Are the Fantasmic package seats worth it?

[Safari23]

So with these dining packages, you make a reservation to eat at whatever time you want, then you get a ticket to their seating area to come back and watch one of the F! shows? Except with the Hungry Bear, it's a to go meal? How long before the show starts do you need to get there to get a good seat would you say? I'm leaning towards doing a meal package because I really don't want to have to wait an hour or more that it seems is needed for the regular F! viewing areas to get a good seat.

And what is this RBT Premium seating mentioned? Where do you eat? Is there a menu online to see? Where do you watch from? And you get a designated seat?

 

[mamapenguin]

Has anyone done the RBT premium package? I want a chair. Is it worth it? How was the food, view etc... TIA

 

[Skyegirl1999]

Has anyone done the RBT premium package? I want a chair. Is it worth it? How was the food, view etc... TIA

The post two before you speaks about the RBT premium package. Most of the reports I've read have not been as glowing. It seems that if you're at a table in the back, the view is not that good, so there seems to be a wide variety of experiences.

So with these dining packages, you make a reservation to eat at whatever time you want, then you get a ticket to their seating area to come back and watch one of the F! shows? Except with the Hungry Bear, it's a to go meal? How long before the show starts do you need to get there to get a good seat would you say? I'm leaning towards doing a meal package because I really don't want to have to wait an hour or more that it seems is needed for the regular F! viewing areas to get a good seat.

And what is this RBT Premium seating mentioned? Where do you eat? Is there a menu online to see? Where do you watch from? And you get a designated seat?

Yes, I've done RBT (non-premium) twice and Hungry Bear once. You eat (or get the "to-go" package from Hungry Bear) earlier in the day, and you get a Fastpass for a dedicated section where you can sit on the ground. I've gotten there early (so still an hour+ before the show) because we like to be as central as possible and at the rail because I take pictures from the other side of the rail to get an unobstructed view. You can show up about 20 minutes before the show and still get a perfectly good spot based on what I've witnessed and seen people report. It's absolutely an upgrade from the FP experience, where you're almost always standing and smashed together.

There are menus at AllEars, I think?

 

[Safari23]

Thanks Skyegirl. Have you done all 3 of the dining packages? If so do you have a favourite? I think I'm leaning towards RBT and BB. The BB area is the only one that you sit on the ground for though right? And they provide seat cushions?

 

[Skyegirl1999]

Thanks Skyegirl. Have you done all 3 of the dining packages? If so do you have a favourite? I think I'm leaning towards RBT and BB. The BB area is the only one that you sit on the ground for though right? And they provide seat cushions?

I haven't done BB - that's the only one with seat cushions, but you sit on the ground for all 3. The seat cushions look cute, but I just bring a blanket or towel and fold it up to sit on. The areas are right next to each other, so even though BB has the most central area, both RBT and HB have spots where you're right next to BB people. I'd go for food/restaurant preference, personally, as all three have nice enough viewing.

 

[Safari23]

Thanks!

 

[kirstie101]

We used to be BB dining package advocates; however since we did the RBT premium package several months ago we are sold. We've done the RBT premium seating dinner twice and now find it the only way to see F!. You get a seat, heat in the cooler months, food, device charging, and a great view. We have the same opinion of the WOC dessert party...it's about the seat and the view. I love my fellow Disney fans, but don't like the heard and wait for FP or even the regular dining options at either WOC or F!, so we opt for calmer options.We will be doing the RBT premium viewing again on Dapper Day in April. We have a gluten intolerant family so we ask for and have received safe meals and pleasant service each time.

RBT Premium seating is $45 for the meal and $25 for the premium viewing or $70 total for adults. AP discounts are available. For our family it's well worth the up-charge.

Mike

How do you reserve the RBT premium seating?

 

[tzeitel]

How do you reserve the RBT premium seating?

You have to call to book the premium seating.

 

[WillowRain]

We did the RBT package on day 1 in 2014 and it was totally worth it, even with the massive December crowds and the confusion among the CM's, we ended up front row and the kids loved it. At 3 and 6, you will want them to be as close as possible. Bring sweaters and blankets as you will get sprayed. We are going to do Hungry Bear this time I think, I want to do BB but my 2.5 year old just doesn't have the table manners for it yet.

 

[Goose&mavie]

We just did the BB Fantasmic package last Thursday during spring break. We had a 7:20 pm reservation which I was told was the latest for the 9pm show (first show). I was advised by the cast member to try to get there a bit earlier so we got there at 7:05. We were seated by 7:20 at the railing waterside — a very prime location .

We did the MSEP BB package last year and thought the food was awesome, but this year, the food was meh. The desserts were delicious though, and service was excellent!

We got our seat cushions and went to the BB viewing area at about 8:35. We were in the third row behind 2rows of people in front of us, but it was not too crowded. One time we were in the first row and we got a bit wet. We had great views and I was overall thrilled with how easy it was. The RBT viewing area in contrast was packed!

We sat for the F! Show and then stood as instructed for the fireworks which were absolutely amazing!

One thing about F! Was that my 6yo who has seen the show before the revamp, was scared for many parts of it.
For the BB dinner, she did like her meal esp the dessert, she had the kids steak. My bone in rib eye was over cooked and way too peppery. But our experience doing the RBT for F! was way worse a few years ago. Worse seating and the food was awful in my opinion. Seating for BB is better than RBT.

 

[Katems]

I don't understand the seating. I am booked for Hungry Bear. People on this thread talk about being in the back being better viewing, yet all these areas require you to SIT on the GROUND. How does anyone see if we are all sitting on the same level?? Are we below the show somehow? I thought the show would be below us, on the water, so I'm really confused as to how these viewing areas where we sit are so great.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

I don't understand the seating. I am booked for Hungry Bear. People on this thread talk about being in the back being better viewing, yet all these areas require you to SIT on the GROUND. How does anyone see if we are all sitting on the same level?? Are we below the show somehow? I thought the show would be below us, on the water, so I'm really confused as to how these viewing areas where we sit are so great.

The viewing areas for the F! Dining Packages are up front at the railing by the ROA. The seating is on the ground (BB guests get a foam seat cushion as part of their package). The ground is slightly sloped, so guests who sit further back in their sections will be slightly higher than guests who sit right at the railing in the first row. If you do a search for the F! threads on this forum, you'll find photos that people have taken from their seats right at the railing and from further back in the section so you can compare the views. The dining package sections are considered to be better than the free FP sections because you are allowed to sit (albeit on the ground) rather than stand through the whole show (and the show is almost half an hour long) and because the dining package areas are not as crowded as the free FP areas (so you won't be crammed in like sardines during the show). If you don't mind standing while waiting in line to be let in to your section, standing while waiting for the show, standing during the show, and being very crowded during the show, then the free FP areas can work for you.

 

[Katems]

I was reading on another thread that Hungry Bear people have to stand and that they will keep cramming people into that section... True?

 

[MonocularVision]

I was reading on another thread that Hungry Bear people have to stand and that they will keep cramming people into that section... True?

Technically it is not a sitting area but I have only seen one report here of someone saying they were required to stand. Every other report (including when we did the Hungry Bear option), I have seen is people saying they were sitting.