Are the Fantasmic package seats worth it?

[DSNY4ever]

My family is going at the end of April. I have booked the Blue Bayou dinner package...BUT my family has allergies and food restrictions, so I imagine (at no fault of the restaurant) we are going to pay a LOT of money for mediocre (at best) food.

So considering the seats alone, is it worth it? We haven't seen Fantasmic since having kids because we never thought they'd be able to stay up so late and wait for the show in the terrible waiting area. They are 3 and 6, so we are hoping that reserved seating area will be our best shot, as long as they don't fall asleep.

 

[figment_jii]

That's a tough call given your situation. I do think there is value in the dining package "seating" (note that it generally means sitting on the ground, not a chair) because it means you don't have devote as much time waiting to get a good spot to see the show. That being said, given the price and the ages of your kids, I might wait a couple more years. The demand might die down and they'll be a little older so it'll be easier to stay up (depending on the child, the show can be intense - the 3 year old I went with did not like the dragon at all).

Another option is to look into the River Belle Terrace and Hungry Bear options as well. They might be a better option (less expensive), but with similar benefits. (Sometimes they merge the areas, sometimes they do not. Generally Blue Bayou is most centered, with RBT to the right and HB to the left.)

 

[DharmaLou]

BB seats are amazing.

 

[GeneralTso]

We will have dedicated, reserved actual seats with our Sonoma Terrace package. I'm excited for that. It's not just an "area" with that package.

 

[GatorChris]

Really, the only way to get a good "seat" for F! is to do a dinner package. Otherwise, you're standing in a herd of people to the sides. If you want to see the show well AND sit, you need to pay the extra cash. Used to, it wasn't worth it. Now it's worth it because the dining packages literally take all the front and center areas for sitting.

 

[hootey]

Last time we were there, my wife had reserved real Chairs right next to the railing for Fantasmic. It was the Absolute Best Fantasmic show we have ever seen! Seating was on the left side of the plaza as you look at Pirate Island. She is in Vegas for the computer show or I would ask her the name of the package. We did have dinner at Blue Bayou before the show but, we did have real chairs to sit in during the show. Same package? I don't know.....

 

[MajorasMask]

We like to do the package because we are never committed enough to show up until the last 30 minutes for seats.

 

[Aimee_Jane83]

For BB seating is it best to sit farther back than at the front where the rails are? I would imagine that would block your view a bit.

 

[gillep]

For BB seating is it best to sit farther back than at the front where the rails are? I would imagine that would block your view a bit.

We have sat at the front center behind the rails twice and center back once, just this past week, and we both felt that the back was a much better view.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

We will have dedicated, reserved actual seats with our Sonoma Terrace package. I'm excited for that. It's not just an "area" with that package.

Just to clarify, the Sonoma Terrace package is for PTN in DCA, not for F! in DL.

Last time we were there, my wife had reserved real Chairs right next to the railing for Fantasmic. It was the Absolute Best Fantasmic show we have ever seen! Seating was on the left side of the plaza as you look at Pirate Island. She is in Vegas for the computer show or I would ask her the name of the package. We did have dinner at Blue Bayou before the show but, we did have real chairs to sit in during the show. Same package? I don't know.....

When were you last there? There are no actual chairs available with the current BB F! Dining Package. There are chairs available for those with a VIP tour or for the Premium Dining Package at RBT (on the RBT patio).

For the OP: depending on what the allergy/food sensitivity issues are, would anything on the HB Dining Package menu work? You can contact Disney Dining to ask about the allergy needs to see if something on the Dining Package menu or on the regular menu (you would still pay the Dining Package price) could be adjusted for your needs. The HB seating area is next to the BB area (just to the left), so if you got there early, you could sit just over the line from the BB section for much less money. We like the BB package (and I have food allergies), and the kitchen has always been able to work with my food needs. But with very young children, HB might work better. Just a thought.

