Fantasmic dining package - which one?

[twinprincesses09]

Is this the seat cushion? It looks really thin.

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

No, those dont look like the ones we got. I don't have a picture of them right now on my phone and they are in the car. But here are some images I found online. They are purple on one side, and decorated on the other (ours are slightly different pictures, but very similar). They are about 1 inch thick.

 

[az4boys]

We are trying to decide between packages as well. I expect it will be crowded. We currently have a BB lunch reservation for first show on a Friday night, but I'm considering trying the HB package for the second show earlier in the week instead. We got lucky getting the BB reservation for a family of 6, but there are plenty of HB reservations available.

A couple questions on HB:

1. Is there a line dedicated to the packages, or do you get in regular lines to get your food?
2. If you order off the regular menu instead of the special menu, do you get a drink?
3. Have there been any times recently where people with the HB package are required to stand? I would be really really disappointed if we did the HB package and have to stand like squished sardines.
4. If we do the second fantasmic show, is there any way to come into the ROA area to view the fireworks between the first and second show? I was hoping enough crowds from the first show exit the area so there would be room to come in and watch fireworks.

 

[mrsw94]

Is this the seat cushion? It looks really thin.

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

That looks similar. We ordered 2 of this one: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Disney-Par...486654?hash=item33d147f77e:g:oisAAOSwVJhZSx6Y
And then 2 blue 'Mine, Mine, Mine' Pixar ones. The are about and inch thick, and about 13 & 1/2 inches height and width, so not super big But since you have to carry them around, I'm thinking you couldn't want really thick. They are a firm sturdy foam. I think they are meant to cushion your butt a bit from the cement and that's about out.

 

[Mrs. W]

I’m a big fan of the Blue Bayou package, but mostly because my husband and I *love* Blue Bayou’s dinner menu. From the bread to the appetizers (my husband loves his salad and I always enjoy the gumbo) to the entrees to the desserts...it's all so good!

The viewing section is awesome, too. Personally, I did not see the cushion as a perk. It's nice that they include it because it's better than nothing, but like mentioned already, it's pretty thin. We plan to purchase the package again when we take my mother-in-law for her 1st visit later this year. The menu and the excellent viewing spot is what makes the BB package valuable for us.

 

[deannaf87]

Trying to make the same decision. We've pretty much ruled out Hungry Bear because the menu does not appeal to us at all.

We were talking last night about the pricing. Blue Bayou dinner will be about $300 total for our family of four. My non Disney fan husband said "that's not bad", so I'm taking that as a good ahead on BB He has clearly become as delusional as I am with Disney pricing.

BB food just looks so much better than RBT, but not sure if its $100 better? I guess if you consider atmosphere, maybe.

 

[MonocularVision]

1. Is there a line dedicated to the packages, or do you get in regular lines to get your food?
2. If you order off the regular menu instead of the special menu, do you get a drink?
3. Have there been any times recently where people with the HB package are required to stand? I would be really really disappointed if we did the HB package and have to stand like squished sardines.
4. If we do the second fantasmic show, is there any way to come into the ROA area to view the fireworks between the first and second show? I was hoping enough crowds from the first show exit the area so there would be room to come in and watch fireworks.

1. Dedicated line
2. Yes
3. I believe I saw someone recently report that they had to stand in the first show. From the sounds of it, you would never have that problem in the second show.
4. I can’t comment on that as I haven’t tried.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

We are trying to decide between packages as well. I expect it will be crowded. We currently have a BB lunch reservation for first show on a Friday night, but I'm considering trying the HB package for the second show earlier in the week instead. We got lucky getting the BB reservation for a family of 6, but there are plenty of HB reservations available.

A couple questions on HB:

1. Is there a line dedicated to the packages, or do you get in regular lines to get your food?
2. If you order off the regular menu instead of the special menu, do you get a drink?
3. Have there been any times recently where people with the HB package are required to stand? I would be really really disappointed if we did the HB package and have to stand like squished sardines.
4. If we do the second fantasmic show, is there any way to come into the ROA area to view the fireworks between the first and second show? I was hoping enough crowds from the first show exit the area so there would be room to come in and watch fireworks.

