Fantasmic Dessert Buffet - Worth the money?

[Me!Thatswho]

First off, I want to thank Bugdozer for the excellent review and pics. Your post, as well as the many other positive posts in this thread, convinced us to splurge and go for it on our upcoming July vacation!!! In fact, I just booked our tickets about a half hour ago.

But I do have a question that I forgot to ask the wonderful CM who helped me: where exactly do I pick up the tickets and when can I do it? She vaguely mentioned something about picking them up on the California side but, as a first time DL visitor, I really want to make sure I know when and where I can get the tickets.

Thanks!

 

[JadeDarkstar]

if there like a tour ticket then you would go to counstermer services (i think thats what its called. its not in eatier park its out side cali adventures to the left there are bathrooms and a atm over there and two windows kind of blocked off so in less your looking you wouldnt see it. That where we had to pick our tour tickets up. we are going to do fantasmic desert i think it will be grate id love to see pics and report when you egt back.

 

[quest4dl]

I just returned and we had the Premium seating. Overall it was a very frustrating experience.

Although the boards and my travel agent confirmed a new check-in time of 8 pm the CM at our hotel (the GCH) insisted it was 7 pm and that was also the time printed on our tickets. Since I really wanted a front row seat for the kids, I planned my day to be near the check-in area around 6:20 p.m. The idea was for the rest of my family to finish up with dinner at The French Market while I waited in line.

By 6:30 I was surprised to see only one other person hanging about the area and he told me he was also told 7 p.m. check-in. Then another woman appear and said she had been told 8 p.m. but thought she would double-check. The CMs in the area neither knew the exact location of the check-in podium (doesn't get put up until close to check-in time so it's hard to know where to start lining up) nor could they confirm the check-in time. Around 6:45 p.m. we saw a few CMs putting up the chairs for the seating so we asked them and they confirmed the 8 p.m. check-in time. The man who had been waiting with me said he would just stay put since he had already sent his family off and that he would keep my place in line. I was annoyed that I had wasted time but joined up with my family and we went on a few rides.

A little after 7:30 I thought I should head back to the podium which was a good thing since now the podium had appeared but they had split up the lines for the two shows. The man saving my spot was attending the later show so now I had to go to the end of the line for our 9 p.m. show. We did end up with front row seats but they were to the side so were in between the two water screens instead of head-on. I was actually the first person lined up so I would have had the center seats. Ultimately I was glad we did the seating because my mother's knee started acting up that day and there was no way she could have sat on the ground or stood for so long. The desserts provided were quite good (there is a huge chocolate-nut covered strawberry included -yum!) and the service during the seating was excellent. My kids were very tired so we did not stay for the fireworks but we had already seen them the night before in front of the castle (a better viewing spot). However, I feel that I was paying the high price for the seat and saving time and I definitely did not save time getting these seats. I wish they would just assign them by order of booking.

Also, we had some teenagers seated behind us who had obviously seen the show many times before and kept up an continous conversation through the show. Even my 7 yo ds commented afterwards about the 'rude' teenagers behind us. They weren't loud or inappropriate but even my 7 yo knows not to talk during shows!

Until they improve their check-in process and provide more central seating, I'm not sure I can recommend the premium seating.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

another question. if im in an ECV where would they put us? I dont want to lose good seats if im in an evc? the pics look grate, also dose that fantasmic tag come on all the boxs?

 

[avalon451]

When we picked them up in March, we were told to go to Guest Services on the DL side, which is to the left as you are facing the turnstiles to enter the park. Is there a guest services counter on both sides, CA and DL? And if so, I'm guessing you'd be able to pick them up on either side? Maybe they say the CA side because it's not as busy as the DL side?

Quest, sorry to hear that your experience was so frustrating! I hope they get the kinks worked out of that system soon. I do NOT want to line up 1 1/2 hours beforehand to choose a seat. What a way to ruin the whole point of getting those seats.

 

[remain seated please]

The last time paid for the premium Fantasmic! seats was when they had the buffet on the balcony. I saw the show at least 5 times from those seats, paying $40 and then $50 per person. I enjoyed the balcony experience because it was unique and different. The dessert buffet was great the service was awesome. During the show, you could ask a CM to bring you another dessert item.

Back then I would not pay for riverside seating. If the balcony was sold out, we'd just find a spot and enjoy the show. Today, with the balcony option gone, airline-style "dessert box" and an even higher price tag, I would never pay to see the show again. It just is not worth it to shell out that kind of money to see a show you've seen several times before. I am not a snob. I just feel that if you are going to pay that kind of money for a free show, you better be getting your money's worth.

