Second showing of Fantasmic~ less crowded?

[PIRATEGIRL007]

During our July trip 2 nights Fantasmic will be shown twice. We have never been to MGM on a night with 2 showings. Is the second showing significantly less crowded, about the same, or more crowded? Is it worth waiting for the later time for better chances at a great seat? Will we have much more time before we have to stake claim to one of those great seats before the show than if we did a 9pm showing? We would be going on a mon or wed night.

 

[Harvest02]

Our family of 4 just went to see Fantasmic in June. They had 2 showings in the evenings when we were there also. The early one was packed and had a long line, but the second showing we had no problem getting in to find a good seat. We were up a little higher, but pretty much in the middle. I would suggest the later showing. In fact, it wasn't even full then! Enjoy the show! It is FABULOUS!!!!

 

[elastigirl]

In my experience, the second showing is always less crowded.

 

[Robo]

There is no real "LINE" for Fantasmic! at least for the first show.
If guests arrive nearer to show time, they get "backed up" but nobody is actually standing in a "line" (its more of a slow-moving "mob".)

For the first show (or if there is only one show that evening) the theater is "opened" about 60-90 before show-time and guests can just walk into the theater and pick a seat.

About an hour before show-time is a great "rule-of-thumb" for any time of year.
If its a BUSY park, you'll still find very good seats at that time.
If its a lower-attendance time, you'll find GREAT seats (front-row or really ANYWHERE) by an hour before.

If there's a SECOND show of the evening, if you arrive a hour early there WILL be a "line".
That's because they hold guests back from entering while the CMs clean the theater after the first show.
But don't worry, once they start letting guests enter, the theater will not be full by any means. The second show virtually never "sells out" even when the park is busy.

 

[Joanna71985]

Whenever I go to see Fantasmic, I ALWAYS go to the second show. In my experience, it is always a LOT less crowded then the first. I don't know why, but I don't mind.

 

[WEDWDW]

In my experience the second show is NEVER crowded.You can walk in right before the show begins and find a pretty good seat.I like to sit close to the water and there are always good "water" seats in the outer sections available.If you are adventurous,what I like to do is,watch IllumiNations at 9:00,then take the water taxi from Epcot to Disney-MGM for the 10:30 Fantasmic!.

 

[LSUmom4kids]

Would you say that while EVERYONE else is at the 1st Fantasmic show, that would be the shortest ride lines at MGM? Can someone please explain?

Also for nights where there are 2 Fantasmic shows what good would the Fantasmic dinner special be? To get a good seat for the first show only? Maybe we could eat cheaper if we cancel our Mama Melrose reservations at 3:40 p.m. (for dinner!), eat somewhere else and then catch the 2nd Fantasmic show? We could probably get better seats for the 2nd show without having to spend a fortune for dinner reservations (we will be feeding 6 that night!).

too many decisions... too much information... brain overload...

 

[Disney_Freak56]

If you're planning to go to the second show, there is no reason to purchase the Fantasmic dining package. Like other have posted, the second show is never as crowded as the first show. Your group could show up 15 minutes prior to show time and still get a great seat.

The first time we went to Fantasmic, we were at the theater an hour before show time and were told it was standing room only. NO way was I going to stand for an hour before the show started and then during the entire show. We came back for the second show and had front row seats.

 

[LSUmom4kids]

how do I find out if there are 2 Fantasmic show when we go?

 

[lillygator]

We just got back and went to the 2nd Fantasmic showing.....walked in about 5 minutes before showtime and pretty much had the choice fo the theatre!!! It wasn't empty but you could sit pretty much anywhere!

 

[DebbieB]

I saw the first show on 6/22 and the seats did not fillup until about 20 minutes before showtime. We entered about 50 minutes before and got the center section.

 

[Robo]

how do I find out if there are 2 Fantasmic show when we go?

Go here for the OFFICIAL WDW Calendar:

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/calendar/parkhours/index?id=MKCalendarParkHoursMonthlyViewPage

Pick your Park. Pick your Month. Click on your Day.
Disney publishes dates and times approximately 6 months in advance.
Make sure to check back often, as times and events are subject to change as the actual dates get nearer.

 

[LSUmom4kids]

Go here for the OFFICIAL WDW Calendar:

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/calendar/parkhours/index?id=MKCalendarParkHoursMonthlyViewPage

Pick your Park. Pick your Month. Click on your Day.
Disney publishes dates and times approximately 6 months in advance.
Make sure to check back often, as times and events are subject to change as the actual dates get nearer.

I went to the August calendar for MGM and it just says: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. - there is no EMH that night.

Would the MGM EMH at night be an indication that there would be 2 Fantasmic shows that night? If the park closes at 10 p.m., there would probably be only one show? Anyone??

 

[Robo]

I went to the August calendar for MGM and it just says: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. - there is no EMH that night.

Would the MGM EMH at night be an indication that there would be 2 Fantasmic shows that night? If the park closes at 10 p.m., there would probably be only one show? Anyone??

I don't think you used the calendar correctly.

Go back to that page and...

CLICK on the DATE and a new window will open with the "particulars" (shows, parades) for that date.

(And no, EMH is not a direct indication of a second showing of Fantasmic!)

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I think we are going to try to hit the second show when we go next month. In the past we have done the dinner package, but we want to eat at 50's PT and they don't offer the package. We actually like to sit in the back because it is so much easier to get OUT after the show! We have been one of the first families back to the bus each time. I imagine we are on the way back to the resort while others are still trying to get out of the theater!

 

[Robo]

We actually like to sit in the back because it is so much easier to get OUT after the show! We have been one of the first families back to the bus each time. I imagine we are on the way back to the resort while others are still trying to get out of the theater!

Oh, no question about that.

But I'm not about to give up my FRONT ROW seats at Fantasmic! just for a "front row seat" on a BUS!

I sit and enjoy the peace and let you guys jockey for "first-one-out".


There'll be another bus, and another bus, and another bus, and another bus,
along later.

 

[LSUmom4kids]

I don't think you used the calendar correctly.

Go back to that page and...

CLICK on the DATE and a new window will open with the "particulars" (shows, parades) for that date.

(And no, EMH is not a direct indication of a second showing of Fantasmic!)

Ohhhhh - Now I found it! I see that MGM has 2 Fantasmic shows during our vacation. Now I'll just plan to be there one of those days! Thanks.