Fantasmic Dining Experience

[Bertie131]

We are planning a Fall trip to WDW and going over restaurant options. We want to see Fantasmic--have never seen it. We hear you can do the Fantasmic Dining Experience and choose Mama Melrose or Hollywood and Vine for 1 Table Service credit on the DDP. Would you recc. this? If we decided to do the Sci-Fi Dine In instead, how long is the line for Fantasmic? Which restaurant would you recommend regardless? Thanks!

 

[Bertie131]

bump

 

[AnitaDisneyVacation]

The crowd levels for Fantasmic will depend when you are going. There are some Fall events (like the Food & Wine festival) that tend to increase the crowd levels at the parks. If you are planning on going in September, there should not be a long line to get in to Fantasmic. Keep in mind that this had been the case when they were showing Fantasmic every night.

As for the Fantasmic dining package, they are booking up very quickly. I talked to a CM when making ADRs last week and they told me that due to the limited showings of Fantasmic (now only a couple of times per week instead of nightly) the dining packages are going fast.

You can do the Fantasmic package at Hollywood & Vine, Mama Melrose, or the Hollywood Brown Derby. I've eaten at Hollywood & Vine and Mama Melrose and I prefer Hollywood & Vine.

If you do decide to book the Fantasmic dinner package, be aware that the dinner reservations are much earlier than typical dinner times. Most are usually booked before 5:00pm. They do this to allow you time to eat a leisurely meal and still be able to arrive early for Fantasmic.

I've also eaten at Sci-Fi, and still prefer Hollywood & Vine. Sci-Fi's menu was a bit limited for me. My children however love Sci-Fi. It's among their favorite restaurants in all of WDW.

Hope this helped.

 

[MissionMouse]

We have taken advantage of the Fantasmic Dinner package. A great advantage is that you do not have to wait in line. Lines can be very long depending on time and day and if they have reduced the frequency of Fantasmic you should expect the crowds to be more intense. The location of the seating is not ideal, but there is a level of comfort by being able to just walk-in.

Putting the difference of guest taste and expectations aside...consistency is a common issue with most Disney restaurants and these two are no exception. Experience will vary and are not something you should base your possible experience to be. We did Hollywood & Vine under the package and would never select this place again. Its a buffet and the dining are was a mess with food all over the floor. The serving line was a mess with food all over the serving line and floor. Most offering were poorly maintained...either empty or near empty. The noise level was high. The staff overall appeared to be indifferent to their surrounding and not focused on bring things up to any standard beyond status quo. I will note we have also ate at Mama's and between the two, based upon our experiences we would be compelled to return to Mama's before Hollywood and Vine.

 

[Silver Queen]

We did the Fantasmic Package in April at Mama Melrose and were very pleased. We'd definitely go back again. (And I'm Italian, too.)

 

[catne]

we did the package at Hollywood & Vine in May, and then again in September, but at Mama Melrose that time. We liked both restaurants, but preferred Mama Melrose. The seats are fine...you have a good view from virtually any seat in the house (and all are better than the standing-room only at the top! We think getting the package is worth it to insure you have a seat. )

 

[Stephanie VanMeter]

We did Hollywood & Vine a couple of years ago and I did not care for the restaurant. It was in July and they had some problems with things, but I did not think the food was that greatest at all. I am not much of a buffet person. I would compare it to a Ponderosa type buffet. The walk into the show without the crowd was a plus. But if you go and get in line for the show early enough and stay on the left toward the rope then it is not too bad. The show is worth either eating bad food or waiting in the line!

 

[Jersey Girl]

We did the Fantasmic package on Dec. 9 and I'm glad we did. I was nervous about having a reservation at Hollywood and Vine because of reading negative comments about the restaurant but after a week of buffets, that was one of our favorite places to eat at. I'd go there again definitely, though my daughter now wants to try 50s Prime Time since she walked out of the bathroom and went into that restaurant by mistake and saw what it looked like!! The package is nice because you definitely have a seat and it wasn't as far off to the side as I thought it would be.