Recent Fantasmic/WOC Experiences

[mom2rtk]

We have 2 full days and 2 half days in the parks in early January. We did the same last year and didn't see WOC or Fantasmic (wasn't back yet). Is it worth spending the time to try and do one or both of these? We haven't seen either since 2018. If so, what's the easiest way to accomplish it?

Am I correct that the dragon isn't back yet in Fantasmic? Is it still worth seeing without?

 

[LKing]

I've seen both in the past six months. It depends on your priorities. Is your goal to go on as many attractions as possible? Are there certain attractions that are particularly important to you?

WOC is at 9 pm and 10:15 pm. Most of the time, DCA closes at 10 pm. If you decide to watch the 2nd show, it wouldn't take much time away from attractions.

Fantasmic does not have a dragon. It is still a great show. It is at 9 pm and 10:30 pm. Fireworks are at 9:30 pm. Some attractions are closed during fireworks.

There is usually a mass exodus out of both parks after the first shows.

 

[twodogs]

I can’t say if either will be worth it for you, but did you really enjoy them before? If so, the “easiest” way to see Fantasmic is with one of the dining packages. Then you have a reserved area to watch Fantasmic by sitting on the ground (or at a table in the case of the RBT Premium). I am not a huge fan of Fantasmic but I like it. I don’t like it enough to wait even an hour to stake out a spot. For me, doing the BB dining package was worth it once, but I don’t need to see it again for a few years. I do like the new show, but I think those that may feel more critical of the new show were really big fans of the old show.

For WOC, the easiest way to get a good seat would be to book the Dessert Party.

Only you can decide if the upcharge for this easier access to good viewing areas is worth it to you. If you want a good viewing area without an upcharge, the cost is going to be your time. You will likely need to find your spot a good hour ahead of the show (or more; less at the second Fantasmic show), so again, you will need to decide if that is how you want to spend your time on your trip.

 

[LKing]

If so, what's the easiest way to accomplish it?

The easiest way to watch Fantasmic is to purchase a dining package. There are three - Blue Bayou ($89), River Belle ($58) and Rancho del Zocalo ($35). You eat at the restaurant and receive a ticket that gives you access to the reserved seating area later in the evening. Below is a map showing where each section sits relative to the show. The show takes place on Tom Sawyer's Island and on Rivers of America. There are multiple water screens so your view will be good from any dining package location. Choose your dining package based on your dining preferences and budget.

If you watch the first show, it runs from 9 -9:27 pm. At 9:30, you can watch the fireworks with projections from your dining package seats.



For WOC, you can do the dessert party for $89. It provides a seat (in a chair) for the show which many find appealing. It does, takes time away from attractions for checking in, dining, etc.

Another option is a WOC dining package. You can eat at either Storytellers or Wine Country Trattoria and receive a ticket to a reserved viewing area. For the dining package viewing, you will be standing.

There is also a virtual queue which is free.

 

[mom2rtk]

Thanks so much for the info! I finally decided that of the 2, I prefer to do Fantasmic. I chose the best night of our short trip as January 6th. My window opened to book a dining package and see it marked as not available.



What's that about? I know it's a week night, but it's also the last night of the holiday season. Do I assume no Fantasmic that night? Didn't see that one coming.

They really make this stuff too hard to plan around.

 

[DizMe]

Thanks so much for the info! I finally decided that of the 2, I prefer to do Fantasmic. I chose the best night of our short trip as January 6th. My window opened to book a dining package and see it marked as not available.

View attachment 911256

What's that about? I know it's a week night, but it's also the last night of the holiday season. Do I assume no Fantasmic that night? Didn't see that one coming.

They really make this stuff too hard to plan around.

When I booked our RBT dining package, it was only offered on the weekends. I assume F! is a weekend-only show during your dates.

 

[mom2rtk]

When I booked our RBT dining package, it was only offered on the weekends. I assume F! is a weekend-only show during your dates.

It's on the schedule every day the week before, but I assume (in retrospect) because it's New Year's week. I just find it odd that it didn't at least go one day longer since the 6th is the final day of holiday time.

 

[DizMe]

It's on the schedule every day the week before, but I assume (in retrospect) because it's New Year's week. I just find it odd that it didn't at least go one day longer since the 6th is the final day of holiday time.

Hmmm. I don't know...it does seem like that would still be considered holiday time! The calendar now shows both the 6th and 7th as unavailable for F! dining packages, but I can't find an actual schedule. The Entertainment Schedule doesn't go out that far, but there must be some way to tell?

Edited to add: our trip is Dec 12-16 and that time period was still weekends only.

 

[LKing]

Fantasmic is not considered a holiday show. There are still Fantasmic dining packages available for River Belle 1st and 2nd showing as well as Rancho del Zocalo 1st and 2nd showing for Jan 4 and 5.

While the holiday season celebration is announced as Nov 15-Jan 6, that doesn't mean that everything holiday related follows those dates. Halloween merchandise, decorations and displays were still around the first week of November in DCA and DTD. Snow and icicles on the castle and ToonTown holiday decorations went up in mid October. Holiday merchandise started being sold in early October.

