Are the Fantasmic Dinner packages worth it?

[PrincessDreams2]

We have never seen Fantasmic, and don't want to miss it this year, as I am not sure how soon we will be coming back. Is it worth getting one of the dinner packages, just to have a seat at the show?

 

[Robo]

We have never seen Fantasmic, and don't want to miss it this year, as I am not sure how soon we will be coming back. Is it worth getting one of the dinner packages, just to have a seat at the show?

In 2009, for the first (or ONLY) performance of the evening:

WITHOUT the Dining Pkg - Arrive 90-120 min. before show time.

WITH the Dining Pkg - Arrive 50-70 min. before show time.

 

[RMulieri]

2nd what ROBO said and would like to add...the dining pkgs are very hard to get since everyone is thinking along the same train of thought.

 

[peajay18]

We did it back in October 2007 (we ate at Hollywood & Vine) and thought it was well worth doing.

Provided you're planning to eat at the Studios anyway it's a must-do.
We were able to walk into our seat 20mins before the show started and we had our own entrance/exit located at the front of the park so we were last in, first out.

 

[NJBILL]

we had our own entrance/exit located at the front of the park so we were last in, first out.

I believe this perk is no longer available..

 

[DisneyGrampa]

Fantasmic diners no longer have their own entrance. Now they use the same line as everyone else and are advised to be there one hour ahead. I didn't bother to get the package for my upcoming trip.

 

[RMulieri]

We did it back in October 2007 (we at at Hollywood & Vine) and thought it was well worth doing.

Provided you're planning to eat at the Studios anyway it's a must-do.
We were able to walk into our seat 20mins before the show started and we had our own entrance/exit located at the front of the park so we were last in, first out.

Now you enter with everyone else and need to get in line like 60 mins early

 

[sabrecmc]

When we did this several years ago, it was definitely worth it. We went into Fantasmic about half an hour or so before the show started, with our own entrance and no waiting in line. It was great! Now...well, with what I've hard on these boards, I just don't think it is worth it to have to eat at 3:30 or something. But, Fantasmic, while nice, is not a must-do for me.

 

[amery]

Have done this twice before and can say that it is one of those take or leave it deals.

At the end of the day, it comes down to where you would like to sit in the theater and how long you wish to wait to get to said seating. Through the package, you get 'reserved' seating but it is off to the side and not very close. The upside is that there is a special entrance where you will go and not wait as long to get in (upwards to 45 minutes).

The non package route will send you to the main entrance where you will wait longer but the early bird WILL get the very best seating. My wife, MIL & I were fortunate enough to score dead center 6 rows from the front on the clearest, best weather night ever.

Back to the package, you have 3 choices for dining (buffet and sit down) and sufficient seatings to accomodate both shows (weather permitting).

My vote would be to dine a la carte, go for the earlier of the 2 shows (6:30, I believe) and give yourself at least 1 hour at the gate and enjoy.

 

[Robo]

Through the package, you get
1a-'reserved' seating but it is off to the side and
1b -not very close.

2-The upside is that there is a special entrance where you will go and
3-not wait as long to get in (upwards to 45 minutes).

4-The non package route will send you to the main entrance where you will wait longer
5-but the early bird WILL get the very best seating.

1a- Yes.
1b- It goes all the way down to the water, if you so choose.
2-This info is no longer correct.Both DP and non DP enter the same gates.
3-This info is no longer correct. Disney suggests an Hour before.
4-Both DP and non DP enter the same gates.
5-This info IS still correct.

 

[NJBILL]

Have done this twice before and can say that it is one of those take or leave it deals.

At the end of the day, it comes down to where you would like to sit in the theater and how long you wish to wait to get to said seating. Through the package, you get 'reserved' seating but it is off to the side and not very close. The upside is that there is a special entrance where you will go and not wait as long to get in (upwards to 45 minutes).

The non package route will send you to the main entrance where you will wait longer but the early bird WILL get the very best seating. My wife, MIL & I were fortunate enough to score dead center 6 rows from the front on the clearest, best weather night ever.

Back to the package, you have 3 choices for dining (buffet and sit down) and sufficient seatings to accomodate both shows (weather permitting).

My vote would be to dine a la carte, go for the earlier of the 2 shows (6:30, I believe) and give yourself at least 1 hour at the gate and enjoy.

