How does the wheelchair entrance work with the show of Fantasmic?

[Childs1stTime2Disney]

I have read there are very long waits to get a seat at Fantasmic. Is the wheelchair entrance a seperate loading area or do wheelchair guests wait in the general waiting area for everyone? Not sure how much extra time to allow for Fantasmic if using the wheelchair entrance. Can anyone help answer this?

 

[deakam]

The main entrance to Fantasmic is a ramp. As far as I know there is no special wheelchair entrance. Though if I remember correctly the wheelchairs are lined up in the top row, which is the entrance level. The seats are down from the entrance. I am not sure about seating for the guests with the wheelchair. It may be a reserved row in front of the wheel chairs.

 

[NJOYURLIFE]

Every time we have gone to see Fantasmic, the procedures have been different. Some times there is a separate line up the right hand side, sometimes there has been a separate line up the left hand side, once we were taken through the Beauty and the Beast area to get inside Fantasmic. Sometimes we have been seated at the very top row and other times we have been taken all the way over to the left of the stadium and down a lovely winding path that takes us to the bottom of the stadium and the CM has placed us front and center. And then other times, we have just had to go with the crowd and try not to run over anyone's feet.

Best thing to do is to find the nearest Cast Member as soon as you get there and ask them what the procedures are.

 

[SueM in MN]

There may be some variation to this, but in general -

There is no wheelchair entrance; guests with wheelchairs wait in the line and enter the show area with the other guests. They open the gate and allow guests to start entering the theater area about 1 hour before the first show.
Once you actually pass thru the gate into the area, the line thins out and becomes a fairly slow moving, spaced group of guests all traveling the same direction. CMs along the way will tell you which side to stay toward.
When you reach approximately the stroller drop off area, guest using wheelchairs, ECVs and other mobility devices will be directed to wait in an area in a line. A CM will ask if you can transfer and how many are in your party. Then a CM will lead a group of guests with special needs to seats. That part is the harder part because you are following a CM through groups of walking people - some are finding seats and some are trying to get to e snack bar, so there is 2 way traffic.
If you are able to transfer, it saves a spot for someone who is not able. You can bring the mobility device to the seat and the CM will park it for you.

The seating for guests using mobility devices is all along the top row of the theater. There are spaces for mobility devices to park and one seat for a companion to sit next to you. The rest of your party will be directed to sit in the rows right in front of you. Guests who can transfer and others with special needs who do not have mobility devices will also be sitting in those rows.

The are a few wheelchair spots in the very front of the theater, but the great majority of seating is in the back row. Usually the front rows go quickly since there are few of them. Guests do need to be aware that they will get splashed or spayed if in the front row - how wet you get depends on which way th wind is blowing. The screens for th movies are made of water mist and it does get blown by the wind.

There is a link to a thread with more information (including pictures) in post 3 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread. You can find that thread near the top of this board or follow the link in my signature.

 

[memakwed]

Our last trip was with a wheelchair. We did use the main entrance but what I would suggest if possible would be to do the fantasmic dining package. this allowed us to get seated in the designated section prior to the main group of people so there really wasn't a crowded line or long time to wait. We showed them our pass from dinner and as we went up about half the way we verged off from the rest of the crowd line and followed the designated pathway. We were taken to our seats. Seats were at the top. One person can sit next to the wheelchair and the others if early enough could sit on the bleacher below so you stay together as a family. I believe the top 3 rows were for handicapped seating only.

 

[Childs1stTime2Disney]

Our last trip was with a wheelchair. We did use the main entrance but what I would suggest if possible would be to do the fantasmic dining package. this allowed us to get seated in the designated section prior to the main group of people so there really wasn't a crowded line or long time to wait. We showed them our pass from dinner and as we went up about half the way we verged off from the rest of the crowd line and followed the designated pathway. We were taken to our seats. Seats were at the top. One person can sit next to the wheelchair and the others if early enough could sit on the bleacher below so you stay together as a family. I believe the top 3 rows were for handicapped seating only.

I just booked this. I figure it's worth a shot. It's not on a day I ideally wanted but figured if I want us to view it, this may be my best bet and I was lucky to still get a decent time.

Do you know how early you should go if you have this pass?

 

[I Love Pluto]

When we go to Fantasmic, we get on the regular line. A CM finds us at some point, the ECV is obvious. That person will take you to a back entrance or up the same entrance on the side. You will be directed to a seat for you and your family. As a previous poster said - we have been seated down front, and we have been seated at the top. It's their call as to how they need to fill the seats at that time. We have always been treated kindly.

 

[SueM in MN]

I just booked this. I figure it's worth a shot. It's not on a day I ideally wanted but figured if I want us to view it, this may be my best bet and I was lucky to still get a decent time.

Do you know how early you should go if you have this pass?

They will tell you when you get it, but in general, it is 30-45 minutes before the how begins. They do start filling hose seats with 'general' guests when it gets closer to showtime.

This is a picture that shows the last 3 rows of seating. The very last row is spaces for parking mobility devices plus a short bench for one companion for each mobility device.
The 2 rows in front of that row are for the other family members plus people with special needs who are not using a mobility device.