I did this back in '99, so I'm sure it's changed a bit since then. I was on a trip with my mother, some friends who had been saving a long time, and my then-BF (now fiance) and I wanted to do something special so I purchased this for us. I believe the cost back then was $35. You couldn't make reservations in advance, you had to do it day-of. In the park. At the Blue Bayou. Which meant that you and several other people made a mad dash (but trying not to run - no running!) to New Orleans Square as soon as the rope dropped. Oh, and it sold out. We were there middle of September. This was still a fairly new thing then I think, and it sold out every day. I believe that less than 7 people in line actually got tickets, and there were at least 2 dozen people waiting.
The buffet was held in the balcony of the Disney Gallery. If you're observent you can see the "W" and "R" in the ironwork of the railing. It's a (dare I say) fantastic viewpoint.
We arrived at the gallery with a few minutes before they opened the doors to the balcony, so we looked around at the artwork. When the doors were opened we went out and were fortunate enough to have seats in the front row. There were 2 rows of seats, 15 seats in total.
At the back of the balcony was a dessert table with a wonderful spread. I have pictures here somewhere, I'll see if I can dig them out and post them online. The cake was great, but absolutely nothing can be fresh California strawberries dipped in chocolate! Servers took drink order (non alcoholic) and offered soft drinks, mint juleps and flavoured coffees.
Seeing the show from up there was amazing. And I was stunned that despite being farther away than much of the viewing crowd and on the second floor we could still feel the heat from the fire on the river!
Would I do it again? At some point, absolutely. When I really wanted to treat myself to something. I've seen Fantasmic several times since then but I've always had to stand *somewhere*. I really, really liked being able to sit on the balcony for the show.
