Fantasmic Dessert Buffet - Worth the money?

[hlbtimes2]

So we just returned from our trip May 7 thru 11.

Parks were not crowded at all Wednesday or Thursday. Crowds showed up Friday and by afternoon it was a 50 minute wait for attractions that were walk-ons two days earlier.

Its funny how we all view the park and crowds so differently. I was there Fri- Mon. We never waited more then 20 minutes for a single ride. On Friday we did 13 rides prior to our afternoon break. In the evening we watch the fireworks from in front of the castle, then hit the 2nd showing of F!. After the fireworks we were on Nemo with a less then 20 minute wait. Of course a lot of the short waits were because we got there early and utilzed fast pass as much as we could.

 

[Zena Wright]

First - it is NOT a buffet anymore. It is a SMALL box of snacks.

Second - for $300 for your family, I'd say no, it's not worth it! Just do the 10:30 show. If the kids are tired, take an afternoon rest and then go back later on.

DL was open until midnight this past Fri/Sat and both nights Fantasyland was still packed during F! - as were other rides/areas. I would not count on that time for shorter lines. You may luck out, but don't count on it.

Actually people keep saying that but we were just there and it is still a buffet . We do the VIP seating everytime we go and I wouldn't watch the show any other way . Yes its pricey but if I am planning a trip to DL then I am going to have it the way I like it .

I am not a crowd person per say , I know Disneyland has crowds every where but I love this show and it just makes our experience so much better . I guess you will need to decide if its worth it for you to spend $300 on comfort and some good desserts !

Also if you get the 9pm show they do let you stay to watch the fireworks we always do it that way , and if you decide to do it check in earlier than they say to check in because all you will need to do is have 1 person in your party to stand in line and check you all in and reserve what seats you want , always try to get the seats closes to the rail , seats are first come first served after you have checked in then you can go and do other things and come back when they say to come back .

Good luck with your decision, no matter what you'll be in DL nothing is better than that!

Aloha Zena

Aloha Zena

 

[jmcalister]

Is it customary to leave a tip for the server (s)? If so, how much?

 

[cccdisney]

Actually people keep saying that but we were just there and it is still a buffet . We do the VIP seating everytime we go and I wouldn't watch the show any other way . Yes its pricey but if I am planning a trip to DL then I am going to have it the way I like it .

I am not a crowd person per say , I know Disneyland has crowds every where but I love this show and it just makes our experience so much better . I guess you will need to decide if its worth it for you to spend $300 on comfort and some good desserts !

Also if you get the 9pm show they do let you stay to watch the fireworks we always do it that way , and if you decide to do it check in earlier than they say to check in because all you will need to do is have 1 person in your party to stand in line and check you all in and reserve what seats you want , always try to get the seats closes to the rail , seats are first come first served after you have checked in then you can go and do other things and come back when they say to come back .

Good luck with your decision, no matter what you'll be in DL nothing is better than that!

Aloha Zena

Aloha Zena

When we did the Fantasmic Priority Seating on April 27th of this year we received a box with an assortment of desserts. They also served us water, soda, etc. It was NOT a buffet for us.
Maybe this is something different?
We really enjoyed it and and was very glad we spent the $120 for the two of us!

 

[mo3bys]

I just booked ours today It is just my husband and I this time for our anniversary trip and I thought I would surprise him. I hope it is worth it. The CM on the phone told me that it wasn't a buffet any more also. She said it was just a box of goodies and drinks I hope everyone has a wonderful time

 

[Bugdozer]

Hi,

We did this on Sunday April 27th and was one of the highlights of the trip. When we arrived at the park in the morning I picked up the tickets at guest services to the right of the Disneyland entrance gates. There were 4 of us and it was a surprise I planned.

I went to check in area at 6pm. It is after pirates but before mansion. This was a churro cart there so I asked where to stand. He had me stand a few feet from the churro cart where there were steps heading down to the fantasmic seating area. I arrived at 6pm sharp and I was the first in line. About 6:10 another showed up and by 6:20 we had a pretty good line going down the stairs. Had a great time talking to people.

At 5 of 7 a lady wheeled a podium up to right where I was standing. She got her paper work in order and then helped me. She asked what show then looked at my tickets. She then said best available seating was seats 1-4. I said ok we would take them. She put our seat numbers on our tickets and at 5 after 7 i was on my way. You only need 1 person in the group to check in so I had the others go off and do some rides.

Fantasmic was at 9 so they told us to arrive around 8:30-8:40. we got there at 8:30 and were the first or second seated. We had a front row view. A cast member came right over and took our drink order ( soda ). She then brought us our dessert boxes:

I very much enjoyed this experience. Was it a lot of money-yes, would I do it again-you bet. As far as the view I thought it was great. the people at river side are forced to sit down and are about 4 feet or so down from where you sit. No one is allowed to stand in front of the reserved seating. keep in mind we got first 4 seats but it gives you a feel for location:
there are 3 screens and that is looking at the center screen.