In theory, most people SHOULD already be seated in the non-reserved section when I arrive 45 minutes before the show on the package with a reserved seat ...correct?

 

[Robo]

In theory, most people SHOULD already be seated in the non-reserved section when I arrive 45 minutes before the show on the package with a reserved seat ...correct?

In a word, "no."

(Sorry, but amery's info is mostly outdated in 2009.)

 

[NJBILL]

In a word, "no."

(Sorry, but amery's info is mostly outdated in 2009.)

Honestly, just trying to understand this...This will be my first time seeing the show. I assume from your post that most people do not show up early, or do they show up early and the doors are not opened and folks have not filed in 45 minutes before the show?

 

[glasslipper]

If you have the dining package are you only allowed in the reserved area? Could we switch over to the center when they open for everyone else?

 

[Robo]

If you have the dining package are you only allowed in the reserved area? Could we switch over to the center when they open for everyone else?

They open to everyone at the same time, not one before the other.

But, yes, even if you HAVE the DP, you are free to sit anywhere in the theater that still has space available.

 

[Robo]

Honestly, just trying to understand this...This will be my first time seeing the show. I assume from your post that most people do not show up early, or do they show up early and the doors are not opened and folks have not filed in 45 minutes before the show?

The lines will start forming over 2 hours before the show-time.

At about 120 min. before show-time, they will open the gates and begin allowing
guests in line to approach the theater seating.

(See my maps. It is a very long ramp.)

They will continue with the lines of guests walking in until the theater is completely filled or the show begins, whichever comes first.

They will "hold open" the Dining Pkg. seating area ONLY for guests who have the Dining Pkg. voucher.

BUT, if the theater is over-crowded (a very likely scenario in 2009)
then, at about 35 min. before show-time,
the CM's will cease holding the DP area open for DP voucher guests
and, at that time, begin to allow ANYONE
who still needs a seat to sit in (any seats left) the DP area.

 

[Cherta]

Just want to make sure I understand the "drill" (and thank you Robo for being so patient!)

1. I have the dining package-eat at H & V and get my "voucher".

2. I show up at the theater about 60-75 minutes before the start of the show.

Here is where I get confused...

3. I wait patiently in line with non-dining package crowd and go in with everyone else. I am then shown to the reserved section...or...

3. I go to the front of the already formed line, present my voucher, and am allowed to enter the theater to sit either in the reserved section or any other open section of my choosing...or....

3. There are two separate lines: one for people with dining package vouchers and another separate line for non-dining package people. I wait in the dining package line until they open the theater for seating. I then choose where I want to sit (although I am at least "guaranteed" a seat in the reserved section)

Hope this all makes sense-thanks again for your help!

 

[peajay18]

Without the special entrance/exit I really don't see the point in the Dinner Package, except for a better chance of getting a seat during peak times.

So for our October trip we probably won't bother.

 

[trivial]

In last week's AllEars.Net newsletter, a woman wrote in about an experience she had a few weeks ago. She had the Fantasmic dinner package, and showed up 60 minutes before the show started, as her ticket and server recommended. By the time the line got to the gate, the theater was full and she was told that she was out of luck; they didn't get to see the show.

So as I understand it, the Fantasmic dinner package is virtually useless now. During busy times of the year, the theater could fill up before you get to the gate, even when abiding by the recommended times. During slower times of the year, I'm thinking there's probably not much need to have reserved seating anyways.

The woman who wrote in was pretty angry at Disney, and she should be. You'd think "reserved seating" would mean reserved seating, but apparently not.

I've not seen Fantasmic, and although I'd love to on our next trip, Disney seems to be doing everything they can to scare us away.

 

[UK Princess]

I've not seen Fantasmic, and although I'd love to on our next trip, Disney seems to be doing everything they can to scare us away.

I totally agree, my friends have recommended it as a must do so I was really looking forward to it but I'm not sure they would've said that if they knew how limited it will be when we go.

They all went when there were 1 or 2 shows a night and in our entire 11 day stay it will on 2 possibly 3 times... not sure I want to plan my honeymoon around that and then spend ages in line.

After lots of advice I have decided not to do the dining package and I think we will just chance our luck in line, we have park hoppers so can always try again.

My only optimism comes from the tentative park hours posted today where Fantasmic is scheduled on MNSSHP days so this may help crowds??