Disappointed with Fantasmic Buffet

[Di$neyDad]

I paid for the Fantasmic Buffet recently and felt that is was so NOT worth it. (I didn't get the balcony seating, so maybe that's worth it.) My entire reason for paying for this was so that I could walk up right before the show and sit down with a good view. I wanted to avoid the whole "stake out a place two hours before the show" thing. But you have to check in so many times before the show, it actually might have been easier to just plop down somewhere else two hours prior.

We had reservations for the 9:00 show. We happened to walk by the seating location around 7:30 or so and stopped to ask if this is where we check in. "Yes", we were told, "and here's your number - your number 6. Make sure you're here at 8:30 sharp to check in." Huh? Nobody told us about getting a number. Anyway, we show up at 8:30 and they do a role call. I'm assuming we would have lost our number if we weren't there. Then at 8:50 we were seated in numerical order. We had previously been told that the best seating was on the right-hand side, and fortunately seating was still available there, but not in the front row. So, in order to get a low number, you need to show up before 7:30. Then you need to check back at 8:30 and then hang around until the show starts. This was NOT the level of convenience that I thought I had paid for.

The desserts were good, but not outstanding. (They were already out when we stopped by at 7:30, so I'm not sure how fresh they were.) The views from the reserved seating varied as there are a couple of columns in front that would block some views. Prior to the show, a CM spent quite a bit of time hyping the show, describing recent improvements that had been made and stating it was way better than at WDW. But I wasn't that impressed - there were actually several components that I liked much better at WDW. About the only thing that did impress me was the CM service (they get your drinks, you get your desserts). And we did get to stay for the fireworks, which started immediately after Fantasmic. But overall, it was quite a disappointment.

 

[Firefly777]

I'm sorry you didn't have a good experience. I haven't done this before, but it seems like kind of hassle from what you're describing. BTW, What did you like better about WDW's Fantasmic? I haven't seen it myself.

 

[Di$neyDad]

As far as the setup goes, at WDW they have dedicated stadium seating for the show. This is more comfortable than sitting on the sidewalk and cheaper than paying for the preferred seating at DL. And the CM's walk up and down selling drinks and souvenirs giving a better "feel" - you know, more like you're really at a show and not just camped out waiting for something to happen. Also, at WDW I was sitting about 2/3 of the way up and it seemed like I could see things better than my preferred seating at DL. The lower seating at WDW must really be great. On the other hand, I was sitting more in the middle at WDW ,while at DL the preferred seating at ground level is off to the left of the show a bit, so that might have altered my perception.

As for the show itself, keep in mind that my preference towards WDW is due largely to the fact of watching with my 5-yr-old daughter. Most of it's the same: Mickey's dream turning into a nightmare, images projected onto water from the fountains, and the appearance and defeat of Maleficient. With the parts of the show that were different, I thought DL only had one thing better than WDW, and that's a big pirate ship that floats by with Peter Pan battling Hook. At WDW, there were a few things I liked better. The first I'm not sure about, but it seemed that the "dream" part of the images being displayed in the water lasted longer. I definitely saw several images of characters my daughter likes at WDW but don't remember seeing them at DL (perhaps at DL I was too busy making sure no one kicked over my hot chocolate). WDW also had two scenes that I thought were much better: Pocahontas, with several canoes of "indians" paddling by and then battling with the "settlers" on stage, and a Princess sequence with 3 or 4 boats, one princess on each (DL only had one princess boat). Finally, I liked the end at WDW much better where a paddle boat floats by loaded (and I mean loaded!)with all sorts of Disney characters.

Since the CM at DL mentioned the show there had been changed, I wonder if the show at WDW has also been changed recently and is now better than it was. I think I've read here, and the CM at DL definitely stated, that the DL show "blows away" the WDW show. But having seen both shows within a month of each other, I don't see this. For just about anyone I would say they are quite comparable. And for a daughter who's more into the "nice" characters and princesses, I'd give the nod to WDW.

And don't even get me started on the preferred seating again. At WDW, we brought fudge that we bought elsewhere at the park for about $10 and then got a hot chocolate (in a souvenir Brother Bear cup) for about $4, for a total of $14. At DL, the preferred seating was something like $35 each for 3 of us, for a total of $105. I assure you, the preferred DL seating was not 7.5 times better than what we had at WDW.

 

[Firefly777]

Oh okay.

Yeah you're right, I remember hearing that the Dream scene is a little shorter at DL. But, I swear when I saw it, there was more than one Princess barge.
DL also has a paddle boat that floats by at the end, but the boat is under refurb, so you most likely didn't see it.

 

[MamaKate]

Disneyland does have 3 prinecess barges (1 w/Belle, 1 w/Little Mermaid and 1 w/Snow White). Also at the end of Disneyland's, they have a ton of Disney characters on the Mark Twain river boat (which is far superior to the smaller version at WDW).

