Question about Fantasmic

[mshanson3121]

We plan on seeing the 9:00 show, no FP+. How does it work? You line up, then they let you into the theatre to sit in your seats while you wait? How early before the show will you be let in to sit? Can a few members of your party go in early and "save" seats for you? Say, three of our six went and lined up at 8:00, while we took the kids on one more ride, then we went in and joined them at 8:30, does that work? What is the latest you would want to be there to get a good seat?

 

[hiroMYhero]

Seating begins an hour before the first show. Without FPs, once the Standby/walk in area is full, no one else is allowed to enter. Everyone without FPs then has to wait to fill in spots in the FP section but only after the FP return window has closed.

You can try for FPs...we got FPs at 7:30p for the 8:30 Fantasmic. That way your complete family can enter the FP area before the window closes and join the ones who are already seated.

 

[mshanson3121]

I'm assuming it would be better to FP+ the Fantasmic, rather than Indiana Jones?

 

[hiroMYhero]

I'm assuming it would be better to FP+ the Fantasmic, rather than Indiana Jones?

Yes. Or,just pull Fantasmic FPs as your 4th FPs of the day.

 

[mshanson3121]

Also, once we're in and have our seats (assuming we do't have FP+) are we allowed to leave to get a snack and then come back?

 

[Robo]

I'm assuming it would be better to FP+ the Fantasmic, rather than Indiana Jones?

Yes.


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.
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. On busy nights, the CMs will 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 Plan 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.)

 

[mshanson3121]

^^Thanks. We're doing a late afternoon arrival, so our 3rd FP is 7:30-8:30 for TSMM. End of June, do we actually have a shot of getting a FP if we're done that one by 8?

 

[Robo]

^^Thanks. We're doing a late afternoon arrival, so our 3rd FP is 7:30-8:30 for TSMM. End of June, do we actually have a shot of getting a FP if we're done that one by 8?

Yup.
They issue thousands of 'em.

 

[sweetpea29488]

Robo
Our fp for Fantasmic is 8:25-8:45. We should arrive at 8:25?

 

[Robo]

Robo
Our fp for Fantasmic is 8:25-8:45. We should arrive at 8:25?

I always recommend arriving 45-60 minutes before show time.
You will not be limited to arriving at 8:25.
If you want a better choice of seats, arrive between 8:00-8:15 for a 9:00 show.

You will simply walk into the theater, choose your seats and sit and wait for the show.
There is a "pre-show" (such as it is) that starts about 8:30 that can help pass the time.

 

[sweetpea29488]

I always recommend arriving 45-60 minutes before show time.
You will not be limited to arriving at 8:25.
If you want a better choice of seats, arrive between 8:00-8:15 for a 9:00 show.

You will simply walk into the theater, choose your seats and sit and wait for the show.
There is a "pre-show" (such as it is) that starts about 8:30 that can help pass the time.

Thanks for the info. One more question, do we still use our fp for better seating if we show up at 8:00? Will they let us do that?

 

[Piwacket's Mom]

Yes.


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.
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. On busy nights, the CMs will 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 Plan 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.)

thank you so much for this map!

 

[Robo]

Thanks for the info.

1. One more question,

2. do we still use our fp for better seating if we show up at 8:00?

3. Will they let us do that?

1. It's TWO more questions, actually.

2. It won't HURT. Because, as I said above, with a FP, you can sit in the FP reserved section -OR- in the Standby section (whichever section has the open seats that you prefer.)
WITHOUT a FP, you can ONLY sit in the Standby section.

3. Yes.

 

[CAS239]

Also, once we're in and have our seats (assuming we do't have FP+) are we allowed to leave to get a snack and then come back?

They have two consession stands within the arena. Popcorn, nachos, soda, beer, pretzels, etc

 

[Robo]

Also, once we're in and have our seats (assuming we do't have FP+) are we allowed to leave to get a snack and then come back?

Yes...
AND, of course, to visit the restroom.

(The Fantasmic! in-theater restrooms are some of the largest and nicest at WDW.)

 

[sweetpea29488]

1. It's TWO more questions, actually.

2. It won't HURT. Because, as I said above, with a FP, you can sit in the FP reserved section -OR- in the Standby section (whichever section has the open seats that you prefer.)
WITHOUT a FP, you can ONLY sit in the Standby section.

3. Yes.

You're right, you got on that one.

 

[ah1126]

What is the seating like? It's been about 15 years since I saw the show last and all I can really remember is waiting forever to get in, then waiting forever for the show to start.

 

[Robo]

What is the seating like?

Aluminum benches.
No backs.

 

[Robo]

...all I can really remember is waiting forever to get in, then waiting forever for the show to start.

On most nights, guests don't have to wait in much of a line before getting into the theater for the first show.
And again, for the first show, it helps to arrive at least 45 min. before show time.

 

[puddleduck]

Will they allow anyone to use the seat cushions with backs like people take to high school football games?