WARNING: This One Hollywood Studios Hack Could "Ruin the Magic"

When you’re visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios, there are a few things we’d put on the must-do list!

Of course, you’ll want to visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land, and going for a ride on Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is always a blast. But above all, Hollywood Studios is known for its incredible live entertainment, and there’s one show that stands out above the rest — Fantasmic!

Fantasmic has been the premier nighttime spectacular at Disney’s Hollywood Studios for decades now, and for good reason. It combines live characters with water projections, pyrotechnics, cool stunts, and puppetry to create a 30-minute exhibition of pure Disney magic. For me (and most of the people on our team), it’s something I can’t miss when doing a day in this park.

To watch Fantasmic, you’ll often need to line up at least 30 minutes before the show to get a good seat. The amphitheater entrance is located on Sunset Boulevard near the Tower of Terror, and it’s a decent hike to get to the seating area. Some fans line up an hour in advance to get seated early and hopefully choose a spot with a great view, but there’s one seating mistake you probably want to avoid.

One of our readers left a review of Fantasmic on the AllEars website recently, noting, “This is by far the best show of all shows on Disney property. Cool effects, nostalgic theming, and music that evokes great emotion for all ages. Seating is great, and this show never gets old. I recommend sitting mid-level. I sat once in the front row and didn’t enjoy it as much- in my opinion, some distance maintains the magic. This is a must see never miss non negotiable.”

Fantasmic!

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They raise a good point! This is one of those shows that uses a lot of special effects. And if you get too close, you might be able to see a bit more than is actually intended. For those who like to keep the magic alive, a further seat would be better.

Also, sitting too close to the front means that you’ll be in the splash zone. There are quite a few fountains and mist elements in Fantasmic, and unless you want to spend the show wiping water off your face, you’ll probably want a seat in the dry zone.

The best place to sit would be as close to the middle as possible, near the front but not in the front couple of rows. The best seats in the theater are actually reserved for the Fantasmic Dining Package, which is an add-on dining offering where you get a meal at a Hollywood Studios restaurant, followed by reserved seating for the show. It’s a great deal if you’re willing to pay a little extra.

Next time you watch the show, keep these seating tips in mind. And after it’s over, make sure to come back and leave a review of Fantasmic on the AllEars website. We have reviews for Disney World restaurants, rides, attractions, shows, hotels, and more.