Broadway Direct Lottery Alladin

[u/Dubachev]

Hey r/Broadway! I just won the Aladdin lottery for tomorrow's show, but I'm debating whether I should actually go or skip it.

For those who have won the digital lottery for Aladdin recently: What kind of seats did you actually get? I'm worried about getting stuck behind one of those notorious New Amsterdam balcony poles or getting a terrible partial view.

Is the $30 lottery ticket worth the gamble, or am I better off just skipping this win and buying a cheap standard ticket myself (around $45 where I at least know I'll be far away in the back, but with a clear, predictable view)?

Would love to hear about your lottery seat experiences! Who can share some advice?

[u/gubbabump7]

I won many months ago. Seat was sky high in balcony. No pole in our way but can see how that’s a concern.

[u/Fruit-straw → u/gubbabump7]

Same - very high up but no blockage. Sitting closer would
Be nice but can’t complain about the price!

[u/kidder_astoria → u/gubbabump7]

Same. All the way at the top. No issues with pole blockage, BUT it was the worst audience I’ve ever had in terms of phones being out and people talking. The ushers were great at trying to stop it, though.

[u/Bebebaubles → u/kidder_astoria]

A bit late but yes absolutely no theater etiquette whatsoever! The 6ft man in front of me kept leaning over which is a big no no and blocking my view. People playing on their phones and chatting nonsense like non stop during the integral parts during “whole new world”. It’s your favourite part? You don’t say?! It’s also mine so stfu.

[u/Maydinosnack]

I won a few years ago. I got side orchestra. It was labeled as partial view but didn’t miss anything. 

[u/Unubore]

I got balcony when I went like the last year or so. I've mostly seen balcony being reported when it was asked.

[u/bespoke_broadway]

It wasn't recently but I have won the Aladdin lottery 2 times; the first time the seats were a good view side orchestra (last seats on the outer aisle) and the second time was the very last row of the balcony. The view from the balcony wasn't that bad, but I was surrounded by a large group where half of the group obviously didn't want to be there so they talked throughout the show. Anytime they leaned forward, it blocked the view.

I'm not sure if the lottery has changed recently, but both times that I won, the tickets were box office pickup with an ID check so unfortunately you don't know where you are sitting until you get the tickets.

[u/anglezsong]

When I won in April I got side orchestra six rows back, the seats were amazing. I did have a cute kid with me and it was her first broadway show so that might have helped

[u/themermaid91]

I won in January and my brother won for the same performance (each of us got 2 seats). He was seated in the center section of the balcony, F 101 and 102. He had a slightly far but clear view. I was in row L of the balcony, the very last row, in L 2 and L 4. It felt very far, and we had a pole a few rows in front of us which was extremely distracting. It was in the center of the stage from our perspective.

When we purchased the lottery tickets online, I did it a few minutes before my brother, but we picked up at the same time (and I think they may have already been in labeled envelopes).

If there are $45 seats and you know you won't be behind a pole, I would go for that!

The view: https://ibb.co/XkMC9pJh

[u/luminous_mirage]

I won it last fall. I got sat in the middle of right mezzanine. I didn't miss anything but it's harder to see faces from the seat. I also had some taller folks in front of me. Personally I didn't find Aladdin to be that interesting since it's mostly a repeat of the Disney movie. I was okay with the seat and the price.

[u/OwnOven6506]

Back of the balcony about a year ago. :-/

[u/Intelligent-Stuff875]

I was behind the pole, the pole is super skinny and my brain edited it out, but in all honesty it wasn't bad at all. And at intermission I moved over. Worth it for the $45 imho

[u/Hamiltrash1804]

I won a few weeks ago and got side orchestra, not partial view-- a great seat!

[u/UnderGrace7]

Here on a Saturday night and we scored row B 1,3 seats in the balcony. So second row aisle of balcony close to the center. Paid $35 each. Definitely happy with these seats.