That's My Opinion: The Best Seat in the House

[MousePlanet AutoPoster]

The Best Seat in the House by Steve Russo

A few suggestions for the best seats in the Magic Kingdom's attractions.

Read it here!

[Chewyswimmer]

A couple of quick things about your great article. First, you got the physics mostly correct on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Sitting in the front of the car does not make the train or ride go slower, it moves the fast effect to the bottom of the hill/curve and you accelerate going up hill. Rather than sitting in the back of the train where you get the full drop of the hill. Secondly, isn't Astro Orbiters a single file ride? I mean, do you sit one in front of the other or side by side? Buzzlight I believe, could totally be wrong on this, has two targets on the right side of the attraction worth 100,000 points and only one target on the left worth 100,000 points, but the the whole spinning thing does negate that difference. Other than that, I completely agree with you!

[Drince88]

That's what I was thinking about Astro Orbiter as well, Chewyswimmer - -but my sister doesn't do spinning rides and I don't do long lines, so I haven't done that for quite a few years now (probably 7).

[Goodnplenty]

Actually I have a couple of seat opinions that are a little different.

Aladdin...I enjoy the outer seats because you can see the details in the bazaar better, especially the Tiki room torches (which are now lit!) and roof details.
Thunder Mtn...As you said the last seat is faster and the front seats are slower. The very front seat's forward view is blocked (somewhat) by the train. I enjoy the left side seat so that I can get a better look at the town scene.
Splash Mtn... I always "let " the husband get in last so that I can get the left hand seat. This way he acts as the perfect sponge at the end of the ride (where you can see your pictures) where the water kinda splashes down the right wall and bounces towards the right hand seat. Often times our log gets stopped there and its amazing how much water my husband can soak up. ...Likewise at DL's SplMtn, I always get in last (sitting behind him) so that he can play the sponge as well.
Haunted Mn...Unless it's changed the last words spoken in the stretching room are from the bride not the ghost host. I now will wait for the crowd to completely exit and be the last one out just so I can hear what she is saying.
Pooh...I enjoy the left side best as it gives me a view of Mr.Toad giving Owl the deed.
Astro Orbitor... There is no outer most seat on AO. The seats are "cuddle seats." I enjoy getting a rocket to myself at night and actually laying or leaning back, looking straight up to see the ride's "planets" spinning above me.
TTA...Sitting on the left side of the car gives you a lovely view of the Epcot model.

And those are my favorites! Anyone with some other tips?
GnP

[DisneyGator]

Glad to know I'm not the only one who "accidentally" steps on the toes of those who plop down in the middle of a 3D show.

[srusso100]

Thanks, everyone. A number of you, here and via email, have pointed out my error on Astro Orbiter. I should never rely on my (faulty) memory. It is single file seating so the comparisons to Dumbo and Aladdin's Magic Carpets are invalid. Thanks for keeping me honest.

[danyoung]

It's the theater seating where I feel Disney is being ingenuous when they say that their theaters are specially designed and that there are no bad seats. Unless Disney has found a way to change the laws of space and time, OF COURSE some seats are better than others. But I agree with Steve - don't just plop down when you reach your seats in the middle. Instead, hover a bit as people are scrambling to find their rows, and move into the stream of people after enough folks have passed you to where you'll have a more or less center seat.

[jms1969]

Interesting read...

We've definitely noticed a difference on Philharmagic when sitting up front, but I think the seating enhances the whole experience, rather than one particular effect. The whole goal of a 3D movie is to make you feel like you are in the movie, and the fact that the screen wraps around and goes back to almost the first row or so helps that illusion. When you are sitting in the first couple rows, there is action happening both in front of you and to your side. As you move backward in the theater you gradually lessen the effect of the curved screen and more action is happening in front of you and less to the side.

While we love sitting up front, I guess you could make an argument the other way. While sitting up front it's much harder to take in everything that is going on since you can't focus on everything. For people that prefer this, the rear of the theater would be "the best seat in the house".

[danyoung]

Interesting. I've never tried sitting up front for Philharmagic, but your explanation makes sense. With normal, non-powered 3D glasses, when the image is extended into the audience it will come about halfway between the screen and you at most. So when you sit towards the back, which is what I've always done, the 3D effect is greater. But the wrap-a-round factor could indeed make those front seats a very cool experience. I'll be trying it on my next visit - thanks!

[betsyrina]

The good thing about continuing all the way down the isle (even if you have to step on a few toes) is that you usually get to exit first. That is my favorite thing about having to climb over people - I get to leave and get on another ride before them... Thanks for another great article. I'll look forward to hearing about the other parks.

[Avant Gardens]

For the siumlator-based rides, Indiana Jones (DL), Dinosaur (DAK), Star Tours: If you like a dropping sensation sit in the front, if you like a bucking bronco sensation sit in the back, if you like mellow, sit in the middle. I always sit in the Back

[scoobydooby]

I think the best view for the parades are standing head on to the point that the entire parade turns in front of you. I always take the trouble to work out this spot in MK and then I guard it jealously (inevitably only to give it up to a gang of toddlers at the moment itself.....). You get to see the floats head on, from the side and to see the extra dancing and entertainment the characters do as they have to stay still until the vehicle in front had done the turn.