Studios after Fantasmic

[jodyb]

Friday, December 13 we are attending Fantasmic at 8 PM (with Dessert Party - kind of excited to try that... but I digress). The park closes at 9 PM. So that leaves us about 30 minutes of park time after Fantasmic ends. Is it possible to go on rides at the end of the evening? I've only ever gone to Fantasmic for the second show, and it ended after park was already closed, so we had to leave the park right away, but this time there is only one Fantasmic showing, and as I said, it should end around 8:30 and the park closes at 9. Suggestions for what to do with our last half hour welcome!

 

[WEDWDW]

If you really want to "stretch" you park time,get in line for one of the Headliners at 8:59:59.

 

[jodyb]

If you really want to "stretch" you park time,get in line for one of the Headliners at 8:59:59.

Thank you! I was wondering if this was possible! I think we'll try to sit near the top of the theater for a quick getaway from Fantasmic and head over to Slinky Dog, which is supposed to be awesome at night.

 

[Robo]

...and head over to Slinky Dog, which is supposed to be awesome at night.

It is!

 

[WEDWDW]

Thank you! I was wondering if this was possible! I think we'll try to sit near the top of the theater for a quick getaway from Fantasmic and head over to Slinky Dog, which is supposed to be awesome at night.

You are welcome.

The lighting package for SDD is SPECTACULAR-enjoy!

 

[gharter]

Another vote for TSL.
TSMM usually is a very short wait in the evening.
Then do SDD. It is even better at night with all the evening lights. Its a fun ride and even better at night.

 

[Lizgistix]

We had a FP for Fantasmic at 8, and had the same game plan after it was over, but between getting into the theater and the show, it wasn't over until 9:30-9:45. The FP and special seating line was also crazy long.
We pretty much only had time to do shopping on our way out. Kind of bummed about that.

The FP and special event seats were in the center section, so we had a great view of the whole show.

 

[RememberWhoYouAre]

Thank you! I was wondering if this was possible! I think we'll try to sit near the top of the theater for a quick getaway from Fantasmic and head over to Slinky Dog, which is supposed to be awesome at night.

This is exactly what we would do. We actually like sitting near the top anyway because we like the view better than the closer-up seats. You'll have plenty of time to walk over to slinky dog and get in line. We think slinky is better at night than in daytime too!
There will probably be people gathering in front of the Chinese Theater area for Jingle Bell Jingle Bell as you walk past here on your way to TSL, so as you approach the whole center area, follow the little walkway close to the buildings of the old Starring Rolls and Hollywood Brown Derby to avoid the crowd.

 

[JacksDaddy]

Friday, December 13 we are attending Fantasmic at 8 PM (with Dessert Party - kind of excited to try that... but I digress). The park closes at 9 PM. So that leaves us about 30 minutes of park time after Fantasmic ends. Is it possible to go on rides at the end of the evening? I've only ever gone to Fantasmic for the second show, and it ended after park was already closed, so we had to leave the park right away, but this time there is only one Fantasmic showing, and as I said, it should end around 8:30 and the park closes at 9. Suggestions for what to do with our last half hour welcome!

Jodyb - I'm curious why you chose the dessert party as opposed to the dining package? I'm trying to decide which to choose for our upcoming trip and what the pros and cons are... I'm seeing the dessert party is $39 and dining package ranges from $43 at Mama Melrose to $63 at Brown Derby. For my family tastes it seems Mama Melrose is the best choice and happens to be only a few dollars more for a full meal vs just dessert. Am I missing anything? Thanks

 

[Robo]

We had a FP for Fantasmic at 8, and had the same game plan after it was over,
1. but between getting into the theater and the show, it wasn't over until 9:30-9:45.
2. The FP and special seating line was also crazy long.
We pretty much only had time to do shopping on our way out. Kind of bummed about that.

The FP and special event seats were in the center section, so we had a great view of the whole show.

1. I don't understand. What "wasn't over until 9:30-9:45?"
2. This is why, even with a FP, guests should arrive about 45 min. before show time.
Not only will the lines be much less busy, but there will be much better choices in seating.

 

[mrd7896]

I think as long as you sit closer to the top of the theater and have an easy exit path i don't see why you won't get the chance to ride one or two more attractions before the night ends.

