Fantasmic! Dessert Package

[Crazy4Disney06]

Is the Fantasmic! Dessert Package worth the cost? We have seen Fantasmic a new times in the past with the most recent time at WDW in 2008. We tend to skip it at DL because of the seating issue and needing to get a place so far ahead of time...with little kids who have no patience for waiting it never really worked out well. I'm wondering if the dessert package would be a fun "extra" for our holiday trip in December?

 

[Escape2Disney]

Is the Fantasmic! Dessert Package worth the cost? We have seen Fantasmic a new times in the past with the most recent time at WDW in 2008. We tend to skip it at DL because of the seating issue and needing to get a place so far ahead of time...with little kids who have no patience for waiting it never really worked out well. I'm wondering if the dessert package would be a fun "extra" for our holiday trip in December?

Whether or not it's worth it is subjective. For us, it's a must if we plan to watch the show. The view is fantastic, the dessert box lasts us quite a few days, and there's no bumping and pushing from the masses. I can't sit on the ground, so if we don't get the seating, we're off to the side in the handicap section so I can stay in my wheelchair/scooter. The view is okay, but it's not nearly as good as the front view.

Another bonus is that if we go to the first show, we can stay in our seats to see the fireworks.

 

[dadzgirl70]

It's our family's tradition. We wouldn't dream of seeing it any other way. Seats, dessert box that lasts for days and all the hot chocolate you can drink (my 8 year old sons favorite part). No fighting for a good view of the fireworks on main street and the service received by the cast members is top notch. Last time my hubby even slipped them a tip for such great service. They went overboard to get to know us and tell us little things about the park. It's the experience of the feeling like you are a VIP. Good stuff!

 

[tchrrx]

I never considered this for WDW, but I'm thinking about doing it for DL.

- What type of desserts are in the box?
- What fireworks show is going on in March 2013? (I heard the fireworks seating is only good for one of the shows.)
- Which seats are the best?
- Is showing up an hour early to the podium enough time?
- After checking in, are we free to go do other things until 15 minutes beforehand, or is it better to stay there the entire time?

 

[starry_solo]

I never considered this for WDW, but I'm thinking about doing it for DL.

- What type of desserts are in the box?
- What fireworks show is going on in March 2013? (I heard the fireworks seating is only good for one of the shows.)
- Which seats are the best?
- Is showing up an hour early to the podium enough time?
- After checking in, are we free to go do other things until 15 minutes beforehand, or is it better to stay there the entire time?

Desserts
Chocolate - cake, cookies
Cheese

Fireworks Show
No idea, but it won't be the holiday one. I think it will just be the regular one. So you will want to make sure you book the Fantasmic Dessert package for the show before the fireworks

Seats
Either the front row or the back row (where your kids can stand up on their chairs if necessary)

Check-in
One member of your family will want to be at the podium at least one hour before the appointed check-in time (at least). One time, we were there 1.5 hours before the appointed check-in time and there were already 4 people ahead of us.

Note, they check-in for both shows at the same time but try to segregate.

After checking in, you have guaranteed seats so you are free to do other things. They don't start seating until 1/2 an hour before the show. Be sure to bring a plastic bag to hold your dessert box. The last time I went and wanted to bring the leftovers home, the lid kept on coming off so had to hold it with both hands in front of me.

 

[tchrrx]

Desserts
Chocolate - cake, cookies
Cheese

Fireworks Show
No idea, but it won't be the holiday one. I think it will just be the regular one. So you will want to make sure you book the Fantasmic Dessert package for the show before the fireworks

Seats
Either the front row or the back row (where your kids can stand up on their chairs if necessary)

Check-in
One member of your family will want to be at the podium at least one hour before the appointed check-in time (at least). One time, we were there 1.5 hours before the appointed check-in time and there were already 4 people ahead of us.

Note, they check-in for both shows at the same time but try to segregate.

After checking in, you have guaranteed seats so you are free to do other things. They don't start seating until 1/2 an hour before the show. Be sure to bring a plastic bag to hold your dessert box. The last time I went and wanted to bring the leftovers home, the lid kept on coming off so had to hold it with both hands in front of me.

Thank you so much! I just sent DH an email letting him know that I need the vacation budget extended yet again.

 

[Mary09]

Check-in
One member of your family will want to be at the podium at least one hour before the appointed check-in time (at least). One time, we were there 1.5 hours before the appointed check-in time and there were already 4 people ahead of us.

Note, they check-in for both shows at the same time but try to segregate.

After checking in, you have guaranteed seats so you are free to do other things. They don't start seating until 1/2 an hour before the show. Be sure to bring a plastic bag to hold your dessert box. The last time I went and wanted to bring the leftovers home, the lid kept on coming off so had to hold it with both hands in front of me.

