F! Dessert seating--explain to a newbie please

[ExcitedMama]

I've been trying to follow the thread about the changes but as I understand it our trip will be before the change, we are going the first week of Dec. I've never seen F! so I have no idea what the current set up is like but with small children if the only way to see it is to wait for hours we'd skip it, but if I can do a dessert reservation for better seats that might work. I can't find a place to reserve online like with WOC so I have to call? Can someone explain to me how it works? It sounds like there are better restaurants for food and seating? I'm totally clueless so I would appreciate any and all info and is it worth it?

 

[ArchOwl]

I've been trying to follow the thread about the changes but as I understand it our trip will be before the change, we are going the first week of Dec. I've never seen F! so I have no idea what the current set up is like but with small children if the only way to see it is to wait for hours we'd skip it, but if I can do a dessert reservation for better seats that might work. I can't find a place to reserve online like with WOC so I have to call? Can someone explain to me how it works? It sounds like there are better restaurants for food and seating? I'm totally clueless so I would appreciate any and all info and is it worth it?

Looks like you will be there before the big Fantasmic changes. So that means you just have to figure out the current system.

Will you be there when Fantasmic is playing? It doesn't play during the week during the first week of December, only on weekends (including Friday).

 

[ExcitedMama]

Yes we will be there the first weekend of December. I didn't know about it until the other thread about the changes so it may be too late to even get reservations, but if it's not is is it worth it? What do I need to know before I call about my options? Thanks!

 

[ArchOwl]

Ok then, I will quote from the Fantasmic Superthread here:


"Can I and my small children still see Fantasmic without waiting for hours and hours?

Yes, but this is a tough one for small children. With small kids you really want to be down in the sitting area (location #3). As discussed above you can get a spot in the sitting area for the second show with only a short 40-60 minute wait. But the show's starting time at 10:15 or 10:30 and 23-minute duration makes it too late for many small children.

If you have a nearby hotel and can plan for a long afternoon nap that day, then the second show might work for you. It depends on the child.

Otherwise you should either pay for the reserved seating for the first show or dedicate the 2+ hours needed to wait it out in the free sitting area for the first show. Or I suppose skip the show until your child is older."

From the Superthread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2671983

And here is all the info on the Dessert Seating:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneyland-california/disneyland-fantasmic.htm#dessert

It is really difficult to say if it is worth it as people put a different value on things like this. With small children, personally I do find it worthwhile. But I am sure others would disagree. It depends on how you value your time and how much you dislike waiting.

If you decide to go for it, you should probably call ASAP. You buy the tickets over the phone and then pick them up at the parks. Then you have to wait in line again to pick seats. But only one person has to wait.

 

[farmfresh]

Love the dessert seating and will be sorry to see it go... but keen to see how the replacements work...really don't enjoy standing around for WOC.

1. Buy your tickets by ringing Disney dine exactly 30 days out from the day you intend to see the show, and right when the service opens. Alternatively if you are staying at one of the three Disney hotels you can ask Vacation planning to book them for you.
2.Collect your tickets on the day sometime before the show (the CM will tell you where).
3. You need to check in before the show...so around 8.30 for the first show. They will allocate your seats at that time. Expect to join a long looking queue at that time but don;t panic...some will be queuing for the next show (yes.....)
4. If your kids are small you may wish to check in earlier to grab front row seats but personally I wouldn't bother...we have done this many times and our seats have always been fine, but others here do recommend queuing.
5. The check in is by a churro cart between Orleans cafe and Haunted mansion. It's essay to miss.
6. Sit back and enjoy the show!

 

[ParkHopper1]

Love the dessert seating and will be sorry to see it go...

Last dessert show as we know it will be Dec 8th

2.Collect your tickets on the day sometime before the show (the CM will tell you where).

F! tickets can be picked up at any ticket booth, City Hall or resort hotel front desk if you are staying on site

3. You need to check in before the show...so around 8.30 for the first show. They will allocate your seats at that time. Expect to join a long looking queue at that time but don;t panic...some will be queuing for the next show (yes.....)

Check in for BOTH shows is at 8pm but folks start lining up around 7:00pm for seat assignments

 

[farmfresh]

F! tickets can be picked up at any ticket booth, City Hall or resort hotel front desk if you are staying on site

Still best to check with the CM when you book... we have chased these right round the park on occasions!

 

[ParkHopper1]

Still best to check with the CM when you book... we have chased these right round the park on occasions!

Even all the cast members do not have all the correct information as it has changed so many times over the years. Some cast members will tell you that you HAVE to go to Guest Services or City Hall which is no longer the case. Anywhere that can print park tickets on site can now print F! tickets.

 

[mom2rtk]

Last dessert show as we know it will be Dec 8th

12/8 is a Monday, so the final one should be Sunday the 7th.

Still best to check with the CM when you book... we have chased these right round the park on occasions!

I was told last year I had to pick them up at the park. This year I reserved through the vacation planning office at PPH for the express purpose of being able to pick them up at the hotel when I check in.

 

[mom2rtk]

You need to check in before the show...so around 8.30 for the first show. They will allocate your seats at that time. Expect to join a long looking queue at that time but don;t panic...some will be queuing for the next show (yes.....)

Check-in actually begins at 8 PM. Many line up before that, but actual check-in starts at 8. Once you have checked in, you can leave for a bit then come back to be seated. I believe seating starts at 8:30.

 

[GeneralTso]

We purchased this for my daughter and her friend (both in their 20s) and they raved about it. LOVED it. Came back with a wonderful to-go box filled with treats. I'm not sure who can eat all that in one sitting, but they had lots of leftovers. Really yummy stuff!

We like to just "happen" upon Fantasmic. We aren't those sit and wait for a show types. If we can stop and see it, wonderful. We tuck away in a spot and watch from there. We don't need to be front row.
That's our new strategy for parades too. We've seen all the parades. If it's a new one, we'll stop and watch the whole thing. Usually though, we walk along, it's coming or going and we watch what's in front of us. Big difference though is no small kids with us! Very different.

 

[aussiegirls]

Is it still $60 pp or had it gone up this year?
You can't get AP discounts on this can you?

 

[planningjollyholiday]

Is it still $60 pp or had it gone up this year?
You can't get AP discounts on this can you?

$60 for adults, $50 for kids. No AP discounts.

 

[thewelts]

Regarding the Fantasmic Dessert Package... I called and was told that there is a 20% off discount for AAA members. Enjoy!
I have been eagerly counting down the days to book my December 13 dessert package. Now I don't know what to do?! I love those damn seats!

 

[krispin41]

Regarding the Fantasmic Dessert Package... I called and was told that there is a 20% off discount for AAA members. Enjoy!
I have been eagerly counting down the days to book my December 13 dessert package. Now I don't know what to do?! I love those damn seats!

Sadly, there will be no more dessert package starting on 12/12/14. They are going to a new FP system similar to WOC with several different meal options. There is a dessert offered at Hungry Bear restaurant.

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...tions-coming-to-fantasmic-at-disneyland-park/

Per the comments in the post I linked above, Erin posted: "There will be a new dessert party offered at Hungry Bear Restaurant. The current Premium Viewing with Dessert Sampler package will no longer be offered after December 8."

And for the seating: "Some viewing areas offer seating on the ground, while others are standing-only sections."