Can someone explain the Fantasmic Dinner Package?

[CoolMickster1995]

I understand that the package gets you some kind of guaranteed seating, but I'm wondering how big of a deal this is. Are the seats better? If we don't do the package, how much time should we allot for getting seats? We will be there Christmas week so I know it will be crowded, but the good part is that there are two Fantasmic showings, at 6:30 and 8:30. If we wanted to go to the 6:30 show and did not do the package, what time should we plan to arrive to be sure we get seats? And are some seats better than others?

Thanks!

 

[Tink]

The FDP eliminates some of the hassel of waiting in line. You book the package at on of the restaurants. Our family does MM. You must let the person making the ADR know you want the package. You have to leave a credit card to hold the ADR, and you have at least 24 hours before the adr to cancel (it may be 48). If you don't cancel and don't show you are charged a fee.

You get a card that is dated, and 30 minutes before the show you go to the front of the park by Oscars's and enter thru there. The seats are off to the extreme right of the stage.

Our family likes to do this, since our DDs, ages 5 and 8 love the show, but hate the wait. Also, we like to sit far from the stage, since DDs don't like the fire effects that much.

We have always had a good meal at MM, and we just chose to do it, since we can go and sit right before the show starts.

 

[La2kw]

We don't bother with the package, since you can get much better seats by showing up an hour before showtime. The package is a scam, IMO.

 

[CoolMickster1995]

Thanks for the replies. Tink--Kids are quite a bit older (12 and 15) and are pretty good about waiting. And I have warned them that since we are going at the busiest time of the year, they should expect to wait a lot on this trip! La2kw: Where would you say are the best seats?

Thanks!

 

[AmberLuvsWDW]

Just be sure if you do the package you make the ressies early enough. The first time we did it, it took a while and we ended up not really getting to use the "reserved" seating. The meal was great, but were almost late for the show. We are doing it again this year on DDP and made our ressies for like 5 so we'd be out of there in plenty of time. Have a great trip!

 

[septbaby]

We don't bother with the package, since you can get much better seats by showing up an hour before showtime. The package is a scam, IMO.

Not sure about the scam especially if you're on DDP. The package costs the same as a meal w/o seating for Fantasmic. Those who can't or don't want to wait on line for 40-90 minutes don't have to and can still get seating for the show. They are not the "best" seats for the show, but good enough and from what I hear great seats to make a quick exit after the show.

This is our first Fantasmic experience and we're doing the package. It will simplify the evening and we won't be in line for an hour with an active 5yo asking "is Mickey here yet" Our ressies are early so we'll have time for bit of fun in the park before grabbing a seat at 8pm.

Sounds like you've worked out a good routine for Fantasmic. My momma ain't standing in line for an hour(and she loves Mickey) and we all know, if momma ain't happy...ain't nobody happy. I really wanna be happy at Disney.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

Mama Melrose's is one of our top-5 liked restaurants. We know we're going to eat there on most trips, so adding the Fantasmic Package to that reservation just makes sense. There's no extra charge for the package. You just need to make your ADRs a little earlier, because the Fantasmic packages go faster than just the regular reservations.

The section reserved for the package is at the extreme right of the theater. Some say these aren't as good of seats. I honestly can't say I've noticed any differnce from any of the sections in the theater. I've sat in the dead center (after waiting more than an hour to get in), and I've sat far up in the Fantasmic seats. I was able to see equally well from both locations.

 

[beattyfamily]

I do not think the package is worth it off season (Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov and Dec are my experiences) however, since you are going Christmas week, I think it's worth it if you'd like to do it.

I don't have experience with Christmas week but I normally get there at one hour before and can get a seat in the center, half way back (there has never been a line; the door were open). If you want to try and do it without the package get there at least an hour beforehand, maybe 1 hour and 15 minutes.

If you want an even better chance at a seat without the package, go to the second showing. It's always less busy. I'd still go in about at least an hour before though.

Remember, that even with the package, you should enter at at least 45 minutes before. The seats are only guaranteed till 30 minutes before. Then they can, and sometimes do, open up the reserved area to the general public if it's crowded.

The package seats are not better, they are just guaranteed (till 30 minutes before). They are to the far right.