Originally Posted By aracuanbird We're going to Disneyland in December and really want to see Fantasmic. With the Gallery shuttered, is premium seating still offered in front of the Haunted Mansion? If so, does anyone know how I can make reservations?
Originally Posted By ssturgeo FANTASMIC RESERVATIONS: Began May 13, 1992 Call (714) 781-4400 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., seven days a week, up to 30 days in advance for seats in the Fantasmic Premium Viewing area. Or, if you are going to staying at one of the resort hotels, call Disney Vacation Planning Services and they will book it for you. Tickets are charged to your credit card the day the reservations are made. Riverfront Fantasmic Seating and a dessert box that includes; chocolate dipped strawberries, macaroons, Mickey rice krispy treats with a chocolate face, jam filled cookies with chocolate dipped bottom, biscotti and various drinks $56.00 per person…children $46.00 Check in around 7:00 for 9:00 performance. You are put on a list as guest #1,2, etc., and then at 8:00 your number is called and you go in to pick your seats. Worth being there at 7:00 and staying for front row seats…or earlier…watch for the ropes to go up. Seating is between the Huanted Mansion and the water in white chairs. AND....some Fantasmic trivia Fantasmic features a cast of 50 performers, most of whom have multiple roles; in addition there are 50 crew members. The fire-breathing dragon is 45 ft. tall…his nickname is Bucky Kaa the snake is 100 feet long, the corocile is 25 feet long and 17 feet tall, and the dragon is 45 feet tall. The three water screens are 30 feet tall and 50 feet wide.
Originally Posted By minniefan I have never done this before, so I have a question. When I made my reservations, they told me to check in at 7pm, but to return 1/2 hour prior to the show for seating. If you are given a 'seat' at 7pm, do I really need to stay there for a good seat?
Originally Posted By ssturgeo I have not been since they started the dessert box option....but, even without the buffet, I am sure they need time to get drinks, pass out boxes, get people settled before the show begins.
Originally Posted By SuzieQ You don't need to stand around. When you check in, your seats are blocked off on their seating chart. This is different than how it was a couple of years ago. 1/2 hour before showtime is just fine to receive your desserts and drinks.
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 In August, we returned for our seats about 5 mins past the suggested 1/2 time. We knew our seats were saved and hitting a snag buying some pirate toys for our grandson didn't worry us. In entering, the hostess seemed to have been worried about us Got our boxes, drinks and still sat for quite awhile waiting for the show. So like SuzieQ said, 1/2 hour is plenty of time and don't freak out if the crowds prevent you from getting there on the dot. (covering myself here......I'm in no way suggesting getting there so late that you bother the other guests Also, the closer to 7 you get there, the more seats available on the chart to choose from. If it matters to you, you may want to stalk around a bit before 7 and choose your seats asap. Only one of you needs to be there at that time. Have fun!
Originally Posted By minniefan This is great information! Is there a 'bad' seat? My friend and I are taking our 7 yo daughters, so if we could get 'front row' it would be perfect! Is there a front row or are all the seats good? I know it sounds like I'm splitting hairs here, but I have a slight OCD (okay, not really slight) when it comes to planning my DL trips.
Originally Posted By aracuanbird I have a 2 year old...will they charge him to get in or can the wee man use my lap?
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 Welcome to the "slight OCD" trip planning club With a 7 year old I'd say that front row will be the best. Is there a bad seat? I'd say there are some less desirable seats, those being seated behind a larger/taller person. Just as in a movie theater that doesn't have stadium seating. If front row is very important to you and since you are in the OCD planning club I'd suggest stalking the podium (not the CM around 6:30. Maybe send the girls off with your friend to do something else and sort of hang around the area. There are 25 seats in one section and 50 seats in the other section. I can't remember how many are front row but there are several. If the front row seats are taken, the CM's are great about suggesting alternate seats. I've been to Riverside more times than I care to admit and I've often seen people scoot over or even switch seats so a child can see. I know we always do. Well, maybe not a whining "I can't see, I can't see" child aracuanbird, I don't know the answer about a 2 year old. I'm sure someone else knows
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 ^^thank you for the trivia in post #2 I'm going to get a kick out of watching "Bucky" now instead of the scary Fire Breathing Dragon
Originally Posted By SuzieQ All 10 of us in my group were front row and I think there were another 2 sections of seats besides ours. So, there are lots of front row seats.
Originally Posted By SoThisIsLove SuzieQ, was the price worth it? Would you do it again, or is it a once in a lifetime experience?
Originally Posted By MKKPlus2 aracuanbird ~ There shouldn't be a charge for your 2 year old but he will have to sit on your lap the whole time as there won't be a seat for him or a box of desserts for him either (but there really are a lot of desserts in the box to share anyway). I am sure they will give him something to drink though. When they had the balconey they'd allow me to have my daughter sit on my lap without charge and would bring us water for her. This year she made 3 and so we got riverside but got to pay $10 less for her seat. We sat next to a family who had a lap child who was obviously a couple years older than my 3 year old. The CMs never questioned the free lap child although they did have to explain why she wouldn't be getting her own dessert box.
Originally Posted By p-n-p06 Does anyone know if Fantasmic! will run the first Thursday or Friday night in January 08? When do you make your reservation for the Riverside seating? I didn't know about this at all--glad you were all talking about it here. Thanks!
Originally Posted By p-n-p06 Oooh, thanks so much, berol! DH has never seen Fantasmic! so maybe we'll get to see it on this trip!
Originally Posted By beamerdog Is this the same show as in WDW? If I've seen the one there, would I want to see this one other than for just to see how they're different?
Originally Posted By SuzieQ IMO, it's much better than WDW's version. Yes, I would do the Riverside seating again. I've done it several times, in fact. With the price, there is no way I would reserve seating every trip. I am fortunate to go to DL multiple times each year. I'd say I average every other year for Riverside seating.
