What should our plan be for Fantasmic?

[DSNY4ever]

We do not have the dining package that includes a fast pass and there is only one show at 9 pm. Should we try to get a Fast Pass + if it is an option? Of just get there super early?

I know most websites don't recommend them strongly for the night time shows, but last time we were there FP+ was in testing mode and they had so many sections blocked off for FP+ and Dining packages that by the time we got there (an hour early) we were seated so far in the back in some tiny bleachers back behind the main walkway that you use to cross the theater that we could barely even see the show. We have a group of 8 this time, so I don't want that to happen again.

 

[disBEAST]

You may book a 4th FP+ for F! after you have used your first 3 for the day. Since there is only one show that night I would recommend booking the FP+ if you don't want to show up 45 mins before show time. That would allow you to show up not quite so early and guarantee entrance to the theater, without having to sit up in the bleachers.

 

[Robo]

You may book a 4th FP+ for F! after you have used your first 3 for the day. Since there is only one show that night I would recommend booking the FP+ if you don't want to show up 45 mins before show time. That would allow you to show up not quite so early and guarantee entrance to the theater, without having to sit up in the bleachers.

Even WITH a FP+ I would show up at least 45 min. before show-time.
A FP+ does NOT guarantee a seat in the F! theater.


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

Yes, 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 left 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.
Why?
Because on busy nights, the CMs can 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 Package 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.)

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

 

[Robo]

We do not have the dining package that includes a fast pass and there is only one show at 9 pm.

Just a note for clarity.
The Fantasmic! Dining Pkg. meal does not come with a FastPass for the show.
It comes with a voucher that allows seating in a special Dining Pkg. section of the theater.

 

[disBEAST]

I'd assume that people would still arrive in the middle of their F! FP+ window, which would guarantee that you get in. But then again many people cannot hit a 1 hour window for attraction FP+ so maybe not.

 

[Robo]

I'd assume that people would still arrive in the middle of their F! FP+ window, which would guarantee that you get in. But then again many people cannot hit a 1 hour window for attraction FP+ so maybe not.

The unique problem with Fantasmic! is that if it is overly busy, ARRIVING at the entrance (FP+ or otherwise) at a given time, might put you at the end of a long line that would not even reach the theater by show-time.

 

[DSNY4ever]

Wow, okay- so much I didn't realize. Thank you for all the info everyone, and thank you so much for the maps Robo (I think we were in "5" last time and could barely see anything, haha, we had seen it before so not a huge deal, but not much of an experience for our son).

Thanks again!!

 

[Robo]

Wow, okay- so much I didn't realize. Thank you for all the info everyone, and thank you so much for the maps Robo (I think we were in "5" last time and could barely see anything...

Well, not either "5" on the map (those are concession stands.)
But, you could have been in either of the "4" (overflow) locations.