I've never done the balcony (or any reserved seating for Fantasmic for that matter) but I believe you can sit down 30 minutes prior to the show and the desserts are served all before the show. As for the fireworks, why would you leave and not watch them? They start 2 minutes after Fantasmic ends and you won't make it very far before they start. They are awesome, even from the less desirable Rivers area. But considering the mess that's been going on in the hub lately (that I've either witnessed or heard about), I'll stay with the ROA to watch them.