River Belle Terrace

[I Intrigue You]

I still have a few days left to decide if we are going to go all out and purchase the Fantasmic Dessert Balcony Package. I was just wondering what my chances would be in scoring outdoor seating at the River Belle to have dinner and watch the show?


Thanks!

 

[year2late]

I will answer the question with an observation. Up until last year, I was able to score decent seating as long as I parked myself down an hour ahead of time. In the past year, I have seen scores of people waiting 3 hours ahead of time. I refuse to wait over an hour, so I am not sure if there is any last minute scoring of seats available.

I will also say that the walkways littered with rows of unattended blankets and strollers is awful. I think folks should have to just "move along" until 60 or 90 minutes ahead of time.

 

[diggdug]

Originally posted by year2late
I will answer the question with an observation. Up until last year, I was able to score decent seating as long as I parked myself down an hour ahead of time. In the past year, I have seen scores of people waiting 3 hours ahead of time. I refuse to wait over an hour, so I am not sure if there is any last minute scoring of seats available.

I will also say that the walkways littered with rows of unattended blankets and strollers is awful. I think folks should have to just "move along" until 60 or 90 minutes ahead of time.

Good point year2late. Last summer we ran into the same thing. We finally found a spot on the brick wall between HM and the raft launch for TSI. This proved to be an ok place to watch from even though it wasn't dead on center. The CM's did their best to keep folks moving along, but the unattended blankets, etc. were nuts.

 

[year2late]

I vow this year to fold up unattended blankets and send them to lost and found.

We were going to see a parade and 30 minutes out, some guy had staked out a space that would fit about 10. After we sat, he tried to defend his "property" (the curb) A CM told him that it was not acceptable to reserve a space for so many. Only two people showed up to join him.

I kinda think that where parade routes/shows are concerned, if you can't hold out your arms to defend your space, you are reserving too much space. I think the unattended stuff is a safety hazard and just ugly. It should be hauled off.

I feel bad that the CMs have to get in the middle of this stuff.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

<font color=navy>Goodpoint, Y2Late ....


People start staking out the Riverbelle Terrace about 5-5:30'ish - depending on how close to the railing they want to be.

Your other options are
* Waiting for a couple of hours on the ground in the seating section
* Waiting for 1-1.5 hours on the bridge over Pirates
* Waiting in the standing only areas about 1.1.5 hours before
* Going over by the Haunted Mansion about 45 mins-an hour before, and find a place to stand.

Be sure that you are not in a walkway, because the CMS will move you along when they need to - doesn't matter how long you've been standing there.

****

Maybe a person for every three in your group to save space - that's fair for those waiting while others enjoy the park.

I've done the Riverbelle Terrace a few times (as recently as last Friday), and only when we have out-of-town guests, especially those who may be older, or who need to sit in a chair instead of the ground. Since I go so often, I rather enjoy relaxing on the patio & chatting w/other guests. I usually take a book, but never get past a page because of the people watching & visiting with other people. By the time we have a leisurely dinner, a drink or two, and talk, the time doesn't seem that long for waiting for Fantasmic.

BTW - I wouldn't recommend Riverbelle Terrace for those who are visiting for a couple of days or so - their time can be better spent enjoying the park.

****

Also, if time allows it, I recommend seeing the 2nd show -- a lot of people can go up there and get a decent spot after the 1st show has let out.

Caution -- In between shows, it is rather chaotic, with all of the people leaving and coming in. Back in March, when we were there, the crowd was at a complete standstill, which is a nightmare for those w/small ones, or those who have problems with crowds.

If you're going to see the 2nd show --
Frontierland = entrance
Adventureland = exit
The crowds are directed that way (mostly)

Try taking the train that will let you off in New Orleans Square & then walk up to a spot to watch the show.

Disneyland Fantasmic is a spectacular show & well worth the view.

Fantasmic & Fireworks (when the fireworks are showing)

Cannot see the fireworks from Riverbelle Terrace. You need to be in the area from Pirates to Haunted Mansion.... Look for the cable that guides Tinkerbell through the trees -- if you can see that, you've got a decent spot for the fireworks after the first Fantasmic show.

