Using Fast Pass for shows?

[atilley01]

This question is geared more toward the shows at Animal Kingdom and especially Hollywood Studios. I understand that getting in line for shows early is a good strategy but I was wondering if there are any shows that using a Fast Pass for will give you any kind of advantage. I'm thinking in terms of better seating or maybe letting you get in faster if you're running close to show time.

Thanks!

 

[Robo]

This question is geared more toward the shows at Animal Kingdom and especially Hollywood Studios. I understand that getting in line for shows early is a good strategy but I was wondering if there are any shows that using a Fast Pass for will give you any kind of advantage.

1. I'm thinking in terms of better seating or

2. maybe letting you get in faster if you're running close to show time.

Thanks!

1. Not enough to matter for most shows
2. Nope.


Finding Nemo the Musical at DAK can be easier seating with a FP.

And, singling out Fantasmic!

What a FP+ for F! offers is more CHOICE in seating.
If you DO get a F! FP+, you can choose to sit in either the FP section (virtually the entire right half of the theater)

or the Standby section (virtually the entire left half of the theater.)

So, whatever section has the better seating at the time you arrive, you can go there.



Without a FP, you can only choose a seat in the Standby section.



There is a very good chance that you can get a FP+ for F! as a 4th or 5th FP of the day because they

issue SO MANY of them (enough to cover nearly the entire right half of the seating.)

On many nights, it is possible that you can gat a FP+ for F! as you are walking to the theater.



As to when to arrive at the theater, I'd get to there 45-60 minutes before the show-time.

Even with a FP or Dining Pkg. reservation, don't wait too late.

On busy nights, the CMs will stop holding the reserved sections within 20-30 minutes before show-time,

and turn over any available seats to waiting walk-in guests.

-------------------------------------------------------------------



Map Below-

Arrows indicate the center of the seating.

Shaded areas:

(First or Only F! performance of the evening)

Cyan= Standby (walk-in) seating

Red= Dining Plan Reserved

Blue= FP+ Reserved

Purple= Can be either FP+ or Dining Plan Reserved, depending on needs.



(Second or Third F! performance of the evening)

Cyan= Standby (walk-in) seating

Red, Purple, Blue= FP+ Reserved

(Although much of the outer Blue will likely be used for Standby.)

 

[amandals2007]

ive only ever used a FP for a show when it was the old system, we were at AK and we wanted to sit right up front for Finding Nemo since we normally just walk in and sit in the back. We grabbed a FP for a show that was 1.5 hours from the time we grabbed the FP which worked out perfect for our lunches. other than that i just walk into shows. we go in Sept so i know that makes a difference. also, we do the F! dinner package since we LOVE eating at mama melrose anyways and it saves us a FP+ for the rides.

 

[atilley01]

Pinning that map. Thanks! I've heard that using a Fast Pass for The Lion King gives you a seating advantage. Does anyone know if there's any truth to that?

 

[richmo]

Pinning that map. Thanks! I've heard that using a Fast Pass for The Lion King gives you a seating advantage. Does anyone know if there's any truth to that?

I don't really think so. I don't think there are any good vs. bad seats at FoTLK. Personally, I don't see any major advantage to up close vs. further back.

 

[Shmily01]

FWIW, We used a FP+ in 2013 for FOTLK (during the testing phase, mind you) and we were one of the firsts in the theaters. We were seated on the benches in the front and my kids were picked to be in the "parade" at the end of the show.

 

[atilley01]

I don't really think so. I don't think there are any good vs. bad seats at FoTLK. Personally, I don't see any major advantage to up close vs. further back.

I guess I'm asking because I'm trying to figure out the best way to use my FPs at AK and HS. I don't think my daughter will do EE or ToT so that may leave us with at least one free FP and a lot of show options, especially at HS. I wasn't sure what show would be best to use a FP for if we weren't going to use it for any of the bigger rides.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

One thing you have to remember about fastpasses for shows is that there is no grace period. If you walk up even seconds past the return time on your FP, they will send you to the standby line.

 

[Robo]

And, it must be said-

FP+ questions are answered (and FP+ Priorities listed) in the highly recommended, super-complete, often discussed, gotta love it, not to be missed, must-read, gargantuan juggernaut, growing by leaps and bounds, constantly updated and refreshed by the DISboard's own mesaboy2...

FP+ thread found HERE.

 

[Fantabulously Cherry]

This is some good info! I had never used a FP for shows before for the reason that I've never had a bad experience getting a seat for shows except one time for Fantasmic! where we had to stand (but we got there late). I was wondering about FP+ing Fantasmic or FotLK.

 

[atilley01]

Very helpful and answers other questions I had

And, it must be said-

FP+ questions are answered (and FP+ Priorities listed) in the highly recommended, super-complete, often discussed, gotta love it, not to be missed, must-read, gargantuan juggernaut, growing by leaps and bounds, constantly updated and refreshed by the DISboard's own mesaboy2...

FP+ thread found HERE.

Very helpful link but I guess I still have the same question. Why are some of the shows higher priority than some of the rides? What advantage does the FP give for those shows.

 

[Robo]

Very helpful and answers other questions I had


Very helpful link but I guess I still have the same question. Why are some of the shows higher priority than some of the rides? What advantage does the FP give for those shows.

The FP+ system is woefully unequal and full of situations that offer little FP advantage in many cases.
FP+ for some rides are of SO little value that nearly anything is a better use of FP+.

There are posts above in this thread that offer some reasons to choose certain show FPs.

 

[mesaboy2]

Very helpful and answers other questions I had


Very helpful link but I guess I still have the same question. Why are some of the shows higher priority than some of the rides? What advantage does the FP give for those shows.

