Fantasmic dining package - which one?

[mefordis]

I am having a tough time deciding on which Fantasmic dining package: Blue Bayou (We were planning on eating her during our trip anyway, but the prix fixe menu doesn't excite me nor does the price $$$), Riverbelle Terrace (Cheaper, menu most to our liking), Hungry Bear (cheapest).

Does the front and center location and seat cushion make a huge enough difference to pick the Blue Bayou even though I think it is very pricey at $69 / per person? If the seating area is a lot less crowded and the experience is that much superior, I'll go for Blue Bayou.

Thanks!

 

[soniam]

The DIS did a review of the Blue Bayou F! dining package. They have another video during the meal and the show, but I can't find that. Here's the discussion part. They seemed to think it was worth it. We are going to do it in a few weeks. The RBT and Hungry Bear menus didn't excite me. You can also do a lunch package at Blue Bayou now, which is cheaper, but has a different menu from dinner.

I love your avatar

 

[Priory]

There is another option - which I will be trying for the first time in 2 weeks - which is RBT deluxe. You get to watch the show from the patio where you have your dinner. Reviews for this are all over the map from great to bad, but I’m still personally excited to try it.

Otherwise, I’d say the cushions are nice but the biggest factor is how many people are in the viewing area. Not being able to move your legs can be a killer. I’ve done RBT and BB and the areas are great but your level of comfort is going to be how packed those sections are and there’s no way to plan for that. (Except going for maybe going for the second show). My aging body doesn’t like sitting on concrete cross legged for an hour. (It’s sort of amusing watching all of us adult guests struggling to get the circulation back in our legs after the show).

I’ve never done Hungry Bear.

 

[mefordis]

There is another option - which I will be trying for the first time in 2 weeks - which is RBT deluxe. You get to watch the show from the patio where you have your dinner. Reviews for this are all over the map from great to bad, but I’m still personally excited to try it.

Otherwise, I’d say the cushions are nice but the biggest factor is how many people are in the viewing area. Not being able to move your legs can be a killer. I’ve done RBT and BB and the areas are great but your level of comfort is going to be how packed those sections are and there’s no way to plan for that. (Except going for maybe going for the second show). My aging body doesn’t like sitting on concrete cross legged for an hour. (It’s sort of amusing watching all of us adult guests struggling to get the circulation back in our legs after the show).

I’ve never done Hungry Bear.

How do I book the RBT deluxe package? That sounds pretty good. I don't think my husband is going to like sitting on the ground for an hour, even with a cushion! Thanks so much for the info!

 

[soniam]

How do I book the RBT deluxe package? That sounds pretty good. I don't think my husband is going to like sitting on the ground for an hour, even with a cushion! Thanks so much for the info!

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/dining/disneyland/fantasmic-dinner-packages/

From this page:
"Upgrade to premium 8:00 PM seating for an additional $25 per adult and $15 per child (ages 3 to 9) and enjoy your meal as well as the first performance of Fantasmic! from your seat on the outdoor patio.

Reservations for the premium 8:00 PM seating can only be made at the restaurant or by calling (714) 781-DINE or (714) 781-3463 between 8:00 AM and 9:00 PM daily."

 

[gelatoni fan]

Last time I was at Disneyland, I did Hungry Bear and definitely think that was the right decision for me. Being the second show on a weekday, all dining package people were in one seating area so I still got a center spot. I also got a second row spot for fireworks by bringing my dinner to eat as I waited which would not have been possible if I had done dinner at a sit down restaurant.

I have a portable cushion from Tokyo Disneyland so the cushion from Blue Bayou does not matter for me but I wouldn't mind sitting on concrete, especially for the second show.

 

[maleficent55]

There is another option - which I will be trying for the first time in 2 weeks - which is RBT deluxe. You get to watch the show from the patio where you have your dinner. Reviews for this are all over the map from great to bad, but I’m still personally excited to try it.

Otherwise, I’d say the cushions are nice but the biggest factor is how many people are in the viewing area. Not being able to move your legs can be a killer. I’ve done RBT and BB and the areas are great but your level of comfort is going to be how packed those sections are and there’s no way to plan for that. (Except going for maybe going for the second show). My aging body doesn’t like sitting on concrete cross legged for an hour. (It’s sort of amusing watching all of us adult guests struggling to get the circulation back in our legs after the show).

