That's My Opinion: The Best Seat in the House - Disney's Animal Kingdom

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The Best Seat in the House - Disney's Animal Kingdom by Steve Russo

So where should we sit?

Read it here!

[DisneyGator]

I'm with you on Nemo. I've sat in the main section, which is good to see everything happening at one time. But I really like sitting closer. The music and dancing seems much better from that angle.

[carolinakid]

I've seen Nemo 3 times and it's never engaged me. And I'm a BIG musical theatre fan. Next time I will try sitting closer!

[Jimbo996]

I always prefer to sit as close as possible. You can see more. But now that I have a toddler, things change. (1) It doesn't matter if I sit close or far. Of course, kids need to sit closer so they can actually see the action, but it is a hit or miss if they get the story. Sitting farther means the more intense shows of today are less threatening to the kids. In the end, it really doesn't matter. (2) Sitting closer to exits is better if you have a bathroom run or intense action means skipping out. The exit seats are further away from the screen or stage. (3) I like shows even more since I can sit down. Kids require too much attention and I need more rest between attractions. I always schedule some shows in a theme park visit.

With kids, it is hard to schedule things. They are impatient to wait, and I am not patient to control things to the point where everyone is frustrated. If you notice a show is seating, you just go for it. When this happens, you're usually at the end of the line. I try to get a seat, any seat.

[danyoung]

Disney likes to say something to the effect that "our theaters are specially designed so that there are no bad seats". This is a lie. If you're in a front row way off to the side, you have a bad seat. As you said, Steve, it's pretty easy to just hang back and wait for a few more people to go in, and then select a row that's about 1/3 full and getting a near perfect seat. At most theaters I like about 6 or 7 rows back, just off center. But the 3D shows are a little different. With the passive glasses they use, the most the 3D will come off of the screen is about half way between you and the screen. So if you're sitting near the back, the 3D image really leaps off the screen and about 1/2 way out into the crowd - very very cool!

[srusso100]

Disney likes to say something to the effect that "our theaters are specially designed so that there are no bad seats". This is a lie. If you're in a front row way off to the side, you have a bad seat. As you said, Steve, it's pretty easy to just hang back and wait for a few more people to go in, and then select a row that's about 1/3 full and getting a near perfect seat. At most theaters I like about 6 or 7 rows back, just off center. But the 3D shows are a little different. With the passive glasses they use, the most the 3D will come off of the screen is about half way between you and the screen. So if you're sitting near the back, the 3D image really leaps off the screen and about 1/2 way out into the crowd - very very cool!

Great points, Dan. I think a lot of "personal preference" comes into play for any show or film. Different people enjoy it from different locations.

The comment about hanging back before entering is one I encourage. One of my biggest Park Peeves are the folks that push their way to the front and rush in as soon as the doors open... only to stop and sit halfway down the row.

[bochnikm]

Steve, I completely agree with you on sitting as close as possible in Finding Nemo: The Musical. What surprised me as well as made it much more enjoyable is the fact that many of the actors “act” with their facial expressions and not just with their “puppets”. Seeing them really sing also makes it a more theatrical experience.

I can see the flip side for some as well. I’ve heard comments from some that they don’t like seeing the live actors. For them, they might prefer seating farther away so that the actor and character blend into one.

For the 3D movies, Kelli, my wife, likes to sit further away, I like sitting close – so we always sit in the back.

[srusso100]

Steve, I completely agree with you on sitting as close as possible in Finding Nemo: The Musical. What surprised me as well as made it much more enjoyable is the fact that many of the actors “act” with their facial expressions and not just with their “puppets”. Seeing them really sing also makes it a more theatrical experience.

I can see the flip side for some as well. I’ve heard comments from some that they don’t like seeing the live actors. For them, they might prefer seating farther away so that the actor and character blend into one.

For the 3D movies, Kelli, my wife, likes to sit further away, I like sitting close – so we always sit in the back.

Good points. Regarding the 3D films and your wife... welcome to the club ;-)