Fantasmic! at WDW vs. DL

[Krankenstein]

I've never been to DL, so I cannot comment on that part of the discussion.

However, I highly suggest that you skip out on the dining package. It is one of the biggest rip offs in WDW b/c the reserved seats are on the far side of the amphitheater. This causes the music and the visuals to not match up to at certain times during the show. Plus, you can kind of see backstage.

[Leofoenget]

Originally Posted by CrystalCastle

I'm sorry I came across negative. I wasn't trying to be and I apologize. I have two disabled children and no time to watch a 32 min long video. So I was really looking for the short answer is all. I need to make reservations for the Fantasmic! dinner and want to do it ASAP if needed.

Also Fantasmic at WDW is in it's own theater and not at MK. I say if you like to see Fantasmic in general and you can work it into your day then do it. If it's not important to you then skip it. If it were ME I would go. I like it enough even if it's similar. My husband doesn't so he would skip. If you kids like it then GO!

[TDLFAN]

Originally Posted by CrystalCastle

I'll be going to WDW in January and am trying to decide what to do while I'm there. Fantasmic! was something I was considering but I'm wondering how different it is from the DL version. Has anyone here seen both and can comment on that?

Thanks so much!

Oh gosh.. here we go again. Everyone knows that DL's version of Fastasmic! is way much better than the one at DHS... However, my advise is to go see the WDW version so you can enjoy a slightly different take on the show, and get a HUGE laugh when you see their version of Steamboat Willie at the end... that alone is worth watching the show for.

[Hakuna Makarla]

I plan on going as it is the first time for my sister seeing it as this is her first time to a disney park. I loved the disneyland version, so I am sure I will love this one to.
Hope you do not mind me asking a question here crystal.....

my question is... how far in advance do I need to rush over to get good front row seats , and can we take a meal there to eat? I know the park will be rushing out when its done so also how hard is it to get on a bus back to the motel?
thanks

[CrystalCastle]

Those are great questions, I'd like to know too since I'm not going to do the dinner thing and just wait in line instead.

[Dan - Tasmic!]

In my opinion, I loved DL's version the best because of Peter Pan and the Finale, but I am sorta biased. I seen WDW's version. I wasn't that impressed, but still loved it. It sucks that the ampitheater wasn't used during the day. DL's version utilized the island and the surrounding areas.

[TDLFAN]

Originally Posted by Hakuna Makarla

I plan on going as it is the first time for my sister seeing it as this is her first time to a disney park. I loved the disneyland version, so I am sure I will love this one to.
Hope you do not mind me asking a question here crystal.....

my question is... how far in advance do I need to rush over to get good front row seats , and can we take a meal there to eat? I know the park will be rushing out when its done so also how hard is it to get on a bus back to the motel?
thanks

Well, I am not Crystal but... I will try to answer based on my experience..
It would be advisable to arrive there about 45 mins to one hour before showtime. Usually once you get to the theater, there will be CMs doing crowd control and trying to send people to the far left sections of the theater. Fear not. A good portion of the guests do not feel likt walking down the stair to sit at the front, so (if you are there about an hour early) you will be able to find decent seats closer to the front. If you can get seats in the very center section...somewhere between the 3rd and 10th row from the front, you will be OK and have a decent view, unless you have Marge Simpson in front of you blocking your view. Even when the Cms send me to another area of the theater, I always go down the stairs of any aisle and then access the center section and lower seats from the bottom of the theater.

YES, you can take a meal there to eat. In fact, they have a snack counter at the top of the seating as well. I have gotten stuff "to go" from some of the other restaurants and have eaten while waiting for the show.
(keep in mind they seem to prefer you do not leave the theater after you enter because you will not be garrantied re-entry if the theater fills to capacity.)

As for the mad rush to leave the theater at the end of the show... be advised many people start getting up and running for the exit as early as they see Tink on the water screen before the Steamboat Willie finale. It irks me terribly... as they sit thru the worst parts of the show and then leave for the best part. (IDIOTS!) So the closer to the water you are, the lesser your view of the finale will be blocked due to the incosiderate rude guests who get up and leave early. However, that also means..your having to wait to leave the theater as the entire population of FL appears to be in front of you to exit the area. Getting to the park exit may take a little while and the lines for busses back to the resort hotels may be a bit long, depending on how often they run the busses and how organized they appear to be in having busses come by quick enough. There may also be a bit of a delay driving out of the parking lot as vehicular traffic does get bad to exit when the park is busy.

That's my 2 cents.

MAKARLA!! Go check out Ichigopara's TDR pictures like... NOW!!!