I’ve never done Hungry Bear.

 

[limace]

I personally would do HB or RB next time-we’ve done B.B. twice and while the viewing is great, the food doesn’t ring my bells, especially at the price. I was happier with it the first time-but it was a new experience for us, and we had a waterside table. This time we had a table back by the kitchen entrance-and we had a party of 8, so there weren’t a lot of options to move us. And it was $500, which is just insane.

With all that said, the show is amazing! And if you’re going to eat at BB anyway I don’t see any reason not to do it.

 

[mefordis]

I think we are going to go with Riverbelle Terrace at 5pm, and just sit on the concrete. I read that the only advantage to Blue Bayou is the seat cushion. I like the RBT menu better and it's cheaper.

I still want to eat at Blue Bayou but I'll make a lunch reservation and spend much less and just get exactly what I want - a sandwich and a drink + the ambience!

Thanks for all the input!

 

[mefordis]

If anyone knows where to find the Disunplugged Blue Bayou video where they are actually at the restaurant, I'd be very happy to see it. I couldn't find it.

Thanks!

 

[gelatoni fan]

The amount of value from Blue Bayou will depend on how many people bought dining packages for the particular show. If many people bought them, there will be 3 sections with Blue Bayou having the best section (size of the section depends on how many people bought each respective package). If very few people bought dining packages, there will only be one section but Blue Bayou people get to choose spots first. In my opinion, paying extra could be worth it in a 3 section scenario but not a 1 section scenario.

They're more likely to have only one section for the second show and on non-peak days.

 

[mefordis]

The amount of value from Blue Bayou will depend on how many people bought dining packages for the particular show. If many people bought them, there will be 3 sections with Blue Bayou having the best section (size of the section depends on how many people bought each respective package). If very few people bought dining packages, there will only be one section but Blue Bayou people get to choose spots first. In my opinion, paying extra could be worth it in a 3 section scenario but not a 1 section scenario.

They're more likely to have only one section for the second show and on non-peak days.

We plan to be there Sunday, July 22. I am now leaning toward Blue Bayou! I want that cushion! Plus we plan to eat there anyway so the few extra dollars will probably be worth it rather than going to Blue Bayou on a separate occasion. It's overpriced no matter how you look at it, in my opinion, but I love the restaurant.

 

[mefordis]

Is the first showing the 8pm where you can see fireworks right afterward?

 

[soniam]

Is the first showing the 8pm where you can see fireworks right afterward?

I believe so. I think the DIS crew did the first showing and then stayed to see the fireworks.

 

[Priory]

Yes they actually encourage you to stay for fireworks (for safety/lighting/crowd reasons). I love it cause you kill two birds with one stone.

 

[shooting4life]

Can you see the fireworks with the packages beside B.B.?

 

[mom2rtk]

Can you see the fireworks with the packages beside B.B.?

Yes.

 

[mrsw94]

We are heading down in September and none of my family was interrested in BB (so sad), so we will either do RBT or HB. However I REALLY wanted the cushions, so I hopped over to Ebay! I found 4 of them. 2 Pixar ones and 2 DL ones for about $40 total. We are staying across the street, so we'll either bring them back when we take a break in the afternoon, or send someone back to the room to grab them.

 

[mefordis]

Is this the seat cushion? It looks really thin.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Disney-Dis...372521?hash=item4d74b30aa9:g:wXwAAOSwcBhWVVWc

 

[twinprincesses09]

We did the BB lunch package last night- 2 adults, 2 children. Yes it was overpriced, but we decided to splurge. We were going to do the HB package, but I also wanted to try the monte cristo and had a reservation at Cafe Orleans. Then decided for the cost of the 2 of them together we could just do BB. We asked for a waterfront table and they siad it would be 15-30 longer, but only waited 10. We areived about 8:30 for the 9pm show. My 2 daughters got the last front row seats, and we were right behind them, so had great views. We were able to stretch out our legs between our kids, but if they hadnt been in front of us, we wouldnt have had room. It was a great way to see Fantasmic, but definitely a one time thing for us.