I think I messed up....

[tchrrx]

After 6 months of planning for this trip, I think I just now realized something. Is Fantasmic a free show that's open to everyone? This entire time I've been thinking that it's a dinner show that you have to make ADRs for. But, something I just read on another thread is making me rethink that. So...if it is a show that I'd be able to attend, I may need to think about going to MGM one evening. Please help me understand exactly what Fantasmic is. Thanks!

 

[DisneyDork712]

Look here:

http://www.allearsnet.com/tp/mgm/m_fantasmic.htm

It's the night time laser and fireworks show at the park. It's included with your admission.

Have fun!

 

[Disneyholic]

Fantasmic is 1 to 2 shows per night depending on season & weather. It is free (you do need park admission for MGM), but get there at least an hour before showtime to get good seating. You can buy dinner packages that get you special reserved seating at the show, but you still have to get there about a half an hour (approx.) before showtime. You can set up ADRs for the dinner package, but you don't need a dinner package to see the show.

 

[tchrrx]

Thank you! I have no idea how I got so confused on this. Looks like I'll be trying to head back to MGM one evening now! If I go to the later show (10:30), do I still need to be there an hour early?

 

[DisneyDork712]

I've always gone to the later show and gotten in some attractions during the first show. I've never had to get there that early for the second showing; about 20-30 minutes will get a good seat anywhere you want. On my Disneymoon last year, however, we went to the first show because the manager of Mama Melrose's gave us a priority seating pass to that show because he saw us wearing our Bride and Groom ears.

Here's a pic of how crowded it was AN HOUR (yes, a WHOLE HOUR!) before the show started:

Thank goodness for those passes! The area we got to sit in was perfect! (All the way to the right.)

I don't think there are really and BAD seats, it's just that some seats are better than others.

 

[ctnurse]

After seeing that pic of the crowd I know I made the right choice by getting a package.

 

[hockeymomoftwo]

I'm glad I reserved also. Do you think it will be that crowded mid Sept also?

 

[DisneyDork712]

I think crowds in mid-September will be quite a bit thinner. From what I've read on these boards, it's the off season. I've never been at this time, so I'm not 100% sure. Hopefully someone else who has been at this time will chime in.

 

[Robo]

The Fantasmic! crowds vary in size almost daily.

That pic of the full theater an hour before showtime is NOT ALWAYS the case by any means.

No one can predict EXACTLY what will happen on any given day.
It has totally to do with how much time you wish to invest, and the general crowd levels.

VERY Busy days:
If you go to the first show of the evening (or "only" show that evening), if you arrive about 75-90 minutes before show-time, you can sit just about anywhere.
45 minutes before: Good seats
20-30 Minutes: will vary between seats at edges and rear of theater to SRO or even "closed" to further guests.

Busy days:
If you go to the first show of the evening (or "only" show that evening), if you arrive about 50-60 minutes before show-time, you can sit just about anywhere.
40 minutes before: Good seats
25-35 Minutes: will vary between seats at edges and rear of theater to SRO or even "closed" to further guests. (The crowd of "last-minute" arrivals can be slow to get seated before show-time.)

Off-Season (not busy days):
You should be OK to enter by 10-20 minutes before, but you'll likely be seated to the outer edges, and/or way at the back.

If you do the dinner pkg. you can enter 30 minutes before (or a bit later) and still be guaranteed pretty good seats, regardless of crowd-levels.

If there are TWO Fantasmic! shows in one evening, the second one will have lower crowd level than the first one. You can arrive a bit later and still find a seat.

Be aware that the second show waiting area will LOOK like the show is too crowded.
That's because they HOLD the 2nd crowd outside the theater while the CMs CLEAN it after the first crowd has exited.

Then, they will let those waiting together in that big group IN... all at once, and there will be PLENTY of room.

(The theater holds 10,000 guests!)

