Tips to watch 1st Fantasmic! show without dining package?

[imjen]

The Fantasmic! thread seems to be mostly about dining packages. My family of 6 will be watching Fantasmic via regular stand by on a Tuesday in late July. What time do you think we need to be there to stake out a spot and where do you suggest? Do they have a sitting area for stand by? Our kids are 10 and up, a couple of us are short and don't want to be blocked by taller people standing in front of us.

Thanks for any tips!

 

[BadPinkTink]

This was posted in the Fantasmic thread, they did standby for the first show , 9pm.

We went Saturday, 5/28, and caught the 9PM show using Stand-By. Here is how it played out for us:

• Entered DL at 4PM -- walked straight to New Orleans Square / Rivers of America to check the situation.
• The bridge at Pirate's had every inch of rail facing the river staked out with people "camping."
• Plenty of people "camping" elsewhere throughout the area ... especially in places with shade, seating on a planter box, rail to lean on, etc.
• Chatted with a few folks. Each said, "We've been told that we'll all be cleared out at 6PM but we are holding the space just in case. We've been told the entire area will be cleared until 7PM. Again, we are standing here holding our space for just-in-case."
• Chatted with a CM who said the same.
• Content with the notion that the area would be cleared at 6P, we went to Hungry Bear for a non-package dinner. I got the new, seasonal Fried Green Tomato sandwich which was awesome. It is a very filling and tasty dish!
• We killed some time wandering around Galaxy's Edge for a bit ... looking for the new characters, chatting with CMs about the long line at Dok-Ondar's (new SE lightsaber), etc. Exited GE near Big Thunder and worked our way back, through thick crowds, towards New Orleans Square at 5:45'ish.
• Would the area be cleared at 6P? The anticipation, the nervous chatter, the worry was very real.
• Chatted with David of Fresh Baked for a few moments to see what he had learned. He was in the same mode we were: Watching to see if the area would be cleared ... commiserating with those who had "put in the time" to secure their viewing space since early afternoon.
• We stalked the area near the bridge ... noted where the rope stanchions would go and fit ourselves behind a group on the bridge railing. They had been there all day and told us, "When the CMs come to clear us -- we aren't moving. Let's all agree: We are NOT moving." OK, sounds good to us! We became a "unit" with the rail-campers acting as the "back wall" of the group.
• Soon after 6P, the CMs were buzzing about ... whispering to one another and taking busy actions. The stanchions were placed and the ropes put out ... just behind us. The Disney staff didn't even try asking the rail-campers to clear out. YIPPIE!!
• So .. from 6P to 9P we all waited ... holding the space ... defending small gaps that would form when one left to use the restroom, etc. The remaining wait was fantastic in its own way ... the anticipation, the joy of having "won the ground" (not being cleared), and sharing stories.

The show was great -- but the real joy came from the long wait, the shared thrill of securing a favorite view, the talking with everyone around us. My takeaway: I now know why DL's F! is better than WDW's: It is the crowd and the crowd logistics. The fact that you stake out a spot, defend it with the help of "new friends" and stand shoulder-to-shoulder is a big part of the joy! So much better than filing in for stadium seating (WDW) ... right?

 

[Becx N Gav]

Thanks @BadPinkTink - this is a great perspective! My son and I (coming from the UK) and my nephew and sister in law will be visiting August 2023, it's likely to be a 2-3 day trip for them, try to see as much as possible in the allotted time. We will have slightly longer but it will be a Disneyland fest and our only chance to visit for at least 10 years I expect! The boys will be 8 and 7, would you suggest a dining package for us? I don't think either of them would be happy waiting for that long (even if we got there around 6pm). Is it a must see or should we forego this instead of something else? I also don't want my SIL to have huge costs when it's not a 'must do', more so from the boys perspective

 

[BadPinkTink]

Thanks @BadPinkTink - this is a great perspective! My son and I (coming from the UK) and my nephew and sister in law will be visiting August 2023, it's likely to be a 2-3 day trip for them, try to see as much as possible in the allotted time. We will have slightly longer but it will be a Disneyland fest and our only chance to visit for at least 10 years I expect! The boys will be 8 and 7, would you suggest a dining package for us? I don't think either of them would be happy waiting for that long (even if we got there around 6pm). Is it a must see or should we forego this instead of something else? I also don't want my SIL to have huge costs when it's not a 'must do', more so from the boys perspective

As someone from Ireland who has limited park days and trys to maximize park times, yes defiantly a dining package and yes Fantasmic is a must do.

