Fantasmic! Information and shared experiences!

[sophy1996]

Waiting for the show. Hungry Bear viewing area entrance is by Haunted Mansion and then you go back toward New Orleans Square. All seated on the ground and encouraged to fill in all space.

Wheelchair is situated behind us toward the back of the space.

 

[Temp77]

We were given wrong information by our server who told us to go to the Haunted Mansion. We battled the crowds to get there only to be told that area was for Hungry Bear. We found the correct area for River Belle between French Market and Cafe Orleans.

Most people are sat on the floor in the area though some are standing. Currently the area is reasonably full but it doesn’t feel crowded.

 

[frechley]

I haven't seen fantasmic since any of the dining packages were added. We have a 3 pm dining package for hungry bear. That will be a late lunch, but we will probably want to grab dinner right before the show. are you allowed to bring your dinner into the seating area?

super excited by the photo of the hungry bear section. looks awesome

 

[sophy1996]

super excited by the photo of the hungry bear section. looks awesome

This is the far right of the HB section. Perfect viewing.

When they walk you into the viewing section, there is a point where they take your tickets. At that point we walked forward toward the edge of the area. Most other people were doubling back to get front row or second row. We were fourth row or so but directly in front of all the action.

We entered at @ 9:55.

 

[CeCe0906]

May do this on our tour day. Did anyone notice where the VIP seating was? Were there chairs or on ground seating?

 

[Wedgeout]

May do this on our tour day. Did anyone notice where the VIP seating was? Were there chairs or on ground seating?

Ground seating was first level center (dinner package areas). Second terrace center left (toward Cafe Orleans side) were the chairs areas.

 

[sophy1996]

We passed chairs on the second level between the entrance to the Hungry Bear area and where we ended up.

 

[sophy1996]

Also, if you’re doing the HB area, go around through SWGE and come back to the entrance that way. The New Orleans Square area was one massive gridlock of people.

 

[dina444444]

May do this on our tour day. Did anyone notice where the VIP seating was? Were there chairs or on ground seating?

Vip is usually in the chairs that are next to one of the lighting rigs.

 

[starlite_]

Where is the current standby area? Trying to decide what to do since the Hungry Bear food didn't look appealing at all (plus we have a vegetarian).

 

[Wedgeout]

Where is the current standby area? Trying to decide what to do since the Hungry Bear food didn't look appealing at all (plus we have a vegetarian).

Mostly the side ends. The bridge over Pirates area was nice elevated standby spot too.

 

[starlite_]

Mostly the side ends. The bridge over Pirates area was nice elevated standby spot too.

Thanks!

 

[katyringo]

Hello All,

I updated the first post here with what we know about the packages including some of the pictures you all shared. The one thing I am a bit confused about is how do folks book the river bell premium package?

 

[dina444444]

Hello All,

I updated the first post here with what we know about the packages including some of the pictures you all shared. The one thing I am a bit confused about is how do folks book the river bell premium package?

You book it on the website in advance. I think it sells out immediately because there’s so few tables.

 

[1Disneylandfan]

The dining packages never had chairs. I think your thinking of the old desert party that sat in the folding chairs. That’s been long gone.

I remember doing that dessert package in the final year they had it......it was so awesome!

 

[FeistyDisneyMom]

Premium RBT package is booked directly from Fantasmic dining package page on the website: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/dining/disneyland/fantasmic-dinner-packages/
And I searched fantasmic dining package and got the page in the app.

 

[Wedgeout]

Premium RBT package is booked directly from Fantasmic dining package page on the website: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/dining/disneyland/fantasmic-dinner-packages/
And I searched fantasmic dining package and got the page in the app.

Great info. Being a new event and if don’t see the reservation drop, there were morning walk up checks (similar to Oga’s).

 

[bwvBound]

We went Saturday, 5/28, and caught the 9PM show using Stand-By. Here is how it played out for us:

