Same day fast pass for Fantasmic or Dining Plan?

[hllb]

We are going at the end of January. It should be very, very light crowds the day we're there (2 out of 10 according to touring plans). I normally do the dining package, but I really don't care for the restaurants they have for it. I'm wondering how hard it is to get a same day fast pass for Fantasmic? Or if we'd be fine just doing standby?

 

[BrianL]

It is generally quite easy to get a same-day fast pass for Fantasmic! Keep in mind though that having a Fast Pass doesn't really mean you can show up later, it just gives you the option of sitting in the FP section, which still fills in relatively quickly. It gives you the choice though.

 

[hllb]

It is generally quite easy to get a same-day fast pass for Fantasmic! Keep in mind though that having a Fast Pass doesn't really mean you can show up later, it just gives you the option of sitting in the FP section, which still fills in relatively quickly. It gives you the choice though.

So you'd still have to get there early to guarantee a spot? But with the dining plan it's guaranteed?

 

[BrianL]

So you'd still have to get there early to guarantee a spot? But with the dining plan it's guaranteed?

Well, I want to say that a FP will guarantee you entry, however it does NOT guarantee you good seats. If you wait until the last minute you will be all the way on the edge, and toward the back. Even the dining plan section fills up and if you get in later you wil be in the back, though for F! I'd prefer a centered seat toward the back than a close seat on the wings.

 

[Disneymom1126]

We haven't done Fantasmic! with the dining package, but we did do a day of FP+. We have also seen it without FP+ and just walked in and got a seat the day of. I really did not like the seating that is reserved for the FP section. It is in the area farthest from the exit and it took us FOREVER to get out. We had a similar side-view (just on the other side) when we watched it without FP+ and that side was closer to the exit, which was nice. The reserved area for dining seating is right in the center, so if you want a center view, then I would do the dining option. I don't really think there is a bad view in that theater/stadium - even far to the sides you see everything well - so at that time of year, unless you really want a very specific view, I wouldn't bother with FP or the dining seating.

 

[Alesia]

I wouldn't bother with either one.

 

[greg9x]

DId the FP+ for Fantasmic 1 1/2 weeks ago and had the worst view of Fantasmic ever, sitting over the left side 2nd section before end. Really disappointing, didn't even realize there was a 'bad' view... have always gotten there early and had a center-ish section seat. From the side it's hard to see the main action and the Dragon effect is ruined as can clearly see the boom moving it around. The FP+ gains you nothing if you want a decent seat. Lesson learned.

 

[hllb]

Thanks for the tips. How early should you get there without a FP+ or dining plan? An hour? Less?

 

[Alesia]

Thanks for the tips. How early should you get there without a FP+ or dining plan? An hour? Less?

I would get there 30 to 45 minutes before.

 

[Robo]

I really did not like the seating that is reserved for the FP section. It is in the area farthest from the exit and it took us FOREVER to get out.

Like in much of Fantasmic! theater, it depends on exactly where you sit
in the FP section.

What a FP+ for F! offers is more CHOICE in seating.

If you DO get a F! FP+, you can choose to sit in either the FP section (virtually the entire left half of the theater) or the Standby section (virtually the entire right half of the theater.)
So, whatever section has the better seating at the time you arrive, you can go there.
Without a FP, you can only choose a seat in the Standby section.

There is a very good chance that you can get a FP+ for F! as a 4th or 5th FP of the day because they issue SO MANY of them (enough to cover nearly the entire left half of the seating.) On many nights, it is possible that you can gat a FP+ for F! as you are walking to the theater.

As to when to arrive at the theater, I'd get to there 45-60 minutes before the show-time.
Even with a FP or Dining Pkg. reservation, don't wait too late.
On busy nights, the CMs can stop holding the reserved sections within 20-30 minutes before show-time, and turn over any available seats to waiting walk-in guests.
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Map Below-
Arrows indicate the center of the seating.
Shaded areas:

(First or Only F! performance of the evening)
Cyan= Standby (walk-in) seating
Red= Dining Package Reserved
Blue= FP+ Reserved
Purple= Can be either FP+ or Dining Package Reserved, depending on needs.

(Second or Third F! performance of the evening)
Cyan= Standby (walk-in) seating
Red, Purple, Blue= FP+ Reserved
(Although much of the outer Blue will likely be used for Standby.)

 

[hllb]

Good info everyone, thanks! Since it shouldn't be busy when we're there (Jan 31st), we'll probably shoot for 45 minutes ahead of showtime and take our chances. I may pick up a fast past in the afternoon if there aren't other ones we want. I'll keep my dining package for now, but since we'd rather eat at Sci Fi dine in, I'm 98% sure we'll drop the dining package.