We’ve all seen them. You’re sitting back, fully immersed in the magic of Disney, when suddenly, people start standing up and making a beeline for the exit before the show is even over.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
It’s frustrating, it’s distracting, and unfortunately, it’s happening way too often at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. These “aisle lice” are causing chaos at some of the park’s most beloved shows, and we need to talk about it.
If you’ve ever flown on a plane, you’ve probably encountered aisle lice before. They’re the people who pop up the second the plane lands, crowding the aisle and grabbing their bags before the doors even open.
©Getty Images
It’s a behavior that makes frequent flyers collectively roll their eyes. And guess what? That same brand of impatience has landed right in the heart of Hollywood Studios.
Let’s talk about Hollywood Studios’ biggest shows. Fantasmic! is a major offender, but it’s not the only one. This phenomenon is also happening at the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular and Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage.
Fantasmic
These shows are Disney World staples, drawing huge crowds with their action-packed performances and nostalgic charm. But no matter which show you’re attending, the moment the final act begins, the aisle lice emerge. People start slipping out of their seats, squeezing past others, and making their way toward the exits before the show is even over. And honestly? It’s driving the rest of us crazy.
Fantasmic! crowds
Yes, we get it. You want to beat the crowds. You’re worried about getting stuck in a slow-moving sea of people when the show ends. Maybe you’ve got a dining reservation or just really, really want to be the first in line for the Skyliner. But here’s the thing—Disney is designed to clear out efficiently. They’ve been handling these crowds for years, and while it might feel overwhelming at first, the post-show exit process is smoother than you might expect.
Fantasmic Line
When you stand up early and start pushing toward the exit, you’re not just disrupting the experience for yourself—you’re taking away from everyone else’s enjoyment. The last few moments of these performances are some of the most visually stunning and emotionally powerful. And yet, instead of soaking it all in, many guests are stuck watching a parade of people awkwardly shimmying their way through the aisles, blocking views and making the ending feel less magical.
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
Look, we’re not saying there aren’t valid reasons to leave early. Maybe you have a little one who’s getting fussy, or you truly need to make it somewhere on time. But if your only motivation is to shave a few minutes off your exit time, you might want to consider staying put. The show is meant to be enjoyed in its entirety, and trust us—those last few minutes are worth it.
If you’re worried about crowds, here are a few tips:
- Choose a different showtime: If Fantasmic! has multiple showings, the later one usually has fewer people, making for a less hectic exit.
- Sit near the back: If you know you’ll want to leave quickly, consider sitting in a spot where you can exit with minimal disruption.
- Be patient: Disney has crowd control down to a science. It might feel like a crush of people at first, but things move faster than you think.
At the end of the day, we’re all here for the same reason—to enjoy the magic. Let’s do our part to make sure everyone gets to experience it fully, right up until the final moment of the show.
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
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I sit in the cheap seats on airplanes near the back, so I know I’m not getting out until very last. For Disney shows I love sitting up front and watching until the very end, so people in the aisles do not bother me. Gives me a few minutes to prop my feet up and go through the phone to delete out any blurred photos I don’t want to keep.
1000% support the “sit in the back” guideline here. You don’t both get to be front-row princess seating for a show and then leave five minutes before everyone else because you’re selfish and want to not walk out with with everyone else, thus blocking peoples’ views and making your row move around you. Indeed, Disney Parks have crowds down to a science and they’ll exit you with speed and precision. Exceptions, most definitely, if you or your little one genuinely, earnestly need to leave in a hustle.
You write as though people still think about the other people they are disturbing.
It is JUST COMPLETELY RUDE to be leaving the performance Early! Disney should not Alllow it…. Some people are trying to Enjoy the show for the first and perhaps Only time, and ALL the people paid an exorbitant amt of money to do So!
People need to chill out and try to enjoy VACATION while allowing others to Enjoy THEIRS !
Disney is too restricted to specific times. Go back to the way things were before. No scheduling to do anything except meal reservations. That would remove the main reason for getting up and leaving early.
Thank you for the article I hope you reach some of those “me first” people that have to get up before the end.
