Leaving Saturday, few questions

[star sweeper]

We have a reservation for the Crystal Palace at 8:25am on Sunday. I'd love to take castle pictures before it's crowded. What is the earliest we can get into the park?

Also, we're looking at trying to get an ADR at Hollywood Studios and learned we can get reserved seating for Fantasmic. DH and I would love to see it, but we have a 29-month-old and 26-month-old, and worry about their reaction. So a couple questions:
1. Anyone take their toddler to this? Did they enjoy it, or were they scared by the "evil" characters?
2. What is the latest you can arrive for the reserved seating, and where is it located?
3. Is Fantasmic shown every night?

Thanks for your replies and help!

 

[AC & Savy's Mom]

I think the parks open an hour earlier than normal to accommodate breakfast reservations. They tell you to take your reservation number to show the people at the gate, so I'd have that, but as long as the park doesn't open at 8 that morning, you should be able to get a nice picture of the castle without the crowds.

As far as Fantasmic, I have not taken my kids, who are 3 and 4, but it depends on the kids. It's usually too late for them anyway (we try to stick to their schedule as much as is possible), and they don't like any of the villans...too scary for them. But other kids might love it. It's loud, that I remember.

Have fun on your trip!

 

[tribus121]

Fantasmic is only twice weekly right now Mondays and Thursdays the Reserved seating is to the right of the theater
My DD was 4 the first time and loved it ( She also loved the haunted mansion )

 

[mommato2princesses]

We took our daughter when she was 27 months. Thank goodness she fell asleep, and slept through it all, it was WAY too scary for her. How she slept through it I'll never know.

 

[squirrel]

Grab that Fantasmic Dining Pkg if you want to see Fantasmic.

They hold your ADR for about 15 min. Your name/ADR should be at the gate in the morning if the MK opens at 9. I would think you can get in 10 or 15 min early before your ADR.

 

[wrighter]

I'm sorry I can't help much with the whole Fantasmic thing, as we have never been. (Although from what I'm hearing, if there are any dinner packages available you should snag them. With the reduced schedule they are getting gobbled up.)

I just wanted to say hi because we're going on Saturday, too! I'm so excited I can barely see straight!!!! WAAAAAHHHHHOOOOOOOOO!!! Six days is too long!

 

[nettii]

We were able to get into MK about 1/2 hour early and took lots of pics. My DS was 4 the first time we took him to Fantasmic, he enjoyed it-but then had night mares about things being on fire-we sat close to the front and could fell the heat of the fire. So it just a matter of opinion. Hope you have a great vacation!

 

[star sweeper]

I'm sorry I can't help much with the whole Fantasmic thing, as we have never been. (Although from what I'm hearing, if there are any dinner packages available you should snag them. With the reduced schedule they are getting gobbled up.)

I just wanted to say hi because we're going on Saturday, too! I'm so excited I can barely see straight!!!! WAAAAAHHHHHOOOOOOOOO!!! Six days is too long!

Hey, hope you have a great time on your trip! I can hardly wait to leave on Saturday. I packed up the kids yesterday and will pack for me today. You could say I'm just a little excited--I never pack early.

 

[amergren]

Did you have any luck getting ADR for Fantasmic dinner package? We leave a week after you, and I wasn't able to get one about a month ago. I wonder if any opened up at the last minute.

 

[squirrel]

It's always good to check again. Peoples plans change and I believe that the Fantasmic Dining Pkg is charged if there are no shows. Someone may have cancelled since you booked.