I would either still try to get a Fantasmic package, use a touringplan to pick the least busy day or go to the later show if there are 2 shows. The second show is typically less busy.
yes you can use GAC for fantasmic.
Here is how it is supposed to work, the last time I checked with higher ups.
you use the WC waiting area access on the left and proceed to the WC area and wait there until the seating starts. If it is to crowded and that is an issue you can ask to wait in the area behind the rope towards the TOT road.
Once load in starts is is still challenging, but it only typically takes 5 minutes.
unfortunatly there is a lot of varability of if this is followed.
This is not what it sounds like - there is not really a separate, less crowded wheelchair waiting area.
Before they start letting people into the amphitheater area, there MAY be a place they are holding guests with wheelchairs to the left side.
That part may or may not happen, from what I know, depending on staffing. And, if you get there after they have started loading guests into the theater area, that holding area no longer exists. They typically start loading guests into the theater about one hour before the show.
But in fact, most guests with wheelchairs or mobility devices are disperced throughout the waiting line outside with the other guests. The reason for the 'wheelchair waiting are' is not to provide a less crowded place to wait, but to allow the CMs to get a head start on seating the guests with special needs who are waiting there, since seating them takes more time than for the other guests.
One they start loading guests into the show area, the waiting line disappears pretty quickly and it becomes just a slow moving, widely spaced line of guests moving into the show area. So, your best way to avoid waiting in line may be to just wait in the general area outside the line until they strt loading for the show. Within 10 - 15 minutes after they start loading, there usually is no line outside anymore.
The rest of what I am writing always happens.
Once the line states going in, everyone is mixed together in a slow walk into the actual theater area. There is no separate wheelchair line once they start letting people into the theater area - everyone is mixed in together walking in. That part is not really bad. Unless you are part of the first rush of people in, the people walking are fairly slow and spaced out since the space is huge.
Just about across from the Restrooms, which are on the right, there is a stroller drop off point. Other guests continue to the left and are directed toward a seating area by CMs. There is a steady stream of guests and the CMs doing seating just keep directing them forward until they are directed to an actual row to sit in.
Just after the stroller drop off point, guests with wheelchairs a directed to stay to the right and finally come to a spot where other guests with wheelchairs are waiting, with a host/hostess CM at the front.
'Wheelchair waiting area' sounds much more than what it actually is.
It is not separated out with ropes or anything else. It is just a line of people waiting in line on the right side of the line of people who are walking in to the theater. The wheelchair line is directly behind the far right seating area, which is used for the Fantasmic meal packages. Toward the end of the line (depending on how long the line is), there is a kiosk on the right selling light toys and other small items.
We are usually waiting in that area for 15-30 minutes and during that time, many people cross the line. It can be people going and coming from the seating area to buy things at the kiosk. There are larger numbers of people crossing the line to get to and from the Meal Package seating area and bathrooms, snack bar or kiosk. CMs stand just outside the Fantasmic seating area, checking tickets to let people who have lift that area get back on. Depending on the numbers of people, they may be waiting in a
Line that crosses the wheelchair waiting area.
So, it is not a separate or undisturbed place to wait.
The reason for the wheelchair waiting area is that there are limited numbers of spots in the theater for guests who need wheelchairs. The host/hostess CM ask each guest if they need to stay in their wheelchair or can transfer and sit on a bench seat. We have already waited and hen we got to the front of the line gotten the next to last wheelchair spot, which meant only Peterson in the long line behind us could stay in their wheelchair. The rest would have to transfer to a bench or leave without seeing the show f they could not transfer.
The CMs make seat assignments and a CM leads a group of guests, following in a single file line to that seating area. Sometimes that following line can be very long - 2 or 3 guests with disabilities, plus their parties following a single CM at the front.
The CM will lead you through the line of guests in the actual theater area - don't know how to explain it better, but the main line of people filing in for seats will be to your left and to your right will be people trying to cross the line to get back from bathroom, snack bar, etc. So, the walk in is not exactly easy either. On the way, they 'drop off' some of the guests at the handicapped seating area that specific group is going to. During the handoff of that group of guests to the CM for that area, the rest of the line is waiting.
The handicapped seating area is in the back 3 rows of seating in the theater. The very back row is spaces to park a wheelchair or
ECV with short benches separating every 2 spots between them for a companion for each wheelchair space. The 2 rows in front of that are handicapped seating and are used by the rest of the wheelchair party guests, the people who were able to park their wheelchair/ECV and sit on a bench or those with GACs who have other needs and want to be located near the rear of the show.
So, yes, GACs can be used for that seating area, but may not be particularly helpful for the process of getting into the theater and getting seated.
There is a link in post 3 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread to a thread about Fantasmic which has some pictures that might help you to visualize everything.
Even if your son can walk, you may want to think about getting a wheelchair for him for Fantasmic. Having a wheelchair doesn't give any advantage with getting in or with seating (in fact, you will wait longer to be seated). But, it does provide a bit of separation from the other guests while in line.
