Should we do Fantasmic dining or no? Please help!

[saroncar]

Hi All!

We will be headed to HS on the 4th, according to TP that's a 2 crowd level. This is our 5th time going but we have never seen fantasmic, our kids were too young I thought but now they are old enough. Problem is, now we have a baby! I'm not worried about her being afraid, just about being stuck sitting for sooo long before the show. I booked the dining package thinking it would cut down on the wait time but I'm reading I'll still need to get there 30 min early to get a good seat. Plus, I really don't want to eat at MM. lol

If we don't do the dining package, how late could we arrive on such a low crowd day and still get a seat? ANY seat?
Also, if we end up coming late and just sitting in the back, is the view horrible or just far away?

Thanks!

 

[saroncar]

Oh no, this is getting lost fast. Anyone??

 

[LSUfan4444]

No, the non FDP seating is not horrible, but just like with anything else, there are good seats, better seats and worse seats.

I've sat just about everywhere and the show is really best viewed from the center sections, and in my opinion, no more than 15 rows from the top.

I would GUESS that you can probably show up just a few minutes ahead of time and get a seat, but all it takes is a couple of tour groups to show up for the show and you're out of luck.

If you keep the package, you cam almost assuredly have a center section seat and arrive around 6:40. If you are worried about that long with the baby, have your husband and other kids grab a seat, then you bring the baby a little closer to 7.

 

[bookgirl]

Yes you still need to arrive early but they have lots going on and once you're in the rest of the family can sit and you can walk the baby.

The thing I love about the package is mainly that you have a section that is reserved (up until about 30 minutes out of showtime which is why you need to arrive early s after that they allow stand by to fill in) and that if you are doing Brown Derby you actually save money on the meal. I don't know that I'd feel the same way about the other two meal options.

My mom and I showed up at right about the 30 minute mark and walked right in (most of the dining package people and I assume the FP+ as well were already in and the stand by line was still making its' way through the ropes but they were still not allowed to fill in the reserved section) and sat near the top of the seating section, which is where we wanted as my mom does not do stairs well.

 

[Neesy228]

I think the view is pretty decent from most places in the venue. With small kids, it may even be preferable to sit further away -- less noise, spray etc. That being said, I would not do the dining package. Ive never been convinced that it buys you much time or advantage (I know plenty of people will disagree with me.) I've never had trouble finding a seat during a low crowd time, but I have had to stand in the line -- and that line is always a pain!

 

[Luv4Disney]

I depends on when you go. We go during slow seasons, so we haven't done the FDP in years.

 

[LeeLee'sMom]

We never do the dining package and always have had good seats. We go at a relatively slow time but never as low as a level 2. I am thinking you will be fine. I would have your or spouse go with the older children to grab a seat and then the other parent go with the baby like the PP said. It is a great show.

 

[saroncar]

Well I feel like a dunce! I don't know why I didn't even think of sending hubby and the kids to get a seat and just waiting until showtime for myself.
That would work with or without the package! Thanks!