Question Re: Show Seating

[DisneyMom23Boys]

Hi!

We are starting to get antsy preparing for our first cruise on the Wonder 5/5/05!

What time do we need to arrive prior to the evening shows? Is this different for "The Golden Mickey's"?

Is there assigned seating? How is the seating assigned? (according to booking, family types, etc.?)

How long do each of the shows usually last?

Thanks!

Deb

 

[lbgraves]

Seating at the theater is first come, first served. They do not allow saving seats, though if your child is being picked up from the club or going to the bathroom that would be reasonable. This is more for people who send in two people to save the entire first row. They last about an hour. We get to the main shows after early dinner so that we usually stand at the door for a little while. One of us walks around with the kids while the other waits in the line. We like to get on the ends so that we can take flashless pictures.

 

[buster478]

The Golden Mickey's is very busy. Get in line early, at least 20 to 30 minutes ahead of time. The other shows aren't as bad. On our last cruise they had an afternoon show. I don't know how busy they are but that might be another option. They have a couple of concesion stands outside the theater. The stores are also right by the theater. So someone can hold your spot in line and the others can go to the shop. You can't miss the shows. There isn't a bad seat in the house.

 

[tpmorley]

We just got off the Wonder and there was never a line to get in to the theater, even for the Golden Mickeys. In fact, they didn't open the doors to the theater until about 15 minutes before the show.

 

[Chattyaholic]

If I remember correctly, the doors are opened about 30 minutes before the shows. DH and I always liked to get in line early, before they opened the doors, so we would be able to sit in our favorite seats. And I enjoy "people watching" so it never bothered me to sit and wait for the show to start. No assigned seating, first come - first served. It always amazed me that late comers would stand around looking for seats in the first few rows. If you want to sit close to the front, get there early.

 

[lbgraves]

Exactly!

 

[kendall]

Our first cruise we rushed to the theater to get "good seats" - our second cruise we took advantage of the after-dinner activities that happen for 30-45 minutes prior to the show. We enjoyed those activities and wondered why we were worried our first cruise about seating - on the second cruise we just walked into the theater and had a seat - there were always seats. Granted, we weren't in the first few rows, but that was fine! We enjoyed the evening's events!

 

[jrabbit]

If sitting up "front" is important to you - get there 20-30 minutes early. If you want to sit in the lower section you probably need to be there 15 minutes early. 99% of the time there are seats for everyone that is "scheduled" to be there (based upon you dinner seating time).

We've started "not caring" where we sit. We really enjoy the shows that are "inbetween" your dinner seating and show. There are the family cabarette shows (Rockin' Bar D or Wavebands) and the family game shows (or other activities) in Studio Sea. These generally start at 7:45 and go to 8:15 so both dinner seatings can participate in these shows and still make it to their main show in the WDT or dinner seating.

 

[Rence]

A thought regarding sitting "up front". I saw families rushing to get the upfront seats for their small children, only to have the child get scared and start crying during the show.

The shows are great and definately family friendly, but there is a lot going on that can overwhelm a small child if they are right on top of the action. Example, during the Golden Mickey's, Ursula makes an appearance rising up out of the floor right at the front of the stage, lots of small children in the front row were really scared by that.

With small or skittish children, you would do well to sit a bit farther back.

 

[lbgraves]

Great point! Didn't her arms come up & brush some of the people in the front rows? It looked that way from where we were sitting in the back of the front section.

 

[DisneyMom23Boys]

Good snowy morning!

I've been reading your information & have found it quite helpful.

We were scheduled for early dinner, but after reading over the Oceaneer Club/Lab Navigator's we've decided that the late dinner seating would be best for our 3 sons (11, 9 & 6), who are night owls.

We've been to WDW numerous times & I don't even think our 6yo could get lost. This will be our first cruise, though, and will be a wonderful new experience for all of us.

JRabbit - I agree with you about the great shows that are offered between dinner & the shows & would hate to miss them. My family will really enjoy them & I think having late dinner would confirm our participation. If we'd have early dinner I think that we would want to rush it to make it to these family game shows & we'd like to have a more relaxed dinner at 8:30.

I think for our first cruise we will enjoy trying to get as far front & center as we can to be able to "absorb" as much of the magic with the least of distractions. On future cruises we will have a later, relaxed later entrance as some of you have stated.

Thanks again!

Deb

 

[MickeyB426]

I've been on three cruises, never missed a show in the Walt Disney Theater.

What I can tell you is this:

The matinee is never full. Never. You can walk in when the show starts and be pretty much guaranteed a seat in the lower section on the side, or in the upper section in the middle.

Since I'm a big guy, I like sitting on an end seat. My favorite seats are between rows F-N. these are 6-15 rows back. I don't understand the fascination with the front row, as your field of vision is definitely compromised.

I also noticed during the last cruise I took (last week) that they've started opening the doors to the theater a little bit later now. It used to be 30 minutes before showtime, now it's more like 20 minutes. Naturally, there are kids and their parents looking to make a mad dash to the front, but arriving 10-15 minutes before the show is just fine for me.