FP for Rivers of Light and Fantasmic?

[Lindaapple]

Is it recommended to have a fp for Rivers of Light (first showing) and Fantasmic at this time of year? We are hoping that we can get these as 4th fastpasses but wondering if we can, if we can still expect to see these shows. Thanks!

 

[Robo]

The CMs open the theater an hour or more before show-time.
Guests at that time will simply walk slowly through the very long pathways to the theater and file in to find a seat.

What a FP+ for F! offers is more CHOICE in seating.

If you DO get a F! FP+, you can choose to sit in either the FP section (virtually the entire left half of the theater) or the Standby section (virtually the entire right half of the theater.)
So, whatever section has the better seating at the time you arrive, you can go there.
Without a FP, you can only choose a seat in the Standby section.

There is a very good chance that you can get a FP+ for F! as a 4th or 5th FP of the day because they issue SO MANY of them (enough to cover nearly the entire left half of the seating.) On many nights, it is possible that you can gat a FP+ for F! as you are walking to the theater.

As to when to arrive at the theater, I'd get to there 45-60 minutes before the show-time.
Even WITH having a FP or Dining Pkg. reservation, don't wait too late.

On busy nights, the CMs can stop holding the reserved sections within 20-30 minutes before show-time, and turn over any available seats to waiting walk-in guests.

Guests who learn how to take advantage of the various available "tools" and timing strategies will be able to take more control over their WDW experiences.
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Map Below-
Arrows indicate the center of the seating.
Shaded areas:
(First or Only F! performance of the evening)
Cyan= Standby (walk-in) seating
Red= Dining Package Reserved
Blue= FP+ Reserved
Purple= Can be either FP+ or Dining Plan Reserved, depending on needs.

(Second or Third F! performance of the evening)
Cyan= Standby (walk-in) seating
Red, Purple, Blue= FP+ Reserved
(Although much of the outer Blue will likely be used for Standby.)

 

[gharter]

When we went to RoL, the FP area is right in the middle of where most of the show is. Very good seats. It didn't look to be full. The sections on either side still had good views. Everything moves around enough, that all the seats should be good.
Fantasmic, we like to get a FP. You have served seating in a very good area. Again, most seats are good. Even with FP, if you get there late, finding a seat can be a challenge. The SB line if very long, but the FP line also can be long. Also, if you sit up front, you may get wet.