Confused about the Fantasmic Dining Package

[MomtoAlexnWilliam]

Since we have two small kids, we reserved a dining package so that we could go to the separate entrance of Fantasmic only 30 minutes early. It will be late and I don't want to have super cranky kids or parents.

I have read threads lately on disboards that say that the separate entrance for the dining package is no longer being used and that you have to use the main entrance with everyone else and line up with everyone else early -- like 90 minutes early.

This has caused me some concern. Why spend the extra money on a sit down dinner at Mama Melrose (which doesn't have that great reviews) when my kids would be just as happy with chicken fingers if we don't get the benefit of avoiding the super long lines?

I called today and the CM had no idea what I was talking about. She said that the separate entrance is still being used for guests who purchased the FDP.

Anyone been recently and can give a first hand report about what is going on????

THANKS!

 

[Lehuaann]

Hmmm...that just doesnt make any sense. Maybe something happened and they changed entrances for a day or so because the purpose of the FDP perks are: no waiting in line, early admittance (separate entrance), and priority reserved seating. This is the way it was done in Sep.

 

[World Bouncer]

We used separate entrance in late September.

 

[Tricia1972]

There was a change where you checked in at a podium at the main entrance. This happened mid-October and there has been no word if it's a permanent or temporary change.

You still have your reserved seating and avoid the Long lines because of the separate check in, but you are walking up with the masses to get to your seats.

 

[MomtoAlexnWilliam]

Tricia, thanks! Is the check-in podium at the beginning of the line?

 

[Tricia1972]

It's referred to as the "Main entrance podium" on Hollywood Blvd. I believe that is at the beginning of the line.

 

[habg1]

I called the other day about this very subject.

The CM had no idea about a seperate enterance. She then nicely went and asked someone from the rest. reservation side if they knew anything about it. I was told that everything was the same; side entrance for the Fantasmic package. They seemed to have no knowledge about any closing of the side door.

So, I guess we'll have to wait and see!

 

[VAN]

Picking up on your comment about Mama Melrose ... my DH and I were there in September and the food/service was GREAT!! In fact, it was my DH's favorite restaurant out of the whole week.

I was apprehensive after reading mixed reviews and was totally surprised ... in a good way.

Love Mama Melrose!

 

[aurorae]

We also did the Mama Melrose Fantasmic package in October, and we really enjoyed it.

I was also apprehensive because I recall hearing a bad review of the food, and also a review that said the seating for Fantasmic was poor because it was off to the side.

It was our first time at Fantasmic, and we sat at the extreme left of the roped off area, so we were fairly close to the center. We certainly had better seats than the people who arrived at the same time we did and had to sit in the regular section (because by the time we got there, the best seats were all gone in the regular section).

I thought the food was very good, we had some nice choices, had an attentive server, and just a nice relaxing meal. We got there 3 hours before Fantasmic, so we had lots of time and they didn't make us feel rushed at all.