Fantasmic dessert question

[snoangel]

I have been to Disney several times but do not have the patience for the fantasmic crowd. I've seen parts of the show and thought it was great at wdw with the seating they have in Florida. Not so great at dl.
I think I would like to give fantasmic a try at dl and am wondering about getting the desserts. Where is the seating? How much are they? I know that there isn't that much in the dessert and it's more like paying for viewing. Do I have to buy a dessert for all 5 people in the group or can we share 2? Do you think it's worth it? I did appreciate having woc dining seating last year and don't mind paying if it's worth it.
Thanks!

 

[sonnyjane]

The price is $59 per person and yes, everyone over age 2 attending will need to pay for a dessert box. Contrary to what you said, though, most comment that you actually get quite a lot in the box. Several others can comment on the "worth", as I haven't done it yet. The big part, as you said, is that you're paying for an actual seat.

 

[snoangel]

$59 each! That's more than character dining and woc dining. I guess at that price I don't know if it's worth it. Yikes!

 

[Dobie]

So, what you are paying for is a wee bit of Disneyland VIP happiness.

Only you can decide if it is worth it.

 

[MenchieMan87]

As someone who has watched the show standing up several times, I got a real kick out of having my own seat

I didn't think the desserts were that great, but I'm kinda picky about that stuff. I would have rather they just brought us each a fresh churro!

 

[HydroGuy]

I have been to Disney several times but do not have the patience for the fantasmic crowd. I've seen parts of the show and thought it was great at wdw with the seating they have in Florida. Not so great at dl.
I think I would like to give fantasmic a try at dl and am wondering about getting the desserts. Where is the seating? How much are they? I know that there isn't that much in the dessert and it's more like paying for viewing. Do I have to buy a dessert for all 5 people in the group or can we share 2? Do you think it's worth it? I did appreciate having woc dining seating last year and don't mind paying if it's worth it.
Thanks!

This thread will help...

"Fantasmic! Superthread" http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2671983

 

[blackjackdelta]

So, what you are paying for is a wee bit of Disneyland VIP happiness.

Only you can decide if it is worth it.

Which I really like.

Jack

 

[ktlm]

For us, it is worth it as a splurge. We have done it the last 2 years. No having to stake out a spot for hours, and you have an actual chair to sit in for Fantasmic and the Fireworks with a pretty good view (if you do the early Fantasmic showing, you get the bonus of getting to stay in your seat after Fantasmic to watch the fireworks). The box has cheeses, crackers, fruit, and several different desserts. They also serve you drinks and treat you like royalty. (Watch out for ordering the hot chocolate though because between that and the desserts, I felt like I was in complete sugar overload!- Although I really did like having the hot chocolate out there ) Here are two review blogs with some photos of what is typically inside the dessert box:

http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2010/...ds-fantasmic-premium-viewing-dessert-package/

http://land.allears.net/blogs/lauragilbreath/2009/06/ready_fantasmic_dessert_packag.html


One person will have to line up to check in and pick seats, and you will find at least a few people lining up an hour in advance of the check in time. Everyone else can continue to roam the parks though. The check in time is at 8:00 whether you are doing the early or late Fantasmic showing. After you do the check in/seat pick line, you can roam around that park area some more (assuming you are doing the early show- otherwise you have time to pretty much go anywhere you want) and then return to take your seat around 8:30ish (again assuming you are doing the early show). You don't have to be there right at 8:30, but you want to give yourself time to get your drinks served and eat, plus when the show gets closer getting in and out of the area is not easy. Also, be sure everyone goes to the bathroom BEFORE you go to the area and take your seats. The first time we did it, DD (then 4) decided to have an "emergency" about 10 minutes before the show started, and we almost did not get back in even though the show had not yet started because a traffic directing CM with a light stick was not going to let us go to the dessert area even though we had gotten back right to the entrance because the about 5 steps over to the steps down to our seats was across his flow of traffic--- luckily another CM intervened and told him to let us through otherwise we would not have been allowed back to our seats.