 

[margepin]

is Fantasmic awesome! My favorite show out of everywhere! It is just so amazing you will love it. I had a ADR as well and had good seats too. I think it is worth it!

margie

 

[Lizzybee]

We usually grab food from the CS across the way from the Fantasmic amphitheater and take it in with us. About an hour before the show, we sit and have dinner or snacks if we ate earlier. We have always been able to sit front and center in the first 3 rows. Regarding Mid-September, we went at the very end of August and had an ADR at PT 50s Cafe (this isn't a Fantasmic dinner pkg ADR, just a regular one) and it was a very leisurely meal. We got to Fantasmic about 35 mins prior to start and still sat in our "usual" seats. We haven't tried the FDP but lots of people like it.

 

[rkandmjsmommy]

We are in the minority WE NEVER wait an hour for anything, even Fantasmic. We saw it once in January and got there maybe 15 minutes before it started, had fine seats. When we went last August we got stuck on the great movie ride and barely made it in time but we found seats all the way to the left and down pretty far, saw it perfectly. Just got back 2 weeks ago and we saw the second showing on a Saturday night, the stadium was bout 2/3 full. We have 2 young kids who could never wait an hour to see a show.

Good luck

 

[Robo]

We are in the minority WE NEVER wait an hour for anything, even Fantasmic. We saw it once in January and got there maybe 15 minutes before it started, had fine seats. When we went last August we got stuck on the great movie ride and barely made it in time but we found seats all the way to the left and down pretty far, saw it perfectly. Just got back 2 weeks ago and we saw the second showing on a Saturday night, the stadium was bout 2/3 full. We have 2 young kids who could never wait an hour to see a show.

Good luck

We've been DOZENS of times. Many times this advice is true.

BUT:

The problem with giving this advice is that you can't COUNT on being able to show up "late" and get in.
Fantasmic! crowds vary GREATLY in most all seasons.

If someone wants to MAKE SURE they see the show on the one-and-only night they may get to see it... its important not to "expect" that arriving a few minutes before showtime will get you a seat (any seat).

If its important to get in, show up EARLY.
The worst that can happen is that you'll be sitting for some extra time at the end of your day.

 

[STEAMBOAT209]

I've always gone to the later show and gotten in some attractions during the first show. I've never had to get there that early for the second showing; about 20-30 minutes will get a good seat anywhere you want. On my Disneymoon last year, however, we went to the first show because the manager of Mama Melrose's gave us a priority seating pass to that show because he saw us wearing our Bride and Groom ears.

Here's a pic of how crowded it was AN HOUR (yes, a WHOLE HOUR!) before the show started:

Thank goodness for those passes! The area we got to sit in was perfect! (All the way to the right.)

I don't think there are really and BAD seats, it's just that some seats are better than others.

It does get crowded, a good reason for the ADR package....

 

[Disneyholic]

We've been DOZENS of times. Many times this advice is true.

BUT:

The problem with giving this advice is that you can't COUNT on being able to show up "late" and get in.
Fantasmic! crowds vary GREATLY in most all seasons.

If someone wants to MAKE SURE they see the show on the one-and-only night they may get to see it... its important not to "expect" that arriving a few minutes before showtime will get you a seat (any seat).

If its important to get in, show up EARLY.
The worst that can happen is that you'll be sitting for some extra time at the end of your day.

That's why I recommended an hour ahead. You just never know ahead of time how fast it will fill up. We have been in August, September and January and the shows were full each time. I show up early and relax. About a half hour before the show some CM's do a pre-show entertainment with singing, doing the audience wave and other fun things. Rather early than not getting in.

 

[Twende]

It is the best show of all the parks! We just love it!

The crowds do vary greatly and if you can do a package then that is the best bet with the least worries.

If you go on a night with 2 shows try to do the last show as it is usually less crowded. We prefer seats in the back as the fire, explosions and water effects can be a bit much up front.

We ususally go about 40 minutes before the show starts and we sit in one of the last 5 or 6 rows of the Mickey(center) section. Part of that may be a wheelchair section as we normally travel with a wheel chair but I think there is regular seating in that area as well.

It is a great show and one you do not want to miss! In May there was some entertainment while you waited so the wait went very fast.