Tell me about Fantasmic

[lisareneeo]

We have been to WDW many times and have seen Fantasmic a few times (but not on any recent trips) Was thinking this is something we should see when in DL. We are going the first week in August.

My questions...
Where is it held? Does it have its own theater?
How early prior to the show should you get seats?
Is it similar to WDW's show or different?
Are there any "packages" to do to get better seats?
Really....any info you think is important is great.

Thanks in advance for your help
Lisa

 

[Disneylvrforever]

The show is held around the Rivers of America, so the island is the stage.
Seating can get really crazy, especially during the summer time. Since the 1st show is @ 9:00, I've seen ppl start waiting @ 5:00!!! But waiting for the 2nd & occasional 3rd show is easier for seating.
WDW's version is very different. The Mark Twain & Columbia boats are used & it's cool bc guests can actually ride them during the day besides being able to visit the island (stage) too. IMHO, I actually think DL's version is better.
There is a dessert package for $75 I believe??? It's not directly right in the center of the stage, but it's still good.

 

[lisareneeo]

I did start reading some other info on another thread. The cost of the dessert package seems really high.... I am not sure about that.

We might just hold off and try to catch the 2nd show. My children are older (ages 12 &14) and can handle the late night.

I don't need the best seat in the house, I just want to be able to see. In DW it does not seem like there is a bad seat in the stadium. Are there any benches or just sitting on the ground?

 

[HydroGuy]

We have been to WDW many times and have seen Fantasmic a few times (but not on any recent trips) Was thinking this is something we should see when in DL. We are going the first week in August.

My questions...
Where is it held? Does it have its own theater?

No theater. It is actually performed on the Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island inside DL. They have built up the walkways to provide terraces for viewing. It is like watching fireworks or a parade.

How early prior to the show should you get seats?

It depends. On nights when there are two shows they occur at 9PM and 10:30PM. For the first show, if you want a spot down front near the water, you need to arrive 2+ hours early. The late show is better. You need to arrive only 40-60 minutes early.

Is it similar to WDW's show or different?

More similar than different, but certainly not the same. Note that most people who have seen both prefer the DL version even with the lack of a theater seating. It is just more magical being there inside DL and they also make use of the Mark Twain and SS Columbia.

Are there any "packages" to do to get better seats?

There are dessert packages that are limited and in high demand that will get you reserved seat.

See Fantasmic Information - The Show and the Dessert Buffet

 

[Disneylvrforever]

I don't need the best seat in the house, I just want to be able to see. In DW it does not seem like there is a bad seat in the stadium. Are there any benches or just sitting on the ground?

There is seating on the floor, but you have to get there early for those seats. The majority of the viewing area is standing only. But there are some edges that can be sat on, but depending on who the CM is, they might kick you off or let you sit.

 

[Eeee-va]

Disneyland's show has a dragon that almost everyone thinks is better than WDW's, and it's amazing seeing an island you could have (or did) walk on during the day, and boats you could ride, all used in the show. DL's show is somewhat less reliant on video projections as well, and the setting is small and can feel really intimate. I very highly recommend it.

I found a great tip here to get excellent seats (on the ground) for the second show of Fantasmic!. It worked in crowded June (wasn't strictly necessary in December but it still helped). Both times we got front row, near center.

*Hang out in the area (perhaps near the Haunted Mansion) a few minutes before the end of the 9 PM showing of Fantasmic!

*As the fireworks start, creep up closer to the center viewing area (you can likely slip in where some people who weren't staying for the fireworks have slipped out)

*When the fireworks end, quickly go forward and claim your spot.

You'll be waiting on the ground for a little under an hour. If that's too much for you, other folks here have other tips that will result in less of a wait, I'm sure.

Have a great trip!

 

[HarborBlvd]

I much prefer Fantasmic! at DL over WDW's version. I was somewhat disappointed when I saw the show at WDW. At Disneyland, it's a must-do for us everytime. We like to have a late lunch to stave off dinner hunger until later, then we get soup in a bread bowl at the French market and stake out a spot to watch Fantasmic. Eating dinner while waiting makes it seem like less of a long wait. We usually sit on the ground right in front of the rails surrounding the Rivers of America.

