Fantasmic dessert buffet

[kaygela]

We have seen the show several times at WDW and would like to see it at DL when we are there in December but I wasn't sure whether reserving the dessert buffet is worth the cost. Also, how far in advance can I reserve this?

 

[dizzyami]

I know the reservations are made one month in advance (if you are going the 14th, the reservations are made the 14th of the prior, at 8am, or through vacation planning). I have never paid for the seats - probably will next trip, I do know that trying to see it without either takes a long time commitment to find a good spot, or a last minute fight in the dark with major crowds to not really see much at all. The parts of the show that I have seen look amazing, but I have not seen that much, and it usually stresses DH out beyond compare!!

 

[got2travel]

Whether it is worth it or not will totally be up to you. I have thoroughly enjoyed every time we've done the premium seating. I've done both balcony and riverside and prefer riverside.

What you get for your money is some nice desserts of which you can eat your fill. But what is more important to me is not having to fight with the crowds to secure a spot to see the show. And having a seat as opposed to standing or sitting, usually with other people pushing on top of you. It's also kind of fun showing up to a roped off area and being escorted in. Everyone around looks at you trying to figure out how you rate getting special seats.

It is not like WDW where you have a dedicated theatre. In DL, Fantasmic is shown on the Rivers of America. People will camp out 4 hours just to get a spot.

During the holidays, I would recommend that if you do decide to do this, get seating for the first show (if there are 2). That way you can stay in your seat and watch the fireworks. And they do the snow in that area too.

 

[stampinshauna]

There is very limited reserved seating, so if you are going to do it, call right at 8am the month before as it sells out quickly.

 

[HydroGuy]

It is all a tradeoff. I seem to remember from another post you have 4-5 in your party. If you want to splurge, it would be a fun thing to do.

We have six in our family, so the cost would be 6x$60, or $360. One way of looking at this is as follows: Would I rather spend $360 on a 20 minute show (plus some desserts that most describe as being average), or would I rather spend that much money on an entire extra day at DLR (and cover the extra hotel night plus food)?

One time when our children were smaller we got a spot 2 hours ahead of time for a first showing of Fantasmic. Every time since then we have gone to the second show (10:30PM) and need to arrive 30-40 minutes early to get a perfectly fine spot (last time we got a spot dead center about 15 ft back from the water for all six of us - about 35 minutes before the second show). Yes, it is crowded, but so are the fireworks and parades. So the crowds seem part of the landscape to me.

OK, now that I have said that, I am thinking about doing the dessert reservation next time for a splurge, along with a stay at the GCH (which we have never done). Part of the reason for this relates to a growing business I own, and so do not feel budget-constrained.

So there you have it. IMO the Fantasmic dessert reservations are:

- a splurge
- not necessary
- not worth it if you are on a budget and have to cut your trip to less days
- something I may try out next time to do something different and special

 

[rosiep]

If you are staying at one of the three Disney Hotels you can call Vacation Planning anytime before that 30 day window and they'll make the reservations for you. It will require a credit card. I've decided to splurge and called ahead for balcony seating this coming December. They took my information and will call me back Nov.8th to confirm.
Easy.....and I like easy....

 

[Leofoenget]

We have seen the show several times at WDW and would like to see it at DL when we are there in December but I wasn't sure whether reserving the dessert buffet is worth the cost. Also, how far in advance can I reserve this?

Son and I arrived about an hour early last Friday for the 9pm show and it was packed. The CM told everyone to "stand up and fill in the gaps" THEN NOBODY SAT BACK DOWN!! GRRRR. Soo wonderful mom that I am, I held my 8 year old son up for the entire show then through the fireworks. I tried to get seating last month I couldn't. I guess if you are dedicated, you can get really good seats yourself. Would I try again? Yes I think I would but if I couldnt' I would show up earlier and camp out a little longer.

 

[kaygela]

Well, I guess I'll go for the splurge. We will be there during the holiday week so it seems like a good idea to not have to beat the crowds. Now I only hope we can get in on the reserved seating. Thanks for all the posts.

 

[Mom to a Princess]

SInce dd and I are ap holders we normally just wing it at this show. I actually prefer this show at WDW! I do not mind sitting for an hour or so on a bench but sitting on the ground - forget it. The cost for the seating is too expensive in my opinion.

 

[TheZue]

After our experience last saturday with having a seat at a restaurant for over an hour that looked fine until the show started and everyone stood on those little brick wall blocking our view we decided that we won't even bother trying to get a seat for that show unless we have the desert buffet. It is pricey, but if you compare it to vegas shows that START around $100/person it isn't too bad. On top of that you aren't wasting your paid time in the park sitting on the ground waiting for a show when you could be doing other things.

The other thing with fantasmic is it isn't like the fire works where people standing in your way don't matter since it's in the sky. If you are short you won't see anything if people are standing in front of you.

That said I'm actually glad we didn't reserve a seat this year, DS got really sick on the friday of our vacation and I think he's a little young for it...the pirate part with hook and peter pan scared him a little. But when he's older we will be doing the reserved seating for sure.

 

[Amy&Dan]

So there you have it. IMO the Fantasmic dessert reservations are:

- a splurge
- not necessary
- not worth it if you are on a budget and have to cut your trip to less days
- something I may try out next time to do something different and special

I think that says it in a nutshell! We have done it twice: once, it was my husband's birthday and the other time because I thought we would be so sad to miss out on it that trip since we had done it the last time. Now we just see it at WDW instead and miss the superior aspect of Disneyland's version but don't miss the crowds! Its been three years however and I can definitely see treating ourselves to it again on our next trip if I can score 4 spots. Its really hard to describe the feeling/luxury of walking up those stairs and into the Disney Gallery and out on the balcony. I didn't feel like it wasn't worth every penny but I have also learned that there are now other things I want to spend my money on at Disney, namely snowdomes and my DVC dues, so I have had to prioritize! But by all means if you can afford to go and as Hydroguy said, not skimp on the rest of your trip, go for it. Its really amazing and the desserts aren't average at all. But then I think twinkies are fabulous!

 

[LWcalif]

The last couple of times we've booked, it was upon our arrival at the ticket window. Loved it each time. Guaranteed view, and wonderful desserts. I would highly recommend this for anyone wanting a great view without the crowds/wait.

 

[littlelambie]

We just got back last weekend, and we did the fantasmic buffet on the friday night. It was the only time on our trip that Fantasmic was playing, it was also the last night of our trip. Dh and I decided that we didn't want to spend three hours of our last night sitting on the cement to hold a spot. We felt it was totally worth it. The desserts were pretty good, and it included pop, juice, coffee ect. We will definately do it on any upcoming trips.

 

[lulubelle]

To echo those who posted ahead of me...it is something worth doing once if you can afford it. We did it as a special treat a few years ago. I don't think I would do it again. But it sure is a special feeling to walk up those stairs and sit in your seats have people stare at you wondering "how do you rate so special?". LOL, that said, I am contemplating a tour next trip in part to secure a decent seat for the fireworks!

Have a great trip whatever you decide.

 

[pxlbarrel]

I'll echo a lot of people here. I've done it once but probably will not do it again. We'd been to DL so often that we wanted to try different things this trip hence the dessert buffet and a tour. The tour was well worth it. The dessert buffet....well, I was a tad disappointed with it but it was something different. And it was nice not to have to sit on the ground. But...I missed not being close to the action. I went back a few days later and sat on the ground for the second performance...waited less than 1 hour and had great seats (on the ground). I forgot to bring something to sit on...so it was kind of uncomfortable but once the show started, I forgot about my numb bum.