Disneyland Park - Rivers of America

23 minutes

Fantasmic! will be canceled if there are high winds or poor weather conditions, such as rain. Listen to announcements over the parks PA and at the rivers edge to find out if the show is going on during these weather conditions.

If you would like to get the best seats available, it is suggested that you attempt to stake out your spot a good 2˝ hours in advance. On days when the park is really crowded, you should arrive no less then 3 hours in advance. On uncrowded days you can arrive about an hour before to get the good seats. Just keep your eyes open when walking past the Rivers of America area. If you see people already sitting down with blankets, and waiting, I would suggest trying to get a seat then, but if you don't, you can wait a little while longer. If there is a second show the night you are there I would suggest going to that one. They tend to be less crowded, and you get to get on many of the attractions during the first show. There are a couple of ways to get the good seats for the second show. First, hang around in the general area of Frontierland, ride Big Thunder Mountain, or get something to eat at the Stage Door Café or the River Bell Terrace, during the first show. Wait until the end of the first show and until the majority of the crowds have left through Adventureland, and head over to your seat. Be careful that the Cast Members aren't blocking you from going, because they are very strict when and where they allow people to go after the shows. You can also wait with many people in Frontierland, which is turned into a holding pen for the guests wishing to view the next show. Once they have herded everyone from the previous show through Adventureland, they will let this group of people in. Also if there happens to be a third show during the night, use the same tips as for the second, but remember this one will be even less crowded than the first two.

Steve adds the following:

One the map to the right you can see a 1, 2, 3 in a red circle. These are the three main viewing areas of Fantasmic. Seating runs all the way from the Mark Twain dock to Harbour Galley. For the best visuals you should sit at point number one. This area is in front of the middle light tower and you will be able to distinguish it because it is wider than the outer two. There is also a table with tech people directly next to it.
Note: All three towers are hidden during the day, so you will not see them, but they come out of the ground about 3-4 hours before the show starts. This area allows you to see everything from the front instead of the sides. These are the seats you will have to get to 2 to 3 hours before the show. Number 2 and 3 give you side views of the show. You will be able to see the water screens from a front view, since there are three, one for each spot. But the acting on the island stage will be at a side view and you may miss some of it. For these seats you don't have to get there as soon but you shouldn't be there any later than an hour before the show. You should walk by this area earlier in the day so that you know your way around, and where these seating areas are, since you'll probably either be in a rush before the show, or it will be too crowded to notice where you've found a spot. Also before show time you may want to decide to send a few members of you party to get seats for the entire party. Bring a blanket or two so you can save spots. This way your party has a seat and you can switch off during the wait riding attractions and getting food. This is a little better than sitting for 3 hours waiting for nothing. You may also want to bring some cards or small games along to help the wait go by faster.

Fantasmic! is a one of a kind stage show/movie/laser and firework show/water float parade/unbelievable extravaganza. From the minute the show starts you sit in awe. There is no other show quite like Fantasmic. For 23 minutes you are taken through Mickey's imagination, where he encounters good, evil, and all your favorite Disney characters. The show switches back between movies shown on screens of water, and live performing. Lasers, fireworks, fog, and light effects are used quite liberally throughout the show. Beware though some small children may be frightened since the show does have some intense. Also if you have sensitive hearing, be warned because the music is played loud enough, that Disneyland's neighbors have complained of being able to hear it.

There are many areas along the Rivers of America to get food. Starting from locations in Frontierland to Critter Country here they are. In Frontierland next to the Mark Twain dock is a churro cart, and sometimes a roasted almond cart. Also in this area is a popcorn cart. For food you can get a quick hamburger and fries at the Stage Door Café, next to the Golden Horseshoe Stage. Continuing on there is the River Bell Terrace (which may not always be open, except for Summer and Holiday periods) which offers, special Fantasmic take out meals, which are pretty nice. Next is the Royal Street Veranda, which is hidden behind the stairs for the Disney Art Gallery, which is above Pirates of the Caribbean, offers clam chowder, cokes, and ice creams. The Candy cart is directly across from the Royal Street Veranda, and offers, you guessed it, candy. Café Orleans and the French Market are nice restaurants if you want to site and watch the show from their eating areas, but they don't like you taking food out of these areas. The Mint Julep Bar is hidden behind the French Market and sells, cokes, mint juleps, and small pastries. The next two food carts are in front of the Haunted Mansion, on selling popcorn and the other churros. The last restaurant in this area is the Harbour Galley, located in across from the Haunted Mansion, they sell sea food and drinks.

There is only one set of restrooms that are somewhat close to the viewing area and these are located next to the New Orleans Square Train Station. You can find other ones in Critter Country in the Hungry Bear Restaurant, and in Adventureland at that lands entrance. Other than that everything else is pretty far away.

There is also a Fantasmic Dessert Buffet for $41 a head. Guests will have prime seating on the Disney Gallery Balcony and have all you can eat desserts. This buffet allows you show up only 20 to 30 minutes before show time rather than 2-3 hours. Reservations can be made at the Guest Relations Windows to the right of the entrance gates, and are on a first come first serve basis. So if you want this expensive but nice treat you should head directly to the Guest Relations Windows as soon as you can, preferably before the park opens, so that you can make reservations.

The Resort is also offering another dessert feature for Fantasmic! in additon to the balcony seating that can accomodate more Guests. This feature costs $40 for adults and $30 for children. In this case Guests receive a special Fantasmic! box full of dessert treats and are seated down below near the water in a private viewing area by the Haunted Mansion. Chairs are provided for Guests' comfort. Tickets can also be purchased in advance for this buffet at the Guest Relations window, but this seating is less popular and often Guests can purchase tickets at the seating location right up until show time.