Getting a seat for Fantasmic!

[nngrendel]

We plan on seeing Fantasmic! and I have checked the calendar for the week we will be there. They have only 2 showings the week we are there. Seems Thursday will be the best day for us to catch this show. We planned on going to Typhoon Lagoon this day and that afternoon head the DHS and catch the 9pm show.

What time do you think would be best to get there and in line to be assured a seat? I know sometimes the wait can be 2 hours so I was thinking around 7pm.

I was considering the Dinner Package but feel we will be too rushed to take advantage of this since we will not be visiting the park that day. Also I think all ADR's have been taken for this in the evening and only thing available was for lunch the last time I checked.

Any help on a time to leave Typhoon Lagoon to Pop to change would be helpful too. Not sure how long it takes to get back to Pop from there. I dont want to miss this show and disappoint the kids.

 

[mickeysshoes]

I think you can now get ADR at lunch time for the show...if that helps any. If you were able to work this you would still have to get in the regular line with everyone else...not sure if it is even worth it any more.

 

[Bigeagle]

I'd plan to arrive at DHS no later than 2 hours before the show starts. By the time you enter the gates, walk to the amphitheatre and find a seat, you''ll be in good company with others waiting for the show. Enjoy!

Some suggestions:

Consider a F! Dinner Package meal (late afternoon) within DHS to gain access to the "special" seating area. It'll help insure you get a seat. You'll need even more time if you plan on using a Dinner Package.

Your OP indicated your schedule accommodated seeing F! on Thursday and that there was only one other performance during your visit. If seeing F! is really high on your list of "must-do" activities, try to arrange your schedule to see the first F! show during your stay. That way, if weather, or crowds, or whatever keeps you from seeing that performance, you'll still have another chance with the second show later in the week (Thursday) to re-arrange your schedule to include F!

I just love it when a plan comes together--even if it's a contingency plan!

Have a great trip!

 

[Rob562]

Your OP indicated your schedule accommodated seeing F! on Thursday and that there was only one other performance during your visit. If seeing F! is really high on your list of "must-do" activities, try to arrange your schedule to see the first F! show during your stay. That way, if weather, or crowds, or whatever keeps you from seeing that performance, you'll still have another chance with the second show later in the week (Thursday) to re-arrange your schedule to include F!

Also, the OP didn't indicate *when* their trip is scheduled. It's often been the case lately that as they get closer to the date, they'll add a second showing of Fantasmic on the days it's already scheduled, sometimes adding it as close as two or three weeks beforehand. So if it's a high priority, keep an eye on the Studios schedule.

-Rob

 

[DizneyPryncess]

They say to be seated 45 minutes before showtime, but a few weeks ago that proved to be too late for us. They held the part of the line we were in outside of the theater until minutes before the show, and then let us in for standing room only. My husband and I ended up finding 2 seats on the end that we squeezed into when we were walking to the standing room only. It was just crazy. And there were 2 showings that day.

I would say get in line as early as possible without sacrificing too much of your day. If we had gone in probably 20-30 minutes earlier it would have helped.

 

[nolatron]

it's insane how difficulty it is to see this show. It's probably a good 6-7 years since I've seen it because of how early you need to get to the gates to have a chance of seeing it.

Then when they dropped to only 2 showings a week, I stand a better chance of winning the lottery than seeing it! heh.

Seriously, they need to bump the show back up to more times a week to disperse the weekly crowds.

 

[nngrendel]

We plan on attending the show on June 3rd. Just checked the calender and they still only show one single show on that day.
This is the day we planned on going to Typhoon Lagoon and wanted to be there when it opened. I am pretty confident that 5 hours there should be enough and we should be able to get back to Pop and back to DHS by 7pm.
Typhoon Lagoon opens for EMH at 8am. Pretty sure by lunch time we should be water logged and head back to the hotel. This is the only thing besides Fantasmic! we had planned for this day. Its toward the end of our vacation.

Being there 2 hours prior seems possible. I may actually try to adjust our schedule to allow us to possibly catch this show on the 1st. Just in case one gets rained out.

