Fantasmic Dining Pkg - worth it? Which one?

[steph73]

It seems worth it, since I've had to stand in that line before and with an 18 month old on this trip that doesn't sound fun at all.

To be honest though, I'm not too excited about H&V or MM. We've never eaten at either, but I've heard mixed reviews. Since we're on the DDP I want to make smart choices on how to use our credits. And we need to decide this IMMEDIATELY. Who knows if there is even still availability for the packages.

Anyway, would you recommend it? If we do, I'm leaning towards MM because I didn't want to have too many buffets and we're already doing a few. But if H&V is better, then we'll try for that.

Thoughts?

[eelkmj01]

I would certainly recommend it. Last year we did it and ate at Hollywood and Dine. This year we will go to Mama Melrose. It's a fixed price menu at MM and HBD, but you get the guaranteed seating!

[pooch]

recommend MM over H & V. Ate at H & V twice, the first time it was ok, the second was absolutely inedible. Now I do get that any restaurant can have a bad night but it would take an awful lot to get me to go back. Last year, I couldn't get MM with the Fantasmic pkg (so glad we're back to 180 day ressies!) so we bit the credit bullet and went to BD. It was nice but I just don't think it was worth 2 TS. We'll be trying for MM again this year.

[alyssa810]

I've been trying to book since we were able to for 1/24/2010, with no availability. However I have been calling back periodically to check for openings. The last CM I spoke to suggested that people tend to cancel closer to the actual day that they've booked for so they don't get charged, so I've been holding off calling again until the week before we leave. I'd really like to do this too because we haven't seen Fantasmic since I was pregnant with our DS, and now he's old enough where he might sit still long enough to enjoy it if we don't have to sit for an hour waiting for the show to start.

[DisneyFamily123]

I recommend Mama Melrose. It gets mixed reviews... as do almost all WDW restaurants. We had a very nice dinner there in Oct. 2009. Nothing special about the atmosphere but the service was quick and food was very good. I liked the Grilled Tuna and the pasta was good.

And just because you are doing the fantasmic package, you do not have to get the price fix menu. We ordered whatever we wanted. But, I've read reviews that if you are on the regular DDP (not deluxe), you get an appetizer using the price fix menu. Usually, only the deluxe DDP includes appetizers.

Hollywood and Vine consistently gets bad reviews...We ate there for dinner in 2008 and lunch in 2009 and both were bad. It was edible but no better than your run of the mill low-scale buffet like Golden Corral. We only went there in 2009 to see the characters. The buffet selections are very limited and are borderline high school cafeteria quality food.

Hollywood Brown Derby -- never been there but reviews are also mixed, most saying it's not worth 2 meal credits if you're on the dining plan... and it looks expensive if not on the DDP. I'll probably try it next trip but only if we are doing fantasmic. But I'd probably be happier having lunch or an early dinner at Epcot or nearby Epcot resorts....then coming back to HS for fantasmic.

[msce2]

We did the MM Fantasmic Pkg and it was great because it allowed us to get appetizers, entrees and deserts on the DDP. Which in my mind is an added bonus since you normally don't get appetizers on the DDP.

[eelkmj01]

I recommend Mama Melrose. It gets mixed reviews... as do almost all WDW restaurants. We had a very nice dinner there in Oct. 2009. Nothing special about the atmosphere but the service was quick and food was very good. I liked the Grilled Tuna and the pasta was good.

And just because you are doing the fantasmic package, you do not have to get the price fix menu. We ordered whatever we wanted. But, I've read reviews that if you are on the regular DDP (not deluxe), you get an appetizer using the price fix menu. Usually, only the deluxe DDP includes appetizers.

Hollywood and Vine consistently gets bad reviews...We ate there for dinner in 2008 and lunch in 2009 and both were bad. It was edible but no better than your run of the mill low-scale buffet like Golden Corral. We only went there in 2009 to see the characters. The buffet selections are very limited and are borderline high school cafeteria quality food.

Hollywood Brown Derby -- never been there but reviews are also mixed, most saying it's not worth 2 meal credits if you're on the dining plan... and it looks expensive if not on the DDP. I'll probably try it next trip but only if we are doing fantasmic. But I'd probably be happier having lunch or an early dinner at Epcot or nearby Epcot resorts....then coming back to HS for fantasmic.

While you can order anything from the menu at MM or BD, it is a Fixed price menu. All meals are served an appetizer, entree, dessert, and non-alcoholic beverage. PP is correct that this is one of a few instances that the standard DDP receives an appetizer with the TS credit.

[wildcatfan]

We did MM June 09 and we enjoyed the meal. Some other people with us did not enjoy it very much. However, I think that Fanstasmic is a great show and if you are not willing to stand in line then I would do the dinner package for it, even if it meant eating a not so great meal.

[Smiling Cheshire Cat]

I hate to discouarge you because we did enjoy the convienence of the priority seating, but we did not like MM at all. It was probably the worst service I have ever had at any restaurant ever and the food was nothing spectacular. We will try H&V next time or just see F! without the package.

[JerseyJanice]

We did the Fantasmic package at Mama Melrose in September while on a Free Dining trip.

We thought it was great! We enjoyed the restaurant and having a private entrance to the show was cool. If you go, order the honey hazelnut and ricotta cheesecake. I loved it! :) DH and I had the calamari appetizer, and we liked that quite a bit too.

[staticgirl50]

I am in the minority here I guess, we loved MM. We are doing it again this year :)

[squirrel]

I prefer MM over H&V.

