Seating for F!

[LaurenDis]

We will be doing Fantasmic for the first time at DL, Family of 5, DS8 has Autism and struggles with being smooshed together in lines or seating. We plan to get a DAS and also bring a stroller and get a wheelchair tag for it so he can create a safe space if necessary.

For Fantasmic, we thought if we booked the Blue Bayou dining package the reserved seating might give him more space, but after calling Disney they said it would likely be shoulder to shoulder.

Would it be better to seat us all in the Disability section for more space? Unfortunately DL wasn’t much help when I called and said it was up to the CM at that time. But we need to plan ahead, especially if we need to book a dining package.

Any suggestions for those that have done F! at DL and needed more space?

 

[Tigger Trainer]

Our son has a disability and we have sat in the Fantasmic! disability section several times. Personally, for your family the disability section will give you more of what you are looking for. Get a Fastpass early in the day for the showing you want. Arrive at the meeting location, near the petrified tree, 10 or so minutes earlier than what your fastpass says. When you arrive approach a cast member and show them your DAS pass and show them your fastpass. They will then escort you with your family and the stroller to a special viewing area. We personally think this is one of the best viewing areas. While it is up to cast member discretion, we have never had a problem and our son has always been able to watch from his stroller.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Look into Riverbelle Terrace package, the late option that includes seating not the one that gives you a FP. It’s the only way to view Fantasmic with actual seats for your entire party. The Blue Bayou “seats” are just a FP to a section of the ground to sit on (they give you a pad to sit on) with a good view. RBT would make exiting easy if necessary to take him out of the area on sudden notice and it will keep you away from most of the crowds because you’re on the RBT patio, all the standing crowds are down by the river.

 

[LaurenDis]

Our son has a disability and we have sat in the Fantasmic! disability section several times. Personally, for your family the disability section will give you more of what you are looking for. Get a Fastpass early in the day for the showing you want. Arrive at the meeting location, near the petrified tree, 10 or so minutes earlier than what your fastpass says. When you arrive approach a cast member and show them your DAS pass and show them your fastpass. They will then escort you with your family and the stroller to a special viewing area. We personally think this is one of the best viewing areas. While it is up to cast member discretion, we have never had a problem and our son has always been able to watch from his stroller.

Thank you, this is really helpful! Where is the petrified tree?

 

[LaurenDis]

Look into Riverbelle Terrace package, the late option that includes seating not the one that gives you a FP. It’s the only way to view Fantasmic with actual seats for your entire party. The Blue Bayou “seats” are just a FP to a section of the ground to sit on (they give you a pad to sit on) with a good view. RBT would make exiting easy if necessary to take him out of the area on sudden notice and it will keep you away from most of the crowds because you’re on the RBT patio, all the standing crowds are down by the river.

Unfortunately an 8pm dinner is too late for us :-(. We don’t need to sit, just can’t have him squished in.

 

[wdwfan22]

The DAS section sounds like the way to go for you. Every time I have dome the Blue Bayou dining section, except for once, it was shoulder to shoulder. Well, more like knee to knee and knee to butt. It was packed.

 

[Geemo]

Thank you, this is really helpful! Where is the petrified tree?

note the red arrow Petrified Tree is along the river edge.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

OP, please report back on your experience. It will be very helpful for many other DISers! Hope you all enjoy the show!

ETA:
I posted this in your other thread, too:

I agree that the Disability Section might be the better choice in this situation. If you don't already have them, you might want to bring headphones and dark sunglasses for your son, too. I love F!, but that show is loud and bright -- sometimes too much so for me. Even with earplugs, I have to use the headphones and the dark glasses really help, too. After the show is over, don't try to leave with the masses -- that crowd/crush is legendary for how overwhelming and uncomfortable it can be (even for people with no issues). Just wait it out for a bit -- if you see the first show, you'll be allowed to view the fireworks from the ROA (projections will be shown on the water screens and the music will be piped in), so that will allow even more of the crowd to disperse. Then slowly make your way out of NOS when most of the F! crowd has already gone. Sometimes we'll have a DAS return time for HM ready to go so that we can go right into that ride area after the fireworks are over. By the time we finish HM, the F! crowds are basically gone.

 

[jclaydon]

This is useful thanks. We are visiting for the first time this summer and also looking at options for Fantasmic. My daughter is also autistic so hoping to be able to get a DAS card for her. Additionally my wife has MS and although she won't be in a scooter she does struggle to walk long distances and would find it really hard to sit on the ground for the show. Is there anywhere with seating provided?

 

[LaurenDis]

OP, please report back on your experience. It will be very helpful for many other DISers! Hope you all enjoy the show!

ETA:
I posted this in your other thread, too:

Thanks, we aren’t going until first week in May but I’ll be sure to report back.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

This is useful thanks. We are visiting for the first time this summer and also looking at options for Fantasmic. My daughter is also autistic so hoping to be able to get a DAS card for her. Additionally my wife has MS and although she won't be in a scooter she does struggle to walk long distances and would find it really hard to sit on the ground for the show. Is there anywhere with seating provided?

You might want to look into renting an ECV for your wife to use at DLR during your visit. She will be able to use it when needed and park it when not needed. But it will really help with conserving energy (it is not unusual for people to report walking up to 10+ miles a day in parks) in the summer heat. If you should rent an ECV, then this current thread will have good information for you: How do you see Fantasmic and WOC with a scooter?. Several posters agree that ECVs are now allowed in the reserved areas and can stay in the back row. There is only one dining package that offers actual chair seating: RBT Premium Dining Package, which offers dinner at the tables on the RBT patio for the first F! show. The view isn't as up close and immersive as the other dining package views, but at least you get to sit on chairs. This package can only be booked by phone.