Rogers: The Musical is arguably the hottest must-do experience at the Disneyland Resort right now. Its “I could do this all day” spirit will no doubt make this show the event of the summer! For those who would like to join the fun, there are three ways to get in – the Premium Viewing Experience package (see everything you need to know about purchasing here), the virtual queue (see our how-to guide here), and standby seating on a limited basis.
Related: Rogers: The Musical – The Must-See Show of the Summer at the Disneyland Resort!
About the Premium Viewing Experience
As soon as I found out about Premium Viewing Experience, I was interested to try it out. For $29 per person, the experience includes priority seating for the show, a themed popcorn bucket with red, white, and blue kettle corn, a bottled Coca-Cola beverage, PhotoPass photo downloads, admission to an exclusive lounge before the show, and a themed credential. To me, the price seemed reasonable to skip the crowds, ensure a good seat for the show, and get some fun Rogers swag while I was at it.
Early on the morning of opening day, Friday, June 30, 2023, I arrived at Disney California Adventure. I headed straight for Hollywood Land and joined the crowd of enthusiastic guests waiting to purchase the Premium Viewing Experience package. I knew what to expect from reading the Daps Magic guide linked here, but as with all new processes, I was expecting the unexpected.
The interest for Premium Viewing Experience was very high. At 8:00 AM on the dot, the crowd of many hundreds of excited fans poured into the queue in the Hollywood Backlot. There are only 100 packages available for each show, which meant demand dwarfed supply on that first day. Within minutes, the first two shows at 12:30 PM and 2:00 PM were sold out. The final two shows of the day at 4:00 PM and 5:30 PM followed soon after, and all packages were gone in less than an hour.
Photos: The Purchasing Experience
I was one of the lucky first 400 and happily purchased my package for the 4:00 PM show. The instruction was to return 90 minutes before showtime at Stage 12, located between Hollywood Lounge and the Studio Catering Co. truck. I came back promptly at 2:30 PM and checked in. The first stop was PhotoPass to take pictures with a themed backdrop and Captain America’s shield. Then I picked up my popcorn bucket and bottled beverage. I settled in on a comfy chair in the exclusive lounge area to enjoy my snacks. Not long after, a roaming PhotoPass photographer came by to take additional photos of anyone who was interested. Another cast member was asking Marvel-themed trivia questions. Another group joined me and we chatted about our day so far and our excitement to see the show.
Photos: The Stage 12 Lounge
Photos: ‘Rogers’ Merchandise
Thirty minutes ahead of showtime, or about 3:30 PM, all the guests in the lounge area began to line up to be seated. We were led through a short backstage passageway and entered the Hyperion Theater from the left side. Guests were free to select any seat of their choice, including the upper levels. Most made a beeline for the front row and the center seats in the Orchestra section. I was fortunate enough to score a front-row center seat, which led to an amazing view of the show!
Photos: Views from My Seat
You can follow along with me through the whole experience here:
Was it Worth it?
In a time when upcharges are becoming the rule, not the exception and (for many) disposable income is being stretched tighter than ever, it’s important to know which paid experiences are worth the money. Overall, I really enjoyed the Premium Viewing Experience. It was a seamless way to watch Rogers: The Musical that made me feel like a VIP!
I appreciated the PhotoPass photo opportunities and the included specialty kettle corn, Rogers-themed popcorn bucket, and bottled drink. The price is right for these items too. A standard popcorn bucket filled with caramel corn at the stand near Carthay Circle (the only place to find specialty popcorn served in a bucket on property) costs about $12. Also at that location, a bottled Coca-Cola product costs $5.25 and a bottled Dasani water is $4.75. Those items alone cover over half of the $29 price tag. (Update 07/07/2023: The Rogers popcorn bucket with included regular popcorn or colorful kettle corn is priced at $12.25. It can be purchased separately from the Premium Viewing Experience at stands in front of the Hyperion Theater.)
It was nice to take a break from my busy day in the shade and comfort of the exclusive lounge. The cast members who took care of me made a special effort to ensure I had everything I needed. Instead of stressing about the dash to find a seat, I had a leisurely stroll into the theater. With only 100 participants and the whole theater to choose from, a great seat is all but guaranteed. I went into the show feeling relaxed and pampered, which is an especially welcome thing during a summer day at a bustling theme park.
For me, the tradeoff of the Premium Viewing Experience’s calmness at showtime was the early morning purchase adventure. I arrived at the Disneyland Resort at 7:00 AM, one hour before the 8:00 AM rope drop. It was somewhat stressful navigating the crowds to be one of the few to score a coveted lanyard. Even with a push to be there as early as I could, I still missed out on the first two shows of the day.
Thankfully, my schedule allowed for flexibility, and the 4:00 PM showtime (the earliest available when I reached the front of the line) worked for me. However, that may not have been the case for someone with a full day of attractions, entertainment, and meals pre-planned. The Premium Viewing Experience seems like a good choice if Rogers: The Musical is a main priority for the day. If seeing the show is only one of many interests, it may be better to try for the virtual queue or seek out standby at showtime.
Everyone’s needs are different, and naturally, the Premium Viewing Experience will be better suited for some guests than others. I would recommend it for those who want a guaranteed seat and don’t want to deal with the virtual queue. It is ideal for Marvel and/or Broadway fans whose visit to the Disneyland Resort wouldn’t be complete without experiencing headline entertainment. The package is the very best way to get an excellent viewing location in the Orchestra section, something that can be difficult to achieve any other way. The Premium Viewing Experience is also tailored for those who like a little extra convenience and luxury or are looking for a way to treat themselves. Based on my experience, the package is best for morning people who plan to be in the parks all day and don’t have a problem queuing up before rope drop.
Final Thoughts
Was the Premium Viewing Experience worth it? The answer may be different for everyone, but I say yes. For me, the price of the package was lower than I expected for what it includes. The swag and photos I got added to the fun of the day and seemed like a good value. Perhaps the main reason to choose this option—the priority seating—did not disappoint. I have never had a better view in the Hyperion Theater, something I may not be able to duplicate again without a package like this. As far as the show itself goes, Rogers: The Musical is a home run and not to be missed!
Time will tell if demand for Premium Viewing Experience remains as high as it was on the first day. Since Rogers: The Musical is a limited-time offering—only available Tuesdays through Saturdays until August 31, 2023—I would wager that the package will continue to be popular. Cast Members are constantly refining the process to make everything easier and more streamlined, which in my mind removes any hesitation from choosing this package again. The Premium Viewing Experience is definitely worth a try!
Related: Crowds Descend on Disney California Adventure for Opening Day of ‘Rogers: The Musical’
Have you had a chance to see Rogers: The Musical yet? What do you think about the Premium Viewing Experience? Where is your favorite place to sit in the Hyperion Theater? Let us know in the comments!