 

[metta4]

For us, it is worth it as a splurge. We have done it the last 2 years. No having to stake out a spot for hours, and you have an actual chair to sit in for Fantasmic and the Fireworks with a pretty good view (if you do the early Fantasmic showing, you get the bonus of getting to stay in your seat after Fantasmic to watch the fireworks). The box has cheeses, crackers, fruit, and several different desserts. They also serve you drinks and treat you like royalty. (Watch out for ordering the hot chocolate though because between that and the desserts, I felt like I was in complete sugar overload!- Although I really did like having the hot chocolate out there ) Here are two review blogs with some photos of what is typically inside the dessert box:

http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2010/...ds-fantasmic-premium-viewing-dessert-package/

http://land.allears.net/blogs/lauragilbreath/2009/06/ready_fantasmic_dessert_packag.html


One person will have to line up to check in and pick seats, and you will find at least a few people lining up an hour in advance of the check in time. Everyone else can continue to roam the parks though. The check in time is at 8:00 whether you are doing the early or late Fantasmic showing. After you do the check in/seat pick line, you can roam around that park area some more (assuming you are doing the early show- otherwise you have time to pretty much go anywhere you want) and then return to take your seat around 8:30ish (again assuming you are doing the early show). You don't have to be there right at 8:30, but you want to give yourself time to get your drinks served and eat, plus when the show gets closer getting in and out of the area is not easy. Also, be sure everyone goes to the bathroom BEFORE you go to the area and take your seats. The first time we did it, DD (then 4) decided to have an "emergency" about 10 minutes before the show started, and we almost did not get back in even though the show had not yet started because a traffic directing CM with a light stick was not going to let us go to the dessert area even though we had gotten back right to the entrance because the about 5 steps over to the steps down to our seats was across his flow of traffic--- luckily another CM intervened and told him to let us through otherwise we would not have been allowed back to our seats.

do you recommend someone getting there before 8pm or if we are there by 7:45 will be ok? have it scheduled for a Thurs night next week...

 

[Mabel67]

I booked yesterday for August 4. I was told check-in is at 7:30.

My question is with regards to keeping our group together.
We are 3 adults without any particular special requirements. I am assuming that all of the seats within the dessert section offer a favorable view. I would prefer not to wait in line to check-in, and would be happy to allow families with small children to select their seating first....so, say we are the last party to check-in...we will still all be seated together won't we? We won't end up separated?

TIA!!

 

[DisneyDudet]

There is a chance you will be separated, so you may want to check in early. We waited about 20min before check in time and it was getting slim pickins for the first show for a group of 3. No front rows available.

 

[Mabel67]

There is a chance you will be separated, so you may want to check in early. We waited about 20min before check in time and it was getting slim pickins for the first show for a group of 3. No front rows available.

I was afraid this might be a possibility. We aren't too worried about being in the front row, but would obviously like to sit together to enjoy the show.

Thanks for your reply.

I guess we will get to checkin early then.

Also, do they have bags available to put the leftover dessert trays in? I don't anticipate we will eat all of ours in one sitting and will be touring the parks after the show. If they don't have any I will try to remember to bring one along.

 

[ktlm]

do you recommend someone getting there before 8pm or if we are there by 7:45 will be ok? have it scheduled for a Thurs night next week...

Depends on how picky you are about where you want to sit. (Also, I don't know whether parties get split up that get last choice or whether they hold seats together based on the party sizes as things fill up). The sections are 3 rows deep. If you want on the front row or if you want to be in the section closest to the center , I'd have someone stand in that line early. I want to say I got in line close to 7:00p.m. both years (it might have been more like 7:10 this year). DH and DD went on to do other things while I waited. I've heard of people standing there over an hour, and sometimes even for 2 hours, but for me that defeats one of the purposes of doing the package. This year, I think I was the 4th in line (may have been 5th, but I think one person was checking in for the later show) and our choices were 2nd row in the section near the center or front row on a section more toward the side. I took the 2nd row. Unfortunately, turned out the people in front of us were a bit on the giant side- all adults and very tall and very stocky to where they were pretty much shoulder to shoulder and you couldn't see between them. Made it hard to see (yes I'm short), but we were at the end of the row, so all we had to do was scoot DD's chair off to the side more and she had a clear view. If I had that choice again, I think I would have taken the front row in the next section over.

