PDA

View Full Version : Fantasmic Balcony Seating


dcfromva
May 24th, 2004, 00:52
I called for our reservations the other day and I was able to get reservations for the balcony seating for the first show of the evening on one of the evenings we will be there!!

A little background on this. Fantasmic originated at Disneyland. The show springs to life out of the Rivers of America almost well, like magic. It has always awed me. The only downside is the show's popularity and there is very little seating. If you want to get a good view of the action, you have to get there extra early and stake out a place to stand or you can try for the two different reserved seating options. One option is the Riverside seating (which I haven't tried) and the other option is Disney Gallery Balcony dessert seating.

The Disney Gallery is located on the second floor above the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. This space was originally planned to be the Disney family apartment inside Disneyland, but it did not get finished prior to Walt passing away. So, the space was used for an art gallery. The balcony is just off what would have been the dining room.

There are about 22 seats (2 rows ) that are set up on the balcony along with all kinds of yummie desserts and coffee and lemonaide and tea, et'c.

The last time we tried for these seats, they only took same day reservations. I got into line at 5am (there was one person ahead of me) and waited for guest services to open at 8am. (The folks in line kept me company and they were pretty entertaining :) )

The good news is that now, they do take advance reservations--30 days to the day--ie, if you were going on Sept 1, you would call on Aug 1.
The reservation office opens at 8am Pacific time. Since reservations are so limited, try to get in right at 8am (I started dialing a couple minutes before 8am)
The phone number is: 1 714 781 4400.
The price is 49.75 per person with tax (it is the same price for adults as it is for children). Your credit card is charged immediately (and is a non-refundable transaction)
Your seats are reserved in the order you call in to make the reservation. The front row seats are reserved first.

The experience is awesome. We did this about 3.5 years ago and the seats provided an excellant view of Fantasmic.

-DC :ears:

Relishy
May 24th, 2004, 20:34
Congratulations DC,
I bet ringing from home was a lot easier than having to be up at the crack of dawn :) Please let us all know how it goes.
Relishy

Pixie
May 4th, 2005, 00:25
I'm hoping for seats to Fantasmic for July. The more I read about this, the more I want the seats!!! Can't wait to see it.

uscwest
May 4th, 2005, 03:01
We have them on Memorial Day Weekend.

dcfromva
May 5th, 2005, 04:54
We have them on Memorial Day Weekend.

John,
:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: You are in for a real treat.

I was wondering if the price has gone up since last year? (Will you be doing the first seating?)


-DC :ears:

wdwgrandma
May 5th, 2005, 12:53
We are doing the 9:00 PM viewing. I think that is the first seating. Does it make a difference????

Here is our itinerary - tho not complete:

· 5/26 NAPA ROSE 6:30 pm
· 5/27 Storyteller's Café 7:50 am
· 5/28 Aladdin Spectacular 2:00 pm
· 5/28 Electrical Parade Premium Viewing 8:45 pm
· 5/29 Walk in Walt's Footsteps Tour 9:00 am
· 5/29 Snow White Musical 3:00 pm
· 5/29 Blue Bayou 6:30 pm
· 5/29 Fantasmic Balcony Premium Viewing 9:00 pm

dcfromva
May 6th, 2005, 13:25
I think that is the first seating. Does it make a difference????

:yes: We were allowed to stay in the balcony and watch the fireworks after Fantasmic. It is a pretty good view of the fireworks (except you only have a limited view of 'Tink as she flies)
We found it was pretty jammed up leaving the area in front of the Rivers of America as we left. The CM's had the area roped off and people were queuing up to get into the area for the next Fantasmic show. There is a place for people who are leaving the area to walk--but there is still a bit of a traffic jam.
(The other reason I like the first show is because coming from the east coast--it is difficult for me to stay up any later! :D ).

-DC :ears:

wdwgrandma
May 6th, 2005, 13:41
(The other reason I like the first show is because coming from the east coast--it is difficult for me to stay up any later! :D ).

-DC :ears:
Same for me! I'm usually in bed and sound asleep before 8:30! And there's, what, a 3 hour time difference between VA and CA? I'm gonna be one whooped puppy!

dcfromva
May 6th, 2005, 13:59
And there's, what, a 3 hour time difference between VA and CA?

:yes:


-DC :ears:

lovethatmouse17
May 8th, 2005, 17:09
the Fantasmic Dessert Buffet is so expensive! is it really worth it?

lovethatmouse17
May 8th, 2005, 17:10
and also i hear that there are 2 seatings for the dessert buffet...the balcony which is more expensive and then regular seating...how is that? is the balcony better or is the regular seating just as good?

wdwgrandma
May 8th, 2005, 17:37
the Fantasmic Dessert Buffet is so expensive! is it really worth it?
We'll see!

tajainaz
May 8th, 2005, 21:30
Sounds as though we need to nail down our December dates soon. That is something I definitely want to try to book--Leu has never done the Fantasmic Balcony Dessert thing in her frequent trips to DLR. It would be a nice surprise for her! :)

Donna, I have the opposite problem when I visit WDW. I'm usually awake until 2:00 or 3:00 a.m., but can't make park opening to save my life! :hehe:

lovethatmouse17
May 9th, 2005, 01:18
has anyone had any experience with the Fantasmic Dessert Buffet Packages? can you give reviews...details...and basically an explanation of the thing??? i can't seem to find anything on it when i did my research http://www.wdisneyw.com/ubb/confused.gif (http://www.wdisneyw.com/forums/misc.php?do=getsmilies&wysiwyg=1&forumid=58#)

dcfromva
May 9th, 2005, 14:04
can you give reviews...details...and basically an explanation of the thing???

lovethatmouse17,
( Go to the very first post in this thread for an explanation and more details... )

Basically, there is very little seating for Fantasmic at Disneyland. The limited seating options all require an additional ticket which includes a dessert.

There is seating on the Rivers of America (which I haven't tried, yet) and there is Balcony seating which I have done twice. I found the experience very enjoyable and I would do it again (if they don't sell all the seats out before I am able to book it! :D )

-DC :ears:

wdwgrandma
May 9th, 2005, 14:29
Sounds as though we need to nail down our December dates soon. That is something I definitely want to try to book--Leu has never done the Fantasmic Balcony Dessert thing in her frequent trips to DLR. It would be a nice surprise for her! :)

Donna, I have the opposite problem when I visit WDW. I'm usually awake until 2:00 or 3:00 a.m., but can't make park opening to save my life! :hehe:
Yeah, that will be my problem... Wide awake before the crack of dawn! And sleepy before the sun even sets!

lovethatmouse17
May 9th, 2005, 23:44
ok thanks very much--any you think the price is worth it right? b/c its like the only way to get a good spot without gettin in line hours in advance..and i def. don't wanna do that--so i guess balcony seating it is!