Is it ok to save seats for a show?

[tchrrx]

I know that saving a place in line for someone is discouraged. However, is it ok for me to save seats in a theater for 2/3 members of my group? What's the possibility that they wouldn't be allowed in to get their seats? Will they be stuck waiting in a long line even if I have the seats saved? Thanks!

 

[safetymom]

If there is a long line getting in I doubt they will be able to get past everyone to get in. It would depend on what the show is but I don't think it is right to save seats.

 

[Deb & Bill]

If it is a show like Beauty and the Beast at Disney Studios, you can sometimes do it for a bit. But for shows like Philharmagic, you really can't do it. Most of the times they tell you to move all the way over, filling in all the seats. If they can just walk up and get seated, you might be able to do it. If everyone has to be there, you won't be able to do it.

 

[STEAMBOAT209]

I think it will depend on the CM at that particular time and the other people in line waiting also to get into the show. You can save the seats, but as you mention, the rest of your party may not get into the theater in time before the doors are closed and the show starts. I think the best way to handle that is for everyone in your party be present when getting in line for the show, this way you avoid problems of being able to sit together.

 

[arielsleepingbeauty]

I think that it is ok to save seats for parades, but i know if Fantasmic fills up and someone leaves the theatre, there is no guarantee they willl et them back in even if there are saved seats. As for continuous shows like Mickey's Philharmagic, Country Bears, Voyage of the Little Mermiad, Playhouse Disney, It's kind of hard to save seats for that.

 

[tchrrx]

Thanks! I didn't really think that it would work, but I thought I'd ask. The guys in our group are going to Millionaire at 11:50 (over around 12:10, right?) and I would like for us all to watch Beauty & the Beast at 12:40. I thought the girls might go ahead & get in line for it and then have the guys meet us there as soon as they could. But, I don't want to mess up anyone else's plans either!

 

[RyMickey]

Play it by ear. Save the seats to begin with. If the theater really starts to fill up and you feel uncomfortable saving the seats, allow someone else to sit there.

Personally, I think it's fine to save seats in a show like BatB.

 

[OKW Lover]

I've got to disagree with most of the other responders. Saving seats for the other 2/3rds of your party is a bit much. Any reason they can't be there on time the way you, and everybody else in the theater were?

 

[Snoozan]

FYI - The Millionaire show, if starting at 11:50, wouldn't be over until 12:20 or 12:25 and then you've got to factor in the time to get out of the studio and hoof it over to the stadium. If it's busy at all, chances are they wouldn't get into the stadium to see the show, based on time.

 

[Carrie772]

That's the cruddy thing about MGM. So many of the shows are staggered in such a way that you just can't go from one to the other easily. I love the park and the shows are great, don't get me wrong, I just wish I could "Dumbo Or Die" at MGM like I do at MK.

 

[sunking]

I'm also going to be a negative voice here. I don't think you should be saving seats for others if they are not with you when you enter the attraction. For example, I think it is a bit "wrong" to try to save a seat someplace like Mickeys Philharmagic. But if you all enter, say, Fantasmic or Lights, Motors, Action and they enter with you but walk away to purchase snacks or use the rest rooms, then no problem. Use your best judgement.

Try to keep your group together and you will have no issues.

Have Fun!!!
Sunking

 

[the other micki]

If I remember correctly, Beauty and the Beast don't actually have seats, but more like bleachers, so it may be a little easier to save some room. However, I would suggest just going on in to watch it and letting them grab a seat in the back if they get there in time and just meet together after the show. Or just try a different plan; maybe they could catch Millionaire later in the day. I know I changed my plans for MGM 20 times before I finally nailed it down.
Have a great trip!

 

[tink1978]

I don't think saving seats is right, either. Not unless, you all came in together and someone had to take a small child to the bathroom (this only applies to shows like Beauty and the Beast, Fantasmic, etc). For all other shows, please don't save seats. You can never be sure that the rest of your party will come in. Also, people are supposed to move all the way down. Many times people ignore this anyway and there are people scrambling to get around them or yelling for people to follow the rules. It would be best to make sure that your party is all together before going in.

 

[bicker]

It's okay to save seats for folks who have already sat in the seats, and are just up getting a bite to eat or using the rest room. It isn't appropriate to save seats because some members of your party wanted to patronize more attractions in the meantime.

 

[ampooh]

I have to ring in on the side of it not being right to save seats. Having to get out of line to take a child to the bathroom is one thing but I'd be willing to bet you'd hear and ear full from others in line who have been waiting.

Imagine waiting all that time to see the show and then not getting in because 2/3 people just stroll in from another attraction. I know I would not be pleased.

You should wait until you can all stand in line together. IMHO

I wonder what a CM would do about that situation?

 

[bicker]

I wonder what a CM would do about that situation?

My guess: Expect that guests would conduct themselves with consideration of others, and barring that, seek to do nothing that would single-out the bad conduct of guests, so as to avoid a bad scene.

 

[BamaFan121s]

I'm really indifferent about shows like BatB, Fantasmic & LMA Stunt...just so long as you aren't "saving places" for someone in a bus line or ride/meet character line!
Nothing in WDW infuriates me more than to be standing in line and someone from way back in the back recognize someone from way in the front and think it is OK to come up there and wait with them and skip the whole line! Grrr! I hate to be a total grouch, but if I'm waiting in line and 5 or 6 people come out of no where and start ducking under the ropes to get way up front with someone they know......

 

[philaround]

As some others have said, if your whole group enters and gets seats together and then some need to leave for a few minutes [restroom run or food or drink run] there should be no problem. Just check with the CM at the exit about reentering.

If some of your group just is not there you can very likely run into a problem trying to save seats for them. The main problem is those arriving later will NOT be allowed to bypass those already in line because "someone is saving seats for us".

The big Disney shows
Beauty and the Beast
Indiana Jones
The Lion King
Lights, Motors, Action
The old Tarzan Rocks [soon to be Nemo show]
all hold 1000 or more people for each show and if only 1 person in 50 tries to hold 2 seats each you would have 40 people wandering all over the stadium looking for their party.

 

[tchrrx]

Thanks everyone! I kind of figured that saving a couple of seats would cause a problem. But, I wasn't sure b/c I didn't know if Beauty & the Beast was inside or outside and whether or not the theater actually formed a line or if it was more open & you could come & go as you wanted to. I've rearranged my plans to go at a time when we can all wait in line. Thanks!