F! Dinner Package - Yea or nay?

[Nickarooney]

We are going to be at DHS on Dec. 21. They have added 2 shows a night of F! that entire week and I can only begin to guess how crowded it will be just a few days before Christmas. I called and reserved a F! dinner package at MM, but the more reviews I read, the more I think we will be disappointed. The vast majority of the opinions I have read had very little positive to say about it - from price, to bad food, to still needing to be there earlier than the package states on crowded nights to get your 'reserved' seat that won't be reserved if you are not there early enough (a few too many stories of them releasing seats before the 30-45 min. mark on crowded nights - yikes!)

I would love to hear some thoughts from those of you that have gone with the package during really crowded nights.

TIA

 

[nswisher]

My husband and I went for Christmas last year and brought his family, and although we didn't do the F! package, we did try to go see F! ....with no luck. We were there from Dec 18-23, we never made it in the theater. You can try to take a chance without the package, but if you want to make sure that you get a spot, the package is the way to go during christmas. Also, if you want to make sure you get a seat, be there a little earlier then when they say they let people in, that way even if they are not letting people in, you can still be one of the first through the door. If you go without the package, you will have to be there about 1 1/2-2 hours before the show starts to get a good seat.

As I said we didn't do the package in Dec but when we go in May we had planned on doing it this time, we have been 4 times and have still not seen F! Although, after booking the package, we decided that we wouldn't go with it and canceled it. We would just go an hour and a half before the show starts. Going with the package means you have to eat at one of the three dinning places before they actually serve dinner. So for us, we would get the reserved seating for the show at 9pm, but we had to eat dinner at 4pm. For us, that's way to early. So we just booked dinner at 6:30 at the same place, and figure once it's over, we'll head there for the seats and sit and wait.

So it's up to you, and what you have planned. If it's a first time visit, or have things planned, then the package is definitely the way to go, you get dinner, early, and you'll have a seat for the show, even if you have to show up an hour early for it. It's still is less of a wait then those without the package. If you are going for a more relaxed pace, and not set to time frames, and don't mind waiting for 1 1/2 hours to 2 hours, then without the package is probably better for you. You can then enjoy a later dinner, and relax your feet before the show, and let your stomach settle.

 

[pinkxray]

If I was going during such a busy week and I could book the package I would. We were there Memorial Day weekend with Star Wars Weekend and DHS was packed. It was nice to know we wouldn't have to line up 2 hrs early. We had an early dinner , 4:20 I think at Mama Melrose. We ended up buying a few things of popcorn to take into Fantasmic and everything worked out great. We also like Mama Melrose so that makes it easier to say yes.

 

[Nickarooney]

I think I'm going to keep it - I was just struggling to come to terms with paying almost $40 for my 11YO son's lunch when he eats like a 6YO and would much rather have the kid's menu , but it sounds like it may be a fair trade-off when all is said and done. Maybe ...

Thanks for sharing your opinions!

 

[Sleeping Becca]

Yep I'd do it.

We had horrible luck at Mama Melrose, but don't regret doing the F! package. Next time if F! is a must we will go with Brown Derby.

I have seen F! a ton, so missing it is not that big a deal, but we brought my brother and his family who had never seen it. I am glad we did it, they thought the show was amazing (it is). We all decided that even though the meal was a horrible experience (quite possibly the worst we have had), the show was worth it.

So if you really really really want to see F! and you don't want to wait in that ridiculous line, the dining package is the way to go (even if it is Mama Melrose or Hollywood & Vine).

Some people love Mama Melrose, you may have a great experience.

 

[Nickarooney]

It's interesting - they only have packages for MM. Brown Derby has plenty of ADR slots available and when I called last night they still had F! packages available, but only for MM. I guess they are pushing MM for some reason . Anyhoo - we have seen F! before, but we skipped it our last trip and my son hasn't seen it since he was 5 and asked to go this time. I'm making the official decision now and just sticking with it .

If this is all I have to worry about in life, then life is pretty darn great!

Thanks everybody!

 

[Sleeping Becca]

You made the right call.

Who knows you may have a great meal at MM, and even if you don't you will have seats for F!

Just go in thinking it will be disgusting and terrible so it can only go up from there.

 

[jlhill4444]

We booked the F! packge for HBD at our 180 mark because they only had one showing that night (Dec 21) and there was not many scheduled for that week. Now that they have added several, we are keeping our package reservation just in case. Our reservation is for 4 and F! is at 6:30 so we will be able to eat and go straight to our seats regarless of the crowd. We have tried to see F! on other trips and our kids are not too keen on waiting 2 hours for a show, even if it is wonderful.

 

[hammie59]

I've seen Fanstasmic twice (no package) and have first hand experience with the long wait and enormous crowd. I think the last time we were only able to get in because of a sudden down pour that pretty much cleared out the theater. Anyhow, this time around, I booked the package since my kids will be 3 and 8.
Believe me, I'm not exactly thrilled to spend the money on MM since I'd rather go somewhere more exciting for the money, but I also want my family to see Fantasmic and I want the least trouble as humanly possible. I like knowing I can go sit down to wait once they open up the VIP area instead of standing with the kids in the massive general public line.

Having never been to MM, I booked it after reading all the reviews. (We're paying out of pocket) BD is just too pricey with the kids and the reviews of HaV scare me. So Mama Melrose it is.

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

We would have booked the package, but there were none available. This is for Mar 3, which has a predicted very low crowd level, but it's the only F! show that week.

I'm hoping they add a second show that night. If not, we'll just have to wait the 90 min

 

[maminnie]

We had a good meal and good service in 2009 and 2010. In 2010 we had four adults and four teens/tweens and everyone in our party enjoyed their meal. The service was excellent too.

We love the convenience of the private entrance. They do tell you to get there so many minutes before (can't remember the exact figure) as they will release the seats in fairness to others trying to get in. I would adhere to the timeframe at such a busy time of year.