I for one however never got lucky enough to leave the theater in a timely manner to be able to take advantage of the remaining park time.
the dessert party allows you to sit in a more central section but we didn't sit quite high enough and were in the middle of a row.

the ending is just my favorite part or else i may now try to make a dash to the top of the theater a few minutes before the end and watch it standing-if you are even allowed to do that.

 

[wilbret]

Here's my advice, LOL.... watch fireworks and fantasmic on Youtube, ride the rides while others are watching them in person.

 

[jodyb]

Jodyb - I'm curious why you chose the dessert party as opposed to the dining package? I'm trying to decide which to choose for our upcoming trip and what the pros and cons are... I'm seeing the dessert party is $39 and dining package ranges from $43 at Mama Melrose to $63 at Brown Derby. For my family tastes it seems Mama Melrose is the best choice and happens to be only a few dollars more for a full meal vs just dessert. Am I missing anything? Thanks

Sorry, I'm just seeing this post now - not sure why! Anyway, we chose the dessert package because it's something we've never done, and it seems to me we can arrive a little later and not have to line up - whereas with the dining package you still do have to line up (correct me if I'm wrong..) But other than that, no particular reason. It's just something new for us and I don't really love either of the restaurants you mentioned.

 

[jodyb]

Here's my advice, LOL.... watch fireworks and fantasmic on Youtube, ride the rides while others are watching them in person.

Well, that's interesting. One could experience everything at WDW on YouTube - even the rides! Why go then? I get your point - that the rides have shorter lines during the shows... but I LOVE experiencing Fantasmic in person, as well as the fireworks. Do I really have to tell you it's not the same on screen?

 

[jodyb]

I think as long as you sit closer to the top of the theater and have an easy exit path i don't see why you won't get the chance to ride one or two more attractions before the night ends.

I for one however never got lucky enough to leave the theater in a timely manner to be able to take advantage of the remaining park time.
the dessert party allows you to sit in a more central section but we didn't sit quite high enough and were in the middle of a row.

the ending is just my favorite part or else i may now try to make a dash to the top of the theater a few minutes before the end and watch it standing-if you are even allowed to do that.

Well, there is half an hour between the end of Fantasmic and park closing, and we always sit on an isle high up (and this time we'll be in the Micky Section - yay!) so I'm hoping we'll be able to dash out and still have some night-time park time. I agree!! The ending is the best part! And sometimes i see people leaving and missing it... so sad!

 

[jodyb]

We had a FP for Fantasmic at 8, and had the same game plan after it was over, but between getting into the theater and the show, it wasn't over until 9:30-9:45. The FP and special seating line was also crazy long.
We pretty much only had time to do shopping on our way out. Kind of bummed about that.

The FP and special event seats were in the center section, so we had a great view of the whole show.
[/QUOTE]

I am not sure I understand this. When Fantasmic starts at 8 PM, it is over by 8:30. So I'm not sure what you mean by "it wasn't over until 9:30-9:45." And yes, I understand that FP and even Dining Package lines are long, which is why I am doing the dessert thing instead and hoping it will really be just "go right in and eat". The dessert party also sits in the MIckey Section, I think.

 

[YawningDodo]

Last minute before the park closes is a great time to get in line for just about any ride--as long as you're in line before they close the entrance down, you get to ride. They often inflate the wait times at closing, too, so lines should be shorter than you'd think.

That being said, I'd just temper my expectations going into this. Have a plan to head for a specific ride, but don't set your heart on it too hard. If you're delayed getting out of the theater, if you can't fight through the foot traffic, etc. you might not make it. So I'd try to look at that one last ride as a bonus rather than a guarantee.

 

[Lizgistix]

I'm not sure what you mean by "it wasn't over until 9:30-9:45."

Is it possible that maybe, just maybe, our show had a late start because it rained an hour before show time?

 

[Ross Kratter]

We had a FP for Fantasmic at 8, and had the same game plan after it was over, but between getting into the theater and the show, it wasn't over until 9:30-9:45. The FP and special seating line was also crazy long.
We pretty much only had time to do shopping on our way out. Kind of bummed about that.

The FP and special event seats were in the center section, so we had a great view of the whole show.

The Fastpass times are not indicative of the start time of the show. The times are just assigned to stagger people's entry into the Fastpass seating section.
I've stated in many other threads that I don't see Fastpass giving you any advantage at Fantasmic - all it does is place you in the assigned Fastpass seating section. You can get seating with a similar view without Fastpass, simply by arriving 30-45 minutes early.