Do they still do the Fantasmic Dessert Buffet at DL?

[SteveNaha]

There are no tables at the Riverside seating. It's only chairs that are divided into four or five sections. I think there were 3 rows and 4 seats in each row per section. They bring you a box with the desserts in them and then ask you what you would like to drink. Another thing I want to point out is that when I made the reservation, I'm positive that I reserved the balcony seating, because the woman at Disney repeated it to me when I was given the confirmation. However, when I picked up the tickets at guest relations, I wasn't given balcony tickets. I didn't realize that until 7:00 PM when we went to get our seat assignments are were told that the tickets I had were for Riverside seating and not balcony. I called 30 days prior and exactly at 8:00 am PST too. We enjoyed where we sat. Our view was not obstructed either. You absolutely have to get there at the time they tell you to for seat assignments or you could be in the last section where the view is partially obstructed by a tree.

 

[jemilah]

Now I wonder if viewing for kids would be bad at riverside if you get stuck in the back, any opinions? Maybe I should just do the balcony so my little one can see better?

 

[SteveNaha]

We had an 11 year old with us and sat in the 2nd row. He was able to see just fine. Balcony seating is extremely limited. From what I understand, unless you are one of the first people to call 30 days prior when the reservation lines open at 8:00 AM PST, you won't get balcony seating. If you get Riverside seating, just make sure you are there at the time they start giving out seat assignments. For us that was 7:00 pm. We didn't get there until about 7:15 and were only able to get the 2nd row. You should be ok if you get an end seat to a row. They are only folding chairs and they do let you move them for better viewing once the show starts.

 

[MateasMom]

I know I've read it before, but refresh my memory. How much is the Fantasmic buffet?

 

[Shakthi]

I have never done this but am aware of what it is. It costs about $60 per person. You can get riverside seats (next to the Rivers of America, but off-center to the left) or balcony seats (above the POTC ride). You can see the Fantasmic show from both spots - that is what it is for. Desserts are served, and by most accounts they are nothing special. The number of seats is very limited, and if you are going during busier times you can only get them if you call 30 or 31 days in advance (depends on the month), first thing in the morning when they open.

Not sure when you are going, but Fantasmic will be down for awhile in early 2007 because of work on Tom Sawyer Island. I believe it goes down in February and will be down for a number of weeks.

Kind of pricey for desserts.

 

[SteveNaha]

$59.00 per person.

 

[MateasMom]

Thanks guys! Wow. That is pretty pricey! Even for Disney. Even for something 'good' LOL.

 

[peachgirl]

You're not paying for desserts, you're paying for the view and vip treatment.

We've done the balcony seating both times we went, and it was unbelievable! You feel so pampered, the dessert buffet is wonderful and the view is out of this world. If you go to the second show, they'll let you stay afterwards to watch the fireworks from the balcony.

That said, I'd never pay that price for the riverside seating. Honestly, you can get just as good a view for free. It's beyond me why they charge the same amount.

Also, if you are staying on site, Disney Vacation Planning will make the reservations for you. We called them 2 months before our arrival. On the day you choose for reservations, they place them for you and call you back with a confirmation. They will ask for alternative dates, but both times we got our first choice, first row.

 

[SteveNaha]

Yes, but you would have to waste several hours before the show to find a seat on the ground to watch the show. As you said, you are not paying for the desserts you are paying for the seats and the fact that you don't have to waste time sitting on the ground for several hours before the show instead of going on rides. It was well worth the $59.00 and I would do it again.

 

[LOLA2]

Ok. - so Riverside is a box of chocholates and balcony is a buffet? same price for both?

 

[SteveNaha]

I don't know what the difference in the desserts are. I've just read postings that they are more elaborate or wonderful in the balcony area. What's elaborate or wonderful to one may not be to another. It would be helpful if those that sat in the balcony area gave examples of the desserts offered. You have to keep in perspective though the real reason you are doing this. It's not for the desserts but for the preferred seating. You are saving a lot of time by not having to sit on the ground for hours waiting for Fantasmic to start.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I don't know what the difference in the desserts are. I've just read postings that they are more elaborate or wonderful in the balcony area. What's elaborate or wonderful to one may not be to another. It would be helpful if those that sat in the balcony area gave examples of the desserts offered. You have to keep in perspective though the real reason you are doing this. It's not for the desserts but for the preferred seating. You are saving a lot of time by not having to sit on the ground for hours waiting for Fantasmic to start.

Creme Puffs, Napoleans, some other pastry/tart type things, Cheesecake, Chocolate torte, Mickey cookies and rice Krispy treats, cheese, crackers, fruit, hot chocolate, Mint Juleps, sodas, coffee, tea, water. All served on real plates with real silverware and cups. The cm's bring you the drinks, you help yourself to the desserts. Thats what I remember off the top of my head but its been a couple of years. But from what I have read it seems to remaine about the same.

 

[peachgirl]

The menu may have changed since we were there, but there were several different types of cake, cheesecakes, fruit, cheese, chocolate covered strawberries...more desserts than I can even recall. There were choices of beverages as well...hot chocolate, non alcoholic mint juleps, tea, coffee, soft drinks..etc.

It is a buffet, and you're free to go back for refills as often as you like.

While you are paying for the view, we skipped dinner that evening on our 2nd visit because we knew what the food selections were going to be like. We had a late lunch, then were just hungry enough to enjoy the buffet. When you take off what we would have spent on dinner, it makes the price a little easier to take.

 

[SteveNaha]

Well those desserts are definitely more elaborate than what was served to us Riverside. We had the same beverages offered, the Mickey Cookies and Rice Krispy treats too, but not the other desserts you mention. Also it was served to us in a box, we had no choices. Given those facts, I think they should charge less for the Riverside seating, but they don't. I wonder why?

 

[jemilah]

I should hear back from vacation planning tomorrow on our reservation, if no one else does sooner I will take photos of the desserts on the balcony.

 

[SteveNaha]

Oh that's great. Thanks.

 

[rosiep]

Ok. - so Riverside is a box of chocholates and balcony is a buffet? same price for both?

Unbelievable, but yes.

 

[kaygela]

Hi SteveNaha. It's fun to see you on the boards. I can't believe the price is the same for balcony and riverside after hearing how different the desserts are. That being said, I would still pay the $59 for Riverside if balcony was not available because my time there is worth it to me. I don't get to go often enough, that I would want to spend the time sitting on the ground vs, enjoying the rides etc. I think of it like seeing a show. That is what I am paying for because, in reality, there aren't any desserts that are worth $59 to me.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I should hear back from vacation planning tomorrow on our reservation, if no one else does sooner I will take photos of the desserts on the balcony.

If you look at post #13, you can see a photo of the desserts on the balcony. Its not right close up but you can get a pretty good idea of the spread.

 

[Echo queen]

Hi SteveNaha. It's fun to see you on the boards. I can't believe the price is the same for balcony and riverside after hearing how different the desserts are. That being said, I would still pay the $59 for Riverside if balcony was not available because my time there is worth it to me. I don't get to go often enough, that I would want to spend the time sitting on the ground vs, enjoying the rides etc. I think of it like seeing a show. That is what I am paying for because, in reality, there aren't any desserts that are worth $59 to me.

I agree, my DH pointed this out to me when I thought it was too much to pay Yes, I said my DH I could not believe he was for it. He did give me the Jewel of the Sea on our last Disney Cruise, so I guess he doesn't mind paying the big bucks for some things.