Have you ever not gotten into a show at HS?

[kniquy]

We are plotting out our day for HS -- there are shows that my kids want to see.

Indiana Jones (likely hit last show of the day)
Beauty and the Beast
Little Mermaid

I certainly don't want to use up a FP for these shows so i am wondering in your experience (expected moderate crowds - 5-6 on touring plans)

Have you ever not gotten in to see these shows?
Are there certain times that might be more difficult - such as the last show of the day?

Or is there really nothing to worry about as long as we are there say 15 minutes prior to our desired time?

I worry that with so few attractions at this park that it would make other things busy. Our trip is 4/14-4/21 and it is very possible that TSMM will be closed for the move of the entrance while we are there -- so one less attraction.

 

[Robo]

1. Have you ever not gotten in to see these shows?
2. Are there certain times that might be more difficult - such as the last show of the day?

3. Or is there really nothing to worry about as long as we are there say 15 minutes prior to our desired time?

4. I worry that with so few attractions at this park that it would make other things busy. Our trip is 4/14-4/21 and it is very possible that TSMM will be closed for the move of the entrance while we are there -- so one less attraction.

1. Yes.
2. Certain shows CAN be busier. Not necessarily the last show of the day, but that could be the case on some.
3. Make that 20-25 minutes at most times of year and you'll be in good shape.
4. Arriving early can solve a lot of potential problems.

 

[KenHutch]

In our case no we have always been able to see them and have done all 3 more than once.

 

[cassie58]

We have always gotten in, but generally show up at least 20-30 min ahead. For B & B and IJ shows, I would plan to be there 30 min. early to grab a seat to be safe - B & B seems to fill up quicker(I think stadium is smaller than IJ, but could be wrong.) IJ you definitely want to be early for if you are planning last show, since that would be your only shot. Little Mermaid is different as it is shown about every twenty minutes with a large group going in the theater each time, and if you don't get in for one show, you just wait in the lobby for next one(like Muppets or Philharmagic if you are familiar). It shows all day, not just 5 or 6 times like the others. I would look at the show schedule and pencil them in between your FPs and any ADRs so you set aside enough time.

 

[Robo]

We have always gotten in, but generally show up at least 20-30 min ahead.

There ya go.

 

[AngiTN]

B&B, always gotten a seat, even during very busy times
IJ, yes, during very busy times I've had a show where I did not get in, not even room in the standing room only area
LM, yes, I've had a show where I did not get in and we were left waiting on the next show, even when it was not very busy. This is the only one where a FP can help you as it gets you in the show for certain. Luckily, it's also very easy to get as a 4th+ FP so we usually just grab one for the next show when we plan to go. The FP are plentiful

 

[cel_disney]

We have gotten locked out of Mermaid so often do this as a 4th FP..for B&B - the seating for FP is notably better than stand by - so also consider this as a FP...

 

[BrianL]

Little Mermaid definitely has the smallest seating section, but it also has the most frequent shows. If you miss one, just try for the next. The others aren't usually too hard to get into, but if you want the better seats be earlier. Beauty and the Beast has some covered seating in the front, but some bleacher-type seating that is less covered in the back (it's kind of detached from the covered theater), so keep that in mind. I agree that 20 -25 minutes is a good rule of thumb, possibly a little more for the best seats..

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

Yup - I tried to get to B&TB 5 minutes before the show and it was filled. Same issue with Indian Jones. That's what taught me to get to the shows 30 minutes prior.

 

[Klayfish]

Little Mermaid can fill to capacity pretty easily, as others said, it's the smallest theater.

Only time we missed Beauty was during Xmas to New Years week...we tried showing up last minute. We weren't upset about it, as it was spur of the moment, so no harm no foul, we just did something else.

 

[CAS239]

Around this past Dec 17th we headed to Indy to watch a show. We were about 10 min out from showtime when the CM at the entrance said that the show was full and there's a few standing room only spots.

So we skipped that.

Like robo said, push it to about 20-25 min until showtime and you have nothing to worry about.

 

[Thing 1]

I think you need to be there more than 15 minuets ahead of time. That being said, don’t forget you can have as many FP as you can use if you do it right. Use your first three there fairly early and then grab another as soon as you use the last one. Keep refreshing your Screen. Last trip we used like 12+ at HS and had one for every show and ride we did. We didn’t really need some of them but it was nice not having to get there sooo early for shows. In our experience, Indiana fills up quicker than the other two.

 

[Chippy4]

We tried to get into Indiana Jones about 15 minutes before a show in late August (not a very busy time) and it was full/standing room only. It was very hot and I think it may have been full because everyone just wanted to sit down!

 

[zebrastreyepz]

Yes, twice. Indy last March and Beauty and the Beast last December.

We almost didn't get seated for Fantasmic even with purchasing the dinner package in December, too.

 

[DaisyDuck001]

I've been able to get into these shows whenever I tried.

 

[nighttowll]

Yes.

One trip, I wasn’t able to get into LM. However, there seemed to be plenty of 4th FP left for LM on my last trip which was during a very busy crowded time, so I think that’s a realistic option.


One trip, we showed up about 10 to 15 minutes early for Indiana, and it was “standing” room only. Although, no one told us that when we entered. I thought there were seats left, maybe not good seats, but seats. In actuality, they let in way more people than could fit in the area and people kept pushing in front of us and walking all around which was very distracting. Guests were constantly trying to sit or stand on the steps as that was really the only open space left available, so the CMs were constantly having to tell them to move as aisles must be kept clear. They’d usually end up just leaving as there was nowhere else left to stand where you could see. This continued throughout the whole show.

No idea why they weren’t turning people away at the entrance with nowhere to put them. I think once a show starts, they shouldn’t be letting anymore people in as it is rude and disrespectful to those who are already there. It was so frustrating and made it impossible to concentrate on what was happening on the stage. We’ve seen the show a number of times, so I wasn’t devastated by the bad experience, just annoyed, but if I was seeing it for the first time, or if it was a favorite of mine, I’d have been upset.

I definitely recommend getting there at least 30 minutes early and trying for a closer seat, in the center if possible. From the standing room only section, the show was hard to see and hear as the stage was so far away, a column obstructed part of the view, and all the people walking around and talking made it impossible to catch half of what was going on. I’ll never do standing room again.

 

[Bete]

We've been turned away at IJ. Little Mermaid can be tough, but seeing the next show will resolve this or getting the extra fastpass for it.