 

[got2gp]

Fantasmic in DL is far better than at WDW! Even if you have seen it in WDW several times DL's version is well worth going out of your way to see.

New Orleans Square gets crazy crowded though, so be prepared for massive crowds. I agree with previous posters that the 2nd show is normally less crowded. Week days are usually better as well. While on slower days, if you don't mind standing (and seeing lots of heads) it is possible to show up just a few minutes before show time and still get a halfway decent view, August is a different story. If you want to minimize waiting around the trick of showing up just before the 1st show ends is your best bet.

If you can, scope it out beforehand so you have a better idea of where you want to try to see the show from as there are some light poles as well as some massive towers that rise out of the ground shortly before the show. Being behind one of those can really interfer your view.

 

[got2gp]

I much prefer Fantasmic! at DL over WDW's version. I was somewhat disappointed when I saw the show at WDW. At Disneyland, it's a must-do for us everytime. We like to have a late lunch to stave off dinner hunger until later, then we get soup in a bread bowl at the French market and stake out a spot to watch Fantasmic. Eating dinner while waiting makes it seem like less of a long wait. We usually sit on the ground right in front of the rails surrounding the Rivers of America.

Me to! I kept comparing the two shows, and DL won hands down. ( I do like the seating at WDW though) I laughed out loud when the tiny river boat came out at the end. There is nothing in WDW's version to compare with the moment when the Columbia makes her entrance.

 

[disneyfan4ever54]

Unless the price of the dessert seating has gone up recently, I believe it still might be $59 for adults and $49 for children.

 

[disneyfan4ever54]

Disneyland's show has a dragon that almost everyone thinks is better than WDW's, and it's amazing seeing an island you could have (or did) walk on during the day, and boats you could ride, all used in the show. DL's show is somewhat less reliant on video projections as well, and the setting is small and can feel really intimate. I very highly recommend it.

I found a great tip here to get excellent seats (on the ground) for the second show of Fantasmic!. It worked in crowded June (wasn't strictly necessary in December but it still helped). Both times we got front row, near center.

*Hang out in the area (perhaps near the Haunted Mansion) a few minutes before the end of the 9 PM showing of Fantasmic!

*As the fireworks start, creep up closer to the center viewing area (you can likely slip in where some people who weren't staying for the fireworks have slipped out)

*When the fireworks end, quickly go forward and claim your spot.

You'll be waiting on the ground for a little under an hour. If that's too much for you, other folks here have other tips that will result in less of a wait, I'm sure.

Have a great trip!

We tried this too after reading about it on this board and it works out great! We've done this the last 3 trips and we were able to get seats right by the railing every time. It's usually just myself and my teenager, so staying up for the later show isn't a problem for us.

 

[Boo Bear]

The dessert seating is sooo worth it IMO. I've done it twice just since July and the items in the tray are all incredibly delicious and unlimited beverages. Just remember to take a sweatshirt even if it's August. SoCal is much different than Lake Buena Vista in August

 

[ironlou]

There are differences within the show itself. DL has peter pan and WDW has Pocahontas....DL recently added a new bigger dragon which alone makes it worth the wait, although he had stage fright last year when we were there so I have yet to see him.

DL's version is awesome just because of the magic of it all. You are able to visit and play on the island during the day. I now last year I really madea point to explore the place and figure out where everything came from. It is magic. When Fantasmic starts its unreal on how everything happens on that island you just visited.

 

[Raindown]

How worth it, is waiting for a seat at the rail? I usually just show up like 30 mins before the second show and stand. It ends up being not that far back, especially on the HM/Splash Mt. side, plus I can see the whole river.

Also how close is the desert package viewing? I'm very interested in doing that next time.

 

[blackjackdelta]

How worth it, is waiting for a seat at the rail? I usually just show up like 30 mins before the second show and stand. It ends up being not that far back, especially on the HM/Splash Mt. side, plus I can see the whole river.

Also how close is the desert package viewing? I'm very interested in doing that next time.

Probably 30 ft from the front rail, you sit on an elevated spot with rows of chairs. Great view if you get a seat early and really not that bad if you do not.

Jack