fantasmic buffet.....is it necessary? kids?

[KyMattDisney]

Hi there..I am struggling with whether or not to do the Fbuffet....we will be there from June 27-July 3rd for the first time.....with our 2 DS, ages 5 & 10...we have seen fantastic many times at WDW...so my questions are:

Is it the same show?
Is it all standing or are there places to sit?
How long do you need to scope out a spot?
Is the buffet worth it......especially for children? thanks!

 

[Sarangel]

The show is the same and different, since it is performed on the rivers of America. I prefer the one at DL, although there isn't any place outside of the buffet to sit. Scoping out viewing spots is a lot like getting spots for the parade or fireworks, and can be a couple of hours for good seats. You can sit while you wait, but once the show starts, it's standing room only.

As for the buffet, it depends on your budget, etc. For that time of year, if you can afford it, I'd go the buffet just because the parks will be uber-crowded and wait time for a really good spot could be upwards of 3 hours.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[KyMattDisney]

what is the number to call? How long out can you make a reservation? What is the cost and food selection?

 

[Disneyland_emily]

Is it the same show?<< Not even The DL one is (IMO) far better and grander than the WDW one- Peter Pan's ship beats the tar outta Pocahantos...

Is it all standing or are there places to sit?<< Depends on when you get there- There are many stragities to get good/decent spots- My fav is front row dead center and I usually am a 2 hour camper (well I get dinner from the Plaza Inn and eat in my spot- kill 2 birds with one stone )

How long do you need to scope out a spot? usually about 2 hours before the first show and as soon as the first show ends- get a spot for the 2nd (usually 1.5 hours to 45 before)

Is the buffet worth it......especially for children? thanks! <- Personally I didnt think the buffet was that great- the food choices were good but not plentiful BUT if its a once in a long time chance and you are concerned more about getting good seats and spending more time riding than $$ then Id prob recommend it.


How long out can you make a reservation?<<- I believe its 30 days out

What is the cost and food selection?>> Cost is about 53 bucks a head for balcony (kids and adults the same price) Riverside is 53 an adult and I think 43 for kids- When I last did it was in 2003 and it had two or three cakes, cheese and crackers, fruit kabobs and a few other cookie type things and drinks

-em

 

[AFMom]

I just want to 2nd the opinion (or 3rd) that the DL Fantasmic is far better than WDW. Our family has seen the one as DL twice, and when we went to WDW expecting the same - my kids were actually disappointed! They kept saying "Where was Peter Pan?" and why didn't they use the real riverboat? If we could afford it - I'd get the balcony seats! I've hear the food is ok - but you're really paying for the seats and the lack of wait time - not the food. If you can't do the buffet - wait to watch the 2nd Fantasmic show. Be there towards the end of the first - As close as you can get. Then when everyone is getting up to go see the fireworks on Main Street, you can sneak in someone's spot and watch the fireworks from there - and then watch Fantasmic. It's the only way to minimize your wait time in the summer. Have fun!

 

[Disneyland_emily]

>>Then when everyone is getting up to go see the fireworks on Main Street, you can sneak in someone's spot and watch the fireworks from there -<<

Well the brodcast the music with the F! speakers so not very many people leave as its only 5 min between (and they encourgae ya to stay there)- But then once they are over then people scatter

-em

 

[disneychrista]

The show concept is based on the same idea but the exicution is much different.

If you don't want to pay $50 then you sit on the ground (which is a requirement) or behind the sitting people in the standing section.

People will begin to stake out thier spots as early as 4pm for the 9pm showing, sometimes really ambitious people will begin sooner. But you should really plan on at least 2 hours before show time if you want to see the first showing.

If you have an extra $200 for the balcony then go for it. If not my advice is try to see the second showing. As soon as the fireworks are over you can usually wiggle your way in to a pretty good seat on the rivers edge and then only have to wait 45 - 60 mins.

If you want to save on the wait

 

[mlshields]

Just did the balcony last week!

Loved it - it was me, my husband and son 11 and daughter 8. They enjoyed it very much.

