Is it worth using FP for shows??

[Kristi113]

We have a limited time in animal Kingdom this year due to a last minute decision to spend a day at the dark side. I currently have a FP for the Safari ride, Expedition Everest and Dinosaur. MY husband really wants to do It's tough to be a bug (it was closed when we were there last year) and the Lion King show. I have never used a FP for either of these. Is it worth switching things and trying to get one for one of either ITTBAB or LK? Or am I better off keeping the ones that I have? Thanks for any advice:

 

[disnut8]

I wouldn't bother for It's Tough to be a Bug. It's a continual loading show and while the line may stop every once in a while, it's not going to stop for very long. Plus, the theatre is huge so a massive amount of people are let in at once.

For The Lion King, can't help you there. We saw it once and once was enough for us so a return visit isn't necessary and we had a VIP thing for the first time

 

[Disnsyncey]

The Lion King show can definitely be seen without a FP, I would show up no later than 10 min before showtime, but more like 20-25 for peace of mind.....you won't get the closest seats, but you can still see the awesomeness

 

[loves to dive]

I agree I wouldn't bother with FP for either one, the lines for bug go pretty fast and it's always fun to try and find as many animals on the tree as you can, the little preshow is cute too. Lion King holds a good amount of people, I had a FP for it when I went and really, the non FP people got better seats and even the FP people had to wait in line.

 

[ExBellhop]

I am finding more and more often that FP does me no good for shows. The most glaring example was showing up at the beginning of our Lights Motors Action window at DHS to find a stadium filled to 90% and our seats behind a pole. It was then that I realized I had made a tactical error.

 

[jharaldson]

I used a FP for my family to see the Lion King last May and I found that it reduced my stress on getting there early to get a good seat. I know they turned away people at the standby entrance

 

[Jon84]

At FOTLK all the FP people are put in the Lion Section then everyone else fills in the gaps if I remember rightly. It's good to get close sometimes, but the higher seats get a really good view too. There's not a bad seat in the round

 

[PurpleKomodo]

If Lion King is a must do and you don't want to line up 30+ minutes before show time, you may want to consider a FP. We got in by the skin of our teeth in the Stand-by line for the last show of the day. It was one of the few things at AK that DS talked all day about wanting to do, but we could not keep him in a line for 30+ minutes so we arrived maybe 20 minutes before show time. We were probably in the last 20 people they let in the theater.

 

[d-train]

I used FP for shows on my last trip. Made the stress level of lines and crowds so much nicer.
Better seats, fun crowd watching as people herded in trying to decide of figure out where to go.
Also, fun!

 

[disnut8]

At FOTLK all the FP people are put in the Lion Section then everyone else fills in the gaps if I remember rightly. It's good to get close sometimes, but the higher seats get a really good view too. There's not a bad seat in the round

While that may be true for some, it's why my husband won't go back. When we had our VIP treatment, we were seated in the first row. And, well, um, the male dancers are right there at, um, eye level. Husband still has the image in his brain and calls the show something that won't make it into this site on these boards.

 

[hallen4]

While that may be true for some, it's why my husband won't go back. When we had our VIP treatment, we were seated in the first row. And, well, um, the male dancers are right there at, um, eye level. Husband still has the image in his brain and calls the show something that won't make it into this site on these boards.

LMAO this gave me the best early morning laugh pre-coffee, thanks!

 

[Jon84]

While that may be true for some, it's why my husband won't go back. When we had our VIP treatment, we were seated in the first row. And, well, um, the male dancers are right there at, um, eye level. Husband still has the image in his brain and calls the show something that won't make it into this site on these boards.

hahaha!

There are plenty of lady dancers too!

 

[samsteele]

I wouldn't use FPs for the shows when you have so little time at AK. Keep the FPs you have for the headliners.

Re Tough to Be a Bug: as PP mentioned, this one is a continuous load and you should not have any difficulties getting in with a walk up.

Re Lion King: I've done FP (thrice for this) and also walk-ups. With both lines, you are required to crunch together (ie fill in all available space) and when you are finally released into the auditorium, there is a mad dash for the ringside benches. The first few rows of benches are reserved for VIPs and those with mobility devices so it is unlikely you are going to get true ringside seats in any event. I would only FP if you have children desperate for the chance to be asked to go "on stage" for the finale parade and even that is a chance only. No guarantee considering the seating situation and the number of children in the audience. I would say that the experience does seem more immersive the closer you are to the performers. The actors portraying monkeys approach the first few rows and do their schtick and interact with some of the kids. I don't know that these few minutes of heightened experience is really worth one of your precious FP considering you only have the one day in the park. All of the benches have decent views so walk-up/stand-by is fine providing you arrive at least 20 mins before the show starts. I really enjoy the show and its a must do for me when I'm in the park. It only gets a FP in my situation because I can ride the single rider line at Everest so I have the extra FP to play with.

 

[cakebaker]

We get FP+ for FOTLK. It eliminates having to wait in line and insures we'll get in. With limited time in the park, if you miss getting in, there's no time to wait for another show.

We never found a FP+ was needed for Dinosaur. If it were me, I'd keep Safari and EE- drop Dino and add FOTLK- it's on our not to be missed list every trip.

 

[JoshuaShaw]

It may work better in some seasons than others, but in my experience a FP for either would largely be unnecessary and wasted.

 

[tlmadden73]

In general, I'd say no, it just seems a waste for something that has a starting time. BUT I used one for FOTLK at AK (I mean I really didn't have many FP+ options at AK when touring with a toddler) and that enabled my family to show up minutes before showtime and still get a seat. Perfect when you a toddler who may get impatient for the show to start. It saved us a lot of time in that regard.

I did NOT have one for Frozen Sing Along (later that same day .. we hopped to DHS) and we rushed to the back of the park to get to the long standby line 10 minutes before showtime and STILL made it in (seat in the back) ..

Long story short:
Get one if you don't want to show up early to a show and wait for entrance and you have rides you'd rather use them for.
Don't get one if you plan on getting there 15-30 minutes before showtime anyway.

 

[disnut8]

hahaha!

There are plenty of lady dancers too!

But those don't seem to be a spot on his brain he will never be able to erase