Fantasmic... Can't get the Dinner package... advice appreciated

[MichelleRae]

We are going to Disney November 19-25 and have the dining plan. Can not get a Fantasmic dining package for any of the shows that week.


Should I just keep checking in case there are cancelations? I'm thinking we'll be hard pressed to get them since there are 13 of us (even if we are willing to break up our tables.)

If you don't use the dining package for Fantasmic what does your family do?

Advice is appreciated! Thank you!

Michelle Rae

 

[gigi1313]

did you try calling or just online? definitely give a call, they are not always available online... if you tried calling and still no availability, then keep trying...

as to an alternate plan... you could do your TS meal at b'fast or lunch (my kids *love* sci fi) and do CS for dinner and bring it with you to eat while you wait for the show... a little Fantasmic picnic so to speak...

 

[kaetra]

I have also been calling for a Fantasmic package for our trip which is Sept 23rd through the 28th and no luck, not for any of the 3 restaurants, H&V, BD or MM.

I've been calling back about once per week to see if there are any cancellations, still no luck.

Fantasmic is only showing 2 of the nights we are there, Thu & Sun but this is supposed to be one of the slowest times of the year, so I'm pretty shocked I can't get the Fantasmic package! I've noticed other restaurants I've attempted ADRs for have been hard to get as well! I mean, I know I'm not 180 days out from the trip but I really didn't think this time of year would be so tough for rezzies!

How long have you been trying? My first call was in mid-May. I didn't think you could book a Fantasmic dinner package online, I thought that you could get it strictly by phone call only.

 

[Mamu]

I have never done the FDP in all my trips. Have always gotten good seating. Then again I've always gone during slow seasons. If there 2 showings on the night you want go to the second showing.

 

[r&kmommy]

The seating for the Fantasmic dining package isn't the best, you know... You'd be better off to eat somewhere and go to Fantasmic on your own. We aren't the biggest fans of ANY of the food at the Studios, but we like the Prime Time and Sci Fi for table service, and the counter service that's across from the entrance of Fantasmic (name escapes me!!!)

When dd was little, she and I went into Fantasmic when doors opened and held seats for Dh and DS and they did a few rides. You could split up your party, and send the folks who like to "people watch" up to hold seats and then have the rest of your party come about 1/2 hour prior to showtime. It was pretty easy to hold seats for just DH and DS, but if you had to hold many seats it wouldn't really work... you'd need a few folks.

 

[MichelleRae]

My first call was just today. Thanks to everyone who posted! I think we're going to end up doing 50's and getting ourselves a spot. Heard good things about the dining package but it's not worth getting myself stressed. lol!

Thanks!

 

[PixieDustandEeyore]

I have also been calling for a Fantasmic package for our trip which is Sept 23rd through the 28th and no luck, not for any of the 3 restaurants, H&V, BD or MM.

I've been calling back about once per week to see if there are any cancellations, still no luck.

Fantasmic is only showing 2 of the nights we are there, Thu & Sun but this is supposed to be one of the slowest times of the year, so I'm pretty shocked I can't get the Fantasmic package! I've noticed other restaurants I've attempted ADRs for have been hard to get as well! I mean, I know I'm not 180 days out from the trip but I really didn't think this time of year would be so tough for rezzies!

How long have you been trying? My first call was in mid-May. I didn't think you could book a Fantasmic dinner package online, I thought that you could get it strictly by phone call only.

I'm going the same time as you, and I called 180 + 10 and all that was left for any shows was a 4:10 at H&V (I wanted MM but I should be glad I got anything)

Anyways I would keep trying for your dates call at 45 days before your trip as that is when alot of people will cancel.

 

[skipperkim]

My first call was just today. Thanks to everyone who posted! I think we're going to end up doing 50's and getting ourselves a spot. Heard good things about the dining package but it's not worth getting myself stressed. lol!

Thanks!

As long as you're there an hour before it shouldn't be too bad.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

We just saw Fantasmic for the first time. We stood in line for an hour before the show.

Even with the dining package, you need to get there 30-45 minutes prior (this is according to a friend of ours who went at the same time and that's what a CM told her)so the Fantasmic Dining package wasn't that big of a deal to us since we couldn't get it anyway.