Also, the Peter Pan scene at Disneyland is during the same period of the Pocahontas scene at WDW (and I'll take the Peter Pan scene over the Pocahontas scene anyday).

I agree with you that the seating is better at WDW, but the show itself is better done at Disneyland. Maybe you went on an off night when they were having difficulties.

I've never done the dessert viewing from below, but I've done the balcony seating and it has a perfect view.

Maybe next time you should try the balcony seating area.

 

[Di$neyDad]

Thanks for the info. I guess I'll have to try the balcony seating after the paddle boat refurb is complete. One question about the balcony seating, though: The balcony is across a street/walkway from the water. This isn't too far away?

Knowing now about the refurb, the CM's hype-job at DL is all the more funny (or sad). I guess they must have figured that after shelling out this much money we wouldn't want to hear "Oh, so sorry, part of the show is missing - you might want to do this again when everything is up and running."

 

[Firefly777]

They probably shouldn't have said anything at all. It surprises me that they actually said that it is better than WDW. I don't understand why it would matter so much to anyone.

About the balcony seating. I have done this, but it was quite awhile ago so I don't remember everything. It had a nice view, but it didn't have that In-the-show feeling you get when you are in the regular area. You get desserts and drinks. I don't remember exactly how you got seated, someone else might know more about that.

 

[TheTexasKid]

Not that I disagree with anything anybody has said, but, I thought I should stick my opinion in to this subject, seeing as I have seen both shows. With the caveat of having seeing the show at WDW four years ago, and the show at DL somewhat less then that. So there might have been some changes in both shows since then. Having prefered seating for both shows.

The prefered seating at DL being in the balcony. I had the second row, and I actually prefered that to the first row, as I could stand up behind my chair and watch the show from there, and I could not have done that if I was in the first row. Of course, that wouldn't work for somone who had physical difficulty standing for the length of the show.

I have not the seen the show at DL from ground level, so I can't compare it with that, but, I'd rather get there a half hour early or so. and know I had a seat, then have to get two hours before, and still not know whether I had a seat.

And no, it was not that far away I couldn't see, at least for me.

As for the dessert buffet, I had no problems with that, except it was rich and heavy on the chocolate.

As has been said, the CMs were great, as usual for DL,

As to which show was better, the one at WDW or DL, I enjoyed both shows and have no preference for one or the other.

The down side . . . at that time no advanced reserverations were taken, so you had to be at Guest Services, when they opened, to get your tickets for that night's show. Actually, you had to get there before they opened. Because at that time there were no limit to the number ot tickets you could purchase, and people often purchased blocks of tickets. My sister and brother-in-law actually got the last three tickets for that night's show. And they got up at 6:00 a.m. to be sure to be in time to get some tickets, and we were staying at the Paradise Pier. No telling how early one would have to get up, if one was staying at a hotel that was less convenient to DL.

 

[disneychrista]

Having seen both, I do prefer the Disneyland version better. The whole transformation of the ROA/TSI just adds to it. I find that Disneyland version is just "bigger" with the use of the Mark Twian (Steamboat Willy/Finale) and Columbia (Peter Pan).

WDW version does have one thing over the DL version, the stadium seating. Its too bad they haven't come up with a way to transform the walkway right in front of the river into statdium seats just for Fanstamic. Ya know, like they "rise up" from underground and then lower after the final performance of the night.

 

[Di$neyDad]

Actually, doesn't DL have limited stadium seating? I seem to recall a wide stairway from the lower walkway to the upper walkway near the Haunted Mansion. I think there's 10 steps or so and they face Fantasmic, so this should make for great "stadium" seating

I'm surprised they don't rope this off and call it Ultra Preferred Super Stadium seating and charge $70 per person.

 

[dsnylndmom]

Just thought I'd give my opinion also We saw Fantasmic! at WDW last August, did the dinner package to help with the wait and while I did LOVE the stadium seating I did like DL's show much better. I love Peter Pan's Ship and the Mark Twain ending at DL. My boys are 5 and 9 and they oldest liked "both version good" and the youngest liked DL's better(but then he likes everything about DL better lol)

Also, we were just there the week after Christmas(again LOL)and we watched the fireworks on main street and then walked right over to ROA and got behind the rope, we got front row seats, almost center less than 40 minutes prior to the show. It was wonderful. We always try and go to the later showing because there is less people, less wait and it's not as hard to leave the area afterwards. Oh and all 3 Princess boats were going.

 

[mystycalchyk]

I have to add my 2¢.

My husband and I just returned from Disneyland and were just in WDW in June so its still pretty fresh.

I prefer Disneyland.

First I hated the 'preferred seating' we got with our Fantasmic Dinner package at WDW. It was off to the side and we werent able to see any of the images in the water. We were very disappointed.

