Times to book Fastpasses for shows

[Lindaapple]

Our family is more into shows than rides at Disney, and with a 5 and 8 year old we would like to use fastpasses to reduce wait times when possible, and to get better seats. I am wondering how to best book fastpass times for shows. For example, if a show starts at 11 and you have to be in line 15-30mins early, what time would be best to book? It's our first time booking fastpasses and I am not clear on 'return time'. Thanks so much!

 

[mesaboy2]

FP return windows for shows are fixed relative to the start time of the show, and usually within the preceding half-hour. There is no “best time” to book.

 

[thegales]

Adding onto mesaboy2's comment. Say you want the noon show of The Lion King. You will get a FastPass+ with a return time of 11:30-11:45. On that day, you would go to the Lion King FP queue line between 11:30 and 11:45. They will open the doors to the theatre about 11:50 ish, and all the FP people will go in. At maybe 11:55, they open the standby line to come in. As long as you get to the FP point by the end time (11:45 in this example), you should be fine to get a good seat for the show. As an FYI, you can also scan into the FP queue prior to the actual window (11:20 in this example), but there is not a huge benefit to doing so. You still won't be let into the theatre until they open it for all FP folks.

 

[Robo]

Our family is more into shows than rides at Disney, and with a 5 and 8 year old we would like to use fastpasses to reduce wait times when possible, and to get better seats. I am wondering how to best book fastpass times for shows. For example, if a show starts at 11 and you have to be in line 15-30mins early, what time would be best to book? It's our first time booking fastpasses and I am not clear on 'return time'. Thanks so much!

FPs for shows do not necessarily (if any at all) reduce wait times.
Sometimes, to be used effectively, guests need to show up early even with a FP.

If shows are your "thing."
Arriving earlier will beat just having a FP virtually every time.

Two notable exceptions are that using a FP for Fantasmic! (DHS) and
Finding Nemo the Musical (DAK)
-PLUS- arriving well before show-time can yield much more choice in preferred seating.

 

[LaidBackDad]

No offense to anyone who favors the shows; but, the FP system really is designed for rides and not shows. At least the way most of the show are set up the FP offers no advantage at all and sometimes can be a disadvantage. A lot of the lines for the shows will open into a pre-show area where FP and non-FP people all crowd into the pre-show area. The FP people are let in first to the pre-show area and may line up closest to the doors to enter the theater; but, when the doors to the theater open, everyone is let in at the same time. What usually happens is the FP people closest to the doors end up getting pushed all the way to the far side of the theater. FP people who try sitting in center seats will often get scolded by cast members who tell them to move to the end of the row to make more room for guest still entering the theater. The only real advantage to FP a show is that it basically guarantees you will see the show at the time you scheduled even if you show up for the show at the end of the FP window. Sometimes a show will fill up and stand-by people will have to wait until the next show; but, that rarely happens except for the most popular shows or during extra busy times of the year.

 

[Robo]

What usually happens is the FP people closest to the doors end up getting pushed all the way to the far side of the theater.

Only if they don't know a danged thing about how to enter a 3D theater.

 

[Lindaapple]

No offense to anyone who favors the shows; but, the FP system really is designed for rides and not shows. At least the way most of the show are set up the FP offers no advantage at all and sometimes can be a disadvantage. A lot of the lines for the shows will open into a pre-show area where FP and non-FP people all crowd into the pre-show area. The FP people are let in first to the pre-show area and may line up closest to the doors to enter the theater; but, when the doors to the theater open, everyone is let in at the same time. What usually happens is the FP people closest to the doors end up getting pushed all the way to the far side of the theater. FP people who try sitting in center seats will often get scolded by cast members who tell them to move to the end of the row to make more room for guest still entering the theater. The only real advantage to FP a show is that it basically guarantees you will see the show at the time you scheduled even if you show up for the show at the end of the FP window. Sometimes a show will fill up and stand-by people will have to wait until the next show; but, that rarely happens except for the most popular shows or during extra busy times of the year.

Thanks for the advice. Do you happen to know which shows this happens at? Thanks!

 

[LaidBackDad]

Thanks for the advice. Do you happen to know which shows this happens at? Thanks!

The Frozen Sing Along at DHS is the worst set up for FP and was the trap scenario I was referring to. As the other posted mentioned, it also happens in the 3D theaters like Muppets at DHS and Philharmagic at MK. I would use FP's for things like Fantasmic at DHS and RoL at AK, those will often sell out. I've heard that Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast at DHS or Lion King at AK will fill up and stand-by will have to wait for a later show, but as I said before, I think that it's fairly rare. A FP might get you into the "bubble section" at Finding Nemo the musical at AK so, that might be worth it for your kids.

Whatever you do, don't use a FP with your kids on Disney Jr. at DHS. I would imagine that might be a possibility for the ages of your kids. It's not a bad show and most of the kids will love it; but, just don't waste a FP on it. First you won't need a FP as I haven't heard of the theater ever filling up. Second, there are no seats in the theater and everyone (including adults) sit on the floor. The FP gives you no advantage in that theater and if I remember correctly, that theater also lets everyone in together as well. I could be mistaken about that as it has been a few years since I saw that show, I just remember thinking the FP was a total waste.