Mabel, I have no idea whether they may have changed the time to 7:30 recently or whether it will be changed by your trip. I know it was 8 for us in early June. They will tell you when you pick up your tickets what time the check in is.

 

[HydroGuy]

There is a chance you will be separated, so you may want to check in early. We waited about 20min before check in time and it was getting slim pickins for the first show for a group of 3. No front rows available.

I think the chances of this happening are low and maybe zero. They have flexibility to move chairs around. Arriving late means you will get back row. But they will find a way to put you together.

 

[Mabel67]

I think the chances of this happening are low and maybe zero. They have flexibility to move chairs around. Arriving late means you will get back row. But they will find a way to put you together.

Thanks for the advice, HydroGuy!

I was hoping this might be the case...

16 days until we begin our drive!!

 

[ArchOwl]

Also, do they have bags available to put the leftover dessert trays in? I don't anticipate we will eat all of ours in one sitting and will be touring the parks after the show. If they don't have any I will try to remember to bring one along.

They don't at the dessert seating, but we went to one of the shops in NOS and we were holding our trays. The CM looks at us and without us saying a thing, handed us a bag with a smile. I am assuming that happens a lot!

One thing that might happen, is that when you carry the tray on its side, some of the contents will shift and might get a little smushed. It doesn't affect the flavor, but it doesn't look as pretty as it did when you first got it. So I would recommend eating all the things that have frosting, etc. And then saving the cheese, crackers, etc. since they will be less likely to be damaged.

I couldn't believe how much food they gave us, we couldn't even eat it all on our trip and took some home. Crazy!

 

[metta4]

I booked yesterday for August 4. I was told check-in is at 7:30.

My question is with regards to keeping our group together.
We are 3 adults without any particular special requirements. I am assuming that all of the seats within the dessert section offer a favorable view. I would prefer not to wait in line to check-in, and would be happy to allow families with small children to select their seating first....so, say we are the last party to check-in...we will still all be seated together won't we? We won't end up separated?

TIA!!

When I booked last week for 07/21 they told me 8:00 check in. I will plan on us being in line by 7pm. NBow one or 2 people can get in line and the rest come later right? So if one of the kids and I want to be seat holders and the other 3 come closer to 8pm thats ok right? WE have a party of 5..my mom opt'd out of doing this part with us.

 

[ArchOwl]

When I booked last week for 07/21 they told me 8:00 check in. I will plan on us being in line by 7pm. NBow one or 2 people can get in line and the rest come later right? So if one of the kids and I want to be seat holders and the other 3 come closer to 8pm thats ok right? WE have a party of 5..my mom opt'd out of doing this part with us.

Yes, one person can check in for the whole party, as long as you have all the tickets. You don't have to hold your seats, either. You are assigned a seat and then you can leave the area and come back a bit before showtime to settle in and get your dessert and drink. Have fun!

 

[metta4]

ok now I am confussed...tickets? You just mean our dinsey admission tickets right. All I have from purchasing the fantasmic via the phone is a confirmation #.

 

[ArchOwl]

ok now I am confussed...tickets? You just mean our dinsey admission tickets right. All I have from purchasing the fantasmic via the phone is a confirmation #.

Yes, you have to pick up tickets. They didn't tell you? Are you staying onsite or off? If onsite, they will have them for you at check in. If off site, you used to have to pick up at guest services, but I think now you can pick them up at any window? I will have to find that thread...