Fantasmic Dessert

[Terk-1]

I was thinking about trying the Fantasmic dessert event while I'm at Disneyland, since I've never seen Fantasmic there and don't want to fight the crowds, etc.

Is this worth the $$?

What kind of desserts & drinks are available?

Do you get an assigned seat or is it 1st come, 1st seat?

Is it a buffet or is it served?

How close to the show are you?

Are there any obstructed views?

Are there people standing in front of you or is it a clear view of everything?

There is 2 shows the night I'm going. Is it better to see the 1st or 2nd show?

How early can you arrive for this?

Is this a great place to view the fireworks?

Does anyone have photos of the area, food, etc?

 

[Vala]

My friends and I think it's worth the money, but this is a very personal point of view.

The seating is at the dock where the ships leave for Pirate's Lair, so a little bit to the side. It's not the closest seat you'll get to the show, but we had unobstructed view both times. If you have booked for the first show, you can stay in your seat for the fireworks, but the view there is obstructed by trees partly.

It's assigned seating, you'll have to check in at 8 PM for both shows. The queue for check in starts earlier though, we barely bade it into front row last month when we arrived about 7.25 PM.

The food is served, the buffet option went away when the gallery seating went away. They will hand you a pretty big box, it had more than enough food for me. Some cheeses, crackers and sweet options.

That's a picture of the dessert package you get as of November 7:

You can also choose between several drinks. The CMs will be coming around more than once asking, so it's pretty much unlimited. Soft drinks, water, coffee, tea and a very delicious hot chocolate are available from what I know.

 

[gatorfreud]

Yep, we just did this last Sunday. That is the dessert box.

We checked in at 7:15pm, and got the front row in the white chairs. It was kind of a hassle to wait for 45 min. to check in, but DH and the boys were off playing, so it was only me who was suffering. We were right in the center... there is a railing, I could see just over the top. My kids were looking through the bars, but I don't think they cared. We had a great view of the fireworks from there.

I really enjoyed it, and although pricey, it was worth it for me to not be in the super crowds of people, and getting there so early to stake out a spot. And I didn't have to sit on the ground. I think the 9pm show is better because then you can stay for the fireworks.

But I think it is worth it for one member of the party to wait for the check in... get there about 7:10pm or so. And make sure you pick up your tickets at City Hall first. The check in CM said many people arrive without their tix and have to go back for them.

Kim

 

[Vala]

Is it City Hall now? We got ours at Guest Services in DCA.

 

[avalon451]

Here's a thread from a few months ago that I like to post in response to this question. It has all the info, pictures, and lots of opinions on whether or not it is worth it.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1815941

For the record, we did it and loved it, it was expensive but well worth the cost to us. Also, nearly everybody who has tried it and posted about it has also said it was well worth it. Maybe that's just trying to justify to yourself the cost after the fact, but... well, all depends on your priorities.

Hope that helps!

 

[SnowWhite09]

The Fantasmic dessert looks good! How much does it cost?

 

[SnowWhite09]

Please forget my question above - I found the answer in another thread.

 

[Rat-a-too-ee]

According to Mouse Planet, it is $40 per adult, $30 per child.

 

[Vala]

I think Mouse Planet needs an update.

I don't know about the kids price, but it's $ 59 for adults.

 

[ballarinamom]

Kids are $39.99. The size of the dessert box was surprisingly larger than expected. I saw the pics others had posted but they do not do the actual box justice. It was really yummy and we all took alot back to the hotel and snacked on it throughout the week. Make sure to take a large plastic bag to carry them back in. And definately have one person get there early to check in. We got there about 20 minutes before the start and were on the 3rd row. We still could see fine but first row would have been soooo much better. The servers are awesome about bringing you additional refills. We tried the yummy hot chocolate. But you know how you need something to chase all of the sugar? A nice cold soft drink did the trick and the servers checked on us serveral time. No obstructed views but the servers were nice enough to let us scooch over a tad so DD didn't have to look over the tall guy in front of her

 

[Disney Dreams]

I can confirm the prices: $60 and $40.

 

[Terk-1]

So I purchase the ticket over the phone, then go to City Hall to pick it up? How early can I pick it up?

How early should I arrive to check in to get a front row seat?

Do you check in, then leave & come back or check in & stay?

Should I do the first or second show? The park is open until midnight next Thursday and there is 2 showings of Fantasmic.

If I do the first show, how is the view of the fireworks from the reserved Fantasmic seating area?

Do you see everything or is there obstructions due to trees or other buildings?

Should I do the 2nd show, do some attractions while the crowd is at Fantasmic, then head to Main Street to get a great spot to view the fireworks?

Would I have enough time to make it to the reserved seating area from Main Street?

 

[King Triton]

It's worth it!!!

