Review: Fantasmic at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
By Dave Shute
FANTASMIC AT DISNEY’S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS
Fantasmic is a 25+ minute evening fireworks (and more) show in that takes place in the Hollywood Hills Amphitheatre at Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios theme park.
It combines fireworks, projected filmed animation, live action, audio-animatronics, music, and flames into a delightful and continually surprising show.
Without giving the show away, the Fantasmic follows a dream of Mickey Mouse about good and evil.
Fantasmic is probably my favorite thing at Walt Disney World, and certainly is my favorite at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Because this high regard is shared by many, it is listed as a favorite on this site’s Comprehensive Guide to Rides.
THE FANTASMIC DINING PACKAGE
Disney has a package where if you eat at certain restaurants at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at certain times, you get a reserved seat for Fantasmic.
- I don’t generally recommend this package, as the times are inconvenient, the restaurants in the program aren’t much fun, and you still need to arrive 30-45 minutes before show time.
- But of all the advice I give on this site, this is the one I worry the most about that I am wrong.
- See this for more on the package.
Check the Hollywood Studios Calendar (find your month, then click on the days of your visit) to check when Fantasmic is being shown during the time you will be at Walt Disney World.
HOW TO CATCH A GOOD SEAT FOR FANTASMIC
You will be directed by a cast member to a certain area for seating, and will have little opportunity to sit other than where they direct you.
The middle of the center portion of the amphitheater is best, and up front at the ends of the amphitheater is worst.
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21 comments
Whatever you do try not to miss the show, your family will love it!
Thanks, Lily!
Hey there,
what is so special on Monday or Wednesday?
We have the option to go do the Disney Hollywood Studios at the 2., 3. or 4. November. I thought Monday would be best?!
Unfortunately we are not in a Disney Hotel, how about the Extra Hours. Is it possible to visit the Fantasmic in the Extra Hour if we don’t have a resort ID?
Not sure what your Monday/Weds reference is to, Melanie, but extra magic hours days draw hordes from the Disney resorts, so they are bad days to visit the parks if you can go on a different day. So your dates the third will be by far overall the best.
Whether you can go to Fantasmic as a non-Disney resort guest during evening EMH varies on the show time, and I don’t know the exact rules. It looks to me that you should be fine for the 8.30 show on 11-4, since the park close is so close at 8p, should you choose to ignore my advice on better days–but I am not 100% sure…
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I currently have Fantasmic booked through the dinner and show (which I see above you don’t recommend) as well as just a Fastpass ticket…both for 5 people. I’m leaning towards the Fastpass because I’m not overly enthused with the restaurant options for my 3 year old (would rather try the 50’s Prime Time Diner which we also have reservations for)…But I’m worried about seating…do you know how much better the seating is with the restaurant’s VIP seating vs regular seating with a fastpass. Any opinion on my choice?? Thanks for your help!!
Candy, the FP+ just guarantees you entrance, and does not put you in any particular seating area. So for good seats, you have to arrive early anyway–so the FP+ is not worth a lot… the dinner package seats, which used to be so-so, are now great.
So the best option is to arrive early for Fantasmic, because of that score great seats, eat where you want, and use your FP+ somewhere more valuable like Toy Story Mania or Rock ‘n’ Roller…
I was just looking at DHS hours, Sept 28, 2014 it shows the park closing at 7:30 and Fantasmic at 8 during the extra magic hours (7:30 – 9:30) is that right? only the resorts guests get into fantasmic that night?
Valerie, this is common, and everyone–including those not staying at a WDW hotel–is allowed in!
never mind, got my question answered… everyone gets into fantasmic. Non EMH people just stay in 30 minutes after closing.
Hi Dave, Thank you for all this information! I particularly value the comprehensive guide to rides! Our family is planning to visit Hollywood Studios this Friday (Yeah!), June 13 and have a FP+ to get access to the 9:00 Fantasmic show, however I’m seeing something called Symphony of the Stars happening at about 9:45. My son, who is 8, is a big fan of Star Wars (let’s be honest, we all are). Is this fireworks show so good that we should skip seeing Fantasmic? This night is our only planned visit to HS. Thanks for your time and any input.
Laura, you are going during Star Wars Weekends, which are a zoo but fun for Star Wars fans. See this for an overview of offerings and some tips on how to handle: http://www.easywdw.com/worth-2/star-wars-weekends-2014-strategy-characters-hoopla-crowds-merchandise-etc/
Hi Dave, is there any chance of making it to the 8 PM Fantasmic if one has a 6:55 reservation at the Brown Derby? I’ve been trying for weeks to get an earlier dinner so that we could see the show, but I’m starting to think it won’t happen. I know to show up early and ask the server if we can be served quickly, but I don’t expect it b/c it’s a 9 for crowds time. Advice? My group really wants to do that restaurant. How much earlier than 8 do we need to show up? Thanks!
Jane, I sorta need the date to comment.
The day before Thanksgiving–Wed, Nov 26. Thanks!
Jane, the good news is that the 26th that’s the second Fantasmic, which is always easier to get into at the last minute than the first one. The bad news is that you still may not have enough time, given how late your reservation is and how crowded the park will be. Me, I’d pick Fantasmic over Brown Derby in a heartbeat–you’d want to be lined up for it by 7.30p
Hi, what a great, helpful site! My 10-year-old has noise-sensitivity issues (gets anxious/upset by loud noises, especially thunderstorms and also, unfortunately, fireworks). But she really loves theatrical shows and would love to see the fireworks, just maybe from a distance… Is that possible with a show like Fantasmic? For the MK fireworks show, I was thinking of eating at The California Grill and watching from the observation deck. Thoughts?
It’s our first family visit (daughter – 10, son – 8) and we leave in one week for 6 nights. 🙂
Thanks in advance for your advice!
Hi Sarah and thanks!!
The fireworks at Fantasmic are a minor part of the overall show, and there are seats at the back that you can grab. If it doesn’t work, then you can exit.
If you don’t already have California Grill reservations, it’s likely to be booked up. There’s a viewing deck at the Contemporary outside the fourth floor service area on the end closer to the Magic Kingdom that you can see Wishes from.
I will be there on July 19th 2015, with both a 9:00 and 10:30 show and a 10:00 park closing. We are planning on the 9:00 because of a long day but I was wondering if there is a chance of getting in line for RnR by 10:00 (single rider) for one last ride after the 9:00 show.
Denise, sure, so long as you arrive at the line before 10p on the dot!
Hi, thanks for all the help with this wonderful site! I am interested in booking the Fantasmic Dining Package for Mama Melrose’s (one of our family favorites). This is our first time booking the package. We know Mama Melrose’s is one point on the standard Disney Dining Plan. Is the Fantasmic Dining Package on the dining plan? If so, how many points is it? Thanks so much!
Hi Brett and thanks!
Yes it is, same as the credit cost for the restaurants–so one credit for Mama Melrose.
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