How long would you wait for Fantasmic

[O2H O2H]

Sunday, Dec 14

I guess I should have phrased that, "How long would you expect to wait?"

When we were doing the deluxe dining, I was going to do the package. Now that we have downgraded, I can't really use the 2 credits unless we really have to, since we are also doing HDDR and the candlelight dinner pkg (which seems to be much more necessary). I want to know how long of a wait I will be in for, though. Also, can one person wait while others walk around or ride, and then meet up and be let into line? Thanks!

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

I believe only Brown Derby is 2 credits, the other 2 are only 1 credit.

 

[O2H O2H]

I believe only Brown Derby is 2 credits, the other 2 are only 1 credit.

Really? I thought they were all 2 credits for the fantasmic dining package. If it is only 1, that would rock!

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

Also for your line question someone can absolutely be a place holder (Have a fully charged phone) while the rest of the group goes to hit up some rides.

 

[Robo]

Also for your line question someone can absolutely be a place holder (Have a fully charged phone) while the rest of the group goes to hit up some rides.

That plan can go down in a hurry on a busy night.
Especially true now with so much of the arena seating reserved for FDP and FP+.

 

[mermaids1960]

I have gone ahead with my DH while others done rides, just spread out a bit and frantically waved when they come in

 

[dzneelvr]

We've seen the line snake to the corner of Sunset/Hollywood past the bakery and thought there would be no way we'd get in when we joined it. We got in with seats for 4 no problem. The seating dilemna with this show is how spread out folks become once they get their seats. It's at days end and I've seen families take up equal space with all their bags, drink cups, and purchases. We have the best luck going into the middle of a row. This year we are doing the package because I want to be guaranteed seats. We have Mama's with our Tables in Wonderland dining plan.

 

[Delirium]

We usually go in October and I have NEVER seen the second show of the night completely full on a weeknight performance. Obviously, that is less likely to be the case on a weekend night, emh night, or special even night. And, you're seats may not be the best in the world. But, I think you can limit your wait by doing the second show.

 

[WINTER]

Also for your line question someone can absolutely be a place holder (Have a fully charged phone) while the rest of the group goes to hit up some rides.

Probably not a good answer.

 

[O2H O2H]

There is only 1 show that night

 

[PEC]

You can check crowd levels but 14 December shouldn't be that bad. IF this was a couple weeks later then the entire situation changes. I think there are several questions. Are you looking for really good seating? If so 1 hour prior. If any seat will do then 30 minutes prior should be OK. I went to the first show over Easter break a couple of years ago and it did not fill up just the only seats left were not great seats.

 

[ibela]

Dec starts to get crowds because of all the holiday decorations, the further into Dec you get, the more crowded. With F! only showing 1x that night, it'll be crowded. Even on low crowd days, plenty of people with hoppers and APs come in the evening to watch the show and jump on a couple of the headliner rides. Mama Melrose and Hollywood & Vine are both 1 credit with the Fantasmic package (odd times so more like a late lunch, but still) and the seats are great. If you don't want to book one of those, or there are none available, you can get a fastpass as well. If neither of those work, you should plan to arrive about 60-90 minutes before the show. Some people like to go with a snack or a CS meal and have their dinner while they wait. Just keep in mind they're bleacher seats so not the most comfortable. I've gone before with a toddler and an infant during a low crowd time and got panicky with the line, we waited about 60 minutes with snacks. The next time didn't stay for the show. This time I booked H&V F! package for 4:25pm.

 

[Fata turchina]

I recommend getting there as soon as they open the theater (usually about 90 minutes before show starts) with your whole party. This way, you know exactly how much space you'll need. If part of the party wants to leave to go do other attractions, they will get the Fantasmic! re-entry pass on their way out so they can come back in later. Just make sure the people leaving and coming back in know that getting ice cream from Scoops as a gift to the person who waited inside the theater is a mandatory part of the deal.