 

[Disney Dreams]

Is this a great place to view the fireworks?

You can see the fireworks and hear the music from the Fantasmic area, but not necessarily from the priority seats as there are trees. From the riverfront, you cannot see the castle. I personally love watching the fireworks with the castle as the back drop. For this reason, I watch the fireworks from Main Street. If this is not a big deal to you, NOS is just fine for watching the fireworks.

Do you see everything or is there obstructions due to trees or other buildings?

You can see everything in Fantasmic! in terms of trees, etc... but unless you are front row, there will be heads of the people sitting in front of you blocking parts of your view.

There is 2 shows the night I'm going. Is it better to see the 1st or 2nd show? How early can you arrive for this? Should I do the 2nd show, do some attractions while the crowd is at Fantasmic, then head to Main Street to get a great spot to view the fireworks?

Let me explain the timing and logistics.

9pm - Fantasmic!
9:25pm - Fireworks
10:30pm - Fantasmic!

So... what I suggest is to enjoy some attractions with shorter lines while everyone is waiting for the first Fantasmic! as people tend to "camp out" as far at 3 hours in advance. Honest. Go to the Fantasmic! priority seating podium by 7PM to check in and reserve your spot. Then, go back to your fun. If you are going to watch the fireworks from Main Street, you will want to be there around 8:45pm at the latest. I would get there sooner, but no later. Why? People will "camp out for a spot as far at 2 hours prior. Yep, really. Also, remember people that are heading to the 1st Fantasmic show will create traffic for you as you are going to Main Street just prior to 9pm depending upon where you are. I would not be in NOS area at that time as it is VERY crowded. Also, the larger your group, the more time you will need on Main Street to find a spot. 2 people can squeeze in just about anywhere. 12, not so much.

Watch the fireworks show from just behind the Walt and Mickey statue in the middle of the street. Why? If you are too far to the left, trees block your view. If you are too far to the right, you have to cross the crowd after fireworks on your way to Fantasmic! As soon as the fireworks end, it snows. After you have had your "wow" moment of the snow (or if not going during holidays, the SECOND the fireworks end) go to the left and head straight to the river in NOS.

It will feel as if the entire world is going there with you. They are. LOL Get to the priority seating, take your seat, and enjoy Fantasmic!

Is this worth the $$?

Having said the above, we do exactly as I described, get a brownie and a cup of hot chocolate on Main Street to enjoy during the fireworks, grab a piece of concrete right in front of the river for Fantasmic! and enjoy the show for free. It's a great show!

Bottom line is: What's $60 / person worth to you. To me - a lot more than a white chair and a box of yummies, but money is relative and we all have our own thoughts on what "worth" is.

- Dreams

 

[Vala]

So I purchase the ticket over the phone, then go to City Hall to pick it up? How early can I pick it up?

We had to pick the tickets up at Guest Services in DCA. The people on the phone will tell you exactly where to go when ordering.

We picked up our tickets right away when DCA opened on the day of the show.

How early should I arrive to check in to get a front row seat?

As posted above, we got there around 7.20 PM and barely made it into the front row. So I'd say 7 PM if you want to make absolutely sure.

Do you check in, then leave & come back or check in & stay?

Check in and leave. They ask you to come back about 20 minutes before the show starts.

 

[Inkmahm]

Is this another thing where you can't reserve more than 60 days in advance? We are going to be at Disneyland next August. I'm much more use to the 180 day schedule at WDW so waiting until 60 days before the trip for ADR's etc. will likely drive me nuts.

 

[avalon451]

This is worse, it's actually exactly one month in advance. i.e., if you want to see F! on Feb. 12, you call on January 12th. In the past people have worried about getting tickets, so set alarms to call the Disney reservations line at precisely 8 a.m. pacific time. However, that doesn't seem to be necessary any more, since there's 2 shows and about 60-100 seats available at each show. They won't sell out within the first day, 30 days in advance. We were there at the busiest time of the year (spring break, 2 days after Easter) and I didn't call until 27 days. No problems.

As far as whether to do the first or second show-- it depends on your situation. We really did the reserved seating because we wanted to see the earlier show, as my DD5 wouldn't have made it until 10:30... and we didn't want to deal with the much heavier crowds that are at the 9 p.m. show. So it was well worth it to us to pay the extra, and be out of all the madness of the crowds. Also, as far as the fireworks, granted you don't get the castle view, but we found our view (second row) to be just great. You miss the Castle and the Matterhorn effects, and a couple of the low-to-the-ground flame effects, but you can see everything else. If Tink is flying, you can't see much of her, but you can see a little. We thought it was a great way to see them, although we also had the opportunity to see them another night on Main street, as well. Plus it's so nice to have the CMs getting you refills of your hot chocolate while you wait for the fireworks to start!