Reserved seating for Fantasmic

[Samsma]

Which would be the better idea- balcony or riverside? We are interested mostly in not waiting for a spot, and of course chocolate covered strawberries!

 

[LuvTigger]

I can't comment on the balcony seating, but last week I did the riverside seating (first time), and I thought it was great! I was hoping the desserts would be a little more substantial (they did have the chocolate covered strawberries though), but I really booked it for the reserved seating more than the desserts.

I originally wanted balcony, but the seats were sold out. I was kind of glad I got riverside after reading some of the posts that mentioned blocked views.

If you get riverside, this is what my experience was like:
The show was at 9:00 p.m. We checked in at about 8:10 (even though guest services said to check in at 8:30). It was a good thing we did, because 6 other parties were already there, and they seat in order of check in. At check in, they gave us a number, so we were party #7. They told us to come back at about 8:30, but we just hung around. Just before 8:30, they took "attendance," making sure all of the parties were there. Then, they started seating parties one by one, in order of check in. We had a "substitute" person escorting us (her choice of words -- I guess she doesn't normally work at Fantasmic, but we thought she was great). She even allowed us to choose from several different seats, pointing out the pros and cons of each area.

Once we were seated, someone took our drink orders, and we were able to help ourselves to desserts. The server came to check on us a couple of times to see if we needed more drinks. For the desserts, there were chocolate covered strawberries, Mickey-shaped rice krispie treats, a raspberry filled cookie, biscotti, and macaroons. There might have been a couple more choices, but that's all I can remember. I was kind of hoping there would be a few more choices, like maybe cakes or pies, but for me, just having the reserved seating was worth it. We stuck around to watch the fireworks afterward, and we thought it was a great viewing spot.

 

[TallMidgetGirl]

If you sit riverside remember to arrive early. We were 50 minutes early, and still sat back in the 4th row and had another row behind us. We also had to go and stand somewhere else to view the show. I remember when the premium seating felt like premium seating. Now it seems they are just trying to squeeze as many people as they possibly can in and the viewing isn't always that great anymore.

Hollyster2 was here...message board will not let me sign my daughter Tallmidegetgirl off. EVER. What is with that anyway?

 

[sierranevada]

My two cents: Riverfront is very close to the water (you can feel the heat when the river catches on fire! and serves a dessert buffet with the following: chocolate dipped strawberries, a large shortbread cookie filled with raspberry and dipped in white chocolate that had been tinted lavender with small gold stars on it, a coconut macaroon, chocolate coated biscotti and a Mickey Mouse shaped rice krispy treat dipped in chocolate with Mickey's face drawn on it in White Chocolate! You are offered your choice of assorted drinks – coffee, tea, sodas, bottled water, or lemonade.
The Balcony is next to the Disney Gallery above Pirates of the Carribbean. The balcony is more centered and higher up and you also feel more "special!". The desserts were more upscale at the balcony - cheesecake, carrot cake, black forest cake, fritters, fruit plates & cheese plates. The price for both the balcony and riverfront is $56 per person but the Riverfront does offer a discount for kids ($10 less). The desserts are better on the balcony and you are dead center but it can feel a little more crowded – they seat up to 22 people up there. The Riverfront offers more room which can be good with kids. I personally prefer the Balcony but if they are sold out, will “settle” for Riverfront. They also seat you differently. Fantasmic Balcony seating is done in order of original ticket purchase, and seating is 30 min before showtime. Riverfront seating check-in is 1 hour before showtime, seating is 30 min before and is done by check-in order.

 

[Samsma]

Thanks everyone! We're only there for 3 nights so I'll try for balcony on the first night. If we can't get it, I'll keep trying. It is 30 days out right?

 

[sierranevada]

Thanks everyone! We're only there for 3 nights so I'll try for balcony on the first night. If we can't get it, I'll keep trying. It is 30 days out right?

Technically, it is one month out so if you want 11/20 - call on 10/20. Good luck!

 

[blackjackdelta]

Seating is done by reservation time when you call in. It is not done by check in time. Well worth the money. The 6 of us had front row center. Not something I am going to do each time we go..but I guess that will be up to the wife..she really liked it.

 

[nick262]

Thanks everyone! We're only there for 3 nights so I'll try for balcony on the first night. If we can't get it, I'll keep trying. It is 30 days out right?

Yes it is 30 days out, and you should start calling 714-781-dine at 7:55 am, keep trying until you get through. Start early because the balcony sells out in a matter of minutes. At 8:02 am there were already 10 of the 21 seats sold when my husband got ours.

Also note that if you have children under 3 yrs old, they are free.

 

[TLinden16]

Are you staying at a Disney resort? You can call Disney Vacation Planning, and they can try to book it for you. It worked great for me, and I didn't have to stress about getting booked.

I had the balcony seating on Oct. 9th. The night I was there, they did not have chocolate dipped strawberries. They had a fruit shish kabob thing instead. They also had cake, mini pastries, and donuts with some appley thing on it. There were a few other options. They also had mint juleps.

Karen

 

[Samsma]

Karen- do you still have that number? I did ask them to do that, since I posted, but now I don't know whether they actually have or not. Thanks!

 

[sierranevada]

Karen- do you still have that number? I did ask them to do that, since I posted, but now I don't know whether they actually have or not. Thanks!

It is 714-300-7526, option 2. The hours are Mon - Sat 8 am - 8 pm (CST) and Sun 8 am - 3:30 pm.