WHeelchair seating at Fantasmic and La Nouba?

[BillSears]

I plan on seeing both of these during my July trip to WDW. Does anyone have any rcommendations about seating preferences or how to get the best seats?

Is it worth getting the dinner Fantasmic package if you are going to the wheelchair seating? Or should I just show up at the show and get normal seating? I'm not even sure if they have package wheelchair seats.

Is there a special procedure I should use to get wheelchair seating at La Nouba? I figured since I would probably never see the show again that I would be willing to pay the top price for the best seats I can get.

 

[April76]

At Fantasmic, there is WC seating at the top of every section of seating. All seating areas are good.. When entering, stay to the right of the pathway and at the end of the path you will be greeted and assigned a CM to take you to your seating (you'll be in the middle of quite a mob of people, so it's nice to have an escort). There is plenty of seating for family too so you can all stay together.

We found that at all shows at the parks the HC seating was easy to access and had a good view.

Sorry, I don't have info on LaNouba.

 

[DramaTech]

Just wanted to add a quick note regarding Fantasmic! There is also wheelchair seating at the bottom (front row) of the amphitheatre. We found that you might get a little bit of mist blown your way, but that it was a much better show from the bottom...I felt like I was part of the action by being that close.

 

[mommie2angels]

How early did you have to get there for the front row sitting? We have always been seated at the top. It's great for us but our daughters would like it much better in front I am sure. Thanks!

 

[DramaTech]

This past February we got there about 25 mins before it started and were seated on the front row. On the other hand, last July we were running late...got there 35 mins early, and we were seated in the very last handicapped seat they had available (which was in the back). So, it depends on when you go. If you are going in the peak times, I would recommend at least an hour early to try for the front row. The CMs will always try to seat you in the back, just politely ask about the front row...they'll be glad to usher you down there. In fact, in February there was a mass of people blocking the isle in the back when the CM was trying to get me down to the front. He asked me what state I was from, and when I told him Texas, he put his "light stick" up in the air and yelled, "We got Texas coming through here people, Texas coming through!" I thought it was pretty funny, and people got out of the way!

 

[SueM in MN]

You might also try asking the "how early" question at the information/status board at the corner of Hollywood Blvd and Sunset Blvd. Ask early in the day and then later in the day to see if things have changed. I've found the CMs at the information areas to be very helpful, especially about crowd levels and busy-ness.
For wheelchair seating, a lot depends on just how many wheelchair parties there are. Last year at Easter time, we had not planned to go to Fantasmic on a particular evening, so we were in that area fairly late. Since it was such a nice evening, we decided to try to go anyway and got seats right in the middle of the center section only 20 minutes before the show started.

 

[nancycels]

Havent been to la nouba but have been to other cirque shows at home, access is tough, or always has been for me, tho i don' t have a wheelchair, just wrecked knees and 4 herniated disks from car accident... highly recommend cirque tho its great! fantasmic we got there 45 minutes early, and were seated in the back(i had a ecv) seating was great, but handicap seating was not really reserved, and cast members were letting anyone sit there, even when other handicapped people were stuck standing along the back. Getting out was awful!!!! Be sure to take a long lighted stick or something so you don't get kicked and tripped over as the rest of the audience goes out! it was awful!!!!!! hope u have better luck!

 

[SueM in MN]

We have been lucky at Fantasmic the 4 or 5 times when we went I guess. The last 2 rows are marked as reserved for parties with disabilities and their guests. The last row has a lot of empty spots for wheelchairs/ecvs to pull in and then space for 1 to 3 people to sit next to the wheelchair. The next row is for the remainder of the party to sit in front of the person with the wheelchair/ecv.
When we have gone, the CMs have been great about not letting people sit there unless they had a disability and we have seen people kicked out. In fact, 2 years ago, my mom (who is not disabled) was sitting there waiting for me to bring DD and her wheelchair back from using the restroom. She was really glad to see us come back because she was asked about sitting there about every 2 minutes (according to her) the whole time we were gone.

We always wait a while until the crowd has left to try to get out of any place like parades, Fantasmic, etc. I figure we probably won't get where we are going any sooner by going out right away and we'll have a much more confortable time with less people.

 

[nancycels]

the group of cast members we ran into could have cared less if we were dismembered while we waited to get out, or if anyone sat there, handicapped or not! our kids ran down front anyway since they wanted to be up as close as possible! it was definitly dangerous the night we were there!

 

[Talking Hands]

My last visit to Fantasmic the only problem I had was people standing behind me blocking the reflective captioning. The CMs just did not pay attention and tell people to move.
As far as getting out, it was no problem. My daughters and some of their friends formed a wedge for me to get through. That was the trip my girls spent most of their time with the castmembers from Shockwave since my daughters knew several through school. (both musicians themselves) The guys treated me wonderfully.

 

[BillSears]

I went to see Dralion( one of the touring Cirque shows) last night in Baltimore. It was in a tent that goes from city to city with them.

If the seating is the same for La Nouba that it was for this I don't think I'll be going. This had the wheelchair seating up close but very very far to the side. It was as far to the side as you could get. Actually one seat over from the furthest side seating. During alot of the show I only saw the back of the performers. Hopefully since La Nouba is in a real building they will have some seating towards the center.

 

[Talking Hands]

The seating is nothing like the seating for Dralion, which frankly sucked. There are 2 sections of handicapped seating, one behind each section of seats. Really not bad at all.
Now what are they singing? This is one thing that is not interpreted.

 

[BillSears]

I've seen on Bravo that they are not singing words at all. I had assumed it was in some language I didn't recognise. But they said that all of the singing is just sounds. So they're using the voice as another muscial instument, just making noises that sound cool.

Thanks for the info in La Nuba. I'm willing to pay for the higher priced seats as long as I can get a good view of the show. It sounds like La Nouba has wheelchair seating in good locations.