Rajah
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 17, 1999
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Fantasmic Dessert Buffet FAQ
<img src="http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/rajah/DLFDBcollagesm.jpg"></div>
So you've heard about the Fantasmic Dessert Buffet at Disneyland, but you don't know quite what it is or how to get it? You've come to the right place
Hopefully this FAQ will answer all your questions 
If not, please post your question at the end of the thread.
Q: <b>What is the dessert buffet?</b>
A: It's exactly what it sounds like: All you can eat desserts are provided, and you end up with the best seat in the house for watching Fantasmic. There are now two types of seating: Balcony Seating and Premium Seating.
Q: <b>Where do I get the tickets?</b>
A: Call 1-714-781-4400 and reserve the Fantasmic Dessert Buffet over the phone. You'll need your credit card in hand. Reservations for Fantasmic may be made up to 30 days before the show. Once you arrive at the park, go to the Guest Services window in the main entry plaza to the left of the turnstiles for Disneyland. The window opens at the same time the gate opens. That is, if the park opens at 8am, the window will open at 8am.
Q: <b>When should I arrive to get tickets?</b>
A: You can get the tickets at any time once the Guest Services window is open.
Q: <b>How many tickets are available?</b>
A: There are 21 seats per showing of Fantasmic on the balcony, and 50 premium seats. TIP: When you purchase the tickets, ask how many seats have already been purchased if you're going to sit in the balcony. The balcony has reserved seating, so the first tickets sold get the best seats in the balcony. The premium seats are not reserved, so it does not matter how many have been sold before you.
Q: <b>How much are tickets?</b>
A: As of May 2004, the tickets are $49.75 per person (adults and children) for the balcony, and $49.75 for adults, $39.75 for children (ages 9 and under) for the premium seating.
Q: <b>Wow, that's expensive! Is it worth it?</b>
A: That question can only be answered by each individual. Some say definitely, others say for one time only, and others wouldn't pay that much no matter what the circumstances. You do get access to an all-you-can-eat dessert buffet, and you do have the best seats in the house for viewing Fantasmic. The show was designed to be best viewed from the balcony, so you just can't get a better seat.
Q: <b>Balcony? What balcony? Where is the dessert buffet held?</b>
A: As you enter New Orleans Square, you'll come across the Disney Gallery. It's perched above Pirates of the Caribbean and was originally meant to be a second apartment for Walt, his family and/or important guests. Thus, it has a nice balcony that looks out over Tom Sawyer Island and has one of the best views of Frontierland around. It is on this balcony that you will be seated.
Q: <b>Where is the premium seating located?</b>
A: There is a fenced in area in front of the Haunted Mansion, towards the river. Look for the light tower on the left, in front of the Haunted Mansion. Cast members will start setting up the seating before the show (probably around 5pm or so) near the light tower.
Q: <b>What's on the dessert buffet?</b>
A: There's no guarantee of what you'll find on the buffet beyond a generic "dessert", but in the past I've seen fresh fruit, chocolate dipped strawberries, a cheesecake of some sort (I've seen raspberry and kiwi among others), some other kind of cake (chocolate usually), several different kinds of finger-desserts, plus several choices of drink including the famous non-alcoholic mint julep, water, several tea choices, and coffee. The title photo is an example of what was available. Be sure to show up for first seating if you want that entire selection, though, because the desserts can disappear fast! The same desserts are served at both locations.
Q: <b>If there are two shows, does the second show get fresh desserts?</b>
A: Absolutely! Every show for which there is Dessert Buffet seating gets a fresh selections of the desserts for that day. They're presented in a beautiful manner, and there are cast members present to assist you with your selection, get you drinks, and so on. For the best shot at the desserts, arrive approximately 30-40 minutes before Fantasmic. Desserts and drinks will be served the 30 minutes before the show. You get your desserts from the display table. Cast members will bring your drinks to you. Once the show starts, they will not be serving anymore drinks.