This package is definately NOT worth the price.

BTW, I have seen the fireworks from every location imaginable at DL. For me, there are no better spots than in front of the castle or on Main Street.

 

[quest4dl]

I had no beef with the dessert aspect of the seating. While a dessert box doesn't sound as elegant as a buffet, I thought the choices were good, quantity was plentiful, and best of all, you could take back what you didn't finish to your room. I wasn't very hungry that day so I took most of my box back whereas my brother managed to finish his entire box! Included in the box was a macaroon, a mini chocolate cake with gooey center, a lemon tart, a huge chocolate-nut covered strawberry, two truffles, 3 mini gouda rounds, 2 tillamook cheedar packages, packages of crackers, red grapes, and an edible spoon (presumably for stirring your coffee with - it didn't taste too good on it's own). Hot chocolate, coffee, tea, soft drinks and water were offered multiple times.

 

[Me!Thatswho]

if there like a tour ticket then you would go to counstermer services (i think thats what its called. its not in eatier park its out side cali adventures to the left there are bathrooms and a atm over there and two windows kind of blocked off so in less your looking you wouldnt see it. That where we had to pick our tour tickets up. we are going to do fantasmic desert i think it will be grate id love to see pics and report when you egt back.

Thanks. I really appreciate that you shared that the windows were hidden. I'll be sure to scope it out in advance, as we were not planning on seeing fantasmic until our second night.

And I'll gladly report back upon our return, even though I believe my efforts would be pale in comparison to Bugdozer's.

 

[Me!Thatswho]

Included in the box was a macaroon, a mini chocolate cake with gooey center, a lemon tart, a huge chocolate-nut covered strawberry, two truffles, 3 mini gouda rounds, 2 tillamook cheedar packages, packages of crackers, red grapes, and an edible spoon (presumably for stirring your coffee with - it didn't taste too good on it's own). Hot chocolate, coffee, tea, soft drinks and water were offered multiple times.

And, even though it may be pricey as remain seated please suggests (and to which I do agree), I'll gladly indulge out of the chance that our upcoming trip might be a one in a life time experience.

 

[lurkyloo]

When I was there June 7, they had me pick up my Fantasmic! tix at the Disneyland side Guest Services. I had been told on the phone to go to the Calif. Adventure side, but they sent me back over to the DL side.

Also, to answer someone's earlier question, all the dessert boxes have the Fantasmic sticker on them.

Regarding an ECV, the seating area is down a ramp on one side, so I'm sure they would let you motor down to where your seats are and then just move a chair for you to park.

 

[janc]

I plan on doing the Fantasmic dessert show this trip, my question is does it ever get cancelled like fireworks sometimes do?

I planned on seeing the show on our last Friday night, we leave on a Saturday afternoon.

Do you think its safe to wait until the end of our trip? I thought it would be a great way to wrap up our fun or should I get ressies for the first Friday or Saturday we are there?

 

[tmli]

We have booked this for our upcoming trip.

We are considering cancelling after what we have read here. The main reason we decided to do this was to avoid the long wait for a good viewing spot. It seems like now that advantage is gone. It would be nice to have a seat.

What would you do if you were us? Should we maybe just plan to see the late show when it is not as busy? Is there a place you would recommend for us to watch from?

 

[elise72]

When I was there June 7, they had me pick up my Fantasmic! tix at the Disneyland side Guest Services. I had been told on the phone to go to the Calif. Adventure side, but they sent me back over to the DL side.

Also, to answer someone's earlier question, all the dessert boxes have the Fantasmic sticker on them.

Regarding an ECV, the seating area is down a ramp on one side, so I'm sure they would let you motor down to where your seats are and then just move a chair for you to park.

So nice to see you on this thread!

I am just about recovering from the end of your trip report ( I know it hasn't officially finished ....but your fab hobeymoon has

Anyway,it's great that you are around to help me plan my to Disneyland next year.I am shelling out for the dessert package as it's our first time to DL but all this queuing sounds like a nightmare.

 

[Nora94]

Well, we did the seating on June 6th for the 9:00 show. There was a fellow DISer from Canada in line with me so HI to him!