 

[elisatonks]

Having worked fantasmic on a number of occasions recently, you need to be thinking about getting in line 70 - 90 min before the first showing of fantasmic. I wouldn't be suprised if they add a second show at 10.30pm. If they do add the second show, don't bother going to the first showing, just head to the second showing 30 min before, (unless the line is past the hat,then you will need to think about joining the line.)

 

[nngrendel]

Having worked fantasmic on a number of occasions recently, you need to be thinking about getting in line 70 - 90 min before the first showing of fantasmic. I wouldn't be suprised if they add a second show at 10.30pm. If they do add the second show, don't bother going to the first showing, just head to the second showing 30 min before, (unless the line is past the hat,then you will need to think about joining the line.)

Think I am going to plan on getting there 2 hours prior. This will be a return visit to DHS so we should hopefully have seen what we want to see while there earlier in the week. Will also keep checking the calendar. If they have put up a second show I will more than likely attend that one so its less crowded.

Thanks for all the tips and suggestions.

 

[Disneykidder]

Fantasmic is pretty good from any seat...especially center. But even if you get a back seat you will have no problem seeing it.

We hate waiting and doing nothing....especially with kids it stinks. Then I end up spending a fortune to keep them happy...lol. It is a great show, though.

 

[nngrendel]

Fantasmic is pretty good from any seat...especially center. But even if you get a back seat you will have no problem seeing it.

We hate waiting and doing nothing....especially with kids it stinks. Then I end up spending a fortune to keep them happy...lol. It is a great show, though.

I have seen the show twice. I am going for the third time. I am actually wanting to kids to see it again. My daughter which hasn't seen it in a long time is really looking forward to it as she doesn't remember it.

Most of my kids except for one is older. Was even debating on letting them hit a few rides if time permits while we hold their spots in line. Guess it just depends cause the last thing I want to do it make others in line mad because Im holding spots.

 

[ob1thx1138]

I was curious about holding sports for people in line as well. Is it possible for one person in the family to hold seats for the other 3 members? Or do we all need to be standing in line that long. Also do they line people up outside the stadium and then the everyone in at once, or is it open for you to go get in your seat 2 hours ahead of time?

 

[erstwo]

Be sure to consider the weather as well. When we were there the first week of June last year, it POURED DOWN at about 5 pm. DHS was a ghost town by the time Fantasmic started (it had cleared up completely by then.)

This is what the ampitheater looked like 15 minutes before the show started:

Still plenty of seats left. Of course, I maintain that all of this happened because we shelled out the big bucks to eat at Hollywood & Vine and have reserved seats. :lol:

 

[nngrendel]

They did actually have a second show the night we went. The second show started at 10:30. Everything worked out great. I had to just check the schedule once I got there and sure enough they added a second show. Matter of fact your picture below shows about how many attended the second show. Crowds were much lower and manageable for the second showing.

Be sure to consider the weather as well. When we were there the first week of June last year, it POURED DOWN at about 5 pm. DHS was a ghost town by the time Fantasmic started (it had cleared up completely by then.)

This is what the ampitheater looked like 15 minutes before the show started:

Still plenty of seats left. Of course, I maintain that all of this happened because we shelled out the big bucks to eat at Hollywood & Vine and have reserved seats. :lol:

 

[JohnLocke]

We did the dinner package and everything worked pretty well, though I don't really remember the logistics of anything.

 

[Zummi Gummi]

I would NEVER see the early showing of Fantasmic. It looks like absolutely hellacious. I always plan to see the show on a night when there are two shows, and always attend the late show. I join the queue about 20-30 minutes before the show, and get right in. Never had a problem (knock on wood!).

 

[SAV]

Meh...just skip it and don't waste your time. It's not really that great, IMO.

 

[saltmom1]

Is Fantasmic open all year ? I will be in WDW Nov 12-19 this year Will they be showing Fantasmic ? Or is is just in the summer. TIA

 

[lilclerk]

Is Fantasmic open all year ? I will be in WDW Nov 12-19 this year Will they be showing Fantasmic ? Or is is just in the summer. TIA

It is shown all year, but only 2-3 nights a week. You'll want to check the park calendars to find out what days it'll be playing during your trip.

 

[saltmom1]

It is shown all year, but only 2-3 nights a week. You'll want to check the park calendars to find out what days it'll be playing during your trip.

Thanks !