Fantasmic! - logistics question

[JennyAnne]

Hi everyone!

I think I have decided that I would like to see Fantasmic when we go on May 18. In your opinion, would I have to do the dinner package at this time? I would prefer not to, just because it seems like you have to eat so early.

I have seen that some people bring food in...my questions are:

1. How early would we need to arrive before the show at this time of year?
2. How soon before the show begins do they start letting people in to sit down?
3. When you all talk about "taking food in" (such as hotdogs from Rosie's), how do you do this? Are you eating in line? Are you waiting to sit down but eating a cold hot dog because you bought it so long ago?

I guess this is a Parks AND Dining thread, so I'll stick it here. I'm just kind of wondering how much of our night we will have to sacrifice standing in line if we don't do the package in mid-May.

Thanks!!

[Moley]

Jenny Anne, in May, I would allow one hour for center section and 45 minutes to avoid standing room. You can get hot dogs right in the arena and they are good! Also good are the hot soft pretzels. All kinds of beverages are for sale. My advice is to wait to be seated and then send one or two of your party back for the eats. Another suggestion: buy a treat like grapefruit cake from the Brown Derby and supplement it with a hot dog. Rosie's is a pretty short walk from the arena, so you should be able to transport your food into the arena before it get really cold. What I don't know is if they have a takeout container from Rosie's. Something with a lid.

Do you have collapsible insulated lunch bags at home? Take one in your tote that night, buy the food and stow it in the bag until you are comfy. I think it's fun to eat while waiting for the show. Just be aware that setting a drink down on your seat could be hazardous as lots of people put their feet up on the seats in front of them without looking. Bottled drinks with the cap put back on can avoid any soggy seating area mishaps.

[JennyAnne]

Thanks Moley! I didn't realize that they sell the hot dogs right in the arena. I thought they would just have chips and pretzels. As long as you don't think I am going to have to kill 2 hours waiting in line, I will bypass the dinner package. I think at Brown Derby we would be paying for more than we would eat.

Moley, you are too funny with your grapefruit cake. I like grapefruit (just had 1/2 a grapefruit last night) so I might just have to make a point of getting a piece. :D

[SusanP]

No more than an hour in May would be my guess-I can let you know when I get back if you haven't left yet! We usually end up taking something in from the Rosie's area and it is fine, we have also purchased inside. They let you in at least an hour before, we have not lined up before the 'gates open'. Once we head up the path we just keep going til we get to our seat-I guess it could take as long as 10 min but that would be the most. We enjoy the wait, my kids love the different waves that get going and it is really quite pretty as the sun goes down. In the past I have packed homework for the kids to do just to pass the time.

[disneylover]

Here is a menu from fantasmic
http://allearsnet.com/menu/menu_fan.htm
The chicken wraps are good and you 2 of the.Big ones.

[JennyAnne]

Thank you all for your help with my Fantasmic! question!! Some questions seem so silly, but since I haven't been there in so long it's almost like I've never been there at all! Not quite, but almost! :wink:

SusanP: I would love to hear about your experience if you are back before we leave. We will be leaving either May 15th or 16th, depending upon whether we drive or fly.

Thanks again!!! 8)

[SusanP]

JennyAnne,
No problem, we aim to return on the 9th.