Originally Posted By amazedncal2 Yes, if you see the first Fantasmic showing you can stay for the Fireworks, both the balcony and riverfront alo, we've done both the balcony and riverview a couple of times each. Other than the desserts I'd have to say I prefer the riverview overall. 4Disnee gave you some good advice about checking in early. Riverview seats according to when you check in. They will give you a time to come back. Be sure you have your whole party with you when you come back. You will be called in order and then chose your seats. We chose front row both times, my second choice (and this is just me) would be to take the last row and scoot the chairs around for better viewing. Not that it isn't still a good view, just that the riverview tends to have more wiggle room with the seats. If others are seated ahead of you, you will still have a great view. Oh, this was last year and could have changed but the soda's are canned drinks. I always ask for coffee and water and DH asks for diet coke and water, we then have a "free" water bottle to take with us
Originally Posted By alo Amazedncal2Your advice about the seating is very helpful. I love the idea of being able to stay seated for the fireworks. Very cool.Thanks everyone!
Originally Posted By deadmentellnotales I was told by a CM that the balcony seats are all you can eat for the desert, which I'm guessing is why they call it buffet but I'm not sure since I haven't checked it out myself, thinking of doing it christmas time (just for the hot cocoa ) last year was perfect so have to make it a tradition now
Originally Posted By debtee Yes we found on the balcony you can return to the dessert bar and refill. That is as long as you are not in the front row as you are jammed in and can't get out of your seat but the nice CM returned to us and served us as the front row simply could not move! In a way the back row had much more freedon to return to the buffet. We also got to stay in our seats to watch the firewroks and it was wonderful.
Originally Posted By Donalds Gal Yesterday morning VP got our Fantasmic Balcony tickets for the 10:30 p.m. show on July 26 (our first choice!!). This is my first time doing Fantasmic Dessert and I am very excited, especially after reading some of these posts. Anyone have any tips/suggestions about arriving early (as instructed) for the 10:30 p.m. balcony seating? Thanks so much!
Originally Posted By jodiefra We did riverside seating last September also. It's definitely a splurge, but avoiding the MASSIVE (and non-moving) crowds after a long day made it worth while. We also had an excellent cast member attend to us and were able to just relax. And as an aside, two of us did a last minute plunge on Splash Mtn. while our seats were being saved -- no lines whatsoever because everyone was lining up for Fantasmic! Plus the sugar high will be worth it ºoº
Originally Posted By dzy76 Does the riverside seating desserts come all you can eat or just a couple of each item?
Originally Posted By stagemomx3 Riverside is all you can eat buffet. It is not a huge selection, but definetly yummy.
Originally Posted By dzy76 I would like to try the riverside seating. Did the balcony in 2003. I'm thinking this one over! Better make up my mind soon - only 25 days until we go.
Originally Posted By practicallyperfect LIttle late to the discussion but, we did the riverside seating this past May. We really enjoyed it but next time I will not be taking my kids. My kids are not the "buffet-type" eaters--they do not eat a lot of food and I always feel it is a waste of money! (On the plus side, my girls eat very health foods, not like their momma!) Check in as early as you see them start to set up. You are seated based on check-in time. We checked in an hour early but there were already six groups in front of us. It is all you can eat--raspberry shortbread cookies, Mickey rice krispies, biscotti, chocolate covered strawberries to die for and soda, water, hot chocolate, coffee and hot tea. We were served by a CM throughout--she brought all of us bottled water, more cocoa, took our dirty plates, etc. Even let my girls take some strawberries with them for later. Our CM wouldn't accept a tip from us, just said it was all a part of the Disney Magic and she hoped we had a great time!! The CM also told us to be sure and stay seated for the fireworks--even told us where to look for Tinkerbell (which we saw!). At no time was there a feeling that we were rushed. It was very nice to be out of the hordes of people and to be able to sit on chairs! We waited for the crowds to clear and then, with our chocolate strawberries, water and hot cocoa to go, we went back to our hotel! You will have a great time--I always have buyers remorse about the money beforehand but rarely afterwards on a Disney splurge!
Originally Posted By kennedyjane I called yesterday morning for Fantastmic seats. Usually I get on the phone before 8 A.M., but woke up late. Anyhow at first the CM thought they were not showing Fantastmic Aug 5th. She looked again and noticed they had just opened slots for that day. She said I was the first to call and this was after 10 A.M. Is this normal, or could it be due to the holiday? I was under they impression that the tickets go fast for Fantasmic.
Originally Posted By stagemomx3 I called pretty late, less than 30 days before our trip, and they had seating for both shows the day we went. In fact the second show we attended was not sold out.
Originally Posted By kennedyjane Thankyou for the info. I'm really excited to see it again. Though we did see it twice last summer. What can I say my DH is addicted. He's a lil boy at heart. He would rather pay to see the show than camp out for a few hours on the ground. He belives we could be on a ride instead. Now if they had seating for the fireworks I would be set.
Originally Posted By DIS Ohana "Now if they had seating for the fireworks I would be set. " I thought you could watch the fireworks from there?
Originally Posted By practicallyperfect ^^^You can stay for the fireworks if you have the early seating. However, you don't get to see the projections on the castle wall. Just music, sound and Tinkerbell!
Originally Posted By brea77 I was wondering if you have to pay for the seating when you call 30 days before or when you get to Disneyland? Just wanted to make sure I was ready when I call in a couple of days.
Originally Posted By tinkerbell77 Yes you need to pay in full when you make the reservaions. But well worth every penny!!!
Originally Posted By brea77 Thank you tinkerbell77. I think it will be worth the money but its my first time so I will let you all know.
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 They'll tell you on the phone that you need to bring the same credit card that you made the PS with. They aren't kidding. DH tried to pick them up and switch to his credit card and they wouldn't do it, he had to hunt me down in World of Disney to go and pick up the tickets with my card