Fantasmic is a water fountain show with animations and live action film projected onto the fountains. It has live action characters, boats on the water, and special effects like pyrotechnics. We have nothing like it here in Europe. The boys will be blown away, and the adults will really enjoy it.

The dining packages give you access to the front viewing areas. While you do have a reserved area to go to, you will still need to be at the viewing area about 2 hours before the show time. The viewing areas get crowded very quickly after opening.

In the viewing areas you sit on the ground and you can bring food, drinks and snacks to have while you wait.

The dining package procedures have changed, so I would advise the Hungry Bear on the Go package for you. This is the cheapest option to give you access to the viewing areas.

There are other dining package options at Blue Bayou and Riverbelle Terrace but they have changed procedures. Research these, as depending on the food options and budget, they may be an option for you.

 

[bwvBound]

Keep in mind that my experience quoted above was for the "1st day, 1st show" of the return of F! Perhaps things will mellow over time? FWIW, we watched the "1st day, 1st show" of MSEP and endured a similar wait -- yet on 5/28 we walked right up to the rope with NO people waiting as the parade neared. So ... yeah ... things will likely mellow.

We have a Hungry Bear F! dining package for early July. I'll try to remember to observe/report the "then current" crowd behaviors.

EDITED: We cancelled our Hungry Bear package for early July. For now, we'd rather watch WoC, I think.

 

[Becca1007]

The Fantasmic! thread seems to be mostly about dining packages. My family of 6 will be watching Fantasmic via regular stand by on a Tuesday in late July. What time do you think we need to be there to stake out a spot and where do you suggest? Do they have a sitting area for stand by? Our kids are 10 and up, a couple of us are short and don't want to be blocked by taller people standing in front of us.

Thanks for any tips!

If at all possible... stay for the LATE showing (if there are two in the evening you plan for). There are always less crowds and people can't camp out for as long since it takes a while for the area to clear out after the first show and the fireworks.

 

[0nyx]

If at all possible... stay for the LATE showing (if there are two in the evening you plan for). There are always less crowds and people can't camp out for as long since it takes a while for the area to clear out after the first show and the fireworks.

is it doable to watch the fireworks on Main Street and make it to the Fantasmic second showing in time? or do you have to choose one or the other?

 

[maleficent55]

is it doable to watch the fireworks on Main Street and make it to the Fantasmic second showing in time? or do you have to choose one or the other?

I believe you can stay. The fireworks are at 9:30, the 2nd MSEP is at 10:45, you’d just have to be willing to stay in one spot for a long time

 

[Lesley Wake]

is it doable to watch the fireworks on Main Street and make it to the Fantasmic second showing in time? or do you have to choose one or the other?

Doable, yes. But it will be chaotic. They have to funnel everyone out of NO Square thru Adventureland and then funnel in the next group of people thru Frontierland. And anyone on Main Street is having to battle against the flow of people leaving the park. CMs do their best to guide people, but guests always get confused or stop in the walkway or try to go the way they want to. I have not attempted to do this so don't know what the viewing situation would be like either once you get into NO Square and you probably don't get much choice, just get shuffled into wherever is free. People had already grabbed the best standby spots for the second show during the fireworks (or once the first show people left).

 

[Becca1007]

is it doable to watch the fireworks on Main Street and make it to the Fantasmic second showing in time? or do you have to choose one or the other?

Also... the fireworks get cancelled a LOT. So it might be a moot issue.

 

[starlite_]

is it doable to watch the fireworks on Main Street and make it to the Fantasmic second showing in time? or do you have to choose one or the other?

It's completely doable. I've done it lots of times.

 

[imjen]

Keep in mind that my experience quoted above was for the "1st day, 1st show" of the return of F! Perhaps things will mellow over time? FWIW, we watched the "1st day, 1st show" of MSEP and endured a similar wait -- yet on 5/28 we walked right up to the rope with NO people waiting as the parade neared. So ... yeah ... things will likely mellow.

We have a Hungry Bear F! dining package for early July. I'll try to remember to observe/report the "then current" crowd behaviors.

Thank you! That would be really helpful!

 

[imjen]

If at all possible... stay for the LATE showing (if there are two in the evening you plan for). There are always less crowds and people can't camp out for as long since it takes a while for the area to clear out after the first show and the fireworks.

Thank you. I'm just not sure how feasible that will be if we are planning to rope drop DCA the next morning. We are only doing one day in each park. We don't want to be too exhausted to get up early. What time is the 2nd show usually done and how long does it typically take to walk to the front gates afterward with the crowds?

