Saving a seat for Fantasmic

[Lesley Wake]

Due to scheduling difficulties, the only day we have to see Fantasmic is our arrival day (it would be a Saturday in mid-September). My sister and I are taking different flights into Orlando, so I arrive 1.5 hrs before she does, which would give me enough time to comfortably take DME to the resort, drop off my bag, and hop a bus to HS. My sister will have a tighter timeline, so she may not arrive until closer to showtime. We would plan on getting FPs for the show. Is it frowned on if I get to the show first and save a seat for her? I would not be getting a space in the front row center, probably preferring to get a seat out of the way, closer to entrance/exit. We don't need great seats, but I would like to see it to compare to Disneyland's version.

 

[Accident]

It honestly depends on the crowd as that is a theater that basically fastpass is let in and then they start letting standby take whats left until nobody else will fit and then the rest are turned away... you are mentioning prime seats... the exit and front row center go fast.. They also load the place in wedges and try to avoid using the far ends if they don't need to and the crowd is smaller so again your going to sit in an area they want everyone to slide down and pack tight right away...

basically, you can try but I wouldn't plan on this working out and having her sit near you.. you could also just wait as long as possible and if she arrives before you go in, you sit together but if not you find each other in the court yard behind the theater after the show.

 

[CAS239]

You should easily be able to save her a seat. With just one person it's no big deal, completely different story if you were saving seats for 10 people and were trying to hold a whole row.

Just put your bag or purse down next to you, and if anyone asks just say someone's sitting there. You'll be fine

 

[brockash]

Due to scheduling difficulties, the only day we have to see Fantasmic is our arrival day (it would be a Saturday in mid-September). My sister and I are taking different flights into Orlando, so I arrive 1.5 hrs before she does, which would give me enough time to comfortably take DME to the resort, drop off my bag, and hop a bus to HS. My sister will have a tighter timeline, so she may not arrive until closer to showtime. We would plan on getting FPs for the show. Is it frowned on if I get to the show first and save a seat for her? I would not be getting a space in the front row center, probably preferring to get a seat out of the way, closer to entrance/exit. We don't need great seats, but I would like to see it to compare to Disneyland's version.

What time do you think she'll get there? If it's at least 10 mins. before start time, then I don't think you'd have any problem. If it was super busy and she wasn't showing up until after it started, it may get a little trickier, but I would assumed trying to save a seat for only 1 person wouldn't be too much of a big deal.

 

[BrianL]

Yeah, I think holding for one person is no big deal and nobody will worry about it. People get up all the time before the show to go to the restrooms or buy some roasted nuts or something. There will be gaps. It's not a problem.

 

[Robo]

I would like to see it to compare to Disneyland's version.

You will be unpleasantly surprised with the DHS version.

 

[BrianL]

You will be unpleasantly surprised with the DHS version.

Yeah, the only thing better about the DHS version is that there is actual seating. The DL version is supposedly being reworked when it returns from hiatus though so I wonder how that will go over.

 

[Lesley Wake]

It honestly depends on the crowd as that is a theater that basically fastpass is let in and then they start letting standby take whats left until nobody else will fit and then the rest are turned away... you are mentioning prime seats... the exit and front row center go fast.. They also load the place in wedges and try to avoid using the far ends if they don't need to and the crowd is smaller so again your going to sit in an area they want everyone to slide down and pack tight right away...

basically, you can try but I wouldn't plan on this working out and having her sit near you.. you could also just wait as long as possible and if she arrives before you go in, you sit together but if not you find each other in the court yard behind the theater after the show.

Ok, I figured those weren't prime spots! I don't mind moving to the far end, maybe I'll just see if there's a CM who's not being overwhelmed with people and check with them. I won't know exactly how far behind me she will be; it will depend on if her flight arrives on time, DME pickup, and bus schedules. We will be staying at one of the PO, probably FQ; if it's looking close and buses aren't coming soon, I'm sure she can get a fast and relatively inexpensive Uber.

You will be unpleasantly surprised with the DHS version.

Yeah, that's what I thought. I love love love DL Fantasmic, and I know WDW is inferior. But I wouldn't mind seeing it, just to say I did!

Yeah, the only thing better about the DHS version is that there is actual seating. The DL version is supposedly being reworked when it returns from hiatus though so I wonder how that will go over.

I would expect the only thing reworked is the show itself-the stories and Tom Sawyer Island equipment. The actual park area around Rivers of America is still the same (I was there this past weekend), and I don't think there are any plans to change it. DL just doesn't have enough space to provide a proper theater.

Although, I was there the day before the very first Pirates of the Caribbean movie premiere; they set up a huge temporary seating area which was pretty cool. Before the movie itself, the actors all arrived via boat!

 

[BrianL]

I would expect the only thing reworked is the show itself-the stories and Tom Sawyer Island equipment. The actual park area around Rivers of America is still the same (I was there this past weekend), and I don't think there are any plans to change it. DL just doesn't have enough space to provide a proper theater.

Oh, no, I didn't expect they would add seating. I just meant the fans can be so protective of things and the rumored swapping out of the Peter Pan scene for POTC is likely to rankle some. Personally, I feel it's time for some updates, but I just wonder how the fans will react.

And, hey, the HS version of Fantasmic! is still pretty good. It's fun to see for the differences. The best version I've seen is in Tokyo anyway, but I still enjoy the HS show when I am there.