NEW DISNEYLAND FASTPASS VIEWING REVIEW:
On December 12, 2014, Disneyland inaugurated a new way to view “Fantasmic!” using FASTPASS, similar to the system for World of Color across the courtyard in Disney California Adventure. The FASTPASS system was put into place in order to prevent guests from losing much of their day, due to the fact some guests were holding spots as early as 4:00pm for a 9:00pm showing. Cast members also hoped the system would decrease clutter along the banks of the Rivers of America. I had several days to watch the development of the “Fantasmic!” seating process.
I will preface the following with this: the cast members we encountered were extremely pleasant and helpful every night. For a brand new experience, things went very well. However, the major problem I witnessed throughout the nightly performances was miscommunication between cast members. When I first entered the park on the morning of the first day and picked up a times guide, there was a very helpful insert detailing the several new ways to view “Fantasmic!”
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We will detail here the Three Main Ways to View Fantasmic! With this new system:
GENERAL FANTASMIC! VIEWING FASTPASS:
First and foremost is the distribution of a FASTPASS ticket to any guest with a valid theme park Admission. The tickets are located near the Big Thunder Ranch Petting Farm along the Big Thunder Trail corridor between Fantasyland and Frontierland.
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FANTASMIC! DINING OPTIONS WITH FASTPASS:
Next, there are also several options to purchase various Fantasmic! Dining Packages for premium FASTPASS viewing of “Fantasmic!”
· Dinner at Blue Bayou, starting at 4:00pm, will get you a three-course meal and a “Fantasmic!” themed seat cushion. Prices are $61.00 for adults and $23.00 for children ages 3-9.
· Starting at 3:00pm, River Belle Terrace dining also includes a three-course meal, but no seat cushion. Prices are $41.99 for adults and $21.99 for children.
· If you are short on time, you can grab an on-the-go meal from Aladdin’s Oasis. The meal includes an entree, desert, and beverage. Prices are $19.99 for adults and $13.99 for children, and meals can be picked up anytime between 12-7:00pm. No reservations are required for the on-the-go meals.
· Finally, the old “Fantasmic!” dessert package has been replaced by a Dessert Party at Hungry Bear Restaurant. The package includes a dessert platter, beverages, and live entertainment. Guests are then taken to their seating before the show begins. Prices are $21.99 for both adults and children.
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FANTASMIC! VIEWING STANDBY LINE:
The final way to view “Fantasmic!” is by chancing a spot in one of the standby locations. No FASTPASS ticket is required for these locations and guests may arrive up to one hour prior to show time.
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Each “Fantasmic!” cast member had access to a map which designated each viewing location.
· The standby viewing locations are located on either side of the Rivers of America, near the Mark Twain Riverboat dock and the Pirate Lair dock.
· Gold FASTPASS ticket holders will be located across from River Belle Terrace
· Blue FASTPASS ticket holders will be located across from Café Orleans.
· Dining Packages have Premium Viewing Locations as follows:
o Blue Bayou in the center, directly across from Pirates of the Caribbean
o River Belle Terrace to the right of center (facing the Rivers of America)
o Aladdin’s Oasis and Dessert Party to the left of center.
Traffic before and during “Fantasmic!” has always been confusing and it took a few days to get used to the new pattern to now include this FastPass system. The sidewalk behind the guests watching the show becomes one way, flowing from the Golden Horseshoe to the Haunted Mansion. In order to travel the other direction, you’ll be routed around the backside of New Orleans Square, by the bathrooms, and across the bridge over Pirates of the Caribbean.
When we first received our FastPass tickets, we were told that all standard FASTPASS viewing would be standing and all dining FASTPASS viewing would be seated. However, the viewing in front of the two wheelchair locations within gold and blue turned out to be sitting only. Guests are still encouraged to remain in their spots after the first showing in order to watch the fireworks. The colors of the cast members’ flashlights are supposed to match the section you are in (gold or blue for viewing, white for walking), but because cast members were focused on helping guests, I noticed many different colored lights in the same section or the wrong color altogether.
When it was time to return for the show, cast members had different information on where to line up. I finally found myself near the Mark Twain Riverboat dock and discovered that gold and blue FASTPASS holders would be entering from this location, despite the fact the blue location was on the other side of the Rivers of America.
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With a Blue FASTPASS Ticket IN HAND, at the appropriate time, Cast members ushered us along with cone flashlights, but no one told us where exactly we were going. Along the way I watched as many people slipped into any open railing spot along the way – including within the dining package locations. When it seemed like there was no way we could go any further, we asked if we were in the blue section, and we were told yes – so we grabbed a seat at the railing just to the right of the Raft Dock. Not twenty minutes later, Cast Members told us we were in the wrong place and needed to move down even more. Confusion erupted as people jumped up, me included, and began to rush to get good seats. I, however, heard the cast member mention to one guest he was going to check, so I stuck to the railing and waited. It turns out we all were in the wrong spot, but because not many people had booked dining packages that day, we were allowed to stay.
As much confusion as there was, I am proud of the cast members who kept a level head each day and did their best to give guests the very best experience. Everyone I approached took the time to answer my questions and give me their full attention. A select few cast members seemed to be at their wit’s end, but I’m not surprised given the chaos, and they do not represent the whole. At this time, I can’t tell if the new system will be a means to the desired end. However, the more showings of “Fantasmic!” that both the guests and cast members experience, the more the system can be perfected. For me, I look forward to trying one of the dining packages the next time I am able to visit the park if this system in fact stays in place. I actually prefer the old way, but now they can add the addition of sweeping the area 2 hours before the show and roping it off, then allowing seating/standing 1 hour before the show.
Written by Guest Blogger Nikko Shaw.
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