Saving seats during the Fantasmic seating

[babla]

Is saving seats permitted if a few members of your party arrive later than others during the seating of Fantasmic? I've only been to Fantasmic once, many years ago, and was just DH and I. I seem to remember some people saving seats, but I don't really know for sure. Thanks.

 

[disnut1149]

Hi!
I don't know if it's permitted, but I saved my DH and DD seats. We had them, but it was chilly one night in October 2004, so my DH and DD went to find a place that sold sweatshirts. They weren't gone too long and they had their seats when they came back.

 

[Robo]

Is saving seats permitted if a few members of your party arrive later than others during the seating of Fantasmic? I've only been to Fantasmic once, many years ago, and was just DH and I. I seem to remember some people saving seats, but I don't really know for sure. Thanks.

Absolutely "standard procedure" at this show.

No "rules" against it, and the people in the crowd are generally very accommodating.

 

[bellelinus]

Yes, it happens all the time. The only problem could be if the rest of your group came in after the show was considered "full" and they were not allowed in. However, as long as everyone is there 20-30 minutes before Fantasmic begins, I don't think that would be a problem.

 

[babla]

Thanks for your answers. I'm glad to know we can do it, if necessary. I'm thinking our group might split up in the late afternoon, but we'd all like to sit together during the show.

 

[MommaluvsDis]

Same subject, different location. This made me remember of an incident on the Disney Magic a couple of years ago. We were all seated to see Hercules the Musical. The show was about to start when my friend that has Chrohn's Disease had to be excused suddenly for a bathroom visit. Well, this jerk comes up and proceeds to try to sit in my friend's seat. I told him that she had an emergency and would be right back. I didn't want to tell him that she had to rush to the potty. He starts this loud protest about how we're not suppose to save seats, blah, blah, blah. I tried to explain that she'd been sitting but then had to be excused. He walked off gripping loudly. What a poopy head. Sorry, it just brought my incident to mind!

 

[byoung]

Save me a seat next time you go, thanks.

 

[dzneelvr]

If you are going during a very busy week or season, I wouldn't think it fair to save seats thus turning away others who have possibly been standing in line for hours. Unless you have small children who have to go "one last time", adults should be able to fend for themselves and wait like everyone else. I'm just thinking of when we go in the summer....if you'd try to save seats, it may get ugly as some of those lines begin 2+ hours prior to the show start time and wind all the way up Sunset Blvd. I would not want to be you!

 

[Lizzybee]

Well I think if you save a couple of seats, it probably won't cause a drama, but if you get great seats and try to hold a whole role for a group that's not there, you might catch some flack. Most people don't mind a couple of seats being saved. Also, if you try to hold the seats til the last minute you'll probably have trouble. If you are talking about meeting up with a few people, you get there at least an hour early and they are 15 mins or so later, you'll probably be just fine. If you are courteous about it, most people around you will respond with courtesy as well. JMHO

 

[bicker]

A good rule-of-thumb is that folks can hold seats for slightly less than half their total group. Beyond that, and you'll start encountering folks who will not respect your wishes to find their seats elsewhere, especially at a spot like Fantasmic where many members of the audience know that the CMs will "compress empty space" later anyway.

 

[Baloo2003]

It is pretty standard practice for both of us to get a seat to know where we are sitting, then I exit to get dinner at Farmer's Market area and bring it back for us to eat while we wait for the show to begin. I've done this a couple of times with no problem.

We also will take turns going to the restrooms just outside the arena. We just make sure we are back before the show starts. I have noticed that the Cast Members kept telling us that if we leave we were not guaranteed reentry, but its the bathroom for goodness sakes! When we tell them where we are going, we usually get an "Oh, OK." from them.

 

[bicker]

I believe the reason why they reserve the right to deny re-entry for folks leaving for a bathroom break is that there is a bathroom in the theater.

 

[Robo]

I have noticed that the Cast Members kept telling us that if we leave we were not guaranteed reentry, but its the bathroom for goodness sakes! When we tell them where we are going, we usually get an "Oh, OK." from them.

As bicker said, there are HUGE restrooms (some of the nicest in all of WDW) at the top of the Fantasmic! theater.

Why would you need to LEAVE the theater and walk that long, long distance (both ways) for a restroom break in a much smaller (likely more crowded) restroom?

 

[jeffn5631]

Is saving seats permitted if a few members of your party arrive later than others during the seating of Fantasmic? I've only been to Fantasmic once, many years ago, and was just DH and I. I seem to remember some people saving seats, but I don't really know for sure. Thanks.

We were at this show last evening and seated right in back of the front entrance and saw people in this situation. It seems if you don't have a phone or walkie talkie, it is hard to find were you are sitting.

 

[SueM in MN]

It is pretty standard practice for both of us to get a seat to know where we are sitting, then I exit to get dinner at Farmer's Market area and bring it back for us to eat while we wait for the show to begin. I've done this a couple of times with no problem.

We also will take turns going to the restrooms just outside the arena. We just make sure we are back before the show starts. I have noticed that the Cast Members kept telling us that if we leave we were not guaranteed reentry, but its the bathroom for goodness sakes! When we tell them where we are going, we usually get an "Oh, OK." from them.

If they have already let in the number of people the theater holds before you get back, you won't be let back in. That might not happen during non-busy times, but at peak times it easily can.

As others pointed out, there are very nice bathrooms inside the theater area, so you don't need to leave the theater to used the bathroom.
There is also a snack bar inside (just behind the seating area), so although you can't get full meals, you can get things like hot dogs, pretzels, pop and popcorn.

Even though you have been lucky and were let back in, if you leave for any reason, you are taking the chance of not getting back in. No matter what the reason for leaving, being able to return is not guaranteed.