Jiko and Fantasmic?

[aaronm97]

Would it be possible to have a dinner reservation at Jiko and make it to Fantasmic? I was really wanting to eat at Jiko for my birthday, but that's the only night we can do Fantasmic. What time would our reservations need to be? I'm not worried about getting to Fantasmic 2 hours early for the best seats. I've read others say that they have gotten into Fantasmic only 30 min. before showtime and gotten an acceptable seat. To give a little more background info. We also have a 3 and 6 year old. Am I crazy for thinking about dining at Jiko anyway with the kids?

 

[Colleen27]

I would think it would be very, very tight especially if you're going at a slower time of year when F! is showing a little earlier. Jiko doesn't open until 5:30 and dinner can take 2hrs. Then you have to figure travel time to DHS, getting through the gate/bag check, and to the stadium prior to the F! showtime to try to get a seat. With the reduced schedule, I wouldn't count on getting a seat at 30min before showtime either, probably more like 45-60min at least. For Sept, just as an example because I have the hours in my spreadsheet, Fantasmic is showing at 8. There's no way you could fit in dinner and travel and still get there in time for the show, let alone early enough to get a seat. If you're planning a trip for a busier time when F! is showing at 9 or 10, you might be able to do it, but I would think it would still be rushed and stressful.

 

[aaronm97]

We're going July 19-25. The show starts at 9:00 from the schedule. This is our 1st trip so I have no idea how long it takes to navigate between hotels and parks. I know it takes a lot longer than ya think. Is Fantasmic worth missing Jiko over? I wasn't so sure about taking the kids to either. I was kinda afraid Fantasmic might scare the 3 year old and I'm scared of how the 3 year old might act in Jiko! Who should I scare myself or the 3 year old?

 

[livinlife25]

Im actually missing Fantasmic to go to Jiko for our trip!

 

[Uncleromulus]

It may take awhile to get from the AKL to Fantasmic unless you have a car. Maybe those who have done it using WDW transportation can let you know excatly HOW long.. A lot depends on what time Jiko opens(?) IF you could eat dinner at 5, you might be able to get to Fantasmic in time to be seated for the 9:00 show.
Your two kids aren't too young for Jiko, altho the meal can take a little while and they may be sitting for some time.
As for Fantasmic--I've seen plenty of kids that age there who don't appear scared at all.
I can't be too much help here since I don't have kids and thus Jiko would be my choice. Perhaps some others with kids the age of yours can weigh in.

I do think that you don't want to rush a dinner at Jiko JUST to get to Fantasmic. IF you eat a birthday dinner there, may as well take the time to enjoy it.

 

[TDC Nala]

Jiko generally opens at 5:30. If you are using Disney transportation, allow at least 45 minutes to get there. You should know that if Blizzard Beach is open, the AKL/Studios bus will make a stop there before it goes to Studios so you need extra time. Fantasmic could easily fill up (or get to standing room only) around a half hour before the show. I would say you need to be walking into Fantasmic no later than 8:15 for a 9:00 show. If you had a 5:30 seating at Jiko you would need to be done and at the bus stop by 7. If you think an hour and a half would be too rushed for dinner, if I had the choice to make I would do the dinner and forget about Fantasmic - but I have seen Fantasmic and I don't have any kids. If you need more than an hour and a half for dinner, and the show wouldn't freak such little kids out, and you and they really want to see it, eat dinner in the park or closer to the park. You do not want to risk ending up in standing room with such small children.

Don't go by what others say about getting good seats 30 minutes ahead. Fantasmic is showing so much less frequently than it used to that reports are generally that it's been mobbed. If the show you want to go to is the second of two shows for the same night, you might have better luck.