Fantasmic????????????

[lagirl]

We'll be heading to WDW in 8 days (OMG, I can't believe it!) and on our first day we are going to MGM. I have a few questions about Fantasmic: How long does the show last? Is it in or outdoors? Is there really a "bad" seat (I just don't think my two children would want to sit an hour before the show starts)? Can you bring food/drink to the show?

I think that's about it. I'm soooooooooo excited to go to WDW for the first time and experience it for myself, and through my children's eyes (DS (3) and DD (6)).

I must also say that these boards have given me sooooooo much information. Much more than any book I've read.

 

[kilee]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news-- but if you go at "prime time" then you'll have to arrive at least 45 minutes early. If you are going in 8 days that is smack dab in the middle of President's Day week right (??) Anyhow, here is what we do to keep DS occupied. Usually we give him a snack then we look through his autograph book with him, or we play the "I spy" game. Usually makes the 40-60 minutes go by pretty quick. We do the same before a parade. So it doesn't feel like we are sitting there forever, and so he doesn't start getting antsy. Have fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[HappyGramma]

Yes, the show is outside. We have brought food in with us. I wouldn' say that there are any bad seats, but if you sit too close to the front you may get a bit wet. The show is really great and it's something you shouldn't miss. Have a great trip.

 

[fmed845]

I believe its about 30 minutes long and well worth seeing. You can bring food in while you wait. Being a busy time you will need to get there early. The show is outside and there are no bad seats but some people prefer the middle section. The first couple of rows sometimes have a tendacy to get sprayed with water.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Originally posted by kilee
I hate to be the bearer of bad news-- but if you go at "prime time" then you'll have to arrive at least 45 minutes early. If you are going in 8 days that is smack dab in the middle of President's Day week right (??) Anyhow, here is what we do to keep DS occupied. Usually we give him a snack then we look through his autograph book with him, or we play the "I spy" game. Usually makes the 40-60 minutes go by pretty quick. We do the same before a parade. So it doesn't feel like we are sitting there forever, and so he doesn't start getting antsy. Have fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Actually 8 days would be the tail end of presidents week.

(that Thursday?)

I think you'll be fine, but you might get standing room only, and if it's terribly crowded then you might not get in at all.

One thing to consider is getting a Fantasmic dinner package so that when you eat dinner at one of the MGM restaraunts, you get reserved seats. That's what we're doing. We arrive on 2/21.

 

[KaityBsMom]

Yes, Fantasmic is outdoors. I believe it is 25 minutes long. Our DD got quite antsy during the wait for it to start after a long day of fun at the park, but luckily we had done a Fantasmic dinner package and so were only arriving and waiting about 30 minutes before the show. Some popcorn distracted her.

We were lucky enough to get fairly good seats (in the middle, less than halfway up), but I don't think there are really any 'bad seats' with the way the theater is designed. The only thing to keep in mind I think is that if you are sitting in the front, you may get a little wet, as someone mentioned, and you also may be able to feel the heat from the dragon's fire (this bothered DD a little).

 

[poohtown]

my favorite show !!!!

funny story:

unlike you, I did not read about alot of stuff and was totally walking around 'bumping' into things. We had just got of the Tower of Terror and were wondering were to go next. We saw tons of people walking very fast up the hill so we said let's go see what they're going to. Fantasmic!!! We got there about 45 minutes before the show, sat front row center (which was nerve racking because my video camera was getting wet but I didnt want to turn it off). I had no idea what it was when I walked in but I loved loved loved this show and would recommend this to everyone. (getting off track). Pretty much we stayed seated. They were selling hot cocoa in Disney mugs for $4.00 which I thought was really cheap considering you get a nice souvenier. The people next to us wanted to start a wave, at first we were the only ones doing it and looked pretty stupid but then the whole place was doing it and the show started before we knew it.

 

[luvsTink]

If you can, we found the dinner package very helpful. We went to the theatre 30 minutes before the show and had great seats in the reserved section. Our DD's (16, 6, 4) enjoyed sitting and people watching. It was chilly and they were selling hot chocolate, etc. They were pretty content waiting. The "set" also kept there attention as it was not what they expected.

Anne

 

[bobbiwoz]

My "kids" are all grown, but we'll have grandchildren with us some day. Is there anyone here who found that Fantasmic frightened the youngsters? It seems pretty scary to me.

Bobbi

 

[dizagain]

We love Fantasmic! I was way too full of information for my own good on our trip. I got us to the entrance of the path to the show about an hour early. The area was PACKED with CM's hawking snacks/merchandise and food stand lines out the wazoo. It freaked me out and I was terrified we would never get in (ha!). We loaded up on snacks and headed up the hill with what seemed like thousands of people. I held onto my girls for dear life! The theatre is HUGE and THERE ARE PRACTICALLY EMPTY CONCESSION LINES THERE! We got nice middle seats and ate our snacks and people-watched. I had brought my girls glow necklaces and bracelets from home...beware of the $15 glowing toys being paraded around! Anyway, I noticed the place beginning to fill up about 30 minutes prior to show-time and it was completely full by the time it started. This was a Friday evening.

Anyway, we LOVED the show, but my DD's 7 and 9 did hide their eyes several times and it was loud!

Have an absolute blast!

 

[lagirl]

Thanks for the information. We'll be leaving Louisiana next Friday, driving halfway, spending the night and arriving in Orlando next Saturday. We won't actually be at MGM until Monday, February 23rd, so that's after President's week. I guess we'll arrive about 45 minutes early and load up on snacks.

dizagain--where did you buy the glow necklaces ahead of time? I'd like to get my two children some since they'll be cheaper.

 

[ToddBreakey]

We took my DD's (4 and 1.5) last Nov and they both LOVED the show. They both love music and of course they know all of the movies.
I have seen this show at both MGM and DisneyLand and I can say that I liked the MGM show better. In DL there is no theater, the show is done in the river in FrontierLand that the riverboat and pirate ship sail in. Also, there is no seating, you have to just find a spot like you do for the parades. At MGM you have the stadium seating with consession stands at the top and everybody gets a good seat.

 

[dizagain]

Hi lagirl!
I found my glow necklaces at the Dollar Tree. Party City usually carries them too and even though they're a few dollars there, it's better than $15! Oriental Trading Co also carries them but you probably don't have time for that. I surprised my girls and brought them out at the show - they were thrilled and never even asked for the other stuff!

Have a wonderful trip! We took your route (from Dallas) last May, but your trip will be shorter!!