Fantasmic and GAC About This Page:

[jovigirlnj]

I have a question - we plan on going to see Fantasmic on our trip next month. I have heard that people line up 3 hours before - my son has Autism and no way would he wait in line for that long. We already have our Drs note to get a GAC card. With that help us at all in the line? There 7 of us all together - my hubby and I and our 5 boys and I would like us to sit all together. Does the Fantasmic Dinner package help at all?? Thanks!!

[Eeyore Tattoo]

A GAC will help in knowing what your needs are, But seating is first come first seated. What I think you should do is have DH or you & your other kids get seats then come in later with other son. Depending on the day you go I really think you can get seated a hour early. I have never not gotten a place to sit (I use a ECV)
and never arrive more than a hour early..

[jovigirlnj]

Originally Posted by Eeyore Tattoo

A GAC will help in knowing what your needs are, But seating is first come first seated. What I think you should do is have DH or you & your other kids get seats then come in later with other son. Depending on the day you go I really think you can get seated a hour early. I have never not gotten a place to sit (I use a ECV)
and never arrive more than a hour early..

Thats a good idea - I could just have them save our seats. Thanks!!

[Eeyore Tattoo]

BTW, Have a wonderful trip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[iamgrumpy]

GAC's won't guarantee a seat for Fantasmic! I found that out about a month ago when we arrived and it was Standing Room Only with about an hour to go until the show started. I ended up having to sit on the ground in the Handicap Overflow area and I saw nothing but since I live locally I wasn't concerned but for those who don't I know that Standing for that long isn't as pleasant regardless of ability.

The Fantasmic Dining Package you go in the same time as everyone else does, same entrance but they have the right side of the theater if your facing the stage roped off for those with the Dining package so you'd have a seat there just can't enter extra early like before. You may find that works better for you or having someone hold your child's seat as well as yours so you can maybe walk around up by the back of the theater but you won't be able to exit the theater and come back in guaranteed. So once you enter the theater its best to stay there, and just fill time maybe with coloring books or activities you could keep in your bag.

[jovigirlnj]

Great - Thanks

[CinderAbby]

I know your dilemma - I'm in the same boat. My daughter is Autistc and there's no way she could wait in line for 3 hours to see this - especially since she has problems with crowds. Plus add in the fact my husband uses a scooter it presents for an interesting situation for us. I guess I'll find out what will happen when we get there.

[jovigirlnj]

Originally Posted by CinderAbby

I know your dilemma - I'm in the same boat. My daughter is Autistc and there's no way she could wait in line for 3 hours to see this - especially since she has problems with crowds. Plus add in the fact my husband uses a scooter it presents for an interesting situation for us. I guess I'll find out what will happen when we get there.

Hopefully it will all work out for the best!!! Have a great trip!!

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by iamgrumpy

GAC's won't guarantee a seat for Fantasmic! I found that out about a month ago when we arrived and it was Standing Room Only with about an hour to go until the show started.


So once you enter the theater its best to stay there, and just fill time maybe with coloring books or activities you could keep in your bag.

WOW1 i usually only go during slow times! Was the crowd for the first of second show?

Great tip about filling time. I think it's great when families do what they can to help those with sensory sensitivities, ADHS, fears, behaviors, or other conditions cope with waiting. I have some parents who realy plan ahead with a variety of sensory tools, disractions, and comforts. Some of these families would be entitled to a GAC, but they don;t even use one because they are comfortable with their sensory or attention strategies.

[Tracy M.]

Even without any sort of disability waiting in line for 3 hours would be a bit much.

From what I've heard the Fantasmic package isn't worth it anymore since you have to stand in the regular line anyway.

[SueM loves WDW]

Originally Posted by jovigirlnj

Thats a good idea - I could just have them save our seats. Thanks!!

As iamgrumpy mentioned, that will only work if you all go into the theater area together - have them stay sitting to save your seats and then you can roam around (although it will be very busy and congested). A fairly good place to go is the restroom area; look for it on your left as you are coming in. It is sort of opposite the stroller drop off area, which is on your right as you are coming in.

BUT, if you have them go in early and plan to enter and find them later, you have a very good chance of not getting into the theater at all. The CMs make a lot of announcements to enter with your entire party because there is no guarantee that you will be able to enter later. I have heard people inside getting calls from other members of their party who were not able to get in.

The dinner package does allow you to come a little later, but the dinner package seats are released to the 'general seating' if you are not there by a certain time to claim your seats (the last I heard, it was 35-45 minutes before the show starts), but you still would be entering in the usual entry point.

People do start lining up way before the show starts, but keep in mind that the theater holds 7,000 people and they do not start letting people come into the theater area until about 1.5-2 hours ahead of showtime. If you join the line before the 'gate' opens, you will be waiting in a non-moving line. If you enter after they have started letting people in, the line will be slowly moving forward the whole time. And, unlike other queues, which are very narrow, the pathway to get into the theater is very wide - I'd guess 20-30 feet wide. Once inside the theater, you will be sitting for the rest of your wait, so you can bring out whatever diversions you think might help.

[jovigirlnj]

Thank you for all of your info - I didnt know that there was a chance my son and I couldnt get in if everyone else went in first so thanks for the heads up!! I think we will hop in line as you said once the gates open then I will find the restroom area and walk around with him there while the others sit..depending on his mood coloring may also keep him busy for a bit - I never leave without our bag of tricks!!!

Thanks again - everyone is so helpfull!!

[GuyanaBoy]

The "Dinner and a Show" package worked GREAT for us last September. We called reservations, reserved a meal at one of several places in the Hollywood Studios, and then came into the roped off area of the theater. I ride a scooter, and our Grandson is ADHD / Aspigers, so we certainly understand the issues.
It worked for us in September, but if it has changed, then I am not sure what to tell you.
Hope it works out for all of you. . . Our Grandson LOVED the show, and it worked very well for us.

GOOD LUCK!

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by GuyanaBoy

Hope it works out for all of you. . . Our Grandson LOVED the show, and it worked very well for us.

GOOD LUCK!

Always happy to hear that things worked out!

Thanks for the info!