Next 2 pictures give you a day time view of where we sat if you were looking towards where the show is:

As you go down the stairs we were on the right. There were seating sections on the right and left. The more left you are the more away from center. here were our seats:

In this picture we are standing on the island looking towards the seating. The red boxes show where the seating is.

I hope this helps. There were i think 3 rows of seats behind us. To me it was worth waiting to get seats 1-4. Yes there is the black rail but it did not deter from the railing and a little kid stand if they want or you see right through it. If you don't have front there is a chance someone tall could be in front of you as the rows of chairs are not elevated within the section.

The cast member was very helpful and fun. She gave us a bottle of water each to take with us. My sprite was ice cold-it is in cans. We did tip her also as she did a wonderful job.

Bug

 

[mo3bys]

Thanks so much I am really excited about going now My husband will love it

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

We thought about doing this for this next trip, but nah, couldn't justify spending that much. We've gotten front seats every time we've tried for the second showing of the night. Without waiting for hours.

Just too expensive on this one for what they give you.

 

[Danauk]

Great report!! One question. Where there people stood in the steps in between the seating areas? As I belive this is the VIP area. DH and I are going for our 1st (and maybe only) trip to DL in the summer. We are doing the VIP tour so can ask for Fantasmic VIP area which I believe is the steps inbetween the seating area. However we are willing to do the Fantasmic desert seating if this is not the area in which we sould be able to stand. WOuld this be a good view or do we need to book the seating?

 

[Zena Wright]

When we did the Fantasmic Priority Seating on April 27th of this year we received a box with an assortment of desserts. They also served us water, soda, etc. It was NOT a buffet for us.
Maybe this is something different?
We really enjoyed it and and was very glad we spent the $120 for the two of us!

Sorry about that I stand corrected I guess they did change it to the boxes, we were there in Dec and everyone was already saying it was the boxes even the CM when I booked the seats said it was the box but when we got there it was still the buffet, I guess we just lucked out as one of the last to get the buffet.

ALoha Zena

 

[Janomi]

The seating in between the Fantasmic dessert seating is indeed VIP, though I'm not sure if any VIP tour people were there.

My friends and I were dreamed to watch the 10:30 pm showing and were instructed to check in at the steps in between the two chair areas. We arrived about 15 minutes prior to the show starting and went in search of someone to check in with. Unfortunately, Dream VIPs do not have a podium to check in at. We were confused and wandered to the podium near the churro stand. The CM was nice enough to walk us over to the dream team member in charge of the VIP area and checked us in.

There were only two other families there (about 6 ppl) to share the space, so we had ample room to stretch out. Also, since we were sitting on steps, it felt like stadium seating. I'm sure others had been dreamed also, but the seating area was pretty empty. Right before the show started, the dream member waved and left.

Though we did not have padded chairs, a cute box with the Fantasmic decal or munchies, we had a great unobstructed view of the show in which we didn't have to camp out for. Oh, and we got to keep the little portfolio saying we had won a dream.

 

[Zena Wright]

Hi,

We did this on Sunday April 27th and was one of the highlights of the trip. When we arrived at the park in the morning I picked up the tickets at guest services to the right of the Disneyland entrance gates. There were 4 of us and it was a surprise I planned.



I went to check in area at 6pm. It is after pirates but before mansion. This was a churro cart there so I asked where to stand. He had me stand a few feet from the churro cart where there were steps heading down to the fantasmic seating area. I arrived at 6pm sharp and I was the first in line. About 6:10 another showed up and by 6:20 we had a pretty good line going down the stairs. Had a great time talking to people.

At 5 of 7 a lady wheeled a podium up to right where I was standing. She got her paper work in order and then helped me. She asked what show then looked at my tickets. She then said best available seating was seats 1-4. I said ok we would take them. She put our seat numbers on our tickets and at 5 after 7 i was on my way. You only need 1 person in the group to check in so I had the others go off and do some rides.

Fantasmic was at 9 so they told us to arrive around 8:30-8:40. we got there at 8:30 and were the first or second seated. We had a front row view. A cast member came right over and took our drink order ( soda ). She then brought us our dessert boxes:

I very much enjoyed this experience. Was it a lot of money-yes, would I do it again-you bet. As far as the view I thought it was great. the people at river side are forced to sit down and are about 4 feet or so down from where you sit. No one is allowed to stand in front of the reserved seating. keep in mind we got first 4 seats but it gives you a feel for location:
there are 3 screens and that is looking at the center screen.

