Who saw Fantasmic! with FastPass on Fri/Sat & wants to share their thoughts?

[AquaDame]

WOC has always had separate areas for dining, but they did tweak it and Carthay Circle has it's own dining section. Also, when they did the picnic lunches, they simply mixed them in with the Yellow section.

For Fanstasmic! Blue is a FP section and "Blue Bayou Section" is for those who dined at Blue Bayou. This is what is leading to a lot of confusion.

The colored FP (Blue, Gold, Green) are general FP that you get from the FP machines. The Aladdin's Oasis dining packages may get a Blue FP, which is the same as the Blue FP you get from the machines (no one has confirmed this yet).

The Blue Bayou, RBT, and Dessert Packages all have their own reserved viewing areas. The BB is located front and center, the RBT is to the right of the BB (towards Frontierland) and the Dessert Party is to the left of BB (towards NOS). These areas are different than the general FP viewing areas.

I can't remember how WoC originally worked, but currently the dining package viewing areas are different from the general FP viewing areas.

Thank you both! I think I understand now! If we liked the food at Blue Bayou it would be a no brainer... not sure if we should try The River Belle or just wing it.

 

[cmwade77]

Thank you both! I think I understand now! If we liked the food at Blue Bayou it would be a no brainer... not sure if we should try The River Belle or just wing it.

I agree, the Bottom line is if I am paying $64 plus tax and tip per person, it better be the best food I have ever eaten or I am going to send it back. And I have eaten at some great places that are high end, but never anywhere that expensive....ok, one other time and that was the Thanksgiving day buffet at the Disneyland hotel, but that was an excellent buffet and actually well worth the money.

 

[lorijohnhill]

Here's a question that I haven't seen addressed yet... Unless I missed it. If a disabled person (in a wheelchair or scooter) opts to purchase a dining package, is there a seating area for them, or do they go with the general FP's? And what about the rest of the folks in that person's party?

 

[mousecrazy]

Here's a question that I haven't seen addressed yet... Unless I missed it. If a disabled person (in a wheelchair or scooter) opts to purchase a dining package, is there a seating area for them, or do they go with the general FP's? And what about the rest of the folks in that person's party?

Each section has a designated wheelchair/scooter area with room for the rest of the people in your party. I saw wheelchairs/scooters positioned at the back of the front seated section.

 

[tmfranlk]

What they said ^^^

Does anyone know how the disables seating is handled all around?

Also, if I do the first show and then have to get an ECV back to Main Street for fireworks is that going to work or should I reverse the plan? (It will be Christmas Eve for us if that makes a difference.)

 

[figment_jii]

Also, if I do the first show and then have to get an ECV back to Main Street for fireworks is that going to work or should I reverse the plan? (It will be Christmas Eve for us if that makes a difference.)

I would see fireworks first and then F! (regardless of whether you have a FP or plan to get the dining package). The first show of F! is at 8:45 pm and fireworks is at 9:15 pm. F! is approximately 22 minutes long, so it'll finish up around 9:07 pm, which would give you less than 10 minutes to get out of the F! viewing area and onto Main St. By then, all of the best/ideal and probably even decent viewing spots will be taken.

 

[tmfranlk]

Thanks, figment. That's our usual plan, but this is my first ECV experience at DL so I'm still not sure what adjustments to our "usual" I'll need to make between that and Christmas crowds.

 

[AmberStar]

I took off with the stroller after Fantasmic since one of my kiddos was asleep already. The rest of my party stayed in the Fantasmic viewing area to watch the fireworks.

CMs told us we could watch fireworks from there and the view was great. After fireworks they cleared everyone out to prepare for the 2nd show.

Post fantasmic we were able to make it all the way from our viewing spot to the Christmas tree on main street while fireworks were going on. They really do a great job keeping people off the sidewalks so traffic can flow through. I was VERY impressed. This was so helpful since we were able to get out of the park quickly and painlessly with 2 very tired kiddos.

 

[PatMcDuck]

Can someone give more info on WC access?

It is me and DS in a WC. How do we see Fantasic, assuming no dinner/dessert packages. Get a FP in the morning, and join the line/mob to get in? Will we be able to get to the front of our "color" section, so he can see? Is there a section inside each section for WC parties? Its just the 2 of us, which should help, but I am a bit confused, esp because of all the stairs in the area of Fantasmic, and I expect lots of congestion (trip Jan 1-5)

 

[figment_jii]

Can someone give more info on WC access?

It is me and DS in a WC. How do we see Fantasic, assuming no dinner/dessert packages. Get a FP in the morning, and join the line/mob to get in? Will we be able to get to the front of our "color" section, so he can see? Is there a section inside each section for WC parties? Its just the 2 of us, which should help, but I am a bit confused, esp because of all the stairs in the area of Fantasmic, and I expect lots of congestion (trip Jan 1-5)

Mind that things are changing on a daily basis, but on Saturday, there were designated wheelchair/ECV viewing areas in each FP area. I don't know about lining up, but you will need a FP and then you'll be directed to the appropriate viewing area.

