How early for Fantasmic in off-season?

[hipporina]

How early do you have to get a seat for Fantasmic in the off-season? We will be there in Sept. Is it a lot worse during EMH evenings? I definately want to be sure that we get to see it.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Off season we allowed one hour so that we could eat a snack while we waited, as we were hungry and ready to sit down. We got terrific seats. Another off season trip we arrived for EMH quicker than we thought and decided to see it. Show started at 7:30, arrived at park at 7:15 and still got seats. They were way off to the side but we could still see fine. I think 45 minutes to an hour is about right for off season.

Not too sure if EMH makes a huge crowd difference at Fantasmic or not. The park itself is very crowded following Fantasmic since there isn't a lot open at MGM for EMH.

 

[kilee]

Even in off season (which we mostly travel in)-- we still allowed a good 45 minutes to get a seat. Even when the park seems really empty all day- it's amazing. It is like people literally come out of the woodwork to see this show.

 

[Stitches12]

With that said - does it really pay to get the dinner package just to have guaranteed seats. I mean, if you have to get there 45 minutes early without the package and they're saying 45 minutes with the package is there any real need for the package in the off season ? We're going late October

Thanks -

 

[helenk]

I had always done the dinner package until my trip in July. I did not feel it was worth the money since I was going by myself. I went to the stadium 45 minutes before Fantasmic started and there were alot of people coming in, but there were still plenty of seats.
I got lucky since I was by myself I was directed to fill in a row in the Mickey section, in the second row, a nice location.
I was surprised I was able to get a seat because it was the 1st showing of Fantasmic that day, and the parks were really crowded. After reading how people get in line well over an hour before the start I thought there would be standing room only.

 

[QuickGold]

In off season, I give it about 20-30 minutes but I'm not one to care much about where I sit.

 

[WDW1st-timers]

Could someone please tell me....is Fantasmic one of the best shows at Disney??? This is our first time going to disney and I don't want to miss out on the main stuff.

 

[caven553]

Fantasmic is by far my favorite show at any of the parks. I have seen the villain portion scare really young kids (under 4) but it is a great all around show - fireworks, characters, lasers and story. My wife and I try to see it as often as we can!

eta - my wife and I always go a full hour early and just bring some cards for us, books to read our daughter. At the end of the day it is nice to just sit and relax for a while while guaranteeing ourselves prime seats.

 

[hipporina]

Thanks everybody. I am not looking forward to trying to keep my kids sitting and waiting for a long time.

Any idea whether or not evening EMH makes is better or worse?

 

[Amy&Dan]

Thanks everybody. I am not looking forward to trying to keep my kids sitting and waiting for a long time.

Any idea whether or not evening EMH makes is better or worse?

Actually sometimes the wait can be kinda fun. Somebody always starts "the wave", my kids love that! And bring some glow necklaces from home if you think to. They sell them (for way more than what you could spend at Wal Mart) and those revolving light up thingies (don't know the name!) that they sell at all the parks. As it gets dark it looks really cool seeing all the glow necklaces and other light up things. If you don't mind spending the $$ the revolving things are for sale for around $15 each. Also, its a great time to snack or have dinner, they sell hot dogs, nachos and pretzels as well as ice cream. With some snacks, the wave and some bathroom breaks the time goes pretty fast!

 

[pdchris]

Actually sometimes the wait can be kinda fun. Somebody always starts "the wave", my kids love that! And bring some glow necklaces from home if you think to. They sell them (for way more than what you could spend at Wal Mart) and those revolving light up thingies (don't know the name!) that they sell at all the parks. As it gets dark it looks really cool seeing all the glow necklaces and other light up things. If you don't mind spending the $$ the revolving things are for sale for around $15 each. Also, its a great time to snack or have dinner, they sell hot dogs, nachos and pretzels as well as ice cream. With some snacks, the wave and some bathroom breaks the time goes pretty fast!

Oh, yeah. I just love those glow thingies; especially when they're right in front of me during the show and my eyes keep trying to adjust. lol
If you're going to eat dinner at the park, I would suggest you do the Fantasmic Dinner package. We did and it was great. Special entrance and no waiting in line. Course, we still had about 15-20 min. before the show.

 

[QuickGold]

Could someone please tell me....is Fantasmic one of the best shows at Disney??? This is our first time going to disney and I don't want to miss out on the main stuff.

It is indeed one of the best nighttime shows and definetly a must-see.

More info on Fantasmic!: http://www.mgmstudios.org/fantasmic.html