 

[disneychrista]

When we tried the Riverbelle Terrace the view was HORRIBLE. Maybe it was just were we were seated, I don't know.

The best view by far, is on the bridge over Pirates (of course this is only my opinion). If there is a second show, you can walk up and grab a spot during the fireworks. It was great. I will never fight the crowds to have to see "through" the railings again. The only negative is that you do have to stand to see the show.

 

[maci]

Can you see the "screens" of water, I mean what is showing on them from over by haunted mansion?

This whole get a good seat for fatasmic is the one thing I am worried about for this trip!!

Thanks!

 

[maci]

Oh also!!!

One thread I had read said a good place to come in for the 2nd fantasmic was through fantasy land, behind big thunder. How does this play into the frontierland=entrance and adventureland= exit?????

Thanks again!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

<font color=navy>The latest experience I had of coming in from the walkway near Thunder Mountain was a complete standstill - I had never seen it like that where you could not move - we had to jump the bushes by Stagedoor Cafe & go back through Frontierland to Main Street.

Now, it's not always like that, and you aren't always going to run into these huge crowds, so I wouldn't worry about it so much that you can't enjoy your trip.

If the crowds are huge, the CMs will do their best to get two-way traffic going. They were doing this last Friday, and everything moved along very well.

If you have any questions, just ask the CMs - they'll be in these very bright yellow shirts - ya can't miss them.

** As for Riverbelle Terrace - I'll only go there if I get a front table, and that's only if there are guests from out of town....

** As for the water fan screens - there are three of them, and I *think* they are centered where each of the light poles on hydraulics are (these poles are in the ground until about 6/6:30- and then they come up). I'd recommend going towards the HM, but not further than the entrance gate, if that's the area where you're going to stand.

** I've also stood on the bridge over Pirates when I was by myself -- all the center spots were taken, and I was to the side - I'm only 5', so standing behind other adults is not an option for me. I ended up standing to the side, and had a tree blocking part of my view during the show... so you need to keep an eye out for those pesky trees.

 

[maci]

Thanks Mary Jo!!!

I just love fantasmic!! I cant wait to see it again! It has been about 10 years or so since we have been to disney land and I cant wait to see fatntasmic as it "should be", rather than the WDW version I have seen more recently. I like it too, but nothing beats the original!!!!!

 

[dletz]

I very rarely watch Fantamic as it's just too much trouble to get a decent view. They have changed the policy many times about the exits for Fantasmic. I have seen the walkway by Big thunder closed and they move people out that way. Actually, what we have done many times it to go on Pirates before it starts, then make your way to Haunted mansion, Splash and Pooh. If you time it right, people have left, or are leaving and you can get a great spot for the second showing.

The problem with River Belle Terrace is there is a walk way in front and while people are supposed to keep walking they will open stop. And almost always you will see people with kids on their shoulders so you would get a sporadic view. It also gets extremely crowded. Besides I won't eat there because they are the only buffeteria to not offer refills on the drinks.

 

[disneyfanzz]

We're going to Disneyland next week and have only seen Fantasmic at Disney World. Our problem is we have three year old triplets. Is there a place we can go so they can see or are we better to just miss it?

 

[SillySymphony4me]

As to the original question, if it's your first time seeing Fantasnic, I would splurge on the balcony. It's a great view, the desserts were wonderful, the group you sit with are likely to be friendly. Our first time, a guy proposed to his girlfriend right before the show!

As to taking 3 y/o kids, I would skip it with them. Our 5 year old spent much of it avoiding her eyes from the more intense stuff - and she's usually very brave. She loved it at 7 though. I'm one of "those" moms, so she hadn't seen a lot of TV or movies, that maybe part of her reaction.

HTHs,
Lisa

 

[Judy from Boise]

We have usually been very lucky to get an acceptable view less than 20 minutes before the second show, either as the second row on the bridge(sorry MJ we are all tall !)or on the stairs to the left of the bridge(I like this spot because you can lean againts the railing why you wait, then stand up when it starts) It is just a personal choice that we think an 80% view, with little wait is a good ROI! If you need a 100% view I think the balcony is the best way to go.