FP+ or Dining Package for Rivers of Light?

[Disneylvr]

Which would require the least amount of waiting for the show to start? I have a daughter with autism that might last 30-45 minutes of waiting at best.

 

[Robo]

Which would require the least amount of waiting for the show to start? I have a daughter with autism that might last 30-45 minutes of waiting at best.

I'd guess the Dining Pkg.

There would be fewer of those issued and the seating area could be more tightly managed.

I can tell you that based on years of watching what happens at Fantasmic! at DHS,
no matter in which section you are qualified to sit,
waiting to arrive after a certain point won't
"guarantee" a seat will be there.

But, things will definitely be in a state of flux regarding RoL seating.

The map below may be incomplete or incorrect in regard to some entrances and sections,
as these may be changing as shows progress and Disney determines guest preferences.

I am requesting additional comments in regard to actual seating conditions from DISers who have attended recent shows.

 

[Runnsally]

Definitely go with the dining package. Seating area for the package is in a different area than the fastpass seating which helps. If my experience opening night still holds, you would be fine arriving 30 min early.

 

[Disneylvr]

Definitely go with the dining package. Seating area for the package is in a different area than the fastpass seating which helps. If my experience opening night still holds, you would be fine arriving 30 min early.

Does the dining package area have disabled seating, preferably in the back?

 

[Robo]

Does the dining package area have disabled seating, preferably in the back?

Above is now my 7th incarnation of the RoL seating map, and I make adjustments and new additions as they are reported to me from guests who have been in recent attendance.

I've put Wheelchair access where some have reported it.
There may be more or different sections.
As more reports come in, I'll make updates.

 

[Disneylvr]

Thank you so much!!!

 

[JonesFamilyTravels]

I would book the dining package. Just last week, the FastPass+ line started 1 1/2 hours before the show even started. I was shocked. The Cast Member told me this has been the line every night since they started the new show. As we walked over to the dining package line, the CM told me to show up 30-45 minutes prior to showtime. Much better!

 

[Marthasor]

If the ROL dining package is anything like the Jungle Book dining package, I would book it. In fact, we plan to for our trip in August. My DS has a developmental disability and also has issues waiting in lines. With the dining package, we still got there a little early, but didn't have to wait in a line (the lines for Jungle Book were really long, at least on the night we went). We still waited for the show to start, but at least we could wait in our seat and the area didn't feel crowded.

 

[Dugette]

We did the dining package on the second day of RoL. Got to the area maybe 30 minutes before showtime and plenty of seats. I did notice a number of wheelchair accessible spots in the back, right after we walked in (small benches with gaps between them). We took a spot about halfway down and enjoyed the view. Definitely glad I did the dining package, as we had friends that had FP+ on day one that decided not to see the show w/a 2 hour wait in the FP area. Plus, DD and I really enjoyed our brunch at Tusker House (our dining package choice). Oh, and there are some projections and movement of floats that start prior to the show, so that might keep your DD interested during the latter part of the wait (it did with my 4 year old).

 

[Robo]

Thanks!

 

[Mickey&JoshNut]

I noticed on the map that the wheelchair seating is at the back for the dining packages, but at the front for the FP section...my Mom is handicapped and has limited vision so being as close as possible (in the FP section) would allow her to see at least some of the show but I do not like the idea of lining up 1 to 1.5 hours before the show. Any suggestions.

 

[Atilley]

I noticed on the map that the wheelchair seating is at the back for the dining packages, but at the front for the FP section...my Mom is handicapped and has limited vision so being as close as possible (in the FP section) would allow her to see at least some of the show but I do not like the idea of lining up 1 to 1.5 hours before the show. Any suggestions.

I went for this past Thursday and they were allowing people in an hour before the fast pass time actually began (as far as I know all the fast pass times are the same). I never saw an actual line build up for fast pass. Probably because they were letting folks in earlier. I waited to the actual time my fast pass opened and walked straight in and found a seat. I was in section F in the map above. There was still plenty of seating in the front rows at that time I just like be up from the bottom. I would maybe try going before the fast pass time actually opens.

 

[Robo]

The map is in a state of change at this time.
It is a tentative approximation.

I am requesting additional input from DISers who have recently been at the RoL shows
and have seen or experienced where wheelchair guests are seated and where they enter.

 

[Pembo]

Question on the FP seating, if i have a fastpass, I'm guaranteed a seat right? The people are lining up early just to be in the front?

 

[Robo]

Question on the FP seating,
1. if i have a fastpass, I'm guaranteed a seat right?
2. The people are lining up early just to be in the front?

1. Nope.
2. They want both a better chance at a "good spot" and, they want to make sure they are
not DELAYED by the crush of guests.

After a certain point in time before the show starts, if a guest does not reach the gates in time,
that guest will likely lose her seat to other waiting guests, whether she has a FP or Dining Pkg. There is no way to know which guests may have decided not to attend a given performance, and it makes no sense to play to empty seats,
if there are others still waiting in line to see the show.

Prime rule of WDW:
It's better to arrive far too early, than to arrive one minute too late.
If seeing a given performance is important to you,
arrive early.

 

[Pembo]

So how early do you need to be for FP seating to not be considered too late? Does that make sense?

We did use FP seating last year for Illuminations and I remember getting in line maybe 30 mins before and getting a great spot. There were plenty of others who showed up much closer to the show time though.

 

[Robo]

So how early do you need to be for FP seating to not be considered too late? Does that make sense?

30-45 min.
The IllumiNations FP situation is vastly different than RoL.

The Epcot viewing area is nearly limitless without a FP.
RoL has a minicule viewing space, by comparison.

 

[BLLB]

We will be at WDW April 1-8. We made our ADRs and FP + selections a while ago. We chose AK for 4/5. No ROL dining packages are offered that day. Is is likely that ROL will not be shown that day?

 

[Robo]

We will be at WDW April 1-8. We made our ADRs and FP + selections a while ago. We chose AK for 4/5. No ROL dining packages are offered that day. Is is likely that ROL will not be shown that day?

Still too early for April hours and events to be finalized but, the current RoL schedule is Sun. Tue. Thu. Sat.

 

[BLLB]

Still too early for April hours and events to be finalized.

Thanks Robo! I'll keep checking.