Very Deceiving Aladdin Seating! Beware

[ak72090]

Posted: 2/16/14 at 11:19am

There was a post or two before about whether or not the New Amsterdam's Balcony "row B" is the front row balcony, as it shows for many of the early shows for Aladdin. The interactive chart on ticketmaster shows no row in front of row B, at least for the show I bought (4/30.) But after I looked into it, dates after 4/30 show a row "A" in front of B. What the hell? So I thought I bought front row seats, but now that doesn't look like the case. Anyone ever heard of something like this? Could it be those seats or reserved? (I figured reserved seats would just come up on the hart, but as unavailable.) Thank you in advance.

[ArtMan]

Posted: 2/16/14 at 11:37am

I went on Ticketmaster for the date I am going, June 4. I see on the map the entire row A is shown but blacked out. When I bought my tickets, that row didn't show up. The Ticketmaster employee told me that Row B was the first row of the balcony. They may need it for production. But if I find they are indeed selling it then me and the theatre manager will be speaking before the performance.

[ak72090]

Posted: 2/16/14 at 11:48am

Art- I am in the same boat. I'm already fuming if thats the case. Just emailed Disney and Ticketmaster, I will let you know if I get an answer. Do you think they could be planning on filming or something else they might need to remove the row for? I was also thinking it may be for VIPs like friends and family, but I would think the row would still show up.

[ArtMan]

Posted: 2/16/14 at 11:53am

I don't think they would put VIP's in the balcony. I think they may need that row for maybe a flying carpet or something similar (!!?) Although it is still far away. Report on the row after you see it. I really think they need it for production. The other thought is rush. And if they are filming it, my view better not be blocked due to a camera. Even though they are balcony seats, I paid close to $85 with fees.

[stevenycguy]

Posted: 2/16/14 at 11:56am

Perhaps it's similar to the Lyceum Theater where they don't sell row A of the balcony since sightlines are blocked by the balcony railing.

[ak72090]

Posted: 2/16/14 at 11:57am

yeah youre probably right...but just about every other performance does have row A, which makes me nervous. And yeah a giant camera in my way would not be good news. I'll let you know.
Anyone else reading this thread bought row "A" tickets for aladdin, are they real?

[ak72090]

Posted: 2/16/14 at 12:06pm

looking at the dates now, there doesnt seem to be any seats available for row A for any show, maybe they arnt selling them, they just have a glitch and are completely invisible for 3/30 lol

[CenterOrchestra]

Posted: 2/16/14 at 12:36pm

I have tix July 17 and my seats are MEZZ row AA
Looked like first row of the balcony when i purchased

[ak72090]

Posted: 2/16/14 at 12:57pm

those are good tickets though I wouldnt be mad

Updated On: 2/16/14 at 12:57 PM

[oasisjeff]

Posted: 2/16/14 at 4:46pm

That is normal for many shows, that they won't sell a row or two until they know the staging, whether a seat should be premium or partial view, etc. There probably is some Flying Carpet thing that hooks into the balcony that prevented them from knowing how to sell those in advance.

It would be better if they show those rows and have them greyed out than have them not appear, though.

Just double-checked and my AA mezzanine aisle is still the front row, phew!

Updated On: 2/16/14 at 04:46 PM

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 2/16/14 at 4:50pm

Front row balcony can sometimes be limited view. At the theatre I work at that gets big Broadway tours, row 1 of the balcony is only opened when the rest of the balcony is 3/4 or more full. It is sold as limited view, but still at full price. Wouldn't be surprised if Aladdin is doing the same thing.

[veronicamae]

Posted: 2/16/14 at 5:05pm

curious why it's so serious whether you're row 1 or row 2 though...is it really that much of an issue?

Updated On: 2/16/14 at 05:05 PM

[ArtMan]

Posted: 2/16/14 at 5:42pm

Well yeah. If you have ever sat behind a Row A, there are many people who lean forward, instead of sitting in their seat. You can have a blocked view. I personally would not have spent that much money for the second row of the balcony, if someone indeed sits in front of me. So for me, that's my issue.

[lemiz1862]

Posted: 2/16/14 at 7:16pm

@oasisjeff, I wouldn't really say that they aren't selling those tickets because they are waiting for the staging. The price/decision to make seats premium are made long ago and are part of the initial 'programming memo' that is made for the show. Changes can be made but they are usually set.

@ak72090, the seats in row A of the balcony are probably being held for the production staff. Again, part of that initial programming memo is to set aside a certain amount of seats for the lighting designers, sound designers et all to watch the show and take notes. Once the Box Office knows how many people are sitting in those seats, they sell the rest. Those seats could also be held for seats for the General Managers to sell directly or a group.

[ArtMan]

Posted: 2/16/14 at 7:22pm

Lemiz1862, our problem is that Ticketmaster staff are telling the buyers that Row B is the first row of the balcony. If other people sit there then we were misled when we purchased the ticket. That is our concern.

Updated On: 2/17/14 at 07:22 PM

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 2/16/14 at 7:48pm

Same for the orchestra section...

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 2/16/14 at 7:51pm

Ticketmaster ripping off customers? I am beyond shocked - wink wink

Ticket buyers being taken yet again on Broadway? Doubly shocked - nudge nudge

Broadway pricing is one of the biggest legal scams on the planet. Barnum was right - a sucker is indeed born every minute.

Updated On: 2/16/14 at 07:51 PM

[dramamama611]

Posted: 2/16/14 at 8:24pm

How is it a scam? They quote you a price, you choose to either buy it or not. Where's the "scam"?

Overpriced? Sure. A scam? Not even close.

[Justin D]

Posted: 2/17/14 at 7:42am

Having been in New Amsterdam Balcony many times I can say there are no sight issues from row a or row b, also it is fairly well raked so I dont see how the person infront can block you even if they lean forward. Also if it is any consolation, row a has all but NO leg room, and I am short. I know it is irritating to suddenly find a row infront of you but if it was not on sale when you booked then it might very well be empty when you go, so don't sweat it. (also because of the leg room issue I don;t see how they could posibly sell that row as premium)

[dramamama611]

Posted: 2/17/14 at 8:50am

People would rather clutch their pearls than wait and see.

[ArtMan]

Posted: 2/17/14 at 4:14pm

Maybe you would like to treat us? When I receive your check, I'll unclutch.
Updated On: 2/17/14 at 04:14 PM

[ArtMan]

Posted: 2/17/14 at 4:14pm

Double post

Updated On: 2/17/14 at 04:14 PM

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 2/17/14 at 7:54pm

It's my understanding that Disney uses the first row of the mezz for house seats for shows that are bigger (Mary Poppins, Lion King, Tarzan) and maybe Aladdin. They are considered the best in the house to take everything in.

The Ticketmaster reps may not be aware of this. They sell for thousands of events and venues-if row B is all that comes up, they may be mistaken thinking that row A is not for sale.

The box office may be more aware of this.

[ak72090]

Posted: 2/20/14 at 12:48pm

dramamamma- maybe stop using that same phrase in every one of your posts, its annoying.

[ArtMan]

Posted: 2/22/14 at 1:20pm

If anyone is interested, with some helpful feedback from ak72090, I received a free upgrade to Row A. I was told if I had waited, I may had been out of luck. I'm so glad I clutched my pearls, INSTEAD OF WAITING AND SEEING! So if anyone is in the same situation,(Row B when you bought it) feel free to pm me and I will give you the details to resolve.