Fantasmic without the package???

[PlutosFriend]

OK, so what do you do? Last time we watched Fantasmic was a few years ago. We did not do a restaurant package. I can't even remember how long we waited, but it was a slower time in January. We are going this May, and I want to see Fantasmic. I was thinking of doing the package, but now am questioning it. I hate to "waste" one of my TS meals on one of those restaurants. I am sure it would be fine, but I can think of so many other places I would like to try more. So my question is, how early or late did you get to the arena for Fantasmic without the dining package and did you have a decent seat? Thanks for any help

 

[scdisneyguy]

We went last year and got there about 30 minutes before (slower time of year) and got a pretty good seat.

 

[PlutosFriend]

We went last year and got there about 30 minutes before (slower time of year) and got a pretty good seat.

Good to know, thanks! What month was it? The thought of sitting there for a couple of hours waiting does not excite me

 

[danny1649]

Few years we have showed up about 45 minutes before show time and have got good seats.We always go first or second week of Decemebr which is not as slow as it was in past but still not huge crowds.

 

[scdisneyguy]

Sept it was busy Labor day weekend but Monday thru the rest of the week the crowds really dwindled

 

[PlutosFriend]

Few years we have showed up about 45 minutes before show time and have got good seats.We always go first or second week of Decemebr which is not as slow as it was in past but still not huge crowds.

Thanks for the quick replies As of right now, I have the H&V package booked, but I can't help buy second guess it. I have eaten there before, and it just isn't something I feel the need to go back to when there are so many other great restaurants I want to squeeze in somehow. We will go on a Thursday night, so maybe our chances of it not being packed will be better.

 

[QuickGold]

I always go without the package. I find the package to be unnecessary as you can get better seats on your own.

 

[Anna114]

I did the dinner package. Last time I was at MGM May 2002 I was told the lines were very long. I go to Disney the first week of May because it's not too hot but mostly because the lines are not overly long. We have to eat anyway, we've never been to H&V, Hopefully we won't be sorry.

Have a magical day,
Anna

 

[KimR]

We went during Spring Break last year (not Easter week though) and found excellent seats about and hour before the show. We are not doing the package this year either because I was unable to get the package at reasonable dinner time. We love Brown Derby and always eat there prior to Fantasmic with or without the package but I'm sorry, I'm not eating at 4:00 just to get the Dinner Package.

 

[rileyroosmom]

We saw Fantasmic 2 or 3 times last May (memorial day weekend). We went to the theater about an "hourish" early. Used the restrooms, got some food and sat right smack in the middle of the middle section-great seats. Also went once in the first week of May and same thing. I don't think you really need the dinner package.

 

[mdoc]

We were there during Easter week last year, which is a very crowded time. It was the last week of March. I'd say we lined up about 45 minutes (60 at the most) before the show and we got decent seats with all 6 of us together. IMO, there aren't many bad seats in there - heck, the reserved seats with the dinner package are all the way over to the far right. I think there was only one Fantasmic show the night we went, but I can't say for sure. It was definitely more crowded than when we go first week of November, but we still had no problem without the dinner package.

 

[PlutosFriend]

We were there during Easter week last year, which is a very crowded time. It was the last week of March. I'd say we lined up about 45 minutes (60 at the most) before the show and we got decent seats with all 6 of us together. IMO, there aren't many bad seats in there - heck, the reserved seats with the dinner package are all the way over to the far right. I think there was only one Fantasmic show the night we went, but I can't say for sure. It was definitely more crowded than when we go first week of November, but we still had no problem without the dinner package.

Oh good to know! Thanks everyone I think I may take my chances and not do the package. I wish there were better places to eat in MGM, but that is for another thread

 

[hercamore]

We also going down last week in May. We've done Fantastmic w and w/o pkg. Won't do package again.

Too much money We'll go about an hour early and stock up on munchies first.

herc.

 

[cortegro]

Jumping in to see if anyone has seen Fantasmic on NYE? I see that there was 3 shows on that day. I assume the 10:00pm show would be not too crowded...The New Year's Eve Fireworks would be shortly after the show finished, I guess.

-TIA, cortegro

 

[bgdiznee]

If there are two Fantasmic shows go to the second one. We were there end of June last year and went to the second show because I had read on these boards its usually less crowded. The Disboards were right We walked into the stadium about 20 or 25 mins. ahead of time and found good seats w/o any problems.

 

[fran99999]

I see U are going in May06 Dont forget SWW is the last 2 weekends in May at MGM so it will be a busier than the begin of May.

I have at many different times of the year and have never gotten a bad seat. I have sat in the middle the end at the top and first row. I actually prefer the top back row.

There are no bad seats.

Its my DS's favorite part of disney

 

[PlutosFriend]

If there are two Fantasmic shows go to the second one. We were there end of June last year and went to the second show because I had read on these boards its usually less crowded. The Disboards were right We walked into the stadium about 20 or 25 mins. ahead of time and found good seats w/o any problems.

Great tip, thanks! I am going to check and see if there are 2 on the night we are going