[BDavis932]

I am going to make reservations for Hollywood and Vine for the Fantasmic Dinner show package. I don't think I can call for about 60 more days, though. My parents on the other hand don't want to spend extra on a dinner they wouldn't normally have done, just to be able to see a "free" show. They also don't want to wait 90 minutes to see Fantasmic.

So my question is this. What happens if they just show up 15 minutes before the show? Do people actually get turned away? Is there a section that is just down right terrible? And since the show is 25 minutes long, is standing for the show really not a bad idea, since some people stand for 90 minutes just to get in???

We have been to WDW many times, but have always skipped Fantasmic (Don't ask me why???) We want to make sure we don't miss it this time!!

Thanks for your help on this one!

[melanie18]

We just saw Fantasmic for the first time last May because we cannot stand waiting in line for anything (we've been to WDW over 15 times). We ate dinner at Hollywood & Vine and, even though we didn't "book" the Fantasmic dinner package, our waiter offered us passes to Fantasmic :D ! I thought the food was pretty good, too.

As long as your parents don't mind standing (the benches are unbelievably uncomfortable even after only 25 minutes!), then I would chance the standing room. I don't think any section is worse than another, although the standing area is behind the benches.

We are glad we finally saw the show - it was very good, although too loud for our 2-year old.

Hope you have a great time!

[mickaholic4077]

I don't think the benches are too uncomfortable. You can always stand up and stretch if you want. I always bring a book with me and a deck of cards to pass the time until the show starts. I also don't think there is any truly bad seat in the stadium where Fantasmic is held.

[Brian]

I would agree that the benches are not that uncomfortable. Depending on what time of year you are going I have heard of people that have shown up 20-30 minutes before the show starts and have gotten good seats. We were there in October of 2002 and showed up about 60 minutes before the show started and had no trouble getting seats in the middle section of the stadium. The show itself is definitely worth any wait. Have fun.


Brian

[TINK61]

Also - with Fantasmic, the further back you are, the better the view. It's just so awsomely huge, if you're too close I find you don't see as much. Do see this show. It's too good to miss!:)

[Tish]

Ive never understood the "waiting for 90 minutes" idea. We always see this show at least once per trip. Last week (of course its value season) we went in 10 minutes before showtime and had great seats! Last May went in 15 minutes before showtime and had great seats, in fact we went twice during our May trip, both about 15 minutes ahead of time and had center seats and just left of center seats. Trip before that in August (very crowded time of year) went in as show was about to start and got good seats to the right of center (not the farthest right but close) and we had a good view. In october went in 30 minutes ahead of time and had center seats. Ive never seen this show full. I think you will be fine in May.

[ilvminnie]

When we went in March we got there 15 minutes ahead of time & got good seats although way over to the right. That show DID fill up. In Oct we decided we wanted to sit in the middle so we got there 45 minutes ahead of time. Got great seats just to the right of center & 3 rows back. MISTAKE!!!! It was a slightly cool night & the spray from the water just about froze me to death. I would never sit any closer than about 10 rows back from now on. And I really saw the same stuff just as well from just off center as we did from way to the right. If you go when there are 2 shows, do the later one. It tends to be much less crowded.

[Mstiz]

We were at WDW in late December and waited a good 90 minutes (if not more) for Fantasmic. About 30 minutes before the show started, we started looking around and saw that there were only a handful of seats. I think it all depends on when you go. When we went before in June of 2001, we got there massively early and it was really crowded too...

I will say that the middle section, halfway up is a great place to be. And you can get some decent pictures too...

:)

[WDWNutCase]

I can't imagine going to WDW and not seeing Fantasmic. It's sac-relige:nooo:

[mattomouseman]

Our first time seeing it was during a trip at Thanksgiving and had great seats right up front. And just as Ilvminnie states we got soaked and it was a very cool evening so we were quite chilled! The second time we saw it we did it in conjunction with the dinner package last July and from what I remember the wait wasn't all that long. The seat were all the way over on the right side of the arena and in my opinon were not the best. The best seats seem do be closer to the center of the areena and about halfway up. The arena was however filled and it was nice to know that we had seats. As for booking it I beleive you can only book it once you are i nteh parks now. You acnnot book it prior to your arival. At least that was how it was in July, I do not know if that policy has changed.:)

[BDavis932]

That's how it was when we were there in June, but when I called a couple weeks ago, she said we could book over the phone 30 days ahead of time. Hopefully that will still apply when it comes time to book it. She said they've changed the procedure on this several times.

My parents are just going to take their chances and not do the "dinner package" with us. They will show up 15 minutes before the show. They figure it's better to stand in the back for 25 minutes to watch the show than to wait for 90 minutes to get a seat. :laugh

[mattomouseman]

I think i saw a recent post which stated that they went back to the 7 day policy. Check this site to make sure.:)