New Fantasmic Procedure

[singingpixie]

My friend and I are taking a quick one-day trip to Disneyland in March (I'm piggybacking off a work conference). We want to make sure to catch Fantasmic, but aren't sure the best strategy given the new Fastpass procedures. My original plan was to just stake out spots after the first show lets out, and watch fireworks from there (since it doesn't seem like Fantasy in the Sky benefits from a Main Street perspective). With the new Fastpass locations, would this plan allow us to still get a decent spot?

If we do need to get a Fastpass, I'd rather not shuffle our plan to be in Frontierland first thing after rope drop to pick one up. Is it worth making this a priority? I really don't care if we see the early or late show- we plan to be in the park till closing (or close to it) either way, either watching or riding. I guess I'm just looking for a new plan of attack so that we don't find ourselves without a spot to see the show. I've never seen the Disneyland version, and I am really excited about it!

Thanks for any thoughts!

 

[figment_jii]

My original plan was to just stake out spots after the first show lets out, and watch fireworks from there (since it doesn't seem like Fantasy in the Sky benefits from a Main Street perspective). With the new Fastpass locations, would this plan allow us to still get a decent spot?

You won't be able to stake out a spot after the first show ends because they have been using FP for both showings. So you'd need to get a FP for the second show if you wanted to see it. There is a standby area, but my understanding is that it's really off to the far side and not a very good view.

If we do need to get a Fastpass, I'd rather not shuffle our plan to be in Frontierland first thing after rope drop to pick one up. Is it worth making this a priority?

My instinctive answer is that you don't need to go to Frontierland first thing in the morning to get a FP, unless you wanted the first color category for the first showing. Otherwise, you can probably wait until mid-morning and try to snag a FP for the second show.

 

[CassieF]

when in March are you going? two show day fp usually last into the afternoon, one show days can run out sooner, but you don't need to get there first thing. I'd say within two hours of opening should be okay, even for one show days, but to be safe and prevent worring about it, you might as well go over early after a ride or two, especially if you are in that area.

 

[singingpixie]

We'll be there on Sunday 3/1, so should be a two-show day.

It sounds like we should be fine if we wait until we're in the area to ride Big Thunder Mountain RR. That should be by 9:30 at the latest.

If we end up with FP for the first showing, would it be a good use of time to watch the first show, stay put for fireworks, and then ride rides for the rest of the evening? I'm thinking crowds should thin out quite a bit late on a Sunday night. That might actually work out better than my initial plan!