I have to use a ECV and at Fantasmic we are seated in very back so when anyone stands up they block my view. I cannot say much about Indy show, have not been then in a long time. But at Beauty I always go all the way down front to avoid the blocking. The worst is the stage show and parade at MK. I get to the area 1-2 before a show to get right on the curb across the road. I have a great view of both.Then as the show start the crowd fills in the street and then only thing I see the heads of the actors. If I want to see the stage I have to get right up in front, but then when everyone turn around to see the parade all I see is a sea of backs. When you stop to see something look around and see who you are blocking. Whither you are early depart-er or a late arrival I want to see the show. Please look around and see who you are blocking not just EVC but little kids that the parent have been sitting with for 2 hour so the little one can see too. Thank you I hope you reach some.
I get up as soon as a plane lands because I’m tired of sitting. It’s one of the reasons I pay extra to always have an isle seat.
Thank you, Holly,
This always happens to me as well, I too on a scooter. It is just the 2 of us and appreciate that I can stay on my scooter parked in the handicap section to see the shows, people usually still packing in, but my son always scoots over on the seat next to me and offer 2 more seats to someone beside us to watch the show.
I do find for most part that most people are very kind.
Me first people just need to be monitored and busted out of the park. I realize these completely UN self aware people will pitch an absolute fit, but unless Disney and every park makes an example of these people (who also drive in the closed lane and force their way in because THEY shouldn’t have to wait in construction zones), they will just keep doing it because the only thing they care about is their own convenience. They also ignore the “move all the way to the end of the row” and plop their gross bodies in the middle of the theater. They also let one or 2 members of the party go to the bathroom while they get in line, and then the 2 idiots come barging through the line to “catch up” to their party. You see, the rest of the party WAITING for the other 2 BEFORE getting in line is INCONVENIENT to these rude schmucks. They might also be the troglodytes smashing their stroller into Grandma’s heels because they aren’t paying attention, or just don’t think the crowd is moving quickly enough. They might also be the people who don’t have a real handicap (except the inability to pass up the fifth trip through the buffet line) who rent the 30 mph dune buggy, err EV to smash their way through crowds and endanger the actual lives of your small children because it’s INCONVENIENT to walk (not impossible, just inconvenient). These people will NEVER go away unless Disney gets responsible and puts a stop to it. In fact, as borderline rude people see the top line rude people getting away with this punk behavior, they’ll start adopting those behaviors and it’ll get worse. It’d be nice if people would just be considerate of strangers. But we haven’t taught our kids these manners, so it’s up to the people making all the money to stop this awful behavior. I’m looking at you Disney. Crack down on rude guests.
I just got a brilliant idea!!!!! Have a SECTION JUST for the people that arrive late when show has already started and trying to find seats, blocking other guests already settled in and the ones that want to leave early.
One sign will do with and arrow will do it:
For those guests who arrive late
& Wish to leave before Show ends
Please be seated in this SECTION!!!!
Sorry, but I disagree on the airline thing. I flew for work 2x a week for years. The airline seats are horrible and I was forced to sit in them for 4 hours. When the plane arrives at the gate, yes I stand up. Then I usually open the bins for everyone, and help others get their bags so they can get out faster. I’m still waiting my turn, but why would I continue to wait in absolute discomfort, with the middle seat passenger half in my lap (not their fault, due to seats now).
As someone who has flown almost 500k miles, and had hundreds of flights. What bothers me a lot MORE is waiting for the people who did NOT stand up and get ready. Now everyone behind you has to wait another 3 minutes because you decided not to even start to leave until everyone ahead of you was gone?
People who get up and rush the doors without waiting their turn are absolutely annoying, and people who make everyone else wait are almost as bad. Just standing up? If that bothers you, you need to check your privilege. Why does it matter to you that someone would prefer to stand than sit? I guarantee the middle seat passenger in their row is happy they stood up.
I wait for the show to be over ,before I go on my scooter,I learned a long while back that if you have a scooter people look down on you because they are in such a rush to leave a show they have no consideration for the scooter, my advice is to wait for the ride people to leave then,take your time leavin
I agree that people shouldn’t leave early. It’s rude. That said, I am a frequent flyer (at least every couple of weeks for week) and I always sit on the aisle. I am one of those “aisle lice” people who stand up right away because I had knee surgery and my knee hurts if I am sitting too long in one position. So maybe think about things differently before casting judgement on people.
I think there are legit reasons for leaving early in both the plane and at Disney. Sometimes layovers are short and specially when traveling with small kids you need to get not just your luggage but theirs too. I do think however that whatever your reason is to rush out it should be done with the least amount of disruption to others around you. After all we are all in this world together, might as well have empathy and respect to all.
Well said! Bravo!