Fantasmic Premium Seating...

[annieb727]

Hey everyone!

We've experienced the water-front seating and loved it!

But I'm wondering for those who have experienced BOTH...which would you recommend, and why?

We are debating which one to go to...I'd like to try the balcony seating since we've never done it, but then we really enjoyed the water-front seating...

thanks for any input!

[RStar]

Well, for the balcony seating

No waiting for hours in advance, no big crowd to worry about, chairs to sit on

And food!

The view is different, less detail from far away, but you can see everything at once, like the giant snake. It's the big picture!

But at the water front you get more involved with the show. If you get right on the fence in the center you get the best seat in the house, and you can feel the fire on the water, smell the water, feel the mist, see everything up close and personal, have the fog from the river roll over you if the wind is right, wave to your favorite character on the Mark Twain at the end and feel like they at least see you to wave back, and get nearly blinded from the lights and fireworks.

[annieb727]

Well, for the balcony seating

No waiting for hours in advance, no big crowd to worry about, chairs to sit on

And food!

The view is different, less detail from far away, but you can see everything at once, like the giant snake. It's the big picture!

But at the water front you get more involved with the show. If you get right on the fence in the center you get the best seat in the house, and you can feel the fire on the water, smell the water, feel the mist, see everything up close and personal, have the fog from the river roll over you if the wind is right, wave to your favorite character on the Mark Twain at the end and feel like they at least see you to wave back, and get nearly blinded from the lights and fireworks.



Well, I'm also talking about the waterfront premium seating...so the no waiting (or not as much waiting), the food, and chairs, and being away from the big part of the crowd apply to waterfront as well...mmmmm, yummy desserts!!

I heard the balcony seating offers more foods and drinks than the waterfront seating does? Can anyone tell me what they had at the balcony?

When we had water front premium seating, they had:
*chocolate covered strawberries
*rice crispy thing (shaped like mickey but found to be quite lacking in the marshmallow-y department)
*these really white yummy cookies with a red filling (rapsberry or strawberry or something) with a purple icing
*then a couple of other cookie items (can't remember b/c I just remember I didn't like them very much)

then we could have any of the drinks: water, coke, diet coke, sprite, milk, hot chocolate, tea, coffee.

[MouseLover]

Well, I'm also talking about the waterfront premium seating...so the no waiting (or not as much waiting), the food, and chairs, and being away from the big part of the crowd apply to waterfront as well...mmmmm, yummy desserts!!

I heard the balcony seating offers more foods and drinks than the waterfront seating does? Can anyone tell me what they had at the balcony?

When we had water front premium seating, they had:
*chocolate covered strawberries
*rice crispy thing (shaped like mickey but found to be quite lacking in the marshmallow-y department)
*these really white yummy cookies with a red filling (rapsberry or strawberry or something) with a purple icing
*then a couple of other cookie items (can't remember b/c I just remember I didn't like them very much)

then we could have any of the drinks: water, coke, diet coke, sprite, milk, hot chocolate, tea, coffee.

Well, it's been a couple of years since I sat up on the balcony, but they offered us a rather large selection of fresh fruit (melons, strawberries & blueberries & blackberries, kiwi, etc), and a selection of cakes & cheese cakes & cookies all baked at Club 33. We could also get any drink in the park except for the alcohol drinks from Club 33. I had my fill of Mint Julips that evening.

[annieb727]

Well, it's been a couple of years since I sat up on the balcony, but they offered us a rather large selection of fresh fruit (melons, strawberries & blueberries & blackberries, kiwi, etc), and a selection of cakes & cheese cakes & cookies all baked at Club 33. We could also get any drink in the park except for the alcohol drinks from Club 33. I had my fill of Mint Julips that evening.

hmmm....that might be cool to experience...

[TDBearGrrl]

I have been wanting to do this FOREVER, and all the talk about it has made we want to do it even more! We are staying in a suite at the Grand for three nights for my birthday in January. I also get a dinner at the Napa Rose (first time) I am thinking about asking for Waterfront seating for Fantasmic too! (Did I mention I am spoiled?)

[silence]

I am sooooooo excited. This board ROCKS.

I called this morning, my phone bill will have probably over 75 calls to the Disney number as I was dialing starting at 7:53. I got in before 8:00, in fact, she had to wait maybe 30 seconds before she could try to get the seats as it was "too early". I got 9 seats for the 9:00 show on Saturday 12/3.

