Dinner Reservations - Halloween party/Fantasmic - wwyd?

[Lm3js]

Hey there! I know this is totally subjective, but I can't decide so thought I would get all your opinions in case there is something I didn't think of. I am second guessing my 2 nights of dinner reservations.

We'll be in DL/DCA for our anniversary (though bringing the kids 8 and 13) and we are also going to the Halloween party on Friday 9/29. I would like to have 1 dinner at DCA and 1 dinner at DL. We are looking at TS because it is our anniversary and we are splurging slightly.

I currently am booked at Blue Bayou for early Friday for the Halloween package that I think gives us preferred seating for the parade and puts us in DL early in case of any pre-party happenings. I have reservations WCT on Saturday. My kids have expressed interest in seeing Fantasmic (we have seen it multiple times already so not new to this).

I'm debating changing my Friday Blue Bayou reservation to early dinner at Carthay Circle (similar level of experience/price) and changing Saturday to Cafe Orleans Fantasmic package so we can sit and see show.

So, I guess my questions are.. is Halloween parade preferred seating better value than Fantasmic preferred seating? Is it really better to be in DL early for Halloween or not really needed? What would you book?

I know I can't really go wrong

 

[Lesley Wake]

I would change. For Halloween parade, you can usually find pretty great seats for the second parade of the night, even close to the showtime. You can even find seats along the curb of Main Street within an hour of the first parade. For Fantasmic, the only way to sit close (well, sit in general) is with a dining package.

 

[Lesley Wake]

Also, the Blue Bayou package appears to be only during the actual party. That means you will be missing a lot of time that you could be spending meeting rare characters, trick or treating, riding rides with little to no wait, and just in general taking in the atmosphere.

 

[iheartcoasters]

We ate at Blue Bayou last year during the Halloween Party. I love Blue Bayou but it took too much time. I can't remember how long we were at dinner, but it seemed like forever and we missed a couple things I really wanted to see. The parade viewing was nice, but you still had to show up early if you wanted a front viewing spot sitting on the curb. This year, we are snacking and then looking for seats. I am not missing Cadaver Dans or Jack and Sally again! we have done Fantasmic seating in previous years and were glad to have it, if not for just the seat cushions lol ! I'd choose Fantasmic if I had to choose between.

 

[Lm3js]

Thanks for the replies! This is our first year at the Halloween party so don't know really what to expect. Our dinner reservation at BB is at 4:40 which is just before the party (starts at 6). It did say it was the package though I was just trying to book dinner.

Our trip is short so we only have the 1 day to see Fantasmic. Though as I mentioned, we have seen it before (and done the package), so wouldn't kill us to miss it either. I guess that is why I was having so much trouble deciding. Ideally, a BB Sat dinner package for Fantasmic would open up

 

[mommy2mrb]

If your BB reservation is at 4:40 it's not the party reservation. It would be during the actually party time not during pre-party. We did it two years ago and while we loved it, it took a lot of time out of party time. We got priority seating in front of the castle for fireworks.

 

[figment_jii]

I'm debating changing my Friday Blue Bayou reservation to early dinner at Carthay Circle (similar level of experience/price) and changing Saturday to Cafe Orleans Fantasmic package so we can sit and see show.

If you can wait until after the RBT closes (or at least until F! goes to a weekend only schedule) and find out how things are going with the packages, I would do that. There are rumors that once F! goes to a weekend only schedule, the dining packages viewing areas may become standing room only (there might be a Premium Blue Bayou package that allows for ground seating).

So, I guess my questions are.. is Halloween parade preferred seating better value than Fantasmic preferred seating? Is it really better to be in DL early for Halloween or not really needed? What would you book?

Last year, it didn't seem like the parade viewing packages were really needed, especially if you can wait to see the second parade. That being said, no one knows what this year will be like (yet). My guess is that F! will be busier just because it a new show and it will only be available on weekends in October. Generally, if you can wait until the reports come in from the first few parties, I would do that to see how busy things are and whether or not a package is "needed".

Also, the Blue Bayou package appears to be only during the actual party. That means you will be missing a lot of time that you could be spending meeting rare characters, trick or treating, riding rides with little to no wait, and just in general taking in the atmosphere.

The Blue Bayou MHP dining packages start at 4:00 pm on Fridays. The party itself doesn't start until 7:00 pm. So while you will (potentially) miss out on some of the pre-party activities in Toontown (if it happens this year), you can theoretically have dinner and be finished before the party starts.

If your BB reservation is at 4:40 it's not the party reservation. It would be during the actually party time not during pre-party. We did it two years ago and while we loved it, it took a lot of time out of party time. We got priority seating in front of the castle for fireworks.

I think you're talking about the Mystic Spirits dinner they offered back in 2015. The current package does not included reserved viewing for the fireworks and it doesn't have characters (it's basically a dining package - three course meal and a FP for the parade).

 

[mommy2mrb]

Yes we did the mystic spirits. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[GenGen22]

Like others have stated if you wait for the 2nd Halloween parade you don't need a special reservation but for Fantasmic you may because its still newly opened back up so, I suggest the Fantasmic reservation over the Halloween party reservation. And if there is a pre-party in Toontown you will miss this which depends on what your family prefers.

 

[Lm3js]

Thanks!! Yes, this is exactly what I wanted to hear about!!