 

[JerrodDragon89]

Rancho del Zocalo meal with a area to sit for the show is amazing, get it. Its worth it, sense your going to eat in the park anyway

Make sure to do the early show because you also get to see the fireworks

WOC spot is amazing if you pay but its a lot more so depends on how much you want to put down but the second show for WOC should have less people and easy to get a good spot in the free area's if you show up early

 

[mom2rtk]

Rancho del Zocalo meal with a area to sit for the show is amazing, get it. Its worth it, sense your going to eat in the park anyway

Make sure to do the early show because you also get to see the fireworks

WOC spot is amazing if you pay but its a lot more so depends on how much you want to put down but the second show for WOC should have less people and easy to get a good spot in the free area's if you show up early

This is what I was leaning toward. We even planned on eating at RDZ during this trip. But I'm not excited about the menu for this. Is there any chance they would let you sub a less expensive menu item (while still paying the higher price for the package)?

 

[Tinkaboo]

I cannot eat ANYTHING on their menu, although they tried to give me everything, said theywould make me something special. They just couldnt comprehend that all I wanted was my ticket. I felt bad because I sort of sensed maybe they felt insulted that I wouldnt take their food but I have numerous food sensitivities that prohibited me from partaking. Finally they just gave me my ticket but couldnt seem to believe someone would pay money but not eat.

I view it (and WOC Dessert Party) like going to the theatre or a concert...I dont expect a meal there.

So...I think they will be accommodating to you. I did the same at Plaza Inn when I swapped out the parade offering for plain ole fried chicken.

 

[DizMe]

Rancho del Zocalo meal with a area to sit for the show is amazing, get it. Its worth it, sense your going to eat in the park anyway

Make sure to do the early show because you also get to see the fireworks

WOC spot is amazing if you pay but its a lot more so depends on how much you want to put down but the second show for WOC should have less people and easy to get a good spot in the free area's if you show up early

When you do the RdZ package, is the seating in a specific area at the restaurant? Is it like the RBT package where you are seated at the restaurant to both eat your meal and stay for the show?

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

When you do the RdZ package, is the seating in a specific area at the restaurant? Is it like the RBT package where you are seated at the restaurant to both eat your meal and stay for the show?

No. You pick up your food and eat earlier in the day/evening then sit on the ground for the show. I think RdZ lunch gets you first show and dinner gets you second show.

 

[DizMe]

No. You pick up your food and eat earlier in the day/evening then sit on the ground for the show. I think RdZ lunch gets you first show and dinner gets you second show.

Thank you. I was confused by this because it sounded like a package that included seating:

"Rancho del Zocalo meal with a area to sit for the show is amazing, get it. Its worth it, sense your going to eat in the park anyway.
Make sure to do the early show because you also get to see the fireworks"

 

[twodogs]

Thank you. I was confused by this because it sounded like a package that included seating:

"Rancho del Zocalo meal with a area to sit for the show is amazing, get it. Its worth it, sense your going to eat in the park anyway.
Make sure to do the early show because you also get to see the fireworks"

See post #4 which shows the area marked by “R” that is the place where folks who buy the RdZ package will sit for Fantasmic. The Blue Bayou area is marked “BB” and Riverbelle is “RB”. Riverbelle PREMIUM is the only package where you eat the meal and then stay seated at your table to watch Fantasmic. All the others, you eat at the restaurant and then later return to the areas she marked above, for the show.

When the OP said “an area to sit for the show”, they meant, sit on the ground for the show, in an area near Fantasmic, not in the actual restaurant (which again, differs from Riverbelle PREMIUM).

 

[DizMe]

See post #4 which shows the area marked by “R” that is the place where folks who buy the RdZ package will sit for Fantasmic. The Blue Bayou area is marked “BB” and Riverbelle is “RB”. Riverbelle PREMIUM is the only package where you eat the meal and then stay seated at your table to watch Fantasmic. All the others, you eat at the restaurant and then later return to the areas she marked above, for the show.

When the OP said “an area to sit for the show”, then meant, sit on the ground for the show, in an area near Fantasmic, not in the actual restaurant (which again, differs from Riverbelle PREMIUM).

Ok, thank you! I was thinking of an actual seat. Guess I ought to pay more attention

 

[kmill99]

WOC - such a great show. Using virtual queue for special seating was super easy and free. And the view was awesome. We tried it in 2023 after just trying to grab a spot our 1st attempt (which worked not so ideally). My wife was not really wanting to bother, but went along with the family vote to try it. She was happily surprised by the ease of using it and the amazing difference it made in terms of being able to view and appreciate the show. We would consider it a must on a visit, and were sad it was not running during our recent October visit.
This trip was our 1st Disneyland Fantasmic viewing, though, and while it was neat to be closer to the boats, the family did not care for the mist being so close... and overall preferred Florida's show, with the exception being seeing the Peter Pan/Hook battle on the pirate ship.

 

[LKing]

WOC - such a great show. Using virtual queue for special seating was super easy and free.

Were you sitting or standing for WOC?

 

[kmill99]

It WAS standing. But if you showed up on time there was so much space to soread out. My girls were 9 an 12, and had no trouble standing or seeing. We got situated after checking. They sat while I grabbed some snacks and came back, until the show began.