Q: <b>Okay, I've got my ticket, I know where to go, when do I show up?</b>
A: The Disney Gallery has reserved seating, so you should get there about 30 minutes before the show so you can get your seat and enjoy some dessert and drinks before it starts. You should probably get to the riverside seating area about 45 minutes before the show. When I was there in March (MJ), the cast members took the names of the groups, and then let the first ones who had arrived to enter and choose their seats first.
Q: <b>What if Fantasmic gets rained out (that is, canceled) after I've already purchased my ticket?</b>
A: You can get a refund
Q: <b>I'm staying on Harbor Blvd, how do I get to Guest Services?</b>
A: Best solution is to walk. Either the main walk-in entrance on Harbor will be open, or the ART (Anaheim Resort Transportation) shuttle drop-off gates will be open. Either way, you will be able to get in from that entrance.
Q: <b>I'm staying at one of the Disney Hotels, how do I get to Guest Services?</b>
A: Again, the best solution is to walk.
Q: <b>I've seen the Fantasmic at Walt Disney World in Orlando. Is it worth it to pay to see here?</b>
A: I think so. Most (but not all) agree that the Disneyland version of Fantasmic is the better version. It's the original. There are various scenes that are different, even though the main gist of the production is the same. The biggest difference, though, is that you have no stadium seating at Disneyland. Everyone crowds around to either sit on the ground or stand in groups along the walkways and bridges around the Rivers of America. The only place you can get a seat equivalent (or better in my opinion) to the stadium seating is at the Dessert Buffet.
Q: <b>I'm a concierge guest at one of the Disney hotels. Can I get tickets through them?</b>
A: If there are tickets available, you can have concierge order them for you, but it is really better to call ahead of time and order your tickets
<i>Last updated 5/23/04 by mj
Thank you, Rajah for setting up these very helpful FAQs</i>
Fantasmic Dessert Buffet FAQ
<img src="http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/rajah/DLFDBcollagesm.jpg"></div>
So you've heard about the Fantasmic Dessert Buffet at Disneyland, but you don't know quite what it is or how to get it? You've come to the right place
Hopefully this FAQ will answer all your questions If not, please post your question at the end of the thread. Q: <b>What is the dessert buffet?</b>
A: It's exactly what it sounds like: All you can eat desserts are provided, and you end up with the best seat in the house for watching Fantasmic. There are now two types of seating: Balcony Seating and Premium Seating.
Q: <b>Where do I get the tickets?</b>
A: Call 1-714-781-4400 and reserve the Fantasmic Dessert Buffet over the phone. You'll need your credit card in hand. Reservations for Fantasmic may be made up to 30 days before the show. Once you arrive at the park, go to the Guest Services window in the main entry plaza to the left of the turnstiles for Disneyland. The window opens at the same time the gate opens. That is, if the park opens at 8am, the window will open at 8am.
Q: <b>When should I arrive to get tickets?</b>
A: You can get the tickets at any time once the Guest Services window is open.
Q: <b>How many tickets are available?</b>
A: There are 21 seats per showing of Fantasmic on the balcony, and 50 premium seats. TIP: When you purchase the tickets, ask how many seats have already been purchased if you're going to sit in the balcony. The balcony has reserved seating, so the first tickets sold get the best seats in the balcony. The premium seats are not reserved, so it does not matter how many have been sold before you.
Q: <b>How much are tickets?</b>
A: As of May 2004, the tickets are $49.75 per person (adults and children) for the balcony, and $49.75 for adults, $39.75 for children (ages 9 and under) for the premium seating.
Q: <b>Wow, that's expensive! Is it worth it?</b>
A: That question can only be answered by each individual. Some say definitely, others say for one time only, and others wouldn't pay that much no matter what the circumstances. You do get access to an all-you-can-eat dessert buffet, and you do have the best seats in the house for viewing Fantasmic. The show was designed to be best viewed from the balcony, so you just can't get a better seat.