There are lots of stair areas in the F! viewing areas, but the map I saw had all of the handicap accessible viewing areas along the walkway that is next to the river. So you shouldn't need to worry about stairs or anything like that to access the appropriate viewing area. When you go get your F! FP, ask the information CMs in the area where the viewing area is located. They had a map (not available to take with you) that indicated where the handicap viewing was located (it was labelled 'GWP' when I saw it).

 

[CassieF]

As of Monday they allowed a few WC at the back of seating areas (we were in gold) but they really wanted to move her further along, but since the rest of us were against the railing they let her stay at the back of our section. They did have the old WC section still roped off for WC but that's to the right of and in front of the standby section so I'm not sure who exactly that is designated for. Also, the smoking dock was roped off for WCs, but again, even for blue which is on that side, it's super, super far over.

 

[mousecrazy]

Can someone give more info on WC access?

It is me and DS in a WC. How do we see Fantasic, assuming no dinner/dessert packages. Get a FP in the morning, and join the line/mob to get in? Will we be able to get to the front of our "color" section, so he can see? Is there a section inside each section for WC parties? Its just the 2 of us, which should help, but I am a bit confused, esp because of all the stairs in the area of Fantasmic, and I expect lots of congestion (trip Jan 1-5)

I would suggest you get a Fastpass first thing so you're in the Gold group. Then plan to arrive around 8:15 - after the throngs of people have been admitted to their viewing area. You should successfully avoid the craziness and you'll then be escorted to the wheelchair area where there is also seating available for your party. You will, most likely, be positioned at the back of the seated area and your son will be able to see, even though you won't be in the front row.

From what I observed, wheelchair and scooters were treated very well, as they should be. Enjoy!

 

[DahliaRW]

3) Blue Bayou and RBT Dining Package: I asked about which show time do you get and the information CMs at the F! FP distribution locations generally said that you request the show time when you check-in to your meal. That also seems odd, but it's first-come-first-serve in terms of show time tickets. (My guess is that they're actually using something closer to the WoC system where the reservation time dictates which show time you get, but you can request a different time if there is availability.)



5) Viewing Area Entrance: There is currently only one entrance to the F! viewing areas and it's located by the petrified rock in Frontierland. Guest are then directed to their various viewing locations. Folks with FPs are told to look for the gold or blue lights which indicate where the viewing area is located. I found it a little chaotic because there weren't many CMs with colored lights and most just said keep moving. I was in the Gold area and ended up behind the light tower. I have to admit that I couldn't figure out at first where we were supposed to go.

Personally, I think they need to do a better job of marking where the different sections are located and have the entrance to each section be unique (like they do for WoC). Everyone enters in Frontierland, walks through the dining package viewing areas and then branch into the Blue or Gold areas. The CMs want you to keep moving and fill in all available area in front of you, but folks tend to want to stop where ever gives them the best view. At least with WoC, once you get into the section (from the back), you can go where ever you want within that section. They don't try to fill-in the area from the front to the back. Hopefully they'll do a better job of marking the different sections.

I did ask about leaving the area and returning; basically you have to find a CM in your area and ask for a FP so you can exit the area and then get back in.

Our server at BB on Sunday asked us if the first show was ok. We had 5 kids with us, so she assumed we wanted first, but we could have requested second had we wanted it. We dined at 4:30.

The dining sections (at least BB) were told to enter by Pirates when I was there Sunday night. I went to the Frontierland entrance and they sent me over there. They were only letting gold in the Frontierland entrance and sending the blue fps over by the Haunted Mansion. So the entrances are ever evolving it seems. On Friday they had everyone enter in Frontierland side and it was a mess. They didn't even check the blue fp tickets from what I can tell and sat some people in the BB section and they later had to move. Gold was only offered the standing section Friday night, not sure on subsequent nights.

 

[figment_jii]

So, at this point, as we all kind of figured, the F! FP process and viewing areas are continually evolving.

So, these are the changes (I think) that folks have reported since my original informational post back on how things went on Saturday.

1) Locations: The BB, RBT, and Dessert Party viewing areas have not substantially changed in location.
-The bridge in front of Pirates is now a "Green" FP section (it was previously part of Gold).
Question: What color order to the FPs now come out? Previously it was Gold then Blue, but where is Green distributed?

-It sounds like the Blue and Gold viewing areas may have changed size.
Where is the Blue FP section? It sounds like the Blue FP area is still on the NOS side of the river, potentially from just past the Light Tower to Harbour Gallery. Can anyone confirm?
Where is the Gold FP section? It sounds like the area over by Frontierland may have been reduced or eliminated (depending on where the Red standby is now located). Can anyone confirm?

