This trip will be the first time any of us get to see Fantasmic! We’ll be there in late May when there’s only one showing at 9PM. I opted not to get the Dining Package, partly because I’m not sure I care about having the best/closest seats and 2 of my kids are Disney Adults who don’t eat like adults. Tell me what I need to know: when to get in line, where to sit, and anything else I’m not asking but need to know. Thanks!
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I was going to say to get the dining package. 
But I totally get it having four kids that eat like birds myself.
But you can still make do arriving about an hour early for standby. Just sit anywhere that isn’t obstructed. Toward the middle about 1/3rd of the way back is best. But standby usually gets the wings.
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I might be convinced the dining package is worth it. Do I still have to get there early?
I was also attempting to avoid tying us down to a table service at HS that day since it can be a tough park to conquer.
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It will save you about 30 minutes of waiting for similar quality seats. I would show up half an hour early for the Dining Package.
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On a CL6 day with one show, we got there 30 mins early, and got a decent seat in the Ursula section (the second section in from the right) about 2/3 up. It was fine for my crew and I was glad we didn’t do the dining package.
Our seats were not front and center like with a dining plan but I was totally ok with that. We could still see everything.
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If you are too close to the front you may get wet…or at least you used to.
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Yes, I have read that mentioned in several places recently. Not a fan of getting wet on the way home for the night!
The crowds now are about what is predicted for our dates, so I’ve been watching wait times closely. It’s different with the nighttime shows because there’s not any data in the app to show me how long the wait is to get in or when to get in line, so I appreciate everyone’s help with that!
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That’s why I suggest sitting about 1/3 of the way up. You shouldn’t get wet if you’re at least that far up.
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I don’t think I would call it wet, more lightly misted. I was recently in row 2. I’d say I was 100% dry before I even left the boundaries of the theater.
Then again, if you’d get a good wind gust in the right direction when the fountain is at peak…
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Yes this is key - the direction and strength of the wind will determine whether you get wet and how much, but the further back you sit the better.
(Of course, the ladies last night were sitting very far back and they got soaked, but that was more of a Florida thing. )
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Well, we weren’t far back. But we got soaked thanks to Mother Nature.
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I would say if you are ok with a halfway decent seat but do not have to be front row, 30-40 mins are fine. Personally, I like to pick an “off” number and get there then- like 37 mins or 42 mins. People are so funny about those 15, 30, 45 and 60 minute marks. Get there a few minutes before those and you’ve gotten a small advantage. But really, 30 minutes should be fine. If you want front row, do a dining package. Sci-Fi and Mama Melrose are priced better than the others I believe. I can always pass on 50s Prime Time but I’m sure that’s another great option for the money.
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If your kids are Disney adults are they old enough that you could do a big/late lunch and eat a late dinner? We got counter service food from the Sunset strip there and just carried the trays straight into the theater. This was right when it had reopened in the fall and I think the demand has gone down now. We were there roughly an hour before it started and we got great seats and 1 hour of waiting while eating dinner wasn’t too bad for us and my boys are kind of terrible at sitting still!
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They will be 12 and 14 at time of travel. Our meal strategy is more to eat early than late, so we could find some dessert to bring in instead of dinner. Loving all these great ideas!
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If you are in the center yes. But off to the side a little and there are spots up front that get soaked. Ask me how I know 
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Was there last week. 25 minutes ahead should be ok. Well worth extra money. Mama Melrose to minimize the cost? 8 to 10 rows back in middle great seats. Just get a little water.