Picture of a Fantasmic dessert box?

[Vala]

thank you! the search feature isnt working for me and im overwhelmed at the thought of wading through every thread at the moment .

I guess I should really go offline now and rest. I thought you wanted to reserve a special seat, not book a ticket for the special seating. Sorry.

 

[nunzia]

I've never done it...nor would I. I think it looks like a waste of money to be honest. The seats are nothing spectactular. Last week we were right by the "special seating"...within feet and our view was just as good. If you bought those treats on mainstreet would it add up to $60?
I dunno, I just don't see the incentive except that you get a chair.

That's why we thought it was worth it for just the two of is..essentially we rented a chair! In fact, our view was kinda lousy at the seating we attended, so for the show itself we stood at the back of the viewing area to see..

 

[nunzia]

Well, yes, I thought it was too pricey, too, really. I'm not crazy, though-- I do have some reasons! I guess what induced me to get the reserved seating were several things: 1. In guidebooks and on several different discussion boards, I kept seeing information about "beating the crowds" and "having a plan" to see Fantasmic without losing your marbles. Stake out your spot 2-3 hours early... especially important if you have little ones because they're likely to miss the action on the ground if you are standing in a crowd. Wait for the second show at 10:30, hanging out in Critter country and moving in after the first show crowd leaves. (like my 5 year old would last until 11 p.m.!) Especially during high season (and we will be there the week after Easter, so it's expected to be packed) it's apparently a nightmare to try to get in and get decent viewing.

2. We have never been to Disneyland before, or any Disney property... any of us, including my DH 47 or myself, 43. Our daughters (12, 10 and 5) have been begging for 4 years. We are not likely to go again any time soon, for various reasons. So this is a very special and isolated event for us.

3. I've read so many good things about the view from there. I don't care so much about the desserts, that's just icing, but what I'm really paying for is to be able to show up 20 minutes before Fantasmic, have a CM fetch me drinks, and sit and rest my feet after a long day and have a great view of the 9 p.m. show... turn around and watch the fireworks without moving (albeit not from the ideal hub view of the castle)... and get back to the hotel (we're staying at GCH) around 10 p.m. so my tired-out kiddos can rest up for the next day of fun.

4. I'm paying for this myself (as opposed to the family credit card account for the rest of the trip) out of my own little "splurge money" account that I get for doing part-time work for my church. It's a surprise; my family don't know I paid for it myself, I will spring it on them that evening. I get such a grin out of doing this with my own cash!

So normally I'd never consider paying $60 for good seats and cookies, especially out of our family living expenses. But this is pretty special. I'm looking forward to it.

All good reasons IMO! However, arrive earlier than 20 minutes before show..if I remember right only one person had to check in? is this right? They seem to assign seats by when you check in. You'll want to get front row unless you are tall. We had tall people in front of us and I couldn't really see which is why I ended up standing.
You will have a blast! After all..things are 'worth' it for many more reasons than pure money value. Alot of people don't think staying at GC is 'worth' it..and in my normal life I'm a tightwad, but to me the GC is worth it for my Disney time.

 

[nunzia]

everything i have read says you can call 30 days in advance and make reservations. i cannot seem to find any comprehensive (and current) info on this anywhere though. some sites still refer to it as a "buffet" and some show different prices. some indicate that you have to call EXACTLY 30 days in advance.

does anyone have a picture of the seating area? or is there a site with pics of it? im trying to decide if its worth it for us. i dont want to stand around waiting and im sure my kids dont either. they are too young for that. so seating is the only way we can see the show.

so how does this work, then?? you make your reservations, then show up early and choose your seats, then you can go walk around? does someone have to stay in the seats to hold them?

I'll try to answer this.
When we went in 06 it seemed like at times it was a buffet..as it was for us, and at times it was the box, which seems to be all the time now. You could ask the agent when you call.
You do have to call EXACTLY 30 days out. (actually..not 30 days, technically..but one month..so if you want to go on May 15 call April 15.) The reason for this is that it will sell out almost immediately. There used to be two viewing areas, one over the gallery and one at water's edge. Now that the gallery has been converted to the Dream Suite there is less seating..only at the river edge.
You don't reserve a seat, you get a ticket.(pick it up from the windo outside gates..where people get AP's) When you check in you are assigned your seat and can then wander around (if crowds allow) until time for seating. The view can be good or not so good depending on where your seat is assigned and people around you. If I remember right, there is scrolly fence in front of you and it is fairly high for short people to see over so you may have part of your view restricted by the fence.
Still..I consider it a nice time and 'worth' it.
Be aware that crowds for Fantasmic can be stilfing and even scary, as people are packed in very tight and it can literally be impossible to move.

 

[mariezp]

avalon451, we went in November so I can't offer a new photo of the new goodies. I can say that I relate to your reasons for doing the PS. For us we wouldn't watch Fantasmic any other way.

 

[avalon451]

Nunzia, I also heard you had to call EXACTLY 30 days out. HOWEVER... I missed our preferred date (the first night we are there) by a couple of days. Chagrined, I called exactly 30 days before our LAST night. I called at 8 a.m., which is when I am in the car driving the kids to school. Not very safe. But it turned out there were still plenty of seats left for my preferred date, 27 days in advance, for both the 9 and the 10:30 p.m. show. Someone else has since posted that it is not quite as crucial as it used to be to call at the stroke of 8 a.m. exactly 30 days in advance. That more applied to the balcony seating, when there were far fewer seats available. So if you've missed the 30 days' deadline, don't despair... give it a shot, you may be surprised, especially if it's not during a busy time. (ours is during one of the busiest times of the year!)