 

[0nyx]

Also... the fireworks get cancelled a LOT. So it might be a moot issue.

that's concerning, how often do they get cancelled? I'm gonna be at the Disneyland for 2 days I'd hate to miss it both days

 

[Lesley Wake]

that's concerning, how often do they get cancelled? I'm gonna be at the Disneyland for 2 days I'd hate to miss it both days

It all depends on wind conditions. Because DLR is surrounded by residential areas, the risk of sparks blowing into a neighborhood is much more present than at WDW. Best idea is to plan for FW on first day, if that gets cancelled, then try to see them the 2nd day. And it's the wind up at a certain elevation (they have test balloons), so even if it may not feel that windy on ground level, it wouldn't be safe up high. They can, and will, start fireworks and stop the pyro mid-show while continuing with the music and projections. If they can't do pyro from the start then they will do the Mickey's Mix Magic projection show.

 

[gelatoni fan]

From this week, it seems like the area in front of River Belle Terrace fills up first so I'd avoid that. The bridge or the left side standing spots will be much easier to get. For the first show, the first rows in these areas were mostly full by 7PM, 2nd rows full by 7:30.

For the second show, I went to the bridge one night and the area behind the Hungry Bear dining section the other night immediately when fireworks ended. I was 2nd row both times but actually ended up in the first row behind the Hungry Bear section once everybody stood up.

For reference, I actually watched the show four times from different spots and checked the area for both shows Monday through Thursday.

 

[imjen]

From this week, it seems like the area in front of River Belle Terrace fills up first so I'd avoid that. The bridge or the left side standing spots will be much easier to get. For the first show, the first rows in these areas were mostly full by 7PM, 2nd rows full by 7:30.

For the second show, I went to the bridge one night and the area behind the Hungry Bear dining section the other night immediately when fireworks ended. I was 2nd row both times but actually ended up in the first row behind the Hungry Bear section once everybody stood up.

For reference, I actually watched the show four times from different spots and checked the area for both shows Monday through Thursday.

Thank you!! This is really helpful. Are all of these areas standing sections? Are there any sit down areas for those without a dining package?

 

[gelatoni fan]

Thank you!! This is really helpful. Are all of these areas standing sections? Are there any sit down areas for those without a dining package?

Right in front of River Belle Terrace there is one sitting section for standby. It's in between the dining package section and the standing section for standby. It's one of the first standby sections to fill up though. If you go 2 hours before the first show or immediately after fireworks for second show, you still won't be near the front of this section.

 

[Becx N Gav]

As someone from Ireland who has limited park days and trys to maximize park times, yes defiantly a dining package and yes Fantasmic is a must do.

Fantasmic is a water fountain show with animations and live action film projected onto the fountains. It has live action characters, boats on the water, and special effects like pyrotechnics. We have nothing like it here in Europe. The boys will be blown away, and the adults will really enjoy it.

The dining packages give you access to the front viewing areas. While you do have a reserved area to go to, you will still need to be at the viewing area about 2 hours before the show time. The viewing areas get crowded very quickly after opening.

In the viewing areas you sit on the ground and you can bring food, drinks and snacks to have while you wait.

The dining package procedures have changed, so I would advise the Hungry Bear on the Go package for you. This is the cheapest option to give you access to the viewing areas.

There are other dining package options at Blue Bayou and Riverbelle Terrace but they have changed procedures. Research these, as depending on the food options and budget, they may be an option for you.

Thanks - this is perfect and sounds like something we should do! My SIL and nephew are probably going to do 5 days with us now! But still I think the lack of waiting will be better for the kids - great idea to have picnic while we wait! I'm sure we can find something that will keep them busy for a couple of hours (note to self get a decent data plan for my mobile phone!!)
I looked at the menu's and we'd definitely do Hungry Bear - neither of them would eat from the other menus! Thank you so much!

 

[BadPinkTink]

Thanks - this is perfect and sounds like something we should do! My SIL and nephew are probably going to do 5 days with us now! But still I think the lack of waiting will be better for the kids - great idea to have picnic while we wait! I'm sure we can find something that will keep them busy for a couple of hours (note to self get a decent data plan for my mobile phone!!)
I looked at the menu's and we'd definitely do Hungry Bear - neither of them would eat from the other menus! Thank you so much!

In August, there should be still 2 shows of Fantasmic. The schedule usually goes online 42 days in advance.

For Hungry Bear, if there are two showtimes for Fantasmic they give tickets to the first show to people who book the dining package before 6pm and tickets to the second show to people who book the dining package after 6pm. I have it booked for 3pm and my reservation says 1st show.

For the dining packages and the table service restaurants they book up fast. They open for booking 60 days in advance 6am LA time which is 2pm UK time.