Q: <b>Balcony? What balcony? Where is the dessert buffet held?</b>
A: As you enter New Orleans Square, you'll come across the Disney Gallery. It's perched above Pirates of the Caribbean and was originally meant to be a second apartment for Walt, his family and/or important guests. Thus, it has a nice balcony that looks out over Tom Sawyer Island and has one of the best views of Frontierland around. It is on this balcony that you will be seated.
Q: <b>Where is the premium seating located?</b>
A: There is a fenced in area in front of the Haunted Mansion, towards the river. Look for the light tower on the left, in front of the Haunted Mansion. Cast members will start setting up the seating before the show (probably around 5pm or so) near the light tower.
Q: <b>What's on the dessert buffet?</b>
A: There's no guarantee of what you'll find on the buffet beyond a generic "dessert", but in the past I've seen fresh fruit, chocolate dipped strawberries, a cheesecake of some sort (I've seen raspberry and kiwi among others), some other kind of cake (chocolate usually), several different kinds of finger-desserts, plus several choices of drink including the famous non-alcoholic mint julep, water, several tea choices, and coffee. The title photo is an example of what was available. Be sure to show up for first seating if you want that entire selection, though, because the desserts can disappear fast! The same desserts are served at both locations.
Q: <b>If there are two shows, does the second show get fresh desserts?</b>
A: Absolutely! Every show for which there is Dessert Buffet seating gets a fresh selections of the desserts for that day. They're presented in a beautiful manner, and there are cast members present to assist you with your selection, get you drinks, and so on. For the best shot at the desserts, arrive approximately 30-40 minutes before Fantasmic. Desserts and drinks will be served the 30 minutes before the show. You get your desserts from the display table. Cast members will bring your drinks to you. Once the show starts, they will not be serving anymore drinks.
Q: <b>Okay, I've got my ticket, I know where to go, when do I show up?</b>
A: The Disney Gallery has reserved seating, so you should get there about 30 minutes before the show so you can get your seat and enjoy some dessert and drinks before it starts. You should probably get to the riverside seating area about 45 minutes before the show. When I was there in March (MJ), the cast members took the names of the groups, and then let the first ones who had arrived to enter and choose their seats first.
Q: <b>What if Fantasmic gets rained out (that is, canceled) after I've already purchased my ticket?</b>
A: You can get a refund
Q: <b>I'm staying on Harbor Blvd, how do I get to Guest Services?</b>
A: Best solution is to walk. Either the main walk-in entrance on Harbor will be open, or the ART (Anaheim Resort Transportation) shuttle drop-off gates will be open. Either way, you will be able to get in from that entrance.
Q: <b>I'm staying at one of the Disney Hotels, how do I get to Guest Services?</b>
A: Again, the best solution is to walk.
Q: <b>I've seen the Fantasmic at Walt Disney World in Orlando. Is it worth it to pay to see here?</b>
A: I think so. Most (but not all) agree that the Disneyland version of Fantasmic is the better version. It's the original. There are various scenes that are different, even though the main gist of the production is the same. The biggest difference, though, is that you have no stadium seating at Disneyland. Everyone crowds around to either sit on the ground or stand in groups along the walkways and bridges around the Rivers of America. The only place you can get a seat equivalent (or better in my opinion) to the stadium seating is at the Dessert Buffet.
Q: <b>I'm a concierge guest at one of the Disney hotels. Can I get tickets through them?</b>
A: If there are tickets available, you can have concierge order them for you, but it is really better to call ahead of time and order your tickets
<i>Last updated 5/23/04 by mj
Thank you, Rajah for setting up these very helpful FAQs</i>
I do have a question for you though. How many tickets can you get? Can you get more than one or does every member of your party have to stand in line with you as well?
I guess I'm going to have to make a FAQ part two! When I tried adding more to the thing, it told me I had too many characters 
