Fantasmic! front row, or back?

[civileng68]

I've always sat at the back area during Fantasmic to avoid getting wet.


Has anyone sat up front? If so, what are the advantages and disadvantages as compared to sitting towards the back?

 

[surfsupdon]

I always do standing room only, that way we can leave ASAP and avoid a nightmare.

The front is just a waste of time for me, but I'm sure it offers optimal views with very little wetness.

 

[FanofDinsey1981]

Originally posted by surfsupdon
I always do standing room only, that way we can leave ASAP and avoid a nightmare.

The front is just a waste of time for me, but I'm sure it offers optimal views with very little wetness.

I COMPLETELY agree. sit top row, you can see the same exact show as everyone else, and then you can be the first person out of there when it is over.

and, you don't have to wait in line for 2 hours to get in. you can waltz in right before the show starts.

 

[civileng68]

sitting room

Originally posted by surfsupdon
I always do standing room only, that way we can leave ASAP and avoid a nightmare.

The front is just a waste of time for me, but I'm sure it offers optimal views with very little wetness.

I really don't like the standing room at all. The last time we went we were in standing room and I hated it because first off, the show is a half hour long and my legs were so tired. I couldnt truly enjoy it without being truly comfortable. I almost wondered why I was there to begin with if I had to stand. Im not so worried about the crowds leaving. They do a good job at getting everyone out. They even open up a back entry way to get you out if it's really crowded.

I also dont like standing room because everyone's back there talking on cell phones for some reason and then the tallest people stand up front. Geez it's just annoying!

 

[civileng68]

Originally posted by FanofDinsey1981
I COMPLETELY agree. sit top row, you can see the same exact show as everyone else, and then you can be the first person out of there when it is over.

and, you don't have to wait in line for 2 hours to get in. you can waltz in right before the show starts.

I really dont care about the line and normally sit up high but was wanting a different perspective. I try not to worry about rushing myself when Im at Disney, i tend to do that too much in regular life, so I try to avoid it at Disney.

 

[FanofDinsey1981]

Originally posted by civileng68
I really dont care about the line and normally sit up high but was wanting a different perspective. I try not to worry about rushing myself when Im at Disney, i tend to do that too much in regular life, so I try to avoid it at Disney.

usually, I would agree, I am never one to run to a ride to beat the crowd or anything like that. However, there is something about how the crowd is handled at fantasmic that gets to me. It is not disney's falt, but perhaps the mentality of those in the crowd. after standing in line for an hour, people get pushy and mean. I saw a CM tear up once because someone said something cruel to her. she kept her composure, but still. and when leaving, people are tired, kids are crying.....I don't find it worth it to stand in line to get in the front seats, then have to wait 30 minutes to getout of there.

 

[civileng68]

yeah

Originally posted by FanofDinsey1981
usually, I would agree, I am never one to run to a ride to beat the crowd or anything like that. However, there is something about how the crowd is handled at fantasmic that gets to me. It is not disney's falt, but perhaps the mentality of those in the crowd. after standing in line for an hour, people get pushy and mean. I saw a CM tear up once because someone said something cruel to her. she kept her composure, but still. and when leaving, people are tired, kids are crying.....I don't find it worth it to stand in line to get in the front seats, then have to wait 30 minutes to getout of there.

Oh, that's cool . i completely understand and respect that opinion. Like I said, 100% of the times we've been there, we've sat up top or stood, so just this once I was maybe wanting to see it from the front. I was just wondering if any of you out there had done it and had any comments on it.

 

[SpongeScott]

We usually get there 90 minutes ahead of time (late September) and end up sitting middle section, middle OF section. We get a tiny bit of mist on us, but nothing annoying.

As for the crowd leaving, if you'll just wait in your seat for a few minutes and give the crowd a chance to clear before you make your move, you'll go right on out--in a crowd still--to your car and be on your way.

 

[NashvilleMouse]

Originally posted by SpongeScott
We usually get there 90 minutes ahead of time (late September) and end up sitting middle section, middle OF section. We get a tiny bit of mist on us, but nothing annoying.

As for the crowd leaving, if you'll just wait in your seat for a few minutes and give the crowd a chance to clear before you make your move, you'll go right on out--in a crowd still--to your car and be on your way.

Yeah, same with us. I just hate sitting in line for that long when I could be doing something else. (Like waiting in line for Tower of Terror) Same with all the parades. I wonder how much time a person spends on a WDW vacation sitting on the curb waiting for a parade/fireworks or standing in line for a show? I am not complaining, I do it every time and most shows at Disney are worth the wait.

 

[SpongeScott]

Originally posted by NashvilleMouse
Yeah, same with us. I just hate sitting in line for that long when I could be doing something else. (Like waiting in line for Tower of Terror) Same with all the parades. I wonder how much time a person spends on a WDW vacation sitting on the curb waiting for a parade/fireworks or standing in line for a show? I am not complaining, I do it every time and most shows at Disney are worth the wait.

It is 90 minutes and we could be doing other things, but at that time of the year, we're able to do everything we want to do and more, so the down time is good rest time. We play games together as a family and make the most of it. For those that come in later than we do, how are the views from an angled perspective?

 

[NashvilleMouse]

Originally posted by SpongeScott
It is 90 minutes and we could be doing other things, but at that time of the year, we're able to do everything we want to do and more, so the down time is good rest time. We play games together as a family and make the most of it. For those that come in later than we do, how are the views from an angled perspective?

