Originally Posted By Dabob2 never seen it via fast pass before so a few questions: Where are the machines located? How early do they sell out? How early do you have to return to claim your spot? Thanks!
Originally Posted By hopemax Machines are on trail between Big Thunder heading toward Fantasyland, on the right. We are here today got to the machine at 11:40. Got 2 of last 3 slots for first show. Can't answer the third question yet.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros Like all FPs, to a certain extent it's all based on how busy the park is in general Last Christmas (technically the day after, but still peak crowds), we got FPs for the 10:30pm show around 10:30am. Our spots were in the Yellow section, which was more-or-less centered on the stage. We arrived about 10-15 minutes before the show and got directed to our spots behind the central control booth, near the POTC entrance. Although we were directed to a general area of the viewing area, there was definitely space in all of the other viewing areas for additional guests (despite it being one of the busiest days of the year) I assume they've fine tuned the process some since then, but I would guess the general concept remains the same. Show up early and ask which show they're distributing tickets for. If it's the show you want, get your spot; when it's time for the show itself, you should be able to get a decent view with a minimal wait. Of course, small children make it more difficult to claim a spot, but the general premise should still work
Originally Posted By hopemax So at 7:20 we left Cafe Orleans and started walking toward Critter Country. The Blue section line stretched the length of the Harbor Galley building. We continued to the bathrooms at Hungry Bear and got in line. It was now 7:40 and the line was now almost to Hungry Bear. At 8:00 we we're let in to our section which is the terrace. We were between the steps and left light tower, but at the rail so a good spot.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 They let you in at 8 for a 9:00 show? And you got in line 20 minutes before that? I was hoping that fastpass would mean less "lead time" in finding a good spot, since all designated areas are at least decent viewing spots and you're guaranteed a slot within your area. Even if you show up at, say, 8:45, they still have to let you in, right? I don't care about having the optimal spot within a section, as long as I'm let into a section. Has anyone created a map for Fantasmic viewing sections like they did for World of Color?
Originally Posted By FerretAfros We showed up about 15 minutes before our show and had no problem getting in. The CMs did a really good job (fighting an uphill battle) of keeping non-FP guests out of the area so we had TONS of empty space around us. Given how busy the park was that day, it was actually kind of upsetting how much wasted capacity they had left over. Particularly if you don't care too much about getting a 'perfect' spot, you shouldn't have any issues arriving just before the show Here are a couple maps that may help, but they conflict with each other so I'm not sure how useful they actually are: http://www.mouseplanet.info/gallery/d/170679-1/FantasmicSeating111814.jpg <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.themouseforless.com/blog_world/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Fantasmic-FP-14.jpg">http://www.themouseforless.com...P-14.jpg</a>
Originally Posted By Dabob2 Thanks, Ferret, that is helpful. I'm going to guess the second link is more up to date since it includes the BB and RT dining areas, which I know they have now. I'm assuming that like WOC, the fastpasses to Fantasmic are stand-alone and not linked to the attractions? (i.e. you can get one and simultaneously get an attraction fastpass)?
Originally Posted By FerretAfros Yes, that was my experience. I think we got Big Thunder FPs and then got the Fantasmic! ones immediately after
Originally Posted By hopemax It was important for me to get there early because I'm short. I wanted a rail spot. So depending how tall you are and how much of a view you want you can arrive later. Blue is left of center so the farther left you are the more your view of the stage might be impacted.
Originally Posted By Kidz-n-k9s <<It was important for me to get there early because I'm short.>> This is my experience too because I have kids. They are too short to see over the people in front of them, but now they are too big (8 and 9 yo) for me to hold them up. We made the mistake in October of 'only' getting to our spots for WOC about 60 minutes prior to the start of the first show and were unable to get spots on the rail. For the standard F! FP, we have to line ~1 hr 20 min before the show so we can secure one of the sitting spots in the front. I will say, the benefit to the BB and RT dining packages is that you don't need to do this. We did a BB package in July and only arrived 30 minutes prior to the show and had a great spot sitting down so the kids can see much easier over the grown-ups. In summary, if you aren't short or don't have kids that are too big to hold/too short to see, you can easily arrive 15-30 minutes prior to the show and have a spot.
Originally Posted By sjdimon Are there any benches for folks with disabilities (like over in DCA for WOC)?
Originally Posted By Bellella The last time I saw Fantasmic (until further notice, thanks to them) was last month. As soon as I got inside, I ran all the way to Frontierland to snag FastPasses for the first show that night. We got to the appointed meeting place and had to stand in a little line for awhile at the Mark Twain dock. Then we were all taken to our spot on the river, which was facing center stage. (The FastPasses were yellow.) We did have to sit in the freezing cold for about over 1 hour before the show, but once it started----- worth it. It's nice to have a guaranteed spot.
Originally Posted By darcy-becker Yellow are the best. I green too. That's on the bridge over Pirates.
