DID YOU LIKE THE fANTASMIC DINNER PACK.?

[IwovMickey]

i REALLY WOULD LIKE TO TRY THIS, BUT NOT REALLY SURE OF WHAT TO EXPECT. THINK YOU COULD GIVE ME A LITTLE INSITE ON IT? THANK'S

 

[Bob P]

Try this:

http://allearsnet.com/din/fantdin1.htm

 

[DisKim]

I've done it twice and would highly reccomend it. I made the mistake of waiting in the regular line to see Fantasmic and we were packed like cattle. I thought my kids were going to suffocate in the crowd. The dinner package was awesome. We had a nice dinner and were able to take in a few attractions while everyone else started to line up for the show. IMHO, there is no other way to do Fantasmic.

 

[missminniemouse]

We did it and really enjoyed it. Had a fabulous dinner at the Brown Derby. Felt we got a great deal for our money. Really enjoyed not having to wait in line. Ended up with great seats. I highly recommend it.

 

[AladdinsPrincess]

We were there this past Saturday and the park was really crowded. I had made a regular reservation at Hollywood & Vine because a.) with the Fantasmic package the latest reservation they had was 4:30 pm and b.) you can't get the Disney Dining Experience discount with the Fantasmic package. Argh! However, everything worked out just fine for us. We ate at H&V at 6 pm (and it was great by the way), walked around the park, and even went on ToT and still got a great seat with no problem at Fantasmic!

 

[MelanieC]

I did it in January with some other DISer's for the WDW Marathon. We ate at Mama Melrose and it was wonderful.

We got a choice of a family style salad. The one with the gorgonzola cheese and balsamic dressing was OUTSTANDING. We got a choice of a flatbread pizza. A choice of an entree (anything from the menu) and a choice of a dessert from the menu. The food was fantastic. We got tickets to Fantasmic and they even called ahead to have them hold the door because the dinner took longer than expected and Fantasmic was starting in 30 minutes. They let us in and we had decent seats. They were on the side of the theatre but they were good seats.

DH had never wanted to do Fantasmic, and we usually go at less busy times. Since we are going in July this time I made sure to book a Mama Melrose dinner package for my family to try this time.

I definately reccomend it.

 

[disney queen]

we loved it. decided the package is the only way to go!

 

[LongIslandCouple]

We did it (wife and I) and frankly, we thought we could have done better without it.

We go in late August, so it's always a crapshoot in regards to the weather so the possibility exists that you'll pay for dinner and not be able to see Fantasmic.

I also didn't like being limited in Mama Merose's as far as what we could order off the menu.

 

[missypie]

Yes...but...

We did two Fantasmic dinner packages. On Memorial Day we ate at Brown Derby and Fantasmic was rained out. Saturday we ate at Mama Melroses and got to see Fantasmic (in light rain.) BUT, for 5 of us (3 adults and 2 kids, one alcoholic drink) the tab with tip was $150.

The reserved seats are the two far right hand sections. The seats are good BUt when we arrived at 8:15 both nights, the corresponding sections on the far left were almost totally empty. You could get a seat as good as what we had at 8:25! With that said, we got our seats without waiting in line at all.

If you had planned to have a nice sit down meal all along, go for it. Otherwise, it's a lot of money and the show can be cancelled.

 

[PatsGirl]

OK. So ...

MelanieC: You were able to order anything you wanted off the menu? I understand that you shared a salad, flatbread, but entree and dessert was a choice of the entire menu?


Long Island Couple: What were the restrictions that applied?

I've been going round and round about this. I want to do Fantasmic and Mama Melrose for dinner but I'm not sure the package is necessary. We will be going during off-season (was a UG "1" until today, now a "4") but I wonder if I want to get even more restricted --can you tell I'm feeling "overplanned" by the dining package

 

[FFerret]

We had a package when we went in October of 2003 at Hollywood and Vine. I'm only going to bother with the package if we ever go during peak season--we really didn't need it in Oct.

 

[kkana]

what are the thoughts of doing Fantasmic without the dinner on July 3 - we will just be arriving that day, and since it in EMH at MGM decided to go there first - anticipating getting there sometime around 3 or 4 - I have no idea what time the show or shows are - does anyone know - any suggestions would be appreciated. It will be DH, dgd 8 yrs old and myself. We leave home at 5:00 am to get to the airport in time and are scheduled to land in Orlando at 12:30 - no idea how long it will take to get to POFQ check in and get to the park. I am decidedly confused now. Please help

 

[maxaroni]

I'm torn on this one. 2 yrs ago, we did the pkg and got rained out of Fantasmic. We weren't going to do the pkg this time and just 'wing it'. However, with the free dining pkg, we figured we'd have a sit down dinner. Now, with that being said, some people on disboards are getting to use their FDP and the dining pkg. I'm too confused

 

[pennyplanner]

People always talk about the second show being less crowded. I am guessing that July 3rd is a busy time at WDW however.

We went in November, the week before Thanksgiving and were vastly relieved to be able to book the package at a late date. We at H & V, the only package available when I called. We enjoyed it much to our surprise.

Fantasmic was standing room only BUT there was just one show that night. We were happy to not have to stand in line.

--penny

 

[AladdinsPrincess]

Has anyone actually been turned away from Fantasmic? I'm just curious. I guess it's more likely to happen around the peak times. DH and I have never had a problem getting a decent seat at Fantasmic, and we have never done the dinner package. I agree with whoever recommended doing it if you're going at a peak time....

 

[WDW LOVR]

We've done the dinner package 4 times and been rained out 3 of them. The one time we got in the seats were ok, but, as other posters have said, they are at the far right of the theater.

We went in Oct last year without the package, walked right in ~45 minutes before the show and were seated at center stage. There were people arriving 10 minutes before the show who were getting seats.

I would say if you are going during an off time (not spring break or summer) then it's not necessary to do the dinner package (but that's just our experience).

 

[Planogirl]

What if you're going at a peak time but there are two shows? I've heard that the second show is far less crowded so would the dining package be necessary?

 

[cdntourguide]

In the past I would make the Fantasmic dinner package then go see the show.
Now I just go have dinner, usually at the same place (H&V) and go and see the show. I just walk in about 30minutes before the show is scheduled to start.
I have never had a problem getting a seat as IMO the best seats(benchs) are those at the back of theatre.

 

[BigTigg'r]

We were not turned away, but we did only get in by the skin of our teeth and we had to stand in the back. It was February during the time the cheerleaders were there so I do not know if that is normal. I have been trying to decide for the trip in October, where I am trying to make a special evening for a friend. I think that after reading some of these posts, we will risk not using the package in favor of being able to order whatever we want.

 

[dreamer423]

DS3 and I just did it Monday night. We had 6:40 at MM_great! and then walked on over and sat down. We were in the second to last row on the right and IMHO with young kids that is close enough. Although the whole place was packed we had a little space on either side of us and could still see everything.

For me it was totally worth not having to wait in a crowd with DS and not having to stake out seats for 90 minutes.