The incredible nighttime show Fantasmic! at Disneyland starring Mickey Mouse is not to be missed. Read pro tips, viewing locations and more! Make sure you put this on your must do list at least one night during your vacation. In this show along the Rivers of America, Mickey Mouse dreams he is the Sorcerer’s Apprentice. Watch across an enormous screen of water memorable scenes from Disney classics such as Aladdin, The Lion King, Tangled and Pirates of the Caribbean to name a few. Plus you’ll see some of your favorite characters come out on the Mark Twain Riverboat. It’s a fantastic show every Disney fan should see when visiting Disneyland.
Fantasmic! viewing tips
This show runs twice a night at 9 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Currently only on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. But during busier times like spring break, summer time, fall break and the holidays you can see shows nightly. Always look at the entertainment calendar on the Disneyland website for current info. If you want to see the first show there are a few options. This is a popular show and not a lot of space to view it so you need to have a plan. This photo below was taken 25 minutes before the show started. People on the ground are dining package guests. The people standing are regular viewers who have been saving a spot.
Two hours before the first show starts cast members allow you to save a spot. If you want a good spot you have to camp out. The views from up top of the bridge over Pirates are great. The steps behind the dining package seating area are a good spot too. Or the spaces next to the dining package seating. See the graphic below with an “X” marking these areas.
You can just leave one person at the spot and rotate while someone else takes kids on rides if that’s your group type. You could also find your spot, mobile order some food and send someone to go pick it up. Then eat while you wait for the show. The least amount of time I would say for an ok spot would be an hour before the show starts. Ask cast members what’s available when you arrive but it will be slim pickings. The later show always has less people and is easier to find a spot but that’s late for kids. And that’s why I suggest a dinner dining package if you don’t want to wait so long. More about dining packages below. Fantasmic! is 27 minutes long and is standing room only (unless you do a dining package) so keep that in mind.
Fantasmic! Pro tips:
If you watch the 9 pm show stick around after it’s over and watch the fireworks show above you to the right.
After either show don’t follow the crowds out of the park. Either do a ride and then go home. Or turn around and head to the train station in New Orleans Square. Hop on the train and ride it around to Main Street and exit that way. You’ll avoid all the masses trying to leave the park after the show!
Fantasmic! dining package options
To save your feet and save time I do recommend a dining package with reserved seating areas. You can get a dining package at Hungry Bear restaurant (cheapest option), River Belle Terrace (2 options) or at the Blue Bayou. Make dining reservations on the Disneyland website or in the app under dining. If you can’t get a reservation consider signing up for FREE dining alerts here. I have done two of the dining experiences and have some suggestions. Let’s breakdown each one and then I will show you where the seats are for the show. Plus I’ll give you my review and thoughts.
Fantasmic! On-the-Go Package at Hungry Bear. Reservations required, but if you go to the restaurant on the day you’re there I recommend asking. They may have available meals. Dining times: 3:00 pm to 8:30 pm. Reservations made for 3:00 pm through 6:45 pm will include a voucher for entry into the reserved viewing area for the first performance of that night. And reservations from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm will include a voucher for entry into the reserved viewing area for that night’s second show.
The meals are $35 per adult (ages 10 and up) and $25 per child. The adult meal has options of barbecued pork ribs, grilled salmon salad or a barbecued half-chicken, served with bacon potato salad, seasonal vegetables, a dessert and fountain beverage. Or try a plant-based Impossible sloppy joe sandwich with seasonal vegetables, fresh fruit, dessert and fountain beverage. Kids meals include barbecued ribs, mac and cheese, and a plant-based Impossible sloppy joe slider.
Next there are two River Belle Terrace dining package options. The Premium package requires a dining reservation for 7:15 pm. Dinner is $75 per adult; $45 per child (ages 3 to 9), tax and gratuity not included. You will enjoy your dinner and the evening’s first performance of Fantasmic! right from your table on our outdoor patio. Choose from the regular menu or from special items offered only to Fantasmic! Dining Package Guests, such as loaded potato bites, petite New York steak and scallops, pan-roasted shrimp, chocolate rocky road cake or white chocolate raspberry trifle.
Also available at the River Belle Terrace is the Standard dining package. Make a dining reservation starting at 11:00 am for lunch and 4:00 pm for dinner. You could also check on the day you’re there to see if they have availability. River Belle Terrace lunch or dinner Guests can request the Standard Package from their server. Availability is limited. Lunch and dinner prices are $50 per adult; $30 per child (ages 3 to 9), tax and gratuity not included.
You can choose from a Southern-style meal at lunch or dinner from special items offered only to Fantasmic! Dining Package guests or choose from the regular menu. Then you’ll receive a voucher admitting you to a separate reserved viewing location for one of the 2 Fantasmic! performances that evening.
The last option is the Blue Bayou Fantasmic! Dining package. Make a dining reservation starting at 11:00 am for lunch and 4:00 pm for dinner. You could also check on the day you’re there to see if they have availability. Lunch and dinner prices are $89 per Guest (ages 10+); $35 per Guest (ages 3-9), tax and gratuity not included. Choose from a wide variety including Hearts of Palm Escabèche, Roasted Mushroom Ragu Pasta, Monte Cristo Sandwich & Seasonal Salad, Prime Rib, a specialty nonalcoholic drink and a Fantasmic! specialty dessert. Enjoy your meal and then receive a voucher admitting you to a separate reserved viewing location for Fantasmic! that evening.
Seating for the Fantasmic! dining packages
Reserved seating is included with the Hungry Bear package, Blue Bayou package and River Belle standard package. Your voucher lists the location of your viewing area, the time you should arrive at your viewing location and the show’s performance time. Both times I did the packages I arrived 20 minutes before it stated in hopes that I could get in a line. One time cast members let us start lining up and another they said to come back at the stated time, so you decide. The reserved seating area for each dining package is shown below. HB = Hungry Bear, BB = Blue Bayou, RB = River Belle Terrace. Same graphic I shared above for stand-by viewing locations.
Seating in these areas is on the ground only. You must be seated. But it’s actually nice to sit down. All other guests waiting have to stand and then stand to watch the show. There is a separate area for guest with disabilities just ask the cast member. Below was my spot for the River Belle Terrace standard dining package.
As shown in the seating graphic above, the Blue Bayou guests get straight on views of the show and then the River Belle Terrace guests and Hungry Bear have views from the side. The views are the same for Hungry Bear and River Belle Terrace guests. Both are fantastic cause you’re in the front. With that being said you need to decide on the food you want to eat. Don’t spend more on the Blue Bayou if you like the River Belle menu better cause you’re basically in the same area. I enjoyed my meal at the River Belle a lot more than the Hungry Bear. But the Hungry Bear dining package was cheaper. So you’ll have to decide which one you’d like. In the photo below you can see the rope dividing the River Belle guests from the Blue Bayou guests. 
I have covered everything I can think of for Fantasmic! Let me know if you have any questions. If you’re looking for other entertainment tips you can read more about the following options…
Thanks for the great information! We’ve reserved the Hungry Bear dining package for the end of March. After we claim our seats in the viewing area, will some of my family be able to leave the reserved area (for a snack, bathroom break, etc)? If so, what will they need to show the cast member to get back to our seats?
Yes just leave someone in your seats. Then people can come and go. You can use your ticket they give you to get into the reserved area to go back and forth. Or just tell the cast member as you leave you’re going to the bathroom. Have a great time!