Fantasmic Seating [Merged Threads]

[Lizzie]

Anyone know if the riverside seating is cheaper than the balcony seating?

[NotaGeek]

It is the same price, but the do offer a kid's price on the riverfront ... but IMHO the riverfront seating is not worth it because you aren't right in front of the stage show.

You can get exact pricing by calling Disney Dining at 714-781-3463 30 days prior to your desired reservation day. Seats are $59 for adults (I don't remember what the kids price is, sorry!), unless prices have gone up but if you call Disney they can fill you in.

[mjm12000]

The seating at the Rivers of America is awesome, I did it on my last trip. The view is amazing, unobstructed, plus you do sit in chairs and the desert was like a buffet, and they bring your drinks to you, and they will keep on bringing them too. There was so much food we took a few of the cookies and things with us afterward. It was so amazing!

Also you get to be the envy of thousands of people who can see you sitting there sipping hot cocoa and eating the best deserts I have ever had, in a roped off area with a great view... It totally rocks and is well worth the money.

[Carol]

Score!!!

We got the balcony for viewing Fantasmic at the end of the month.

[ChipDale]

Woot!

Way to go, Carol & Donna!

[Mufasa]

Score!!!

We got the balcony for viewing Fantasmic at the end of the month.

You might just be the last guests to view Fantasmic from the Disney Gallery balcony- after July 31st the Disney Gallery will be closing and so too will the Fantasmic Dessert Balcony.

Riverside seating will still be offered for Fantasmic.

[Carol]

Wow.

I have turned this vacation over to fate. It seems to be forming much better on its own.

[NotaGeek]

UGH. At least I got to do the balcony one time in my history! I just called and it's all sold out throught the end of July. Good bye to the best way to see Fantasmic!

[ChipDale]

UGH. At least I got to do the balcony one time in my history! I just called and it's all sold out throught the end of July. Good bye to the best way to see Fantasmic!

Amen, Brother! Now I'm kicking myself for not doing it with Carol and Donna!

[Chescat]

You might just be the last guests to view Fantasmic from the Disney Gallery balcony- after July 31st the Disney Gallery will be closing and so too will the Fantasmic Dessert Balcony.

Riverside seating will still be offered for Fantasmic.

I talked to the people in the Disney Gallery today. I thought it was only temporary. So its gone forever after July 31st. I always loved to sit on that balcony during the day and just watch all over the river.

The left side toward Tarzan's treehouse (which I was surprised was open today) is already boarded up. Ironic, I went there to pick up the Disney Gallery 20 year anniversary pin.

[tinkwest]

... after July 31st the Disney Gallery will be closing ...

Why?

[Chescat]

The cast member at the gallery said that they are suppose to change the area into a Disney Experience. I have no idea what that means.

I asked about what would happen to all the stuff on sale. They said it would be spread around the park or already being sold at other stores. Still makes me so sad.

[ChipDale]

They're transforming the Gallery into a suite (like the Cinderella Suite in WDW's Magic Kingdom) for Year of a Million Dreams winners.

This is a horrible move on Disney's part. We're losing a quiet refuge from the crowds and a place to just enjoy some great artwork (not to mention the Fantasmic Balcony experience). I just wonder what these marketing dummies will come up with next.

[caldisney]

I agree. This is really a dumb idea. The Disney Gallery and the balcony seating were so special to Disneyland.

I read that the reserved seating in front of Rivers of America is a first come basis rather than the order that your reservation was received. Does anyone know if your entire party has to check in at the same time, or can one person from your party save the seats for the group?

[tinkwest]

They're transforming the Gallery into a suite (like the Cinderella Suite in WDW's Magic Kingdom) for Year of a Million Dreams winners.

This is a horrible move on Disney's part. We're losing a quiet refuge from the crowds and a place to just enjoy some great artwork (not to mention the Fantasmic Balcony experience). I just wonder what these marketing dummies will come up with next.

The Cinderella Suite @ WDW is one thing . . . the everyday park visitor did not lose anything with the introduction of this "dream". But why take away a popular visitor attraction and turn it into a only-for-a-few destination?? Our family always enjoyed the Disney Gallery. No matter whether the exhibit had changed recently or not we always found time to go in and look around. What a shame!

[BklynChick]

I am very disappointed that, despite what looked like a temporary reprieve, the Fantasmic Balcony Priority Seating will no longer be available for my trip in mid October. So now the question becomes, do I go for the Riverside Priority Seating?

My concern is that unlike Balcony, where your seat was reserved for you based on when you called, the Riverside is listed on a "first come,first served" basis. How far in advance of the show will I need to get there to get a good seat? If it's an hour or more, I'm not sure if it is worth it since we will be sitting on the ground (and not the nice Balcony chairs).

[Mufasa]

Riverside seating is not bad- generally I believe that they begin filling in the seats about an hour before showtime, or at least that's usually when guest relations recommends that you have your party together to check-in for the riverside seating area and so the CMs will also have time to distribute your snack box and drinks prior to showtime.

In the future there may be plans to offer an alternate balcony experience offered for Fantasmic, to be located over by the River Belle Terrace but not until some extensive rehab work has been completed to the area.

Still, it won't offer as nice of a centered viewing angle for the show as the Gallery balcony, but in the future Fantasmic will be overshadowed anyway by the future Wonderful World of Color lagoon show planned for DCA which is going to be incredible.

[BklynChick]

One more question - where exactly do you check in for Riverside seating?

[teamblackwell]

Hi all,
I'ts been 2 years since my last trip, but then the check-in location was just left of the roped off seating area. There was a CM standing at a podium, with a name-list of all reserved guests. As soon as you check-in with the CM, your given you seat assignment. On my trip, we got to the podium an hour before the show and was 9th in line.
See ya,
Teamblackwell