azdisneylover
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2008
We did this package a couple of nights ago and I'm not sure I'd do it again. Maybe if I'd never seen Fantasmic and I couldn't sit on the ground for one of the other dining packages, or if there was some way to guarantee one of the closer tables.
We ended up in the second row over towards the right if you're looking toward the ROA. There was a pole in my view and we were so far over that the mist projections were blurry. The view of what was going on on the water was blocked by people standing in the FP areas, and some of the rest of the view was obstructed by people who had kids on their shoulders. Like the part where the walking brooms come out that's down on the water, I only knew they were there because I could see the top half of the brooms and I recognized them from the music and having seen Fantasmic (the movie) a number of times. There's also a large tree in between the restaurant and the ROA -- most of the time it wasn't in the way, but there was some stuff that disappeared into the tree top. I've done the Dessert Party at DCA twice and that view is FAR superior to the River Belle view. The other thing is that you're far enough back that it just didn't feel in the bubble, if that makes any sense. The music isn't as loud as it would be if you had a regular FP or as it is at the Dessert Party, for instance. On the positive side, we had a seat and we could see most of what was going on on Tom Sawyer Island and the larger projections that were right in front. Later in our trip we were in the seated FP area and that view was FAR better.
I also was unimpressed with the food. After seeing good reviews for the ribs, I ordered the pork ribs and DD14 ordered beef. The pork ribs were tender and they had good flavor, but they were cooked to the point of being mushy. DD14 didn't like the sauce on her beef ribs (and she's a big rib eater). We ended up sending hers back and she got the pork instead. The serving size was VERY big ... we could have easily split a meal. She had the soup as her appetizer and it was so thick it was the consistency of a pudding instead of soup (which means it had most likely been sitting for a while). I had the salad, which was good. We both had the dragon dessert ... it was ok but nothing spectacular. Service was good.
We originally had reservations for 4 because that's all I was able to make on the phone ... they said they didn't have anything available for 2. We arrived and told them the other two had canceled. It wasn't a problem.
For $150 plus tax and tip for two people ... it was a disappointment.
when did you make your reservations? Did you stay on-site and link them to your stay?Wondering how they assign tables. If staying on site matters.