I look at it this way - it will be a once in a lifetime thing.

It is the basically the same show as MGM. Although Peter Pan's appearance is very cool and much better than Pocohantas.

Desserts were not worth the $$$$ but the seating definitely was.

Since the balcony seats are sold on a first sold first seat basis, I asked the operator which tickets I had and she said 4,5,6,& 7. This meant that we were right in the middle of the balcony, first row, no view obstructions.

The best part was walking up 20 minutes prior to the first show when people have been waiting 1-2 hours standing and sit right down and enjoy the show.

Price was $50.00 per ticket. No difference for kids/adults.

 

[zakerdog]

Just did the balcony last week!

Loved it - it was me, my husband and son 11 and daughter 8. They enjoyed it very much.

How far in advance did you book? I really want to do this so any advise is appreciated.

 

[Betty Breed]

I was told that we could book 30 days out so I asked my TA to take care of it for me. When she called on the 30th day she was told that the closest she could book was 4 weeks (28 days) out. So to book for a Sunday she had to book 4 Sundays earlier. It's $53 per person even kids for the balcony. It's $10 less for kids if no balcony. That includes the tax. We have seats for the Sunday we'll be there in March.

 

[laceyb]

I just reserved tickets this morning for my family of four. One thing to keep in mind is that if they cancel the show for any reason you DO NOT receive a refund. You can also consider that if you have small children they are admitted with you at no charge as long as they sit on your lap.
The tickets for three on the balcony came to $159.

 

[CDSTapisRouge]

There are two different ecperiences:

There is The balcony Viewing which is what has been described here is the official "Disney run down":

What: Fantasmic! balcony Viewing
Where: The Disney Gallery Balcony (21 seats available)
What: Includes special seating, and a dessert offering.
Cost: $53 all ages
How: Call (714) 781-4400 up to 30 days in advance.
Reservation line open 8:00 - 17:00, 7 days a week.
Credit cards only accepted over the phone.

In person, Guests may reserve seating at any Guest Services Window.
Tickets arranged in advance may be picked up at the Will Call window.

Cash, checks and credit card payments accepted in person.
Seating will be done in order of ticket purchase, 30 minutes prior to show time.

Menu: (Subject to Change)
_________________________________________________________________

and there is the Fantasmic! premium viewing:

Where: Special viewing area between the French Market and Rivers of America (50 seats available)
What: Includes special seating and dessert sampler (for adults) and a dessert in a Mickey Mouse cup (for children).
Cost: $53 Guests ages 10+ / $43 Guests ages 3-9
How: Call (714) 781-4400 up to 30 days in advance.
Reservation line open 8:00 - 17:00, 7 days a week.
Credit cards only accepted over the phone.

In person, Guests may reserve seating at the Guest Services Window.
Tickets arranged in advance may be picked up at the Will Call window.

Cash, checks and credit card payments accepted in person.
Check-in is 1 hour before show time. Seating begins 30 minutes before show time. Seating is first come-first serve.
________________________________________________________________

Also just a side note, while I don't doubt that laceyb was given the information (we all know how Disney can be with info) I highly doubt that if they were to cancel the show they would not refund the tickets...it is Disney after all, if they did not provide the service with which you paid for they are going to give it back it is in their nature (and best interest)... That of course is just my opinion, I have never had expereince with that...

 

[Betty Breed]

I spoke with a young lady at DL reservations (Courtney) and she told me that the tickets were not refundable unless Disney cancelled the show. Also that I could not reserve seats by ticket #. It was 1st come 1st serve.

 

[CDSTapisRouge]

Also that I could not reserve seats by ticket #. It was 1st come 1st serve.

That depends on which option you reserve. If you have the Balcony viewing area at the Gallery the seating is reserved in order based on ticket number if you have the Preimium viewing area between the French Market and Rivers of America it is first come first served...She may have been thinking of the Premiuim seating not the Gallery... but the Balcony at the Gallery is reserved by ticket number in the order that they were purchased