Fantasmic Dessert thing

[dsquarednz]

So...I checked on the Disneyland site, and it did not mention the price for the dessert package (should have checked here!), so I waited up until 3am to call - we are in New Zealand, and are 19 hours ahead of California.

When the CM on the phone told me the price ($59), I was dumbfounded. I asked what was included for that price ("a dessert platter, seats"), but really just couldn't see the justification for US$120 (husband and me)!

Did more reading through Disboards, and discovered that even after paying $60, people are willing to spend 2 hours in line to pick the seats?!

In the end, the $60 is pretty much $10-$15 for food, and the rest for seating. At a park where we paid to get in, where shows like Aladdin are included...am I missing something? We love Disney - hubby has been over 30+ times - but I can think of a lot of ways to spend $120 (many include full gourmet meals).

 

[Raindown]

If I were to tally out what I received per dollar it probably wouldn't make sense on paper. However, I think it is the whole experience that really makes it worth it. Beyond the food, drinks, great view, and it is something 'special.' The line to picks seats really goes fast if you strike up a conversation with the other people in line.

 

[dsquarednz]

Ah, yeah..that's the other thing for me. I don't anything other than water, for the most part. Maybe if it included beer or wine....

 

[chandraorme]

If you are going when the park is going to be crowded it is worth it! People start saving seats with blankets at about 3:00 for a 9:00 show....it is insane. I love to sit there when we go with just a few people....you do have to check in 2 hours before your show to pick out your seats, but then you can leave and come back with you seats already assigned. If you saw the mass of humanity (they do occasionally stop letting people even come to that side of the park) you migh consider yourself lucky to have the seats!

 

[Disney Dreams]

....We love Disney - hubby has been over 30+ times...

Wow! Coming from NZ, that's a LOT! I have managed one trip Down Under and am soooooo wanting another. The airfare, though, ahhh!

As for the Fantasmic! priority viewing, Disney will tell you that the food and drink is complimentary. You can paying for the reserved seat. Is it worth it? That's something only you can answer.

FWIW, we have never staked out a spot for 2 hours. We are 2 adults (sometimes more), no kids. We usually show up about 30 minutes prior and do just fine with nice standing spots with great views. If you want a seated spot, down front, that's a different story.

- Dreams

 

[dsquarednz]

Wow! Coming from NZ, that's a LOT! I have managed one trip Down Under and am soooooo wanting another. The airfare, though, ahhh!

As for the Fantasmic! priority viewing, Disney will tell you that the food and drink is complimentary. You can paying for the reserved seat. Is it worth it? That's something only you can answer.

FWIW, we have never staked out a spot for 2 hours. We are 2 adults (sometimes more), no kids. We usually show up about 30 minutes prior and do just fine with nice standing spots with great views. If you want a seated spot, down front, that's a different story.

- Dreams

=) We haven't always lived in NZ! My husband had the majority of his trips while living in the US (we are both American). We moved to NZ back in 2006, and have been back to WDW twice and this will be our second trip to DL.

Yep, the airfare cost is ridiculous - it's most of the cost of our vacations!!

Ok, I think we'll do the standing thing. I just can't see paying the same about of money for the show as we did to get in the park in the first place! It's the accountant in me.

 

[mika911]

How early is it recommend to claim your reserved seat? I guess it seems a bit frustrating to have a reserved seat and still have to get there so early?

 

[mvf-m11c]

It is really costly, but it is a good experience not to stake out a spot for hours.

I have staked out for as much as 3 hours, but I do it by myself or someone else with me when my group is going on rides or getting food. Just like Disney Dreams said that you can get there 30 minutes before the show and get a nice standing spot. Most of the good standing spots for F! is behind the premium seating and I like the bridge over the POTC ride entrance, but it gets guests way before 30 min.

 

[mvf-m11c]

How early is it recommend to claim your reserved seat? I guess it seems a bit frustrating to have a reserved seat and still have to get there so early?

You can get their anytime when it is time to select your seats for any of the two shows at 8pm. But if you try to show up around 8pm, there will be a line of guests who booked the premium seating for any of the two shows and it will be hard to get a front row seats. The earlier you get, the best chance you will get a front row seats. I have seen guests show up an hour or longer to pick their seat locations.

 

[Minuet888]

ok wait a minute
I last did the F desert thing about 3 years ago has something changed.

I just paid $167 for my son, husband and me to have seats and desert when we go on my sons bday (he's never seen fantasmic and we are doing it on his birthday).

They told us we had to be there at 7 which surprised me. What is this about standing???? I am NOT paying that much money to be standing during the show. If anyone pays money for this they are entitled to at least sit.

Please tell me disneydreams when you mentioned that you arrived 30 minutes prior and you didn't mind a standing spot that you were referring to staking out a spot without the paid reserved seating?

I am going to apologize for my paranoia now. As I've mentioned in other threads my son is autistic and crowds (from all sides) can sometimes be a problem for him with especially this being late in the day and he will be tired, we decided to do it this way so he can see it and enjoy. (and the rest of the people can enjoy it and not have a soon to be five year old autistic child having a meltdown)

 

[LavenderPeach]

ok wait a minute
I last did the F desert thing about 3 years ago has something changed.

I just paid $167 for my son, husband and me to have seats and desert when we go on my sons bday (he's never seen fantasmic and we are doing it on his birthday).

They told us we had to be there at 7 which surprised me. What is this about standing???? I am NOT paying that much money to be standing during the show. If anyone pays money for this they are entitled to at least sit.

Please tell me disneydreams when you mentioned that you arrived 30 minutes prior and you didn't mind a standing spot that you were referring to staking out a spot without the paid reserved seating?

I am going to apologize for my paranoia now. As I've mentioned in other threads my son is autistic and crowds (from all sides) can sometimes be a problem for him with especially this being late in the day and he will be tired, we decided to do it this way so he can see it and enjoy. (and the rest of the people can enjoy it and not have a soon to be five year old autistic child having a meltdown)

Don't panic. I'm pretty sure Dreams was just referring to the regular (free) viewing areas and not the dessert. I've never heard anyone say anything about having to stand when they've paid for the dessert. The main thing you're paying for is to have a chair! You will be fine. Btw, I also have a soon-to-be 5 year old autistic son.

 

[Ariel224]

ok wait a minute
They told us we had to be there at 7 which surprised me. What is this about standing???? I am NOT paying that much money to be standing during the show. If anyone pays money for this they are entitled to at least sit.

Please tell me disneydreams when you mentioned that you arrived 30 minutes prior and you didn't mind a standing spot that you were referring to staking out a spot without the paid reserved seating?

Disneydreams is talking about getting a standing spot for free. The paid dessert seating is definitely SEATING.

Getting a standing spot is easier for the later show, rather than the 9:00 show. If it was just me and DH, we'd go for the later show. We tried with our 3 kids to get a spot for the 10:30 show last fall & all 3 of them fell asleep right there on the sidewalk before it ever started. So this fall we're getting the dessert package for 9pm, as they will actually be able to stay awake to see it.