I did notice that the portions at MM are smaller than other TS meals. I saved some of my salad thinking I would have to pack up my dessert again if I ate all of it. Well, I could have easily eaten all of the salad, steak and the dessert. The entree only came with potatoes and steak.

[zebsterama]

Related question: When booking online - can one book the Fantasmic Dining Pkg at MM? :confused3

I was wondering b/c I need to book online this week and I've never booked online before; let alone with the Fantasmic show.

Thanks,
Zebsterama
:hippie:pirate:

[mrsmarilyn]

I was hoping for MM but there are no ressies for any fantasmic package the week we're going. I have to keep trying back, hoping for cancellation. (Its my twins 9th birthday that week).

[squirrel]

Unless it has changed recently, you have to call in to book the Fantasmic Pkg. Last year they didn't even have them available at the 90 day mark.

I would keep calling if you are calling at the 180 day mark as they may not have been added to the system.

[zebsterama]

Unless it has changed recently, you have to call in to book the Fantasmic Pkg. Last year they didn't even have them available at the 90 day mark.

I would keep calling if you are calling at the 180 day mark as they may not have been added to the system.

Thanks!

Cheers,
Zebsterama
:hippie:pirate:

[Angel59920]

I have a stupid question but how much is it to do the Fantasmic Dinner Package? We have the Deluxe Dining do we still have to pay for the meal or does it use one of our TS.

[Momof2J's]

I have a stupid question but how much is it to do the Fantasmic Dinner Package? We have the Deluxe Dining do we still have to pay for the meal or does it use one of our TS.


If you are on DxDP then it will cost you 1 TS credit. You just have to make sure you specifically ask for the F! package. :goodvibes

[Angel59920]

Thanks so much for the quick answer

[jjmm]

We did the Fantasmic package at Mama Melrose in September while on a Free Dining trip.

We thought it was great! We enjoyed the restaurant and having a private entrance to the show was cool. If you go, order the honey hazelnut and ricotta cheesecake. I loved it! :) DH and I had the calamari appetizer, and we liked that quite a bit too.

I thought Disney did away with with the seperate entrance for those with the Fantasmic package? Hope it's back!

[HOGFAN]

first choice is Mama Melroses

H&V food is JUST OKAY. nothing special but wouldnt waste 2 credits on BD.

[mrsmarilyn]

Well, I'm happy. I just got a fantasmic package on the night I really wanted (3/25) instead of when we had been sked (3/21). Had to take H&V instead of MM but that's ok. The night of the week was more important for us!

I also landed Breakfast at the Castle with Cinderella, Breakfast at Ohana and Breakfast with Chef Mickey, as well as Spirit of Aloha on my twins actual birthday (they really REALLY want to go to Hawaii and Lilo & Stitch are their favorites). And we got Rose & Crown for Dinner/Illuminations one night.

:cheer2:

I've been calling every day for a week. Other than Le Cellier (figures) I got what I needed. yeah!

[saunie]

I called for last week in April and the only thing available was H&V for 4:30. Since we have DxDP, decided it wasn't worth it to change a whole day over one event.

[squirrel]

I thought Disney did away with with the seperate entrance for those with the Fantasmic package? Hope it's back!

It changed back to a revised (seperate) enterance before my trip in October. They must have received a lot of complaints. It is part of the old enterance but you start at a new location to get on path that we use to take.


Brown Derby will still be 2TS credits (same as the DDP) the other two restaurants are 1 TS credit.

[mrsmarilyn]

We were told to use the Highland Gate so I would imagine the dedicated entrance is back.

[mrsmarilyn]

I have a stupid question but how much is it to do the Fantasmic Dinner Package? We have the Deluxe Dining do we still have to pay for the meal or does it use one of our TS.

It depends. At H&V or MM it's 1TS. At BD it's 2TS.

[Angel59920]

Can somebody tell me how it works. Do you already have a sit for the show? Do you still have to get there over an hour early?

[mrsmarilyn]

Can somebody tell me how it works. Do you already have a sit for the show? Do you still have to get there over an hour early?

You still have to go early but you get preferred seating for the show. It's worth doing.

[Angel59920]

Can I book this now even if I haven't book my room yet? Do I have to tell them I'm on the DDP. We will be booking by the end of the month but I know this goes fast. We will be there June 11-19

[jjmm]

It's great to know that their is a seperate entrance. Thanks for confirming!
This truly makes the Fantasmic worth it even more.

I called this morning to request a package and they only had H&V and BD. Even though I told them I had the DDP, they still requested a credit card to hold the reservation. They said I would only be charged if we no showed and it would be $10 per person. Cancellation is by 2 days prior.

Thanks!

[Angel59920]

How much do they put on your card for the hold?

Are the seats good and can you see everything?

[jjmm]

I was told that it would not be charged at all unless I was a no show and did not cancel the reservation.

They also advised to line up for the show 30-40 min early. This sure beats
1hr+!

[Angel59920]

Thanks so much for your help. I just didn't want them to put a big hold on my credit card. If I can get it I won't be canceling it that is for sure.

Can I book now even if I don't have a hotel picked out yet?

[lovesdumbo]

How much do they put on your card for the hold?

Are the seats good and can you see everything?

The seats are not dead center but still good. The best thing about them is that you can out at the end quicker as you are closer to the exit.

You can book ADR's at 180 days out without a resort reservation. If you have a resort reservation you can book 180 days from your arrival for the next 10 days.