Bad Balcony Buffet

[goofymax]

I called 714-781-4400 today in an attempt to make a balcony reservation for the Fantasmic dessert buffet. After waiting about one minute, at exactly 8 AM Pacific time, was connected with a person. I told her what and when I wanted the res. July 11, 2007 for the 9PM seating. She replied that there was no show that night, that her computer showed nothing doing. I told her I knew that Fantasmic was basically every day and sometimes twice. She checked her computer again, and lo, she said "You're right, there is something". Duh! She then proceeded to take my name and credit card number. She had trouble with both of these intracacies. She said I was getting a non-refundable reservation for the 9PM Fantasmic Dessert Buffet in the Balcony for July 11th. I said great! I then heard the music and waited, not knowing where she went. After a minute she came back and said. Sorry, all sold out, no 9PM balcony left. I asked her what the heck she was doing and she replied "the best I can". I then hung up, frustrated to say the least. There are only 20 seats and if you get someone one the phone who sounds like they don't know what they are doing, hang up and call to get someone else!

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

Yikes, how awful. I'd be checking my credit card to make sure they don't charge you anyway. Who knows what she did!

 

[dragonflymom]

I'm so sorry to hear that. Maybe you can try again tomorrow (if you're staying beyond July 11). For me, my strategy last time was to start trying for day one of my visit, be prepared to go for the 10:30 show if the 9 pm were sold out. Then try for day 2 if day 1 were unsuccessful and so on. I was successful on my second try, which was day 2 of my visit for the 10:30 show. I made sure both kids had a good nap during the afternoon and it worked out really well. They actually seat you around 10 pm, so you can enjoy the food and drinks before, during and after the show (not too long after though as the staff is anxious to clean up).

 

[Amy&Dan]

Actually that same thing happened to me and I had a very efficient cm. She took my info but by the time she got it in the computer the seats were all gone. It can be a frustrating experience and so disappointing when you think you are all set and then find out you aren't. I am so sorry that happened to you, can you go another night? Good luck, I hope it works out for you.

 

[farmfresh]

So sorry you missed out...we're visiting from NZ, and wanted to make bookings. I got up at 3am to call on opening time, and managed to get seats (but not in balcony as it was not available at that time). MY husband thought i was crazy, but i think i'll show him your post!

 

[Pomlover2586]

I called at 8am on May 26th to make our reservations for our upcomming trip.....I spoke to a CM who was not as polite as one would expect a Disney CM to be but she was able to get us the seats we asked for. For the night were going the balcony was not being offered so we got the river side seating...DBF and I will be celebrating our anniversary this trip and he's never seen Fantasmic....let alone seen it like this so i'm just grateful we got Dessert seating at all!!

 

[Chocolate lover]

This is why we book our hotel and all of the extras through Vacation Planning. Vacation Planning has better odds at getting the balcony seating then the average person.

 

[Mazzy]

So sorry you didn't get the balcony, it doesn't sound like a very good system does it - you would think they would say, I need your details then will try for you, instead of making you think it's booked when it isn't.

Regarding using vacation planning, well, I emailed vacation planning 2 days ago and have not had a reply yet. I made my first PS this afternoon myself, for the blue bayou.

Hopefully they will have answered me by the time the 30 day window is up and they can book it for me, but I'm not impressed so far.

By the way, can't you get a refund on the balcony if you decide to cancel? Just wondering as you said non refundable?

 

[Danauk]

You can't get a refund on the balcony, the tickets are non refundable. I have heard several people here say that vacation planning are slow at responding to email. When we use them I plan to phone them to get things planned and booked. The calls aren't that much from the UK, plus I prefer to actually speak to someone regarding my plans then ask them to email to confirm.

 

[Mazzy]

Dana - thanks for confirming that the tickets are non-refundable. The reason I emailed is that I'm partially deaf, so it's easier for me. I can use my minicom and Typetalk (third party communicator) but it's a bit long-winded and takes much longer than a normal phone call. I'm hoping they will get back to me as it's another month before I can book the balcony anyway.

I noticed the phone number the OP rang is different to the number for Disneyland Dining, is it the number just for booking Fantasmic?

 

[XTinabell]

I thought I read somewhere they weren't offering balcony buffet for fantasmic anymore. Is that happening later, or was that just a myth??

 

[Danauk]

I thought I read somewhere they weren't offering balcony buffet for fantasmic anymore. Is that happening later, or was that just a myth??

They just recently began offering it again a few days ago.

 

[LLS]

What is the price per person for the balcony seating? Thanks!

 

[acpalmer]

$59 per person for balcony--any age.

Riverside is $59 per person age 10 and up, $49 for kids ages 3-9, and 2 and under are free, IF they sit on your lap. If you want a seat for them, you'll pay the $49

 

[Michelle2]

What is the number for the vacation planners again?? I have done searches and cannot find it
Thanks!

 

[disneyscootergal]

What is the number for the vacation planners again?? I have done searches and cannot find it
Thanks!

Here's a quote from another thread that hopefully helps:

Definitely! We are heading to the Paradise Pier in a few weeks and a wonderful Cast Member by the name of Valerie Rendon did all of our meal bookings as well as she managed to get us balcony seating for Fantasmic and made the arrangements for the particular gift baskets I wanted in each room and a few other extra treats we wanted in the rooms. Valerie was a godsend!
Phone 714-300-7526 ext #2 and they can help you out! Good Luck and enjoy!!!!!