F! Dining Package for March or not?

[Tinkerbell2B]

In the past 3 trips we have had in March (usually the 3rd week) we have purchased the F! dining package and done H&V. It wasn't great by any means, but we did it for the tickets, not for the food. I definitely would change restaurants this time anyway. I am seriously contemplating not going that route this time and have a ressie at 50's at 5:30pm. Since everyone has to line up in the same line now, I don't see it making that big of a difference. With that said, I would hate for F! to fill up too. Granted we would line up at least an hour before it stared. HS is having evening EMH the night I am thinking about going (March 21st). Do you all think this will have an effect on F! which is at 8:30pm? Who knows, at this point I may be too late to get a dining package anyway!! What would you do??

 

[catne]

couple of points...First, they do not usually have Fantasmic on an EMH night at DHS...unless it's an incredibly busy week. In which case, yes you'd do better to have the Fantasmic Dinner package for sure.

Second, the info about "same line" is not correct. They did that for just a couple of months last year, but soon switched back to using a separate entrance. It's not down by the gas station at the front of the park, though. It's that last little side street near the entrance to Beauty & Beast theater. Remember on the old separate entrance, you started at the bottom of a very long back-street...and basically went up-hill for quite a hike so you were coming in near the reserved seat section. Well, now you're going in at least 1/2 way up the old way, and still entering near the reserved section. You can leave that way, too, which will generally get you out ahead of the main crowd.

Yes, we think it's well worth it, but not at Hollywood & Vine. We vastly prefer Mama Melrose (slow service but good food.)

It probably is too late to reserve for March anyway...unless you get lucky on a cancellation, since this is less than 6 mos. out.

 

[Tinkerbell2B]

couple of points...First, they do not usually have Fantasmic on an EMH night at DHS...unless it's an incredibly busy week. In which case, yes you'd do better to have the Fantasmic Dinner package for sure.

Second, the info about "same line" is not correct. They did that for just a couple of months last year, but soon switched back to using a separate entrance. It's not down by the gas station at the front of the park, though. It's that last little side street near the entrance to Beauty & Beast theater. Remember on the old separate entrance, you started at the bottom of a very long back-street...and basically went up-hill for quite a hike so you were coming in near the reserved seat section. Well, now you're going in at least 1/2 way up the old way, and still entering near the reserved section. You can leave that way, too, which will generally get you out ahead of the main crowd.

Yes, we think it's well worth it, but not at Hollywood & Vine. We vastly prefer Mama Melrose (slow service but good food.)

It probably is too late to reserve for March anyway...unless you get lucky on a cancellation, since this is less than 6 mos. out.

Thanks for the info. I know that when we went in 2009, we entered with everyone else which meant lining up way before showtime. I am glad if that has since changed!! I am going to try and see if anything is still available.

 

[Tinkerbell2B]

Well, nothing at Mama Melrose or Hollywood Brown Derby after 4pm. We were park hoping and having lunch at AK that afternon around 11:30. Don't think we will want dinner at 4!! I will keep trying. What is the latest time you could be given for a F! dinner package? I know in the past they have always been early even if I was at the 180 day mark!

 

[hammie59]

Well, nothing at Mama Melrose or Hollywood Brown Derby after 4pm. We were park hoping and having lunch at AK that afternon around 11:30. Don't think we will want dinner at 4!! I will keep trying. What is the latest time you could be given for a F! dinner package? I know in the past they have always been early even if I was at the 180 day mark!

I think the latest is 5pm. Not sure where I read that or maybe that's what the CM told me when I booked mine for May.

 

[catne]

5:00 would probably be the latest possible time for a 8:30 show...they want to be sure you're done eating & out of the restaurant at least 90 minutes before the show to make sure you get done in time to have reasonable walking time to get to the theater. That's about the latest we've ever gotten and I usually book at the 6 mos. out date.

At this late date I would be very surprised to find a 5:00 seating available, though.