Good point. It is always fun to people-watch while in line too.

I have had an angle view before and it is ok. I would prefer the middle view. That's why I usually stand in line.

 

[FanofDinsey1981]

Re: yeah

Originally posted by civileng68
Oh, that's cool . i completely understand and respect that opinion. Like I said, 100% of the times we've been there, we've sat up top or stood, so just this once I was maybe wanting to see it from the front. I was just wondering if any of you out there had done it and had any comments on it.

you might want to do the dinner and a show thing. I think mama melorse does it, where you get 'priority' seating for the show.

and we did the show from the front row the first timewe saw it, and it was pretty cool. it was an extremely hot day, so the mist was nice. if you are short, or the kiddies are still little, the front might work out well.

 

[Gucci65]

I am a front row, middle section Fantasmic viewer. My daughter thinks this is the best seat in the house. I don't mind because the closer we are the better I see. You definatley get misted and if the wind is really blowing - you get VERY misted :lol: . The time of year we go, we really don't experience heavy crowds and I enjoy getting off my feet for an hour or so. I have waited in line (15 mins) and then sat for 90 waiting for the show. I have sat in the back, in the left middle, in the right middle and standing room only. I prefer front and center myself.

The last two trips my daughter (and my Dad) took off to ride RNR using FP) while I rested my aching feet.

Mama Melrose seating puts you off to the side - I didn't care for this section - to far from the center.

 

[Spectroman2003]

We just usually try to sit on the end of a row, and leave at the finale, before the lights come back on.

 

[Tramp]

Re: Re: yeah

Originally posted by FanofDinsey1981
you might want to do the dinner and a show thing. I think mama melorse does it, where you get 'priority' seating for the show.

.

We did the Hollywood and Vine dinner last summer. We got our vouchers and were told to arrive near the gas station at 8:30 for the 9 o'clock show. They let us in and we hiked up to the theater only to be seated in the far right section of the theater. There was NO reserved seating near the middle for us. A few more minutes and we would've been forced into the SRO section. It didn't matter much to me but some people in my group were VERY upset...and let the poor CMs know it.

That was the first time we ever did the dinner show and it will be our last. We could've gotten those seats simply by arriving just before the show started. The part that annoyed me the most was the threat of $10 penalty per person if we didn't show for the dinner....and then we got those relatively crappy seats to boot. We were going to complain at guest services but, frankly, I was too damn tired to bother and it didn't seem as important the next day.

 

[FanofDinsey1981]

hm, sounds likethe dinner and a show thing is not a good idea. has there been a lot of bad thoughts on this?

and once you are seated, can you move? or is that where they ask you to stay put?

 

[iluvstitch]

Originally posted by surfsupdon
I always do standing room only, that way we can leave ASAP and avoid a nightmare.

The front is just a waste of time for me, but I'm sure it offers optimal views with very little wetness.

I agree 100%- on my last trip my bf and I went on all the rides with no wait while everyone was waiting in line for Fantasmic. Then we scooted in 15 mintues before it started and stood in the front of the standing room only. At the end, when the steamboat was finishing, we walked out and beat the crowd (this was in July btw.) There's no way I would ever wait for an hour and a half on those bleachers.

I think the show looks better from the back (I have sat in the front before) because you can see the whole thing. Kinda like going to a baseball game and sitting down front vs. sitting higher and seeing the whole game, just a different point of view. -Stephanie

 

[Dr Albert Falls]

The front row (even if it is off to one of the sides) is the BEST way to experience Fantasmic.

Yes, you'll definitely get covered in mist. We're NOT talking Splash Mountain wet. If you're wearing eyeglasses, you'll probably have to take them off. But you clothes will not be uncomfortable to wear afterwards (and heck, its the end of the day, anyways!) If its cold out, you'll definitely want a jacket. But that's my only suggestion.

As for the benefits--- everything in front is bigger-than-life. The mist screens tower above you. The boats appear much larger. You can appreciate the shimmering costumes, and see the facial expressions of the characters. You can feel the heat of the fire. I'm one who loves the smell of outboard motor fumes. Plus you've got no obstructions or distractions (like the people who skip out 2 minutes before the show ends).

Yes, you'll wait a bit longer to exit the theater (you can cut your time by sliding down the row to the center BEFORE climbing the stairs.) Even then, Disney does a phenomenal job getting everyone out of the theater and into their cars and on to the surrounding roads efficiently. I'd say it takes 30 minutes from the time the show ends until you're passing through the toll plaza exit.

 

[cherrynegra]

My vote is for back We sat in the fifth row from the rear in the middle. Yes, we were in line two hours before the show started. And it was in Dec and it was freezing that week. Memo to all: If it's cold outside and you're going to Fantasmic, be sure to bring blankets to sit on. Otherwise that cold will seep right into your, as we say in the South Pacific, muli. And it also makes it good because you're close to the exits to make a run for it.

 

[NashvilleMouse]

If you have never seen Fantasmic, wait in line and get a good seat in the middle, front row (like these folks are suggesting). Don't let your experience be altered because you want to 'beat the crowds' or worry about waiting. Since I have already seen it 4 or 5 times I will probably either stand or take whatever seat is available.

Even though the one in Disney Land is probably better, the one at WDW is very popular and seems to get full quite fast in the peak times.