We were seated about 5:00 (we had a 4:55 ADR) at Hollywood N Vine and had a nice table off in the corner.
The waiter gave us our Fantasmic Package tickets and explained that the tickets were only good for the 1st showing.
That was fine (and expected).
Now, before I continue, I know there is some debate about whether or not the Fantasmic Dinner Package is worth it.
For us, there is no question worth it every time.
The rationale is as follows:
#1 With kids of 7, 4, and 2, not having to wait 1-2 hrs for a good seat is worth it.
Especially since the bleacher-style seats have no back.
Mom and I waited without the package back in 2000 and it was horrible.
Since then, weve done the package twice and both times showed up between 15 and 30 minutes before showtime and had good seats.
I know this may change with the cutting back of Fantasmic to 2 nights (and I heard it has) but I can only speak from experience
#2 On the Dining Plan, the Fantasmic Dinner Package is still only 1 TS credit so why not upgrade to the version with a reserved ticket?
#3 Yes, the seats are off to the side and you get to see some backstage stuff.
And, yes, the princesses are not always lit when their music is playing.
But the kids still loved the show and didnt even notice those details.
Okay, on to the meal.
We really like the dinner buffet here.
The sliced turkey is perfect for me while Mom feasted on pastas, veggies, and salads.
The kids had mac & cheese along with some chicken nuggets.
And everyone loves the dessert bar.
Now, its definitely no Chef Mickeys, but weve done H&V several times and have enjoyed it each time.
I think next visit, well try Mama Melrose (also available with the Fantasmic Dinner Package).
After dinner (and restroom stops), we headed down towards Fantasmic!
It was about 6:40 by the time we arrived at the Main Entrance for a 7:00 show.
The Fantasmic Dinner Package entrance used to be over by Oscars Garage near the entrance of the park but its been moved.
Now you go in the main Fantasmic entrance and stay all the way to the right.
Theres a line there with a special entrance for the Dinner Package guests.
We followed that up and picked our seats about ½ way down in the section on the aisle.
Like I said, 15 minutes before showtime and no problems what-so-ever.
15 minutes later, the lights dimmed, the music soared and out came Mickey!
After some water animation, we got treated to the Lion King segment with black light puppeteers.
Then comes the Pocahontas segment which I never really liked.
I envy
Disneyland and their Peter Pan segment instead.
But the villains start taking over now as Jafar turns into a gigantic snake with his eyebeams set on Mickey!
Sorry I'm lacking in pictures but I decided I mostly wanted to watch this performance.
So I included some pics from the 2006 show along with this segment.
I love this show its the best combination of fireworks, animation, live action, and water effects ever!
Its funny cause I remember the previous incarnation of this show back in 1994.
They had Splashtacular in EPCOT which was a sort of fountain show.
It had Mickey and the sword and the dancing fountains and lights and the dragon.
But it was a small stage and performed in front of just a handful of people who happened to stumble across it.
And I liked that show.
This show is orders of magnitude better.
Id argue its the best of all the nighttime entertainment at the parks.
The only downside is that since it concentrates on villains, it may be scary for some of the younger kids.
I know DD was holding on tight to dear ol Dad throughout the show.
Speaking of villains, it was about time for Magnificent to take over Mickeys dream by transforming into a dragon!
Im a huge fan of dragons and this is Disneys masterpiece.
As a side note, Ive always been surprised thats there are only 4 Disney dragons Maleficient, Elliot, the Reluctant Dragon, and little Mushu.
And I guess you can throw in Figment but that's about it.
By the way, I saw the Disney Dragonkind line on Main Street and, boy are those gorgeous statues
But I digress - back in the show, everything was about the heat up. Literally!
The kids loved how you can feel the heat all the way up in the stands.
But Mickey pulls out the Sword in the Stone and vanquishes all of the villains once and for all.
After all, it
is Mickeys dream!
Then comes the ship of characters with a black and white Steamboat Willie driving them all.
I always thought that was so fitting and I love how lots of lesser-used characters show up on the ship!
After the boat, Sorcerer Mickey appears on the top of the mountain.
And he sets off some awesome pyrotechnics vanishing in the smoke!
Only to appear in a series of sparks center stage and back in his original costume!
Now thats some imagination!
So we packed up and headed out with the swarms of other people.
About half way down the big hill, DD announces she has to go to the bathroom.
Unfortunately, theres nowhere to go.
We tried to walk a bit faster and weave in between the crowd but, with a stroller in tow, theres only so much you can do!
We finally got to the restrooms by the Fantasmic! entrance.
Afterwards, we headed back down Sunset Boulevard until I had to stop.
I had missed my Mickey Pop
at the Magic Kingdom and was not going to pass it up again!
So, we got a family Mickey Pop.
To explain what that means, heres me showing off my pop (and you can tell how happy I was by my cheesy grin).
X looked pretty excited as well
Then DS grabbed some bites
And DD had to have some as well
Thus, the Family Mickey Pop was born.
Lastly, on our way out, we had to walk by photopass photographers.
And you know by now we cant do that without stopping.
This time we tried for a romantic Mom and Dad shot but apparently there was a lighting issue.
And then we tried a family shot but DD was grumpy and tired by this point and you can tell by her face
So we headed over to the buses and back to Pop Century.
What a long day at the Studios.
The kids were in bed by 8:30 though as Mom and I prepped for Day 8.
I even headed down to Everything Pop! to get us some treats.
Tomorrow were the big "boy" excursions as myself and DD get to have our solo adventures!
But first, we had to meet the mouse for breakfast!
And Im not referring to Mickey Waffles. Stay tuned
) and my little brother and I were a Jawa and Princess Leia.
Fantasmic!
