Hubby hates shows!?! What to do...???

[SeiterClan]

My husband has informed me that he doesn't want to sit around waiting an hour or more for shows like PTN , Fantasmic or fireworks but I really want to see some of these things with our kids(ages 4,6,8,11,12 &16) because I have no idea when we will be back! He's still bitter about waiting for the Electrical parade for over an hour to have it cancelled & then we left before fireworks! :/ Anyone have ideas about secret spots we could walk up shortly before PTN begins & still be able to see(4 adults, 6 kids)? Also, if we get the Hungry Bear On the Go package can we slip in a bit before F! starts & still see then move closer to rail when we have to stand for fireworks? Any advice or feedback would be greatly appreciated! TIA!

 

[McPhoenix]

If you have the dining packages, you can show up pretty late and still get seats (if not great ones). In early June we did the Hungry Bear Fantasmic package and showed up ~10-15 minutes before the show starting time and still got pretty decent seats. Once F! was over it definitely would have been possible to push our way to the railing if we wanted to - and that was a moderately crowded day.

 

[FCDub]

If he doesn't want to see them, don't make him. Let him go do something else.

 

[Geemo]

My husband has informed me that he doesn't want to sit around waiting an hour or more for shows like PTN , Fantasmic or fireworks but I really want to see some of these things with our kids(ages 4,6,8,11,12 &16) because I have no idea when we will be back! He's still bitter about waiting for the Electrical parade for over an hour to have it cancelled & then we left before fireworks! :/ Anyone have ideas about secret spots we could walk up shortly before PTN begins & still be able to see(4 adults, 6 kids)? Also, if we get the Hungry Bear On the Go package can we slip in a bit before F! starts & still see then move closer to rail when we have to stand for fireworks? Any advice or feedback would be greatly appreciated! TIA!

Secret spots....
Squeezing one or two into some locations can be possible for back row view. Which is okay for tall people.
However, a space for 10 people, you're going to need a dining package. If that isn't in the budget for ten then you'll need to stake out your viewing spot well ahead of show time.

The best bet is seeing the second show of the night. Finding a spot for the second show is generally less of a challenge.

 

[ExcitedMama]

What if you stake out spots and he returns right before the show with the kids? Or a little earlier and eat while waiting? Get a weighted blanket to mark out your territory when everybody is gone. Or since you have older kids get them to stay with you and get food for everyone and entertain your littles. Waiting can be fun and take in the sights and rest after all the walking! Especially with treats! Or put him in charge of getting your littles to bed and enjoy the show with your other kids.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

Hungry Bear you can come later and get a decent view, but you may need to split your group up. Then you can definitely move up for fireworks and be all together.

PTN I would just wait and have him do something else and come meet you.

 

[Whistlebee]

I agree with above comments. Let him and a couple of the kids go do something else while you and your other kids hold a spot open. He can return 10-15 minutes before showtime. We watched PTN with a group of 9, we had to wait an hour for our spot (3 front row for the kids and the rest of us were behind them). We all took turns taking the kids on nearby rides, browsing nearby store, or going to get treats or drinks during that time. All 9 of us were never there together until the parade started.

 

[az4boys]

General advice:
Most of the shows you'll be ok saving a couple spots, but one person saving 8 spots for very long would be hard. Maybe he could come late with the 2 youngest that might have a hard time waiting too? Or he could be in charge of running to get treats/meals/taking kids to the bathroom so he isn't just sitting most of the time? If the show is late and the youngest can't stay awake, maybe he can take them back to the hotel. If nothing else works, he can go do something else while you and the kids watch the shows.

Specific advice:
I think the HB dining package for the first show followed by fireworks is a great idea. It will cost you, but give you a chance to see both Fantasmic and the fireworks while hopefully keeping your husband happy. Again, you and most of the kids could get in line for that a little early and he could come a little later with the youngest if necessary. He might have to wait in line behind you, but you'll be able to get a spot for the family and he can join you a couple minutes later.

My kids don't like to sit around for shows too much either. We found a spot for PTN that worked really well for us if you are ok eating late or eating treats/resting. Finding it was a fluke really. We got food at Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta around 7:30-8-ish. Just south of the building is a little patio that is well covered with trees and umbrellas. We realized that it was also right next to the gate where the PTN parade comes out of (8:50 parade time). There is a small set of stairs that goes from the main walkway to the patio area. Sit near there and you can have a front row view of the parade coming out of the gate. You might have a couple poles partially blocking your way, but my kids were much happier waiting when it involved food and a chair. We realized a little late and a group had come in to pull chairs next to the stairs. We were behind them next to a large tree and I still thought it was a great view.

 

[smartlabelprint]

My dh also hates shows. He stays with the kids at the hotel while myself or a family member go to the show. Our kids are in bed by the time of shows anyway.

 

[StormyCA]

I'm not a 'show person', either. If he doesn't want to see the shows, why should he? Forcing someone to watch a show is no different than forcing them to go on a ride they don't want to go on. Other than MSEP, there's not a single show or parade that's worth the time away from riding the rides! (IMHO)

Ask him to help you get yourself and the kids situated in your waiting spot, then tell him to go off and do whatever he wants. Chances are with such a large group there may be others who'd rather wander around with him than watch a show.

 

[O'12ears]

Just keep in mind that everyone enjoys the park differently. We used to make visits annually for 2 or 3 park days and I must say I almost resented chewing up 15%+ of a park day sitting around waiting for and watching a show. Everything changed when we added annual passes in 2016. I didn’t feel driven to experience AMAP on each visit; I slowed down and started to appreciate details, shows and the little things.

 

[Marsh215]

Hungry Bear you can come later and get a decent view, but you may need to split your group up. Then you can definitely move up for fireworks and be all together.

PTN I would just wait and have him do something else and come meet you.

I support this option. See the first showing of F! and you can then watch the fireworks with projections from the same location. You get 2 shows for the price of 1 basically!

What if you stake out spots and he returns right before the show with the kids? Or a little earlier and eat while waiting? Get a weighted blanket to mark out your territory when everybody is gone.

Don't do this. Yes it can work, but sometimes it can create much bigger issues. The only time I've seen someone escorted from the park had to do with a fight over spot saving.

 

[BriannaRuth]

I agree, it's one thing when people save a spot or two or three, but saving 8 spots could cause you some drama. Just having a blanket big enough to hold that many spots is going to take up a lot of real estate ... could make you pretty unpopular with others trying to find a spot. Some people think it's ok, but I've heard some nasty comments directed at people who do this.

 

[Born 2B a Princess]

If he doesn't want to see them, don't make him. Let him go do something else.

This. This is what we did last week. My husband really dislikes shows and parades and fireworks...so he didn’t do those with us.