 

[Haley]

I recommend getting there as soon as they open the theater (usually about 90 minutes before show starts) with your whole party. This way, you know exactly how much space you'll need. If part of the party wants to leave to go do other attractions, they will get the Fantasmic! re-entry pass on their way out so they can come back in later. Just make sure the people leaving and coming back in know that getting ice cream from Scoops as a gift to the person who waited inside the theater is a mandatory part of the deal.

That sounds like a good plan!

 

[2girlsmom]

I have gone at that time of year, and usually arrive approx 60-90 minutes ahead, that should allow you to not stand in line much if any, as they open the theater roughly 90 minutes before show time, and then once you have seats, you can go get some snacks, etc from the concessions to eat/drink while waiting, though I wish they still had the fruit and cheese box and the dessert snack boxes that they had a couple years ago (one had grapes, apples, cheese and either crackers or pita, can't remember) and the other had marshmallows, pineapple, apples, and pretzel rods, with a cup of chocolate to dip in, as I recall.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

One more thing to consider: The show schedule currently posted will likely change before your trip.

Last year, 2nd Fantasmic shows were added to almost all evenings in December. However, those changes weren't finalized and announced until November 18.

Keep watching the calendars for updates. If a 2nd show gets added, you should be able to attend it with minimal wait.

According to the crowd calendars, mid December is expected to be a little less crowded than early June. We went to the late showing of Fantasmic a couple of weeks ago during a very crowded Star Wars weekend. We strolled into the ampitheater about 10 minutes before showtime and found great seats. The place was less than half full.

 

[ParrotBill]

About saving a place in line or in the theater:

If the park is not crowded, there should be little risk of the show getting full.

If crowded, there is a risk the show will fill up before you return. Also, they often hold the crowd at the outer entrance, with the line going back toward Hollywood Blvd, and then open the gate and shift the line up to the inner gate, so that joining your party becomes quite a bit harder as you must now excuse yourself past a thousand other guests. This is a crowded line at this point and I personally find it annoying when dozens of families are doing this.

Once the theater opens, if you want to take your chances, arriving late is easy.

 

[BeccaA]

We waited two and a half our first trip. We got in line for the first show, but didn't make it in and had to wait for the second show. Not doing that again! Our plan this time is to try and Fastpass it as soon as we use our first three fastpasses at HS. Hoping it works! I love the show and my youngest was too little remember it, so we want her to see it!

 

[LaurenT]

We've seen the line snake to the corner of Sunset/Hollywood past the bakery and thought there would be no way we'd get in when we joined it. We got in with seats for 4 no problem. The seating dilemna with this show is how spread out folks become once they get their seats. It's at days end and I've seen families take up equal space with all their bags, drink cups, and purchases. We have the best luck going into the middle of a row. This year we are doing the package because I want to be guaranteed seats. We have Mama's with our Tables in Wonderland dining plan.

Just be forewarned, I also have TIW and I do the Mama Melrose dining package whenever i want to see F!, to me it's well worth it - the seating area is great, no hassle and i don't feel crammed in. But - they do not offer the TIW discount for the package - only for regular meals....

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

We did the Brown Derby package. Unbelieveable. It was one of my favorite things of the entire trip. The meal was SO good, the Fantasmic vouchers almost seemed silly. We definitely got our $58 pp in value. To top it off, I had $105 in Disney Visa rewards to take off the dinner! Woohoo!

We enjoyed the show, but having seen it, we are REALLY glad we didn't wait for it. Our friends rode rides last time during the show and walked on to TSMM. We waited 80 min for TSMM just before it (because we had the package.)

I wouldn't wait anything over 30 min for Fantasmic. Its neat but I think Wishes is better. I was delighted that there were so many princesses. I also liked the indian parts and that they toned down less of the villains. I enjoyed the Glow with the Show ears that were a hit. It was a great way to finish the day, but I definitely wouldn't wait for this show.

That's why we did the dinner package. We knew we needed to eat, and boy were we WOWED. Next time, I'll go eat at Brown Derby with my visa rewards and then go ride rides during Fantasmic.

Great dinner package. Dinner and a show, it doesn't get any better.