 

[PixieDustandEeyore]

We just saw Fantasmic for the first time. We stood in line for an hour before the show.

Even with the dining package, you need to get there 30-45 minutes prior (this is according to a friend of ours who went at the same time and that's what a CM told her)so the Fantasmic Dining package wasn't that big of a deal to us since we couldn't get it anyway.

Ive showed up 10 minutes before and still got a seat. If you show up 30-45 minutes you get the best positive seat in the reserved section, but if you show up last minute you can still get a good seat. I was glad we had the package as the last time I did fantasmic there was standing room only..YIKES!

But OP don't be stressed I think when you are going isnt mega high crowds anyways so you should be good to go! The show is so large not too many seats are bad seats so!

 

[robandkelly13]

The last ime we did the Fantasmic package we said never again. We still had to get to the show early and wait in line. The seats weren't great - they are to the far left. We plan to just go this trip and eat at Sci- Fi for lunch.

You'll be fine. Just get in line for the show 90 to 60 minutes early and you'll have great seats

 

[o2bnoz]

OK... probably an incredibly silly question, but is Fantasmic REALLY worth the 90 minute wait?? I have never been, so I'm really interested in honest replies.

Thanks! (from a person who is already suspecting that I won't be able to get FDP when we go...)

 

[dacky041208]

Ive showed up 10 minutes before and still got a seat. If you show up 30-45 minutes you get the best positive seat in the reserved section, but if you show up last minute you can still get a good seat. I was glad we had the package as the last time I did fantasmic there was standing room only..YIKES!

But OP don't be stressed I think when you are going isnt mega high crowds anyways so you should be good to go! The show is so large not too many seats are bad seats so!

Depending on the crowds, they will open up the "reserved" seating for crowds in the standby line. It is recommended that those with the Fantasmic Dining package still arrive at least 30 minutes before the show.

 

[leebee]

I'd never pay the money for the package- the seats are really not very good, IMHO. Pick up a counter service supper and take it into the stadium with you. Go in about 45-60 mins before the show and you'll have great seats, and you can eat supper while you wait. It IS worth seeing Fantasmic- the technology is fascinating- but it's not something we do every trip.

 

[eelderm1]

I have never paid for the dinner package and never will. I have heard the seating is to the far left and is not good. We were there one year ago today
( I remember the exact date because we were in MGM the day MJ died) , anyway we just walked in with the crowd about an hour before it started and had super duper great seats. There were eight of us. We have always showed up about an hour till showtime and have never had a problem. The waiting is worth the show. We love Fantasmic! Also, the waiting is not bad. We bring in hot dogs, or popcorn, or frozen lemonade from the carts. The music they play during the wait is fun. We dance and do the wave. Its fun! My family and I make that wait a big party.

 

[sherbet]

So do they allow you to go in and sit down one hour before or do you stand in line at the entrance for one hour? How about xmas time, ive heard that it is really busy, might i not get in without the package?

 

[Eliza'sMom]

We never do the Fantasmic Dinner package. We pick up dinner from a CS place and take it into the theater. We eat there, and since we've had DD we take a few little toys and stickers and glow necklaces and things for her to do while we wait. DH usually goes and picks up a snack from the booths in the back of the theater as well once we're done with our dinner.

 

[r&kmommy]

OK... probably an incredibly silly question, but is Fantasmic REALLY worth the 90 minute wait?? I have never been, so I'm really interested in honest replies.

Thanks! (from a person who is already suspecting that I won't be able to get FDP when we go...)

There is only one show on the face of the planet better than Fantasmic, and that is the Love show at the Mirage in Las Vegas... Fantasmic rocks and I would wait 2-3 hours for it!!

 

[MichelleRae]

Thank you for all of your responses! I'm actually glad now that we didn't get reservations. lol!

Michelle Rae

 

[eelderm1]

So do they allow you to go in and sit down one hour before or do you stand in line at the entrance for one hour? How about xmas time, ive heard that it is really busy, might i not get in without the package?

You can go in and sit down and wait. I think they let you in 90 min before showtime. Its the best show ever!