Next 2 pictures give you a day time view of where we sat if you were looking towards where the show is:

As you go down the stairs we were on the right. There were seating sections on the right and left. The more left you are the more away from center. here were our seats:

In this picture we are standing on the island looking towards the seating. The red boxes show where the seating is.

I hope this helps. There were i think 3 rows of seats behind us. To me it was worth waiting to get seats 1-4. Yes there is the black rail but it did not deter from the railing and a little kid stand if they want or you see right through it. If you don't have front there is a chance someone tall could be in front of you as the rows of chairs are not elevated within the section.

The cast member was very helpful and fun. She gave us a bottle of water each to take with us. My sprite was ice cold-it is in cans. We did tip her also as she did a wonderful job.

Bug

Just wanted to say very nice presentation of info, this should help anyone deciding whether or not to do it. Great pictures and diagrams.

Aloha Zena

 

[Zena Wright]

The question about tipping the server, I have never tipped the server because i felt it was a specialty priced event versus a restautrant type of service. I have never seen anyone else tipping but that doesn't mean they don't.

I am usually a really good tipper but I feel that this is pricey enough without having to tip but if you feel they did an extra awesome job then I'm sure they would be happy to get a tip.


Aloha Zena

 

[cccdisney]

Hi,

We did this on Sunday April 27th and was one of the highlights of the trip. When we arrived at the park in the morning I picked up the tickets at guest services to the right of the Disneyland entrance gates. There were 4 of us and it was a surprise I planned.

I went to check in area at 6pm. It is after pirates but before mansion. This was a churro cart there so I asked where to stand. He had me stand a few feet from the churro cart where there were steps heading down to the fantasmic seating area. I arrived at 6pm sharp and I was the first in line. About 6:10 another showed up and by 6:20 we had a pretty good line going down the stairs. Had a great time talking to people.

At 5 of 7 a lady wheeled a podium up to right where I was standing. She got her paper work in order and then helped me. She asked what show then looked at my tickets. She then said best available seating was seats 1-4. I said ok we would take them. She put our seat numbers on our tickets and at 5 after 7 i was on my way. You only need 1 person in the group to check in so I had the others go off and do some rides.

Fantasmic was at 9 so they told us to arrive around 8:30-8:40. we got there at 8:30 and were the first or second seated. We had a front row view. A cast member came right over and took our drink order ( soda ). She then brought us our dessert boxes:

I very much enjoyed this experience. Was it a lot of money-yes, would I do it again-you bet. As far as the view I thought it was great. the people at river side are forced to sit down and are about 4 feet or so down from where you sit. No one is allowed to stand in front of the reserved seating. keep in mind we got first 4 seats but it gives you a feel for location:
there are 3 screens and that is looking at the center screen.

Next 2 pictures give you a day time view of where we sat if you were looking towards where the show is:

As you go down the stairs we were on the right. There were seating sections on the right and left. The more left you are the more away from center. here were our seats:

In this picture we are standing on the island looking towards the seating. The red boxes show where the seating is.

I hope this helps. There were i think 3 rows of seats behind us. To me it was worth waiting to get seats 1-4. Yes there is the black rail but it did not deter from the railing and a little kid stand if they want or you see right through it. If you don't have front there is a chance someone tall could be in front of you as the rows of chairs are not elevated within the section.

The cast member was very helpful and fun. She gave us a bottle of water each to take with us. My sprite was ice cold-it is in cans. We did tip her also as she did a wonderful job.

Bug

We were there the same night as you! We sat in the same section but on the opposite side of the aisle. Second row - two seats on the center aisle!
We had to somewhat look around the one row ahead of us but it wasn't too bad. The CM was great!
I would do it again if we had the opportunity!

 

[5 Disney Fans]

Is it $59 per person regardless of age, or do they charge less for kids?

 

[mo3bys]

I believe kids are the same price as adults. Unless they are under 3 and sit on your lap.(I think )

 

[quest4dl]

kids ages 3-9 are $49

 

[lurkyloo]

Just wanted to update this thread to say that the new check-in time for both shows is 8pm.

Since the suggested return time is 8:25pm, this means you'll basically be waiting 2 hours to see the show (if you show up at 7pm to get a good seat like the early birds do), instead of having time between check-in and the show to go ride a ride or grab dinner.

 

[SweetSpot]

If you have to wait that long than it seems that it doesn't make sense to pay so much and still have to wait. Is the view that much better?

 

[lurkyloo]

My thoughts exactly!

The view from the best seats in the reserved area is good, but you could sit directly in front of that area for free if you were willing to wait (or show up right at 9:30 for the 10:30 show). And then there wouldn't be a railing in the way.

The thing is, unless you wait in line to get the good seats, there is a possibility you'll have paid all that money to sit behind two rows of people or way off to the side. I would have been very grumpy to get those seats, but perhaps others don't mind as much.