Well, actually 8 seats, she told me before I confirmed that I did not have to buy a ticket for my 2 year old, that she could sit on our laps.

[kohl]

I am so excited too! We got Balcony seats for 11 of us on November 27th, 9pm showing. We have done Riverside before, but are looking forward to trying the balcony seats. We are also surprising my parents with this!

[geoffa]

Well, it's been a couple of years since I sat up on the balcony, but they offered us a rather large selection of fresh fruit (melons, strawberries & blueberries & blackberries, kiwi, etc), and a selection of cakes & cheese cakes & cookies all baked at Club 33. We could also get any drink in the park except for the alcohol drinks from Club 33. I had my fill of Mint Julips that evening.

It's still pretty similar. A dessert buffet and if you can't eat it all they won't be offended if you ask for some to go! ONE RECOMMENDATION. Get there early because you will be seated in the order you arrive and you can get behind one of the uprights if you ain't careful. However, you can get up and move about as long as you are mindful of the other folk up there with you. One bit I liked about the balcony was that the people below kept looking up and you could see they were thinking -how did they get up there? ENJOY!:)

See:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/data/508/11450DCP_56691-med.JPG

for a daytime photo.

[pmover11]

To those experienced with this

How far in advance can you book the seats?

With a reasonably active 2 year old, is the balcony or the water better? (I know that no waiting with a 2 year old is better, and the snacks might keep her occupied if she manages to get bored with the show.

[annieb727]

To those experienced with this

How far in advance can you book the seats?

With a reasonably active 2 year old, is the balcony or the water better? (I know that no waiting with a 2 year old is better, and the snacks might keep her occupied if she manages to get bored with the show.

my boys enjoyed the waterfront area...we went in oct and they are 1 1/2 and 3. we brought our own stroller along and they let us bring it in -- our little one slept through the whole thing.

you want to get them EXACTLY 30 days before you want to see it...costs $56/person (kids are $46 at the waterfront - but same price at the balcony). call at 8am PST 30 days before...if you wait longer, but even a few minutes, they may be GONE!

[annieb727]

anyone know the phone number to call for Fantasmic! tickets? gotta be ready...

[kohl]

For the balcony seating, is it the order when you called where you sit or is it first come first serve?

The # to call for reservations is (714)781-4400
Good luck!

[samkj]

Its not 30 days, its ONE MONTH! So if you want January 10, call December 10, even though that is 31 days. Start calling 5-10 minutes before 8am to ensure you get through right away.

[richas]

In the balcony, I was told you are seated in the order of TICKET PURCHASE. I brought the wrong credit card from home (not the one I charged the tics on) and they manager at Guest Services almost didn't give me the tickets -- even tho I had the confirmation # and ID!!!!!! She ended up dropping my original order and re- purchasing on my "wrong" card. That put me at the end of the line seat wise, but it seemed all seats were good. So, don't forget to bring the card you ordered your tickets on!

[sierranevada]

Here is my comparison of the two:
Riverfront is very close to the water (you can feel the heat when the river catches on fire! and serves a dessert buffet with the following: chocolate dipped strawberries, a large shortbread cookie filled with raspberry and dipped in white chocolate that had been tinted lavender with small gold stars on it, a coconut macaroon, chocolate coated biscotti and a Mickey Mouse shaped rice krispy treat dipped in chocolate with Mickey's face drawn on it in White Chocolate! You are offered your choice of assorted drinks – coffee, tea, sodas, bottled water, or lemonade.
The Balcony is next to the Disney Gallery above Pirates of the Carribbean. The balcony is more centered and higher up offering you a better overall view. Of course, you also feel more "special! The desserts were more upscale at the balcony - cheesecake, carrot cake, black forest cake, fritters with a sauce, fruit plates & cheese plates. The price for both the balcony and riverfront is $56 per person but the Riverfront does offer a discount for kids ($10 less). The desserts are better on the balcony and you are dead center but it can feel a little more crowded – it is a smaller area and they seat up to 22 people up there. The Riverfront offers more room which can be good with kids (especially fidgety ones!). I personally prefer the Balcony but if they are sold out, will “settle” for Riverfront. They also seat you differently. Fantasmic Balcony seating is done in order of original ticket purchase, and seating is 30 min before showtime. Riverfront seating check-in is 1 hour before showtime, seating is 30 min before and is done by check-in order.

[MammaSilva]

Its not 30 days, its ONE MONTH! So if you want January 10, call December 10, even though that is 31 days. Start calling 5-10 minutes before 8am to ensure you get through right away.