As defined in the link, because they will--on average--save more time. What particular shows and rides are you asking about?

 

[amandals2007]

Pinning that map. Thanks! I've heard that using a Fast Pass for The Lion King gives you a seating advantage. Does anyone know if there's any truth to that?

well they all do really, but personally for the lion king i like sitting up higher so i can see everything going on.

 

[atilley01]

As defined in the link, because they will--on average--save more time. What particular shows and rides are you asking about?

I guess I just didn't know if shows like FOTLK and the Frozen Sing-A-Long set aside better seating for FP holders vs standby seating. That would probably answer my question best.

 

[mesaboy2]

I guess I just didn't know if shows like FOTLK and the Frozen Sing-A-Long set aside better seating for FP holders vs standby seating. That would probably answer my question best.

That's what the "Priority Access" versus "Reserved Area" note is about. In the two cases you mention, neither usually have reserved seating to my knowledge. In fact, I had FP for Frozen SAL once and wound up in the back bleachers. I batted my eyes at a CM and she was sweet to move us up to unused seats in Row 3 front-and-center.

 

[atilley01]

That's what the "Priority Access" versus "Reserved Area" note is about. In the two cases you mention, neither usually have reserved seating to my knowledge. In fact, I had FP for Frozen SAL once and wound up in the back bleachers. I batted my eyes at a CM and she was sweet to move us up to unused seats in Row 3 front-and-center.

Thanks Mesa. I get what you're saying now. Sorry that didn't click sooner. So the Priority Access just gets you through the line and into the venue quicker and the Reserved Area actually has a space roped off for FP holders. In your opinion, are the Reserved areas any better of a view than the stand-by or about the same?

Btw, this is our whole family's first ever trip to Disney and up until a few months ago I was one of those people who thought you just bought tickets and a hotel room and you're good to go. Boy have I learned a lot.

 

[tlmadden73]

We used Fast Pass for Lion King in October. Not sure how busy it was there that day (hard to tell with all the construction walls up . .it seemed "congested" at least)
Because we had Fast Pass I wasn't too worried about the line and we used the restrooms and walked up to the Fast Pass line as they were making the "final call" ..

Our seating was no different than anyone elses (it's a small theater in the round .. so there is no "better" seating in my opinion).

So to me .. the Fast Pass was just to ensure we got in for THAT specific show without having to wait in line for 30 minutes+ before the show like you normally do. With an antsy 2 year old we were able to walk up .. sit down .. and show started minutes later. Perfect.

Later that day we hopped over to DHS for the Frozen Sing-Along .. no Fast Pass .. we got in the very long Standby line for the last show of the day with only 5-10 minutes before the show started. We got in just fine .. (had to sit in the back section, but who cares .. you are there for the music) ..

So personally I don't see the point of wasting a Fast Pass on a show unless you are worried about the line waiting ... we only did for Lion King because there really wasn't many other options for us at AK with a 2 year old (we weren't going on Dinosaur, River Rapids or Whirl because of him).

But hey .. to each their own .. the more people spending Fast Passes on a show .. means more spots available for rides.

 

[mesaboy2]

Thanks Mesa. I get what you're saying now. Sorry that didn't click sooner. So the Priority Access just gets you through the line and into the venue quicker and the Reserved Area actually has a space roped off for FP holders. In your opinion, are the Reserved areas any better of a view than the stand-by or about the same?

Btw, this is our whole family's first ever trip to Disney and up until a few months ago I was one of those people who thought you just bought tickets and a hotel room and you're good to go. Boy have I learned a lot.

Tough to say, depends on the show. I think the reserved areas for MSEP and Wishes for example are pretty nice, but it's not like they can't be replicated nearby along the parade route or in an adjacent area. In these specific cases, you need to arrive earlier without an FP than with one, but there are other areas--still with a pretty decent view--not that much further away that you don't need to arrive much earlier. And then there's Disney Junior Live On Stage at DHS that has at first glance a great position front-and-center--except the stage is raised and guests sit on the floor, making it very difficult to see the action for all but the largest guests (who are hardly the target audience).

The whole "FP for shows" idea is just awkward in my opinion.

We used Fast Pass for Lion King in October. Not sure how busy it was there that day (hard to tell with all the construction walls up . .it seemed "congested" at least)
Because we had Fast Pass I wasn't too worried about the line and we used the restrooms and walked up to the Fast Pass line as they were making the "final call" ..
Our seating was no different than anyone elses (it's a small theater in the round .. so there is no "better" seating in my opinion).
So to me .. the Fast Pass was just to ensure we got in for THAT specific show without having to wait in line for 30 minutes+ before the show like you normally do. With an antsy 2 year old we were able to walk up .. sit down .. and show started minutes later. Perfect.
Later that day we hopped over to DHS for the Frozen Sing-Along .. no Fast Pass .. we got in the very long Standby line for the last show of the day with only 5-10 minutes before the show started. We got in just fine .. (had to sit in the back section, but who cares .. you are there for the music) ..
So personally I don't see the point of wasting a Fast Pass on a show unless you are worried about the line waiting ... we only did for Lion King because there really wasn't many other options for us at AK with a 2 year old (we weren't going on Dinosaur, River Rapids or Whirl because of him).
But hey .. to each their own .. the more people spending Fast Passes on a show .. means more spots available for rides.

I think this is key to the success of FP+. I would also add "the more people spending FPs on rides that don't need them" (I'm looking at you JII) to this sentence.

 

[Lady Marie]

FWIW - I was very disappointed with Beauty and the Beast FP+. I now know from reading around here that was a poor use of a Fastpass! We showed up in our window and everyone was being let in already so there was no priority access and no reserved seating. I don't know if that has change since we did that last year, but I wouldn't use it for that show.