 

[DizneyMommy]

Last time we were there, my wife had reserved real Chairs right next to the railing for Fantasmic. It was the Absolute Best Fantasmic show we have ever seen! Seating was on the left side of the plaza as you look at Pirate Island. She is in Vegas for the computer show or I would ask her the name of the package. We did have dinner at Blue Bayou before the show but, we did have real chairs to sit in during the show. Same package? I don't know.....

Was that a long time ago? There used to be a desert package that included seating in chairs in that spot, but they don’t offer that same set-up anymore. It was nice though!!

 

[Aimee_Jane83]

We have sat at the front center behind the rails twice and center back once, just this past week, and we both felt that the back was a much better view.

That's what I figured would be best. How do you score the back row? Should I show up a little later and hope to get the back?

 

[gillep]

That's what I figured would be best. How do you score the back row? Should I show up a little later and hope to get the back?

Well we had a 7:50 BB reservation but got seated closer to 7:40, so by the time we were done eating it was about 20 minutes before the first showing and our server let us pick which show we wanted, we chose the first showing and there was lots of room in the back, including the back center that we took, and some room a little closer but slightly more to the left and right sides. It was a pretty slow day at DL though so I am not sure how timing would work if it had been a busier day as there were still BB reservations open that morning for the Fantasmic package (I was trying to fiddle with our time). I think if you just go when you want you can sit wherever and people will fill in around you but every time we have done the reserved seating it has seemed that people fill in the very front first.

 

[DSNY4ever]

Hmm, thanks guys. I still have it booked, but I am on the fence. I looked at the HB and RBT menus online and since there isn't anything obvious that they can eat I assumed that they would have less options for alternatives than the Blue Bayou...? I know this package doesn't include a chair, but I think it includes a cushion- right? I felt like booking it online had very little information and of course no pricing information, ugh.

If we keep it, how early do you suggest showing up to sit down to land a seat more toward the back? Do they make you sit near the front the earlier you come?

 

[Skyegirl1999]

Hmm, thanks guys. I still have it booked, but I am on the fence. I looked at the HB and RBT menus online and since there isn't anything obvious that they can eat I assumed that they would have less options for alternatives than the Blue Bayou...? I know this package doesn't include a chair, but I think it includes a cushion- right? I felt like booking it online had very little information and of course no pricing information, ugh.

If we keep it, how early do you suggest showing up to sit down to land a seat more toward the back? Do they make you sit near the front the earlier you come?

It does come with a cushion. You can pick to sit wherever you want; they don’t make you sit in the front at all.

At Hungry Bear, you can substitute one of their regular meals, but you still pay the full Fantasmic package price. Not sure if that would help with any of your allergy issues. No seat cushion, but the section is right next to BB.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

... I felt like booking it online had very little information and of course no pricing information...

allears.net (http://allears.net/dlr/dining/menus.htm) has the dining package menus with prices. The menus do get updated, but not all are current. Most are close enough to give you a basic idea to work with.

 

[figment_jii]

That's what I figured would be best. How do you score the back row? Should I show up a little later and hope to get the back?

The viewing areas are first-come-first-serve, so you can sit anywhere you want when you get into the area. Most people (I think) tend to sit closer to the front, so you probably won't have as much of an issue sitting in the back. Do note that guests in ECVs and wheelchairs are in the very back of the section (their friends and family can remain standing with them in the back). So if you do aim for the back, make sure you are sitting in front of the ECVs and wheelchairs.

 

[hootey]

Was that a long time ago? There used to be a desert package that included seating in chairs in that spot, but they don’t offer that same set-up anymore. It was nice though!!

Last fall, sounds like it has changed

 

[Skyegirl1999]

Last fall, sounds like it has changed

Hmm, there hasn’t been a package with real chairs since Fantasmic came back last July. I’d be curious to know how you guys ended up in that scenario.

ETA: This is not counting the RBT premium package, which is not located where you noted.

 

[MikeRx]

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