Actually according to the CM that answered the phone today that isn't true, it's 30 days, so if you are calling in a month with 31 days you have to compensate. I'm not sure how they ever get back on track in Feb except that I 'think' the show is dark for that time frame so it becomes a moot point.

[annieb727]

sierranevada~

thanks so much for the detailed accounts...side by side comparison...i think i will be going with the balcony this time...maybe twice :D

it's our five year anniversary, so i want to spoil my hubby a little! and we love fantasmic and the fire works...

not sure if this was mentioned but if you go to the 9pm fantasmic, and stay seated you can see the fireworks there too -- they added special effects to the fantasmic area - so the only thing (so I'm told) you miss out on is seeing tinkerbell as well -- you can still see her, just not as well.

[ssturgeo]

We had Riverfront premium seating in June...November 13th at 9:00 pm we have Balcony seating!! Can't wait....first time up there!! Calling was done one month...Octber 13 for November 13. VP told me last night that seating IS done in order of ticket purchase...but as someone said, not as critical up there with the limited number of seat.

[samkj]

Actually according to the CM that answered the phone today that isn't true, it's 30 days, so if you are calling in a month with 31 days you have to compensate. I'm not sure how they ever get back on track in Feb except that I 'think' the show is dark for that time frame so it becomes a moot point.
I know several people who didn't get reservations because they waited till 30 days before instead of going exactly one month before. We booked a tour 31 days out which like Fantasmic can be booked one month in advance.

It doesn't hurt to call a day early, and may help get the reservations you want. Since Novemebr only has 30 days this won't be a problem for December.

[Boingo]

My mom and I did the balcony seating 10/21 and it was amazing (the cheesecake...drool). They seated in the order of purchase. We were the second callers and were seated second. The people in the row behind us were none too happy about behind people and raised a big stink. Said they were promised balcony seating (which they had) but I guess they thought that meant on the railing.

One thing that I was mislead on though. They said you could watch the fireworks from the balcony too. The neglected to mention that only the 1st seating of Fantasmic can view from there (we had the second show).

[Micmousetoo]

We finally...after two days of trying, got balcony seating for the 9 o'clock showing of Fantasmic on Sunday Dec 4th. We are so excited we can hardly stand it!! We had 5 people calling in each morning. My husband manages a small print shop and the owner and his son jumped in and made calls as well. They tied up their 3 business lines redialing so we could get tickets! Isn't that fantastic!!

My sister and I were dialing as well. We had cell phones to our ears so we could notify each other when someone got through and we were redialing guest services on our land lines.:p We had almost given up hope and then got blessed with a miracle this morning!!! Unbelievable! 2 mornings with nothing but busy signals and holding on line to find out both shows were sold out and this morning three of us got through. As I got through first the others stopped their transactions. I think I might have damaged the ear drum of the cast member who assisted me. I feel terrible because after all the excitement and squealing I can't even remeber his name.:( I was able to book the 9:00 showing. When I spoke with my husband a few minutes later he said he couldn't believe it because when he had started to book only the 10:45 pm showing still had availability. This is of course in all of 30 seconds after 8:00am. Ya just gotta love Disney Fanatics!! And you gotta love those cast members who serve us so well.:)

[LibertyCall]

With kids, I really prefer the riverfront seating. I loved being that close and feeling the heat from the fire, close enough to see the characters faces on the riverboat, etc. My kids were much more into it than when we watch from the balcony.

I suppose I might prefer the balcony seating if I wasn't with kids, but ONLY if I could be front and center. The desserts are much, much better on the balcony (and the coffee), but you can go a lot of places to get a good dessert.:p

[Britesky]

I saw this thread, read all the posts, and have decided we MUST do this on our anniversary Dec.18! Since we are staying at the cheapest hotel on Harbor, I figure we can splurge for this, after all you should do something special on your anniversary right? The balcony sounds really special, but I asked my hubby and he would prefer to be up close on the riverfront. I can't wait, it will be soooo different than last time when after Fantasmic I could hardly stand back up my legs were completely numb from sitting cramped for forever on one too thin blanket on the concrete. Now I guess I just have to wait until the dreaded 30 days before reservation phone call that is almost impossible to get through on :rolleyes: oh well, can't wait!
Laurie:D

[sierranevada]

My son prefers Balcony for the better desserts but we will also be happy with Riverfront. Britesky - try for balcony first - it is great!