Second Fantasmic

[bumblebeeonarose]

I did a quick search, but couldn't find what I was looking for.

How do you get a seat for the second Fantasmic? I've seen the show twice, and both times I stood towards the back. I'd really like to see it from the front because from video I've seen I'm missing things from my back view. I think the later show would be better for this. What is the 'trick' for seeing the second show?

[ogold72]

I did a quick search, but couldn't find what I was looking for.

How do you get a seat for the second Fantasmic? I've seen the show twice, and both times I stood towards the back. I'd really like to see it from the front because from video I've seen I'm missing things from my back view. I think the later show would be better for this. What is the 'trick' for seeing the second show?

Well, you can pay for Premium Seating, that would get you a really good view. Another strategy that was provided by another poster in another thread was to position yourselves right in front of the center light tower. It rises just before the show because it is manned so prior to that, it actually appears to guests as a viewing obstruction so most folks dont stand behind it. Once the tower rises, you have an almost perfect view of the show. I have never tried it as we spend the money and get the guaranteed good view with Premium Seating, but that is as it has been described and it seems like a great insiders strategy!

[oregontraveler]

I've been able to do this routine a couple of times without too much trouble. Watch the fireworks from the hub, and be standing
near the FL entrance. When the show is over, rush over to the Mark Twain doc. That's where the queue line starts forming.
CM's have already put out benches & stanchions to keep people in order. Of course, you could skip the fireworks and hang out
in this area until the first show is over. That crowd will be funneled out thru Adventureland.

[bumblebeeonarose]

So the line forms by the dock. Thank you.
The paid seating is not an option. We stood behind the light before. It really isn't the greatest view. I'd like to try sitting near the water.

[RockDoc07]

Do they not allow you to just walk up from the back anymore? When DW and I went a few years ago we waited by the train station and then when the first crowd was leaving we walked right up and sat at the river's edge at the fence. We had to sit there for a while waiting for the next show but it was worth it!

Cool Runnings,
Doc

[jackieeekitty]

My how things have changed! You used to be able to just post up and wait for the show...good info though for my upcoming trip - haven't watched this show in about 4 or 5 years...

[bumblebeeonarose]

Do they not allow you to just walk up from the back anymore? When DW and I went a few years ago we waited by the train station and then when the first crowd was leaving we walked right up and sat at the river's edge at the fence. We had to sit there for a while waiting for the next show but it was worth it! Cool Runnings, Doc

I'm willing to wait between the shows, I just didn't want to stake out a spot at 7 for the first show. I was wondering if there was a trick like that, hang out somewhere, or if you had to line up.

[ralfrick]

I've been able to do this routine a couple of times without too much trouble. Watch the fireworks from the hub, and be standing
near the FL entrance. When the show is over, rush over to the Mark Twain doc. That's where the queue line starts forming.
CM's have already put out benches & stanchions to keep people in order. Of course, you could skip the fireworks and hang out
in this area until the first show is over. That crowd will be funneled out thru Adventureland.

Confirmed. Every time we've done this we've gotten a center spot within 10-20" of the water, sitting section. You can also get even closer by being in NOSq and when the first crowd starts to disperse and you can swoop in and get within 5' of the water. In fact, if it's not summer and they're doing the 8:40 fireworks you can watch from Hub/Main St then take the train from Main St. to NOSq. There is a few minutes to inspect the track before they start running them after fireworks, but not too long.

A bientot.

[megzrg]

We ride the Haunted Mansion during the first show and then slide in behind the 1st showing crowd to get our seats about 6-7 feet behind the black railing on the river level for the 2nd showing. We have always got a great seat.

Yes, you will be there for a bit, but you get to watch the fireworks from your fantasmic seat. After the fireworks are done we send a runner to go and get popcorn for the group to enjoy while we are waiting for Fantasmic.

It works so well and everytime that I put it in my book. Hope it works for you as well. (Watch out for the air vent on this level, you will be able to feel it as soon as you sit down. If you sit in front of it move immediately to get a better spot.)

[ralfrick]

That's a good point; one can usually ride things in the area during the show without much difficulty. Despite the mobs outside, since the show's been running for so long, crowd control and walkways is as good as you could expect with that many in that space.

A bientot.

[jackieeekitty]

We ride the Haunted Mansion during the first show and then slide in behind the 1st showing crowd to get our seats about 6-7 feet behind the black railing on the river level for the 2nd showing. We have always got a great seat.

Yes, you will be there for a bit, but you get to watch the fireworks from your fantasmic seat. After the fireworks are done we send a runner to go and get popcorn for the group to enjoy while we are waiting for Fantasmic.

It works so well and everytime that I put it in my book. Hope it works for you as well. (Watch out for the air vent on this level, you will be able to feel it as soon as you sit down. If you sit in front of it move immediately to get a better spot.)

I'll have to use this! Thanks!

[bumblebeeonarose]

What's the rule about strollers in the sitting area? DD will be sleeping in hers.

[Malcon10t]

What's the rule about strollers in the sitting area? DD will be sleeping in hers.

They make you fold them (as otherwise the people sitting behind them can't see.) They do let you keep it up until about 30 mins prior to the show. Then they go around and make everyone fold them. They do go around during the wait and warn everyone it will have to be folded.

[Drince88]

I don't recall if we had to fold ours or not (small umbrella-style) - but I'm pretty sure they put it off to the side (out of everyone's way). Fortunately, he enjoyed the WHOLE show (even clapping at the end when Mickey 'won'!) so we didn't have an issue with a sleeping kidlet. (He was 18 months)

[candles71]

They make you fold them (as otherwise the people sitting behind them can't see.) They do let you keep it up until about 30 mins prior to the show. Then they go around and make everyone fold them. They do go around during the wait and warn everyone it will have to be folded.

Unless you are at the back of the section against the rope. They will allow you to leave it up, and ECV and wheelchairs to remain on them at the back against the rope as well. I watched them have a young man sitting in a wheelchair have to fold it down in the middle of the section, as well as tell a father if he wanted to leave the stroller up he would have to move to the back of the section against the rope (in December).
ETA: they encourage the first showing to remain in their seats for the fireworks now, so you may have to wait until the fireworks are done to slide in from this side.

[danyoung]

We stood behind the light before. It really isn't the greatest view.

I've been a bigtime proponent of this spot for many years now. I'm not sure where you were standing or what you expected to see. Where I stand, just to the right of the middle lighting pole, is a perfect central spot for the show. You can see EVERYTHING that happens in the show, and you don't need to show up 2 or 3 hours early to hold your spot.