Jingle BAM! and Fantasmic! at same time. Which one?

[Naterfan]

We've never been to Fantasmic! and Jingle BAM! is new...if you were in my place, which one would you do? I have hoppers, so maybe leave AK early to see the one we missed on our HS day?

 

[Robo]

We've never been to Fantasmic! and Jingle BAM! is new...if you were in my place, which one would you do? I have hoppers, so maybe leave AK early to see the one we missed on our HS day?

If I'd never seen either, I'd pick Fantasmic!
Much larger and more unique show, with a huge live cast.

I'd get a same-day FP+ for F!

What a FP+ for F! offers is more CHOICE in seating.

If you DO get a F! FP+, you can choose to sit in either the FP section (virtually the entire left half of the theater) or the Standby section (virtually the entire right half of the theater.)

So, whatever section has the better seating at the time you arrive, you can go there.

Without a FP, you can only choose a seat in the Standby section.

There is a very good chance that you can get a FP+ for F! as a 4th or 5th FP of the day because they issue SO MANY of them (enough to cover nearly the entire left half of the seating.) On many nights, it is possible that you can gat a FP+ for F! as you are walking to the theater.

As to when to arrive at the theater, I'd get to there 45-60 minutes before the show-time.
Even with a FP or Dining Pkg. reservation, don't wait too late.

On busy nights, the CMs can stop holding the reserved sections within 20-30 minutes before show-time, and turn over any available seats to waiting walk-in guests.

There is sometimes a "pre-show" (such as it is) that can help pass the last 30 minutes before show time.
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Map Below-

Arrows indicate the center of the seating.
Shaded areas:
(First or Only F! performance of the evening)
Cyan= Standby (walk-in) seating
Red= Dining Package Reserved
Blue= FP+ Reserved
Purple= Can be either FP+ or Dining Plan Reserved, depending on needs.

(Second or Third F! performance of the evening)
Cyan= Standby (walk-in) seating
Red, Purple, Blue= FP+ Reserved
(Although much of the outer Blue will likely be used for Standby.)

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[Hopefully]

If you have seen Fantasmic! I would go to Jingle Balm. That is seasonal and likely wouldn't be there on a future trip.

 

[Robo]

If you have seen Fantasmic! I would go to Jingle Balm. That is seasonal and likely wouldn't be there on a future trip.

From the first post-

We've never been to Fantasmic!

 

[Hopefully]

@Robo I misread OP Post. Quick catch.
I would also do Fantasmic! if I had never seen it. That said, it was a one and done for us. Illuminations is our favorite nighttime show.

 

[Naterfan]

Thanks everyone. Just got the dining package, so I think we're set.