2) Aladdin Oasis Dining Packages: No one has really reported about these yet, so we're still waiting for more information.

3) Blue Bayou and RBT Dining Packages: Most guests seem to indicate that they are given FP for the first show as a default, but you can request tickets for the second show (subject to availability, I'm guessing).

4) Standby Viewing: It sounds like there is now only one red Standby section. It over on the Frontierland side of the viewing area. It starts at the Mark Twain Dock and extends towards RBT.
Question: Does it go to the edge of the RBT Viewing Area or is there still a Gold FP section to the right of the RBT Viewing Area?
Question: What happened to the Red Standby area over towards HM? Has it become part of the Blue FP area or is no longer part of any reserved F! viewing area?

5) Viewing Area Entrance(s): It now sounds like there are three entrances into the viewing areas for F!.
-Gold: Frontierland by the petrified tree
-Blue: Haunted Mansion
-Dining Packages (RBT and BB): Pirates
It also sounds like they've been testing out staggered arrival times for the various viewing areas so that few groups enter at the same time.

6) FP Distribution: It doesn't sound like this has changed; the distribution location is still on Big Thunder Trail.

7) Wheelchair/ECV Viewing: All sections have wheelchair/ECV viewing areas. For the FP sections, it sounds like there are dedicated wheelchair/ECV areas. For the dining packages, it sounds like wheelchair/ECVs view from behind the ground sitting guests in each section.

 

[wdwfan22]

Thanks Figment for trying to keep this info organized.

I have a 6:00 Blue Bayou Fantasmic reservation. I had wanted the first show, but don't know if we will have time to make it. What time are people starting to line up for the first show?

I'm just not sure what to do? If our meal runs long, I don't want to be in the back of the section. I'm paying good money and want to line up early and get right by the rail. Or what if they don't give BB FPs for the 2nd show. I don't think I've read anyone that has confirmed this? or have they?

 

[figment_jii]

Or what if they don't give BB FPs for the 2nd show. I don't think I've read anyone that has confirmed this? or have they?

No one has has outright said they've had a Dining Package FP for the second show, but a couple of folks have mentioned that they could have gotten one if they wanted. My instinctive answer is that at this point, they do have Dining Package FP for the second show, but the default is to offer you a ticket for the first show.

 

[DahliaRW]

Thanks Figment for trying to keep this info organized.

I have a 6:00 Blue Bayou Fantasmic reservation. I had wanted the first show, but don't know if we will have time to make it. What time are people starting to line up for the first show?

I'm just not sure what to do? If our meal runs long, I don't want to be in the back of the section. I'm paying good money and want to line up early and get right by the rail. Or what if they don't give BB FPs for the 2nd show. I don't think I've read anyone that has confirmed this? or have they?

Your return time for the first show will be 8:15. 2 hours and 15 minutes should be enough time for dinner. And as long as you arrive by 8:45 you're fine. The BB section is all sitting, you get a pretty good view anywhere in it.

If you ask they will give you the 2nd show. We were asked if first was ok and told we could get 2nd if we preferred.

 

[thewelts]

We dined at BB for the Fantasmic package on Monday, 12/15. We were a party of 6 (4 adults and 2 children). Our boys are 10. We requested children's menus and both children's menus and prices were offered without a problem.

We were seated quickly and the pace of dinner also moved quickly. We left the restaurant at about 7:10.

The meal was fine, but unremarkable. I had the salad, filet and creme brulee. One person in our group thought her meal was fantastic. She had the salmon.

We quickly rode both pirates and splash mountain after dinner. We arrived in the designated spot at around 8:15 and the reserved area was quickly filling. We were seating one row behind the rail. The (non)seats were amazing and I actually think I enjoyed the show even more than I did from the dessert package reserved seating area.

As other have mentioned, the crowds and staffing in the New Orleans Square are absolute chaos beginning at about 7 PM. It is dark, crowded and CMs were aggressively trying to control traffic and unable to offer much help or assistance.

The best advice I can offer is to plan well, ask for clear instructions during dinner about where to queue, be early, patient and hope to get lucky.

 

[CassieF]

When you are putting down $65+ on a dining package it's my opinion you shouldn't have to "hope to get lucky"... Neither hope not luck should have any place in this system!

 

[Blue32]

When you are putting down $65+ on a dining package it's my opinion you should have to "hope to get lucky"... Neither hope not luck should have any place in this system!

If all the spots in the BB dining section are in fact seated spots, I don't think you need luck. These are all good spots. Before F! Fastpass was a thing, we sat to the very back of the seated section in the very center and I thought they were the very best seats. I could see everything perfectly and because of the angle of the pavement, my kids could see great too. I don't think you need to be near the rail.