Disneyland does indeed have 3 princess floats, and as was mentioned, the only reason you didnt see the Mark Twain paddle boat is because it's being refurbed. (Much better IMO than WDW's)

The balcony seating in Disneyland is perfect. Your seating is determined by the order in which your tickets were purchased. There are 17 seats IRC. Our dessert buffet included a delicious chocolate mousse cake, cheesecake, fresh fruit, and at least 4 other items (I cant recall them all because I never got around to them) plus all the Hot cocoa, coffee, mint julips you want. (They may have had other beverages but this is all we had in my party) Our reservations were for the 10:30 show,we got there about 10:15.
It's definately not too far away. You're above the crowd and its perfectly centered. You get a full view of the show in what I consider to be the best vantage point.

If you get the chance to go again....call Disneyland reservations precisely at 8AM (PST) one month prior to your trip (if you are going to be there on the 30th, call on the 30th of the prior month...they dont count exact days...just date to date if that makes sense), but anyway, call first thing and get them. You will be in the front row (there are only two, and the only thing that could ruin it would be if you were a shorter person behind a taller one and they moved around alot <---has happened to me) and will never feel satisfied with any other viewing spot. Guaranteed!

 

[doombuggy]

I have seen both shows and agree that DL's is better. I have seen the DL version from both the street, and the desert buffet at the Gallery balcony. We did this in 1998 and 1999, and someone had to get up very early to wait for GS to open, as someone previously mentioned. It was worth it! Sorry that your experience was only so so. Maybe next time!

 

[justmestace]

Fantasmic is my DH's favorite thing at DL and WDW, so this year I decided to splurge for him and get the Gallery balcony tickets. We called Disney Dining 30 days in advance, and within 1 minute after the opening of their phone lines, I was told that there were 6 tickets left, of which we got 4. We arrived at the Gallery about 45 mins prior to the start of Fantasmic, signed in with the hostess, and as best we could tell, we were the 2nd or 3rd group to sign in. All were adults, except our 2 kids and 1 other child. We were seated in the front row, and so was the other group with a child. I don't know if they sat us in front because of the kids, or because we signed in first.
We didn't have to arrive a Guest Services early, since we already had reservations, but there were people in line in front of me asking to get priority seating, none was available, and it looked like the CM was going to laugh (kind of like "You should have called 30 days ago").
Anyway, our whole family thought that it was worth every penny and then some. The view was amazing, the food selection great (my son favored the fresh fruit kebobs), and the CM's were incredibly friendly.
We had front-row seating for Fantasmic at WDW last year, and it was too close. We should have sat back a ways. The stadium at WDW is a much better idea, but it was built specifically for Fantasmic. I happen to feel that it adds a certain mystique having it on the island at DL, which makes it more interesting, but on the whole, the two shows are so comparable that the differences are insignificant.
Sadly, we are now spoiled, and will have to have the balcony every time.

 

[lulubelle]

We too, have seen both WDW and DL shows and much prefer the DL version. We had preferred seating at both locations. We were on the balcony at DL which I think is outstanding. It is far superior to any other venue of seating! The dessert buffet was wonderful and they also had a lot of cheese and crackers and fresh fruit skewers of melon and pinneaple that were very delicious and sweet (in fact we noticed that all the fruit at DL was so sweet and seemed to be "in season" even thou we know it is not cause we live here - how do they do it?!? - another topic, sorry ). But, I am so sorry you thought it was not worth it, I guess the seating on the ground IS much different than the balcony seating. You know at the end of the day, you are tired and welcome a somewhat comfy chair and being served hot beverages. Plus is was very cold (December 2003) and the ground would have not been warm enough. We thought is was well worth the $$$. Not to do everytime, but as a treat. And the show was truly awesome. Again, I am sorry you felt otherwise.

 

[westjones]

Is there a website with information on this balcony seating for the show? Like how much are the tickets? What is the number to call? Etc.?

We usually go to WDW, so DL is new to us and we are going in April. We really don't know what is what at DL.

Thanks!
DJ

 

[disneychrista]

You can call the main dinning number available on disneyland.com . Cost is (about) the same as admission or $47. You must call 30 days (or maybe it is now 60 days) prior to your date, right when the lines open. Seating is now based on when you make your reservation, not when you check in (as I guess as been the case in the past).

 

[Di$neyDad]

Thanks everyone for all of the great input. It sounds like I just got bad seats and a bad night with the refurbs. I'll definitely try for the balcony seating next time. And I'll make sure to ask if all parts of the show will be running.

And for anyone else considering this, I'd recommend the same. I wouldn't bother with the "preferred seating" on the ground. Unless you check in about two hours before the show to get a low number, which might make sure you get a front row seat. And be sure to ask if the full show is going. Otherwise, it's pretty much a waste of money.