Fantamic Dinner Package advantage?

[EEyorelover22]

The stand-by people get in line 2 hours before the show -- they're lining up outside the entrance and backing up all the way down to the street. At 1 hour before the show, they open the entrance and that huge group of people pours into the theater. Which is a very large theater, so the line moves quickly once they let people in.

So if you wait 10-15 minutes after that - which would mean showing up at 45-50 minutes before show time - then you'll be walking in after most of that huge "stand-by" crowd has filed into the theater. So you're not standing or waiting with anyone. You'll be the tail-end of the line that started moving 10-15 minutes before you got there. Not standing in line for an hour...you're walking in behind them, when most of that crowd has already filed in.

And once you've walked in the entrance, you go right over to the empty seats that are roped off for dinner package guests. And you get to sit down. Hope that makes sense

JUST SAW YOUR POST...Yes, that's it!

We must have posted at the same time!
Thank you very much

I assume they still give you a ticket to show the CMs.

I wonder if the CMs by Oscars and those up the back way were those that were pink slipped

 

[catne]

and we can always hope that they will (1) start using the special entrance again and (2) add more Fantasmic showings...that would solve the whole problem!

 

[EEyorelover22]

and we can always hope that they will (1) start using the special entrance again and (2) add more Fantasmic showings...that would solve the whole problem!

Yes. They didn't even do this after 9/11 I don't think, but this is much worse than back then. It's hit all areas, not just travel. I wonder how all those Fantasmic! people pay their bills now that there are only 2-3 shows per week.

 

[jlearn]

Well, Marylou, you will need to post an update to this perplexing question of the use of the side entrance! LOL!

We were considering this when we go in November, but I will reconsider it if the side entrance is not in use. Thanks.

 

[KigerKat]

The stand-by people get in line 2 hours before the show -- they're lining up outside the entrance and backing up all the way down to the street. At 1 hour before the show, they open the entrance and that huge group of people pours into the theater. Which is a very large theater, so the line moves quickly once they let people in.

So if you wait 10-15 minutes after that - which would mean showing up at 45-50 minutes before show time - then you'll be walking in after most of that huge "stand-by" crowd has filed into the theater. So you're not standing or waiting with anyone. You'll be the tail-end of the line that started moving 10-15 minutes before you got there. Not standing in line for an hour...you're walking in behind them, when most of that crowd has already filed in.

And once you've walked in the entrance, you go right over to the empty seats that are roped off for dinner package guests. And you get to sit down. Hope that makes sense

JUST SAW YOUR POST...Yes, that's it!

This is exactly what happened to us. When we got finished eating dinner, we saw the hundreds of people waiting in the general line. We shopped around for a bit, and the line was gone when we came back. We walked up, showed our ticket and were guided where to go sit.

So, no, you don't have to stand there with everyone else. Just wait until that line is gone, and you'll walk right to your section. But don't wait until 10 minutes before showtime, because they will start filling the reserved section up if it's got the room.

 

[Mom2Evie]

Thanks for your input on this guys, I really appreciate it. We've decided to keep our Fantasmic Dinner Package reservation for next Tuesday. Actually, exactly one week from now is it. I'll let you guys know how it turns out. We'll plan to head over there 45-50 minutes early & see how it goes. I'll report back in ASAP.

 

[two*little*birds]

Wow, this post was disappointing to read.

We didn't get to do Fantasmic in 2007 or 2008 so we were looking forward to booking the dinner package for this year. We'll probably still book a package but it's disappointing nonetheless.

We have the dining plan for our upcoming trip, will the DP cover any of the Fantasmic dinner packages?

Thanks

 

[cajunprincess]

We have the F! package for our trip in May, and i'm excited to try it. I've sat mostly close to the center for F!, but I'm not too picky. It's still my favorite thing to do/see at wdw, so the fact that we don't have to wait forever and a day just to sit down is awesome!

Even though there has been a lot of mixed reviews, I'm game to try anything once...

 

[Mom2Evie]

Wow, this post was disappointing to read.

We didn't get to do Fantasmic in 2007 or 2008 so we were looking forward to booking the dinner package for this year. We'll probably still book a package but it's disappointing nonetheless.

We have the dining plan for our upcoming trip, will the DP cover any of the Fantasmic dinner packages?

Thanks

Why is it disappointing? Sure, we won't get to use the special entrance, but I'll for not having to wait in a two hour line. I've been during Spring Break numerous times. Trust me, that crowded, cramped line is stuffy, hot & tiring. I'll settle for being able to walk in & wait for 45 minutes in the bleachers instead of that asphalt road.

Yes, the F! pacakage is covered by the dining plan, but you'll have to secure it with a credit card.

 

[kjetjl]

At what time before the show does seating usually turn into "standing room only"?
and are there ever people who are in line who do not get in to the show?

I was just wondering if it ever happened where someone would show up at 45 minutes prior to the show and there were still people in line who are not getting in....
can they go in front of these people and show the CM the Fantasmic Dinner Package ticket and still get in?


p.s. I hope that makes sense?

 

[catne]

At what time before the show does seating usually turn into "standing room only"?
and are there ever people who are in line who do not get in to the show?

I was just wondering if it ever happened where someone would show up at 45 minutes prior to the show and there were still people in line who are not getting in....
can they go in front of these people and show the CM the Fantasmic Dinner Package ticket and still get in?


p.s. I hope that makes sense?

You will get in at 45 minutes before -- and the line, if there still is one, will still be moving. The word is the ropes on the reserved section come down 30 minutes before the show so if you're not there in your reserved seat before that, you're just out of luck. There's been no reports of people with the reserved seating passes showing up at 45 minutes and not getting their seat. I wouldn't push it, though, especially if you're going during a very busy time of year.

 

[derrickmom]

You will get in at 45 minutes before -- and the line, if there still is one, will still be moving. The word is the ropes on the reserved section come down 30 minutes before the show so if you're not there in your reserved seat before that, you're just out of luck. There's been no reports of people with the reserved seating passes showing up at 45 minutes and not getting their seat. I wouldn't push it, though, especially if you're going during a very busy time of year.

Is this stilll true?? Any new news on the Fantasmic Dining package???

 

[dfr]

Hi,
Someone said about getting an appetizer on the basic dinning plan with the fantasmic package is this true and available at mama melrose.

 

[xoktenox]

If you want to see Fantasmic without dealing with a mob of people and waiting on a line for 2 hrs then DO THE DINING PACKAGE! I really think its the only way at this point. We did Mama Melrose package on 4/23 and it worked out great. Its on the DP and each person gets an app, entree and dessert which we didnt even have room for. We got to F! at 7:30 for the 8:30 show and they already let everyone in and it was standing room only...except for the package people! There IS a separate entrance but its right next to the entrance for people without the package. They just have a little part blocked off so only people who give the package ticket that you receive from the restaurant can get in. The seating was NOT bad at all, actually pretty good in my eyes. When we got out of the 8:30 show at around 9-9:15 the line for the 10:30 showing was OUT OF CONTROL! Massive amount of people who i'm sure had been waiting for at least a half hour by that point. If you want to see F! then I would HIGHLY recommend doing the package.

 

[derrickmom]

Thank you for the info. I have the package 4:15 at Hollywood Brown Derby. There is a 9:00 show, so we should plan to enter at 8:00???