in 06 so I'm not sure how things would be now, of course I've heard decent things also. So I don't know what in the world to do.

Since you are asking for OPINIONS, here's mine:

1. Don't do the package. Eat where you want.
2. Show up at the theater 45-60 minutes before the Fantasmic! start time.
3. Pick a place to sit and wait for the show.
4. Enjoy the amazing show.
5. Sit after the show and let the crowd clear for about 10 minutes.
6. Exit the theater and the park.
7. Remember the great night of fun for years to come.

I'd say that based on the reactions and situations of dozens of personal trips, and reading hundreds of posts from others... that you stand a 86.72% (or greater) chance of loving the show and having few problems seeing it, if you do the above steps.

 

[Joanna71985]

I would not do the package. I like sitting in the middle, and the seating with the package is all the way on the right.

 

[Pinkdiamond816]

Just a quick question...
When do they open the theatre? I'm going in Aug and am planning on getting in line 60mins before show time. My plan is to grab seats and then go get some dinner. I love the Turkey Legs and really want to go outside to get one. Will I have time to do this or should I maybe get one before hand? Will they let me back in if I leave?

 

[kileybeth]

I booked the dinner package for 2 reasons. Free Dining credit.

and the only times I have seen Fantasmic I have had to wait in a very long lines (over an hour just to get in and then another 40 minutes sitting and waiting) when I could have been doing something else. Once we did get locked out of the earlier show and b/c of tired kiddos, we missed it entirely. Another time we went and did get decent seats but waited over an hour once inside and it was cancelled due to wind/possible rain.

The CM who booked our ADR's this year said we would just get a voucher after dinner and it would be fine to show up 15 minutes ahead as there would be plenty of seating in reserve section. I have noticed where this seating is and it is way off to the side so not sure about view from there but it seems like it would be hard to get a really bad seat in that stadium.

The 2 times we have seen it with minimal lines (15-20 minute waits in line and 15-20 minutes in seats) it was so Fantasmic!!! I always consider it worth it!

I don't get the part about losing money for your registration tho? Don't you still get to eat your dinner no matter what happens with the show?

 

[Joanna71985]

Just a quick question...
When do they open the theatre? I'm going in Aug and am planning on getting in line 60mins before show time. My plan is to grab seats and then go get some dinner. I love the Turkey Legs and really want to go outside to get one. Will I have time to do this or should I maybe get one before hand? Will they let me back in if I leave?

I believe they open the arena at least 60 minutes prior to the first show (and 30 before a second show, if they do one). Will you be in a group of people? It may be hard to leave and come back with food. However, food is sold in the arena.

 

[hello kitty]

Let me get this straight. You actually get to keep the spot/seat you waited over an hour for? You're not forced to scoot down or move anywhere to make room for others?

 

[Robo]

Let me get this straight. You actually get to keep the spot/seat you waited over an hour for? You're not forced to scoot down or move anywhere to make room for others?

Nobody is "forced" to ever do that.
On some nights they ask for guests to do so.
On many nights, they don't even mention it.

If it IS very busy, they do suggest "scooting" all the way in one direction.

If you pick the correct place to sit on the row, even if they ask guests to "scoot", you may already be in the direction of the "scoot" and couldn't do so (or need to) if you wanted to.

If we are in my favorite spot (one that we have gotten many times in the past,) there is no reason to "scoot" as the front-row benches only have room for 4 guests each.

 

[Joanna71985]

Let me get this straight. You actually get to keep the spot/seat you waited over an hour for? You're not forced to scoot down or move anywhere to make room for others?

I like to sit on the little benches down in front. There is no room to move down.

 

[Robo]

I like to sit on the little benches down in front. There is no room to move down.

We think alike on THAT one, eh?