Cancelling Fantasmic DP in favor of FP+?

[arc82]

Hi all - I'm new to the boards, so if this is a silly question, forgive me!

I currently have a Fantasmic dinner package booked for 5/28 at Hollywood & Vine. Mixed reviews of the food are making me second guess that idea! [We're all adults and we're doing another character dining experience so not worried about that aspect.] Mama Melrose's currently has a regular dinner ADR available for that date, but no Fantasmic. I am considering cancelling the Fantasmic package, booking a regular ADR at Mama Melrose's, and chancing it with a 4th FP+ for Fantasmic. There are two showings of Fantasmic that night, and we don't mind doing the second showing.

HS is a 8/10 on TouringPlans for 5/28. Am I better sticking with the dining package to ensure a good seat at Fantasmic, or is it safe to think that a 4th FP+ will be available for one of the Fantasmic shows that night? Our first 3 FP+ will be used by 1:00 PM if it makes any difference.

Thanks all!!

 

[Robo]

A FP will work very well.

What a FP+ for F! offers is more CHOICE in seating.

If you DO get a F! FP+, you can choose to sit in either the FP section (virtually the entire left half of the theater) or the Standby section (virtually the entire right half of the theater.)

So, whatever section has the better seating at the time you arrive, you can go there.

Without a FP, you can only choose a seat in the Standby section.



There is a very good chance that you can get a FP+ for F! as a 4th or 5th FP of the day because they issue SO MANY of them (enough to cover nearly the entire left half of the seating.) On many nights, it is possible that you can gat a FP+ for F! as you are walking to the theater.



As to when to arrive at the theater, I'd get to there 45-60 minutes before the show-time.

Even with a FP or Dining Pkg. reservation, don't wait too late.



On busy nights, the CMs can stop holding the reserved sections within 20-30 minutes before show-time, and turn over any available seats to waiting walk-in guests.



There is sometimes a "pre-show" (such as it is) that can help pass the last 30 minutes before show time.

-------------------------------------------------------------------



Map Below-

Arrows indicate the center of the seating.

Shaded areas:

(First or Only F! performance of the evening)

Cyan= Standby (walk-in) seating

Red= Dining Package Reserved

Blue= FP+ Reserved

Purple= Can be either FP+ or Dining Plan Reserved, depending on needs.



(Second or Third F! performance of the evening)

Cyan= Standby (walk-in) seating

Red, Purple, Blue= FP+ Reserved

(Although much of the outer Blue will likely be used for Standby.)

--------------------------------------

 

[LuvDaisy&Minnie]

We have never had the dining package or a FP and haven't had trouble seeing Fantasmic. So I wouldn't worry about it even if there is no FP available.

 

[Kevin1986]

Phew! I did the same thing.. I cancelled my Fantasmic dinner package in favor of a better ADR. I am using my tier 1 for rock n roller coaster so I was a bit worried I wouldn't be able to get a Fantasmic! FP. I have always been able to get one, but been checking on MDE lately and they all have been gone by noon.

 

[Robo]

Phew! I did the same thing.. I cancelled my Fantasmic dinner package in favor of a better ADR. I am using my tier 1 for rock n roller coaster so I was a bit worried I wouldn't be able to get a Fantasmic! FP. I have always been able to get one, but been checking on MDE lately and they all have been gone by noon.

While anything is possible...
Logically, it doesn't stand up that so many guests would actually get a FP that early for F! (thousands of those FP are potentially available) due to the exact "tiering" situation you mention.