Fantasmic, crowds on10/3 ?

[shannon006]

Fantasmic is only playing on 10/3 during our 6 day trip Having never been to DL and not sure when we will get back we were really hoping to see it. Blue Bayou was also on our must do lists and we were hoping to do the Fantasmic package. We can't get a reservation for the 2 of us I can however book at River Belle. So my questions are: I will have spent 4 days in the parks that week, but DH will only have the Friday & Saturday and I am trying to make the best choices so he can have best experience.
1. Is it just going to be too crowded to be at DLP that day, I am aware it is Gay days there, which I don't have issue with, but the crowds may just be too high for us to go that day.
2. If we opt to just park hop to DLP from DCA should we do the Fantasmic package at River Belle or just get a FP. Is the viewing going to be that much better?
3. Alladins Oaisis on the go dining? Is that a good option?
4. Where do I find the menus for the Fantasmic dining package? I am only seeing it includes, app, entree, dessert and soft drink/tea.

 

[mom2rtk]

Fantasmic is only playing on 10/3 during our 6 day trip Having never been to DL and not sure when we will get back we were really hoping to see it. Blue Bayou was also on our must do lists and we were hoping to do the Fantasmic package. We can't get a reservation for the 2 of us I can however book at River Belle. So my questions are: I will have spent 4 days in the parks that week, but DH will only have the Friday & Saturday and I am trying to make the best choices so he can have best experience.
1. Is it just going to be too crowded to be at DLP that day, I am aware it is Gay days there, which I don't have issue with, but the crowds may just be too high for us to go that day.
2. If we opt to just park hop to DLP from DCA should we do the Fantasmic package at River Belle or just get a FP. Is the viewing going to be that much better?
3. Alladins Oaisis on the go dining? Is that a good option?
4. Where do I find the menus for the Fantasmic dining package? I am only seeing it includes, app, entree, dessert and soft drink/tea.

They've been very slow adding those Fantasmic dining packages. Keep checking back if you really want BB instead.

 

[Girimama33]

If you want to see F! on that date in particular...I would definitely go with a dining package from Blue Bayou or River Belle. I would not do the on the go option since it just gets you a regular FP, and not a designated area like the TS dining locations have.

ETA: You can find the menus here: http://allears.net/dlr/dining/menus

 

[figment_jii]

We can't get a reservation for the 2 of us I can however book at River Belle.

Keep trying to get a BB reservation. It seems like there is an issue with the October bookings. Some things have begun to open up, but not everything has yet been made available. DLR's ADRs don't generally fill up really fast, so it seems more likely that the system is still experiences issues rather than a place being fully booked out. Keep an eye on the Early October Dining Booking Issues thread; folks have been reporting on what they've been able to get and what they haven't.

1. Is it just going to be too crowded to be at DLP that day, I am aware it is Gay days there, which I don't have issue with, but the crowds may just be too high for us to go that day.

It depends on what level of crowd is "too high" for you. Gay Days are popular and there will be crowds, but it's not going to be capacity level crowds. There will be lines, but I don't necessarily think it's going to be like it is in the peak of summer or Christmas. I've been to the parks once during Gay Days and it was busy, but I didn't think it was unmanageable.

2. If we opt to just park hop to DLP from DCA should we do the Fantasmic package at River Belle or just get a FP. Is the viewing going to be that much better?

The RBT viewing area is located closer to the center (most of the recent reports seem to indicate that they RBT and BB viewing areas have merged). It's pretty much ground seating only (guests can stand in the back, behind the ECVs/wheelchairs), so most everyone should have a very good view. There are excellent viewing spots within all of the FP viewing areas, but there are also some pretty bad ones. If you want to know that you'll get a good view, then the dining packages are the way to go.

3. Alladins Oaisis on the go dining? Is that a good option?

Not really, if getting a prime viewing spot with minimal wait/hassle is your goal. The On-The-Go Meals get you a regular FP (the same one you'd get from the FP machine), so you'll still have to get there early to make sure you get one of the better viewing spots within the designated FP viewing area.

4. Where do I find the menus for the Fantasmic dining package? I am only seeing it includes, app, entree, dessert and soft drink/tea.

For some reason, DLR isn't posting the F! dining package menus.
Allears.net has the RBT menu: http://allears.net/dlr/dining/menu/river-belle-terrace/special-dinner
They also have the BB menu: http://allears.net/dlr/dining/menu/blue-bayou/special-dinner

 

[Nonsuch]

...DH will only have the Friday & Saturday and I am trying to make the best choices so he can have best experience.

Fantasmic! dinner at BB or RBT on Saturday night for the early show, will allow you to watch both F! and Fireworks. Then you can go to Main Street (or anywhere on the parade route) to see Paint the Night.
The only Gay Days events in the parks on Saturday are 2 group photos in DL, so you could spend more time in DCA -- then go to DL for dinner and the night shows.

There is a Halloween Party on 10/2, which is likely to sell out soon (based on prior years, I'm surprised this date has not already sold out). If you are considering MHP, buy your tickets soon.