Why check in so early? Aren't all the seats in the package good ones?

 

[HydroGuy]

Is the Fantasmic! Dessert Package worth the cost? We have seen Fantasmic a new times in the past with the most recent time at WDW in 2008. We tend to skip it at DL because of the seating issue and needing to get a place so far ahead of time...with little kids who have no patience for waiting it never really worked out well. I'm wondering if the dessert package would be a fun "extra" for our holiday trip in December?

It is a very individual decision. For people tight on money then I think there are a lot of better ways to spend $60 per person. Like staying an extra day at the parks, staying at a nicer hotel, or eating at nicer restaurants. If you can wait to see the second show of Fantasmic (on nights with two shows) then it is not hard to get a good spot with a short wait.

The first show it is hard to get good seats and some folks who feel like they have more discretionary money make the choice to get the dessert package.

Ten years ago I would have said (and did say) the dessert package was totally not worth it. Now I think it is in certain cases.

 

[mshrm]

Where do I order these type of things? I looked on Disney site and only saw picnic lunches for world of color.

 

[HydroGuy]

Where do I order these type of things? I looked on Disney site and only saw picnic lunches for world of color.

See

http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneyland-california/disneyland-fantasmic.htm#dessert

 

[poohj80]

Where are the Fantasmic Dessert Package seats physically located?

 

[wdwmickey]

Why check in so early? Aren't all the seats in the package good ones?

We have had the Fantasmic dessert seating 3 times. Love the desserts & the hot chocolate! However, our seats in December were awful!!!! My DD and I were behind a post/pillar and it was very difficult to see the show. I would say that most of the seats are very good, but, based on our experience there are indeed some bad seats. And yes, we checked in an hour early

 

[dana278]

I jut did the dessert package this weekend and I was slightly disappointed with the seating situation. I figured the seats would all be "good" so I just picked the ones the CM recommended closest to the middle. I was in the third row and I could barely see what was going on, and I don't really consider myself super short. Looking back, I should've gone with the back row (directly in front of the railing) so I could stand up.

The box contains a sprig of red grapes, three round Babybel cheeses, two other rectangles of cheese, two packages of crackers, two round pieces of chocolate, a little chocolate cake, cheesecake, coconut cookie thing, lemon tart, and a cookie with raspberry filling.

My only other complaint is that you have to juggle the box on your lap and keep reaching down to the ground for your drinks. It would be awesome if they could incorporate a drink holder in th box itself.

Tip: if you just drink water, ask for two bottles the first time around because they are the mini ones and if you are like me you'll down one immediately. They'll come back and give you as many as you want, but it takes a bit of time initially because once they serve you they go around to everyone else before coming back. Oh and ask for a few on your way out!

 

[krispin41]

Why check in so early? Aren't all the seats in the package good ones?

You have to check in early to secure your seat, for example if you want the front row. Otherwise they will seat you where ever

 

[krispin41]

My only other complaint is that you have to juggle the box on your lap and keep reaching down to the ground for your drinks. It would be awesome if they could incorporate a drink holder in th box itself.

Both times we have seen this show the CM told us that if we moved our grapes, there is a place to hold your drink. And sure enough...

 

[dana278]

Both times we have seen this show the CM told us that if we moved our grapes, there is a place to hold your drink. And sure enough...

OMG that's a great tip! No one told us, perhaps because they were already sweating and exhausted from the heat! LOL I think we may have had a few rookies, because they had no idea where our seat numbers were, and they had to consult their map several times before figuring it out.

 

[RuthieT]

we did this almost 5 years ago and plan on doing it again this time around since this will be our last trip for at least 2-3 years.

 

[RuthieT]

forgot though.. do you pay that night or when you book on the phone?

 

[DLRfan31]

If you want to see some examples of the desserts they've had, just do a google image search "fantasmic dessert package". You'll see lots of photos.

The premium seating is okay, but a lot of money just to have a chair and some things to eat that you may or may not like. We've had good seats there, and also not so good.

We have tried sitting at a table in the River Belle for the show, after having dinner there, and sticking around for F! These seats are just okay. The CM's with their flashlights are directing traffic right in front of you and then the standing viewers are on the other side of the walkway, behind the seated on the ground ones.

The CM's are quick to make you sit down if you try standing at the River Belle tables to see better, which is a good thing for the other viewers.

 

[DLRfan31]

Where are the Fantasmic Dessert Package seats physically located?

There's a great post by Hydroguy giving all kinds of information about F!.

Here is the link, which includes a great map of the viewing area along the ROA.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2671983&highlight=hydroguy+s+fantasmic+