Is Fantasmic REALLY worth it?

[lattemomof3]

We have never seen it, but I can't believe how early you need to save a spot for good seats (both w/ and w/out the preferred seating). We live in the midwest, and might not be back to DLR for awhile, so I'm feeling a bit stingy with my time in the parks. We would need to go early to get good seats as we have our 3 kids with. We will be doing the Pixar parade and the Holiday parade, also Aladdin, BBB and Jedi training, as these are top priorities w/ the kids. Do your kids love F? We will be in the parks for 4 days, is F worth all of the waiting?

 

[Daisuke]

if you've never seen it..yes..yes it is
everything about it is epic..the music, Mickey, the dragon..it's such a good show
how early ppl sit really depends on the crowd
what you could do is save a good spot (anywhere on the floor around the lake or anywhere that has a good veiw) and you and your husband switch off with the kids..you go off and do stuff with the kids then trade and he goes off and does stuff with the kids

 

[wishwash01]

Since you are going to be there for 4 days I think it's well worth it. I see it everytime I go. Shoot even when I used to go there just for a quick weekend trip I always make time for it.

 

[bumbershoot]

I've seen it twice now, and no, it's not worth it. The only thing marginally cool is the stuff happening on the SS Columbia, but IMO that's not worth it to see it again. The family agrees.

 

[LavenderPeach]

I don't know, to me I would have to say it's not worth it. Not that it's not a good show, I would love to be able to see it again, but is any show worth waiting that long for, especially with kids? I've only actually taken the time to get a spot one time in all the years F! has been showing. What I really want to do is the dessert but I'm too cheap! You mentioned about having to wait a long time even for reserved seats but I think that's only if you want front row of the reserved seats. I've heard you still get good seats even if you don't get first pick. Just something to think about.

I didn't mean to sound like such a downer about the show but I just would personally rather be up doing other things than saving seats. I know that a lot of other people feel differently though.

 

[94bruin]

We were at DLR for four days in September. Everyone in my party loved it - from my 4yo daughter to my 60+ parents. It was the first time for my daughter and my parents - they were blown away. Even though I've seen it before, I still enjoyed it. I think with four days in the park, it'll be nice to have some down time before the show.

 

[nunzia]

I've seen it every time I've gone since the year it began and thought then and still think now that it is amazing. I relish every minute and as soon as I hear that music start I get chills. My kids and grandkids all love it. You don't have to camp out that long, really. You can get a place by the rafts about an hour out (usually, I don't know about super busy times, but when I go that's a pretty good spot) or you can buy the dessert package which, imo, is worth it to have the guaranteed seat and a really great box of snacks. (skip dinner).
I guess like everything else, nothing is for everyone, but Fantasmic is a huge favorite of mine and I need to see it each trip.

 

[rossip]

Is Fantasmic Worth it ??

YES

we saw it 3 times and would see it again in an instant and yes its also worth the hour plus wait

 

[spacemermaid]

Since you've never seen it, don't know when you'll be coming back again, and have 4 days in the Park...it's definitely worth seeing, IMO. Especially the finale, with all the characters sailing out on the Mark Twain and the Columbia!

 

[DangerMouse]

A few things at DLR always choke me up emotionally.

Hearing the first few notes of Disney's Electrical Parade.

Remember Dreams Come True Fireworks

The snow on Main Street after Christmas Fireworks while I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas is playing

AND

FANTASMIC! Love it! Is there anyway you could do the 10:30 show? It's just so much easier to get seats for without the wait.

 

[MAH4546]

I've never waited more than 30-40 minutes and always get a good spot.

For the early show, just squeeze into the rope areas 30-40 minutes before showtime.

For the late show, its even easier: just show up at 9.45pm and find amazing views.

 

[lcasa]

I agree with the last poster - if there is a late show, you can show up right as the earlier show ends and move in as the crowd leaves. Then it will be less than an hour to wait - and well worth it.

Have the kids nap in the afternoon!

 

[Mom2Christina]

Fantasmic is completely worth seeing!