• Entered DL at 4PM -- walked straight to New Orleans Square / Rivers of America to check the situation.
• The bridge at Pirate's had every inch of rail facing the river staked out with people "camping."
• Plenty of people "camping" elsewhere throughout the area ... especially in places with shade, seating on a planter box, rail to lean on, etc.
• Chatted with a few folks. Each said, "We've been told that we'll all be cleared out at 6PM but we are holding the space just in case. We've been told the entire area will be cleared until 7PM. Again, we are standing here holding our space for just-in-case."
• Chatted with a CM who said the same.
• Content with the notion that the area would be cleared at 6P, we went to Hungry Bear for a non-package dinner. I got the new, seasonal Fried Green Tomato sandwich which was awesome. It is a very filling and tasty dish!
• We killed some time wandering around Galaxy's Edge for a bit ... looking for the new characters, chatting with CMs about the long line at Dok-Ondar's (new SE lightsaber), etc. Exited GE near Big Thunder and worked our way back, through thick crowds, towards New Orleans Square at 5:45'ish.
• Would the area be cleared at 6P? The anticipation, the nervous chatter, the worry was very real.
• Chatted with David of Fresh Baked for a few moments to see what he had learned. He was in the same mode we were: Watching to see if the area would be cleared ... commiserating with those who had "put in the time" to secure their viewing space since early afternoon.
• We stalked the area near the bridge ... noted where the rope stanchions would go and fit ourselves behind a group on the bridge railing. They had been there all day and told us, "When the CMs come to clear us -- we aren't moving. Let's all agree: We are NOT moving." OK, sounds good to us! We became a "unit" with the rail-campers acting as the "back wall" of the group.
• Soon after 6P, the CMs were buzzing about ... whispering to one another and taking busy actions. The stanchions were placed and the ropes put out ... just behind us. The Disney staff didn't even try asking the rail-campers to clear out. YIPPIE!!
• So .. from 6P to 9P we all waited ... holding the space ... defending small gaps that would form when one left to use the restroom, etc. The remaining wait was fantastic in its own way ... the anticipation, the joy of having "won the ground" (not being cleared), and sharing stories.

The show was great -- but the real joy came from the long wait, the shared thrill of securing a favorite view, the talking with everyone around us. My takeaway: I now know why DL's F! is better than WDW's: It is the crowd and the crowd logistics. The fact that you stake out a spot, defend it with the help of "new friends" and stand shoulder-to-shoulder is a big part of the joy! So much better than filing in for stadium seating (WDW) ... right?

 

[CeCe0906]

We went Saturday, 5/28, and caught the 9PM show. Here is how it played out for us:

• Entered DL at 4PM -- walked straight to New Orleans Square / Rivers of America to check the situation.
• The bridge at Pirate's had every inch of rail facing the river stalked out with people "camping."
• Plenty of people "camping" elsewhere throughout the area ... especially in places with shade, seating on a planter box, rail to lean on, etc.
• Chatted with a few folks. Each said, "We've been told that we'll all be cleared out at 6PM but we are holding the space just in case. We've been told the entire area will be cleared until 7PM. Again, we are standing here holding our space for just-in-case."
• Chatted with a CM who said the same.
• Content with the notion that the area would be cleared at 6P, we went to Hungry Bear for a non-package dinner. I got the new, seasonal Fried Green Tomato sandwich which was awesome. It is a very filling and tasty dish!
• We killed some time wandering around Galaxy's Edge for a bit ... looking for the new characters, chatting with CMs about the long line at Dok-Ondar's (new SE lightsaber), etc. Exited GE near Big Thunder and worked our way back, through thick crowds, towards New Orleans Square at 5:45'ish.
• Would the area be cleared at 6P? The anticipation, the nervous chatter, the worry was very real.
• Chatted with David of Fresh Baked for a few moments to see what he had learned. He was in the same mode we were: Watching to see if the area would be cleared ... commiserating with those who had "put in the time" to secure their viewing space since early afternoon.
• We stalked the area near the bridge ... noted where the rope stanchions would go and fit ourselves behind a group on the bridge railing. They had been there all day and told us, "When the CMs come to clear us -- we aren't moving. Let's all agree: We are NOT moving." OK, sounds good to us! We became a "unit" with the rail-campers acting as the "back wall" of the group.
• Soon after 6P, the CMs were buzzing about ... whispering to one another and taking busy actions. The stanchions were placed and the ropes put out ... just behind us. The Disney staff didn't even try asking the rail-campers to clear out. YIPPIE!!
• So .. from 6P to 9P we all waited ... holding the space ... defending small gaps that would form when one left to use the restroom, etc. The remaining wait was fantastic in its own way ... the anticipation, the joy of having "won the ground" (not being cleared), and sharing stories.

The show was great -- but the real joy came from the long wait, the shared thrill of securing a favorite view, the talking with everyone around us. My takeaway: I now know why DL's F! is better than WDW's: It is the crowd and the crowd logistics. The fact that you stake out a spot, defend it with the help of "new friends" and stand shoulder-to-shoulder is a big part of the joy! So much better than filing in for stadium seating (WDW) ... right?

Sounds like you had a great time! To have young knees again! I think that plan works great for AP holders that go frequently and just are coming for the show. But a once in 5 year trip, I'm not wanting to spend hours of park time waiting, plus this time I'm bringing three young kids with me. Tired, wired from churros kids and hours wait is not magical!

 

[Kenshin21]

I keep hearing they let in the dining package people around 630 for the 9 show and I feel like that's too early. We typically do blue bayou and would remember going to the area just before 8 and would still be able to get a rail spot. I don't mind waiting for an hour or so but 3 hours kind of defeats the purpose of a dining package.