Fantasmic...what would you do?

[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?

(The show is twice as SPECTACULAR, and HUGE (and sometimes extra WET) when seen from the very front row!)

 

[Joanna71985]

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.

It's like you read my mind.

 

[Joanna71985]

We think alike on THAT one, eh?

(The show is twice as SPECTACULAR, and HUGE (and sometimes extra WET) when seen from the very front row!)

Absolutely! No place like the front.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Well to do the package or not all depends.

1. How crowded the season is
2. How long do you wish to wait.
3. Are there two shows or one that day and which one are you going to.

The seats themselves are off to the right but quite fine. There isn't any real advantage to being in the center. Just make sure you're in front of one of the 3 water screens and it will be a great show. The worst seats in the house are in the gaps between the screens. The big advantage to the Fantasmic package is you can show up 30 minutes before the show and have a good seat. Another is those seats are closest to the exit. First to the buses. We ended up very glad we got it the first time. The SRO section behind us reported waiting an hour to get those. The next time, there were still people filing in to fill up the far left side at the 30 minute mark. The middle section was full at that point. This night also ended up SRO but they reported walk up. So one time we were extremely glad to have it and probably would not have been able to see the show without it. The other time we probably could have showed up 30 minutes earlier than the package time and got a middle seat. One big disadvantage to the package is if you eat and it rains, you just miss the show. No rain checks. Note that you don't have to sit in the package seats with the package. If there are better seats available when you get there, go for it.

By the way do not show up late for the package. They do open that section up to the general public to fill it.


So it all depends. If you can go to the second show, I don't think you'll need the package.
If there are two shows and you cannot go to the second and don't want to sit for over an hour, I probably would get it.
If there is one show and you're in a slack season, I probably wouldn't get it.
If there is one show and you're in a moderate season, I probably would.

 

[hello kitty]

Thanks for the tip!

 

[Joanna71985]

That's a good tip. If there is a 2nd show, it just about always will be less crowded, and easier to get into. It doesn't even open until 30 minutes before the show.

 

[hello kitty]

I am armed with some serious Dis knowledge now. That bench is so mine.

 

[Pinkdiamond816]

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.

Thanks! I will be with a group but I think we'll buy food then get in line to get in so we don't have to deal with the lines inside. Last time I sat for the show I remember insanly long lines for food inside. But I think this was on my 2003 trip, so I couldn't remember when the theatre actually opens. If it opens 60mins before is there a need to get in line before that or can we just show up right after it opens and still get some great center seats?

 

[King Triton]

Fantasmic is always the highlight of our trip. It's a must. I highly recommend doing the dinner package. Without it, you may have to wait hours before the show.

Have a super time!

 

[JPN4265]

Just because you participate in the dinner package does not mean you have to sit in the seating area designated for you. This just means that you don't have to come early to secure a set. When you get to the show, set where every you want to.

 

[Kara]

Would this be something good to consider for Thanksgiving Dinner??? or go for something else?

 

[Robo]

Would this be something good to consider for Thanksgiving Dinner??? or go for something else?

I don't understand the question.

Eating at a Dinner Package restaurant on Thanksgiving?
Eating snacks in the Fantasmic! theater on Thanksgiving?

I suppose you could do whatever you wanted.
Whether it was "good to consider" is up to your tastes.

The parks will be PACKED on Thanksgiving weekend.

 

[Kara]

I don't understand the question.

Eating at a Dinner Package restaurant on Thanksgiving?
Eating snacks in the Fantasmic! theater on Thanksgiving?

I suppose you could do whatever you wanted.
Whether it was "good to consider" is up to your tastes.

The parks will be PACKED on Thanksgiving weekend.

Yes, doing the dinner pkg for Thanksgiving lunch or dinner.

I figured MK would be the worst that day, but maybe we should stay away from the parks totally that day.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Kara!!!!






I'll still wave, but have the wrong Kara here, you spell with a capital K, the other Kara is a small K, missing from the boards for a long time.

 

[Robo]

Yes, doing the dinner pkg for Thanksgiving lunch or dinner.

I figured MK would be the worst that day, but maybe we should stay away from the parks totally that day.

MK is generally the busiest park, but ALL will be hoppin'.

I'm going to GUESS that they might extend the park hours at MGM and ADD a second (or third) Fantasmic! show that night, and/or following nights (its very common if the crowd-levels are high.)

If so, the first Fantasmic! of the night will likely be MUCH more crowded than any that follow.

 

[mjkaferle5]

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.

This was a nice advantage. We were able to get out of Fantasmic! very easily by sitting the Dinner Package area.

Are they limiting the ADR times now with the package? When we went back in June, our original reservation time was around 5:00pm. But then we realized we would miss the parade since that starts at 5:00pm (If I remember correctly). So I called and was able to get a new ADR at 6:10pm. It worked out great for the parade, then dinner, then Fantasmic! But I also know it was still a couple months out when I changed the ADR to 6:10pm, not only 2-3 weeks out like someone had mentioned.

 

[budbeerlady]

I was wondering the same thing O.P.! It our 3rd trip and we also have never bothered to see it. (I think its the sitting in the theator mentality that held us back!) But the night we want to go is on a Sat so we are doing the package just to be safe. We want to eat at Mama Melrose anyway, so why not?

 

[Mickey76]

I booked the dinner package at Mama Melrose's for sometime during my Disneymoon in July. I don't know the exact date, but I am considering cancelling my reservations. I've read too many reviews that say that the seating isn't that good. You see props before you should and the music sometimes doesn't go with what you're seeing. We'll still eat at Mama's, but maybe a little earlier and get in line and wait like everyone else. It's not a big deal to us. We can people watch while we wait.

 

[Jalva22]

So, once you're in your seat, what about kids who have to go to the bathroom? If we arrive an hour ahead of time, I guarantee one of my kids will have to go before the show starts. There will be 4 of us, so if 2 are gone to the bathroom are the 2 remaining in the seats going to catch grief for holding their places?

Also, on SWW Fri night, first showing, EMH morning (this is June 8 I'm talking about), I'm guessing we'd need to arrive AT LEAST an hour ahead of time? There will be a second showing, but my kids are young enough that it's just not worth it to keep them up late enough for that. The quality of the next day's touring would just be destroyed by crankiness!

 

[Robo]

So, once you're in your seat, what about kids who have to go to the bathroom? If we arrive an hour ahead of time, I guarantee one of my kids will have to go before the show starts. There will be 4 of us, so if 2 are gone to the bathroom are the 2 remaining in the seats going to catch grief for holding their places?

No problem at all... none!

Also, on SWW Fri night, first showing, EMH morning (this is June 8 I'm talking about), I'm guessing we'd need to arrive AT LEAST an hour ahead of time? There will be a second showing, but my kids are young enough that it's just not worth it to keep them up late enough for that. The quality of the next day's touring would just be destroyed by crankiness!

Yes, 60 minutes will be safest.

Find your spot.
Sit.
Send someone for hotdogs or pretzels at the upper consession stands.
Relax.
Let the kids nod-off for awhile (if they will.)
Then, the show will start and the fun will begin.