When I made the reservation they said to show up at 6:45 to pick our seats. The City Hall person told me 8. Well we were napping and I woke up at 6:15 (let dh and kids sleep more) and booked over to the podium. I got there a little after 6:30 and there were already 4 people ahead of me. Three of these people had 7:00 check in printed on their tickets or itinary. They were pretty po'd to find out it was 8:00. The CM refused to offer them any help saying that it would be unfair to those that did show up at 8 if we just got to get back in line before them but we all knew that if we left we would not get first choice in seats. Since 3 of those people had printed out 7:00 on their papers, and I had 6:45 written by my confirmation number on my paper, the head CM was in a quandry about what to do. They gave us each a can of pop while we waited. I suggested to one (snotty) CM that if they offer fast passes (the generic any ride kind) to those in line then it would help make up for our lost time. This apparently was a good idea and one lady got 5 of them, I got 2 of them, another person got 3 and the rest just got one each (each pass was good for 5 people and can be used on any ride but Nemo).

So, at 8:10 we had our seats picked out, had a few free fast passes and were good to go. I had to call my dh 3 times to make sure he woke up and got there by 9 though! LOL.

We sit down a little before 9 and got our dessert box. The strawberry was chocolate covered but no nuts, btw. We also had soda and water. There was way more there then we could finish and we hadn't eaten since 2 pm.

We were glad we did it. There were people waiting prior to me getting our reserved seats in spots by the water. The next day my dh saw people sitting there at 5 pm. So it was worth doing. Especially since it was our first day in the park and our only trip to Disneyland EVER. (we won't be going back, no offense to hard core lovers of the place, we just have other vacations we want to do.)

Plus we used our "free" Disney dollars from the Disney Visa. So, since it was free money anyway it was really worth it.

Nora

 

[tmli]

The more I read, the more I am not sure I want to do this. I need to be in line by 6:30/7:00 to get a good seat, can't get my seat til 8 and then have maybe 45 mins before the show starts. Basically I am still waiting for 2 hours for a spot, but now I am paying $60 each for that spot. Am I missing something? I know there's food etc but not $60 worth.

If I just showed up at 8 near the end of the line, would the seat I get be worth $60? Would I be able to see?

 

[quest4dl]

The more I read, the more I am not sure I want to do this. I need to be in line by 6:30/7:00 to get a good seat, can't get my seat til 8 and then have maybe 45 mins before the show starts. Basically I am still waiting for 2 hours for a spot, but now I am paying $60 each for that spot. Am I missing something? I know there's food etc but not $60 worth.

If I just showed up at 8 near the end of the line, would the seat I get be worth $60? Would I be able to see?

The seats are lined up right next to each other and I think we had three rows behind us. I think adults would be fine but it would be hard for a child to see (which is why I went to the trouble of lining up early). The check-in process seems to be a mess during this time transition. I've e-mailed Disney and my travel agent about our experience.

 

[elise72]

Hopefully it will be sorted by June '09!

 

[lurkyloo]

So nice to see you on this thread! I am just about recovering from the end of your trip report ( I know it hasn't officially finished ....but your fab hobeymoon has Anyway,it's great that you are around to help me plan my to Disneyland next year.I am shelling out for the dessert package as it's our first time to DL but all this queuing sounds like a nightmare.

Hi! Seriously, post your questions on my trip report thread - I love to share tips and opinions. Lots and lots of opinions... If it's really important to you to get that sweet, reserved spot, the queuing is worth it. I just wouldn't do it more than once!

The more I read, the more I am not sure I want to do this. I need to be in line by 6:30/7:00 to get a good seat, can't get my seat til 8 and then have maybe 45 mins before the show starts. Basically I am still waiting for 2 hours for a spot, but now I am paying $60 each for that spot. Am I missing something? I know there's food etc but not $60 worth.

Nope - that's about the size of it! Theoretically, after they fully transition to the 8pm time, you could get in line as late as 7pm or 7:15 (if you want to be first) or 7:30 if you don't mind being off to the side in the front row. But having read about the people who show up for the 10pm show just as the 9pm one is ending and nab great free spots in FRONT of the Dessert Party area, that's what I would do.

On the other hand, if you look at it as a one-time thing and don't mind standing around for an hour and then sitting around for another hour, you'll be guaranteed to get a good spot!

I just don't like the idea of having to pay $60 to stand around waiting - I can do that for free!

 

[JadeDarkstar]

well im just gona make sure the day we do it we come back from the hotle at 630 and we do stuff over there on that side. and be there about 715 or something..
but what if we do the late showing?
10pm right? then what time do we need to be there for those seats?

 

[lurkyloo]

but what if we do the late showing?
10pm right? then what time do we need to be there for those seats?

You still need to be there at 8pm to check in - they check in for both shows simultaneously. The good thing is, you can then go do something else for an hour and a half or so after you check in.