One alternative to sitting for hours waiting is to show up at the end of the first show and get a seat for the second. It worked like a CHARM for us this time. We have always been the one to sit for 5 hours and now I am wondering why! What you need to do is plan to be in the area ready and waiting for the show to end. Just dont be over near Adventureland because when people exit Fantasmic that area gets very hectic. I would suggest possibly being in the area of Haunted Mansion or perhaps over at Cafe Orleans during the show and then you are ready to get your spot. Sitting at the restaurants to see the show is also an option. Of course close seats front and center at Rivers of America are great, but you honestly can see much of the show from anywhere in the Rivers of America area pretty well.

Our family truly LOVES Fantasmic. The show is a beautiful water, lights, fireworks, floats spectakular!

 

[mvf-m11c]

Everytime I go to the DLR, its always a must see for me and my group. It is worth seeing at least one time for people who have never seen it.

I always get there 2 to 3 hours before the first show, but some people get there early for the front row area right next to the roa. I always bring a blanket so I could set up my sitting area. When I'm just waiting for those hours, I let the other members of my party go on the rides or get something to eat for the rest of us when we are waiting for the show. I always bring a book or my computer for those waiting hours.

People love the show, but the downside is the waiting. People would prefer the second show than the first show, but after the first show, you can stay in the area and watch the fireworks.

 

[lattemomof3]

We definately need to see the 1st show, our kids go to bed around 8:30 at home, and we are in the central time zone so the late show would feel like its starting at 12:30 to us AND we have Mickey's toon town to do mon. morning so we need to be up at a decent time. We don't want to do the Sat. F bec. we have early entry Sun. If you lay a blanket down early is it in the grass, or on the cement? If its on the cement, does anyone have a good tip to make it more comfy? My dd9 gets sad if someone taller sits in front of her at the movies, so securing a good spot is fairly important in our family - waiting early is better than listening to whining. You all are starting to convince me we may need to try to see it.

 

[LavenderPeach]

Okay, clearly I'm the only stick-in-the-mud in this group. Is the dessert seating an option for you? I know it's expensive but if that fits in your budget at all I would look into it. I guess I just can't imagine staking out a spot with one kid, let alone 3. Whatever you decide I know you'll have a great time!

 

[Kayla's Mom]

If you lay a blanket down early is it in the grass, or on the cement?

It's cement. IMO, I loved the show, but I would never wait for hours to get a spot. The one time we came a few minutes before the second show we stood over near the handicap seating (near the entrance to Mark Twain) and people constantly were pushing their kids up front or breathing down our neck the entire show. If you are going to wait, definitely get a spot where they will make you remain seated during the show so people aren't pushing into you.

We just did the dessert seating (DH and I) on our last trip. That was really nice not having anyone block our view or pushing into us, but I would not pay the $$ for that with our kids along.

 

[HydroGuy]

It is worth seeing. Best option IMO without knowing your kids is put them down for a long nap that day and see the late show. Second best option is bring a blanket and camp out for the early show. Leave at least one person to guard the blanket. Get some hot dogs or other similar health food and eat your dinner in your spot. So you at least overlap dinner with spot sitting. Send mom or dad out with kids from the blanket do nearby rides - POTC, Indy, HM, Splash. Bring some cards or a family game.

It is worth it.

 

[Capt. Swan]

can anyone give me an idea for when to be in the Cafe Orleans or HM area for the send of hte first or second show. we are going next week and due to recent crowds, I am hoping they have a third show. DH and I will have 1 kiddo with us,and would like to move in as the first or second crowd moves out. How long is the show? if they have a third, what time might we expect it to go on? how long between end of one show and start of another.

 

[94bruin]

Since there aren't seats, per se, your daughter could easily shift around on your blanket to see better, if there are taller people in front of her. Also, if my memory serves me correctly, there is a slight slope to the seated area. I actually had DD sit on my lap, for a slightly elevated view vs sitting on the ground.

As to occupy time, DD was happy coloring for most of the hour+ that we waited. Also, if you plan on buying any nighttime light-up toys, that's a great time to bring them along. Not that I'm a fan of handheld video games, but in this instance, if it helps pass time for the older kids, maybe they should be brought along. Just don't bring any games that require small pieces - learn from my mistake (we lost a die to a game I foolishly thought would be a good way to pass some time.) May a deck of cards?

Also, since you have a bigger group, you'd probably want to bring more than one blanket.

Definitely take a nap/hotel-swim break. Four days will wear on even the hardiest of souls.