1. As noted above, a dedicated line.
2. Yes. You can't pick a regular side with a special menu entree, though (the salad thing is weird, so I asked if I could get fries instead the second time - nope).
3. I haven't read reports of it lately (possibly I've missed them, though). I've done HB three times for the first show, most recently in May, and we've always had our own section and always been able to sit. YMMV.
4. I don't think so. I haven't tried, but I've watched from the HB viewing 3 times and based on my observations, there wouldn't be an opportunity to get in before the fireworks start. There is very little time between the ending of Fantasmic! and the beginning of the fireworks, and the entire area is basically a gridlocked mess.

 

[avalon451]

We did HB on Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, and found it great. The section was mostly empty on the first show, only 2 rows of people. We had plenty of room to spread out.

I was surprised the food was as good as it was, after the reviews I'd read on here. I wasn't expecting anything much, but we were first in line for the 3:00 earliest pickup time (we got in line about 2:50) and the food was hot, pretty and delicious. 3 of us in the group had salmon, ribs and chicken. They were all good. The section is not front and center but still a great view, I thought. I've done BB, think I will stick with HB from now on. Also: in the future I will fold up a sweatshirt to sit on. I found it a pain to pack around the seat cushion from BB.

 

[DaveNinja]

HB allows some substitutions so if you have members of your party that would rather have a hamburger or chicken nuggets and fries, its possible.
I've done all three. I like HB because its the cheapest and I didnt love the food at BB or RBT enough to want to pay the difference.

 

[maleficent55]

How's the surf n turf at the Blue Bayou? Seems like that would be the obvious pick?

 

[mefordis]

How's the surf n turf at the Blue Bayou? Seems like that would be the obvious pick?

That's what I'm getting! The podcast team thought it was the best bet.

 

[Mrs. W]

How's the surf n turf at the Blue Bayou? Seems like that would be the obvious pick?

That's what I get! I really like it. I'm not a huge fan of au gratin potatoes though, so my husband and I trade sides. He gets the rib-eye which he thinks is amazing, and it comes with smoked gouda mac and cheese. I love the mac and cheese. I wish it were a bigger portion because it's absolutely delicious.

 

[ady2glude707]

Yea dont go for the ribeye, it was comparable to a steak at Dennys.

 

[Priory]

I LOVE the potatoes that come with the surf n turf. That’s always been my go to meal for any B.B. dining package (both Fantasmic and Halloween). I’m trying this vegetarian thing now so my upcoming trip I won’t be getting it (It was only supposed to be a short experiment but every part of me feels better. We’ll see how my resolve holds up at the Park in two weeks when I’m faced with choosing some $6-worth pasta for my $50 dining package )

 

[StarlitNight05]

Not to hijack OPs thread, but I had a quick question that I think got lost on another F! board.

How many rows of tables are there in the RBT premium seating? I can't tell if its 2 or more than that.

Also, we are a group of 2... to folks who have done this dining package, was there any rhyme or reason to placement of parties of 2? I asked the CM on the dining line the chances of getting a railing table and she said that they set that up based on the party sizes on the night its booked so she couldn't really say (but as well all know, CMs give varying responses). She did make a note on my reservation that it's my birthday the night we go... so hopefully some pixie dust will be coming our way for a good table!

 

[blackjackdelta]

We had a rail table last August and after all the other people on the ground came in, all we could see was torso's and heads when looking at F, people kept standing, food was very good, the view not so good, was trying to take pictures. One row along the rail and a second back behind us.

Jack

 

[StarlitNight05]

We had a rail table last August and after all the other people on the ground came in, all we could see was torso's and heads when looking at F, people kept standing, food was very good, the view not so good, was trying to take pictures. One row along the rail and a second back behind us.

Jack

Well that's too bad. I'll have to think about that a bit more. I knew the view wouldn't be too great, but I was hoping at least to be able to see most of it...

 

[ttig34]

Well that's too bad. I'll have to think about that a bit more. I knew the view wouldn't be too great, but I was hoping at least to be able to see most of it...

There are a few rows. We were in the back and were the first to book. So not sure how they assign. They were just two of us, and it did seem like parties greater than 2 had the better spots- at least that night. If we had sat the whole time-wouldn't have seen that good- but since we were in the back- we could stand. I know that sounds like it defeats the purpose, but I didn't mind standing for a short time for the show- just don't like waiting around standing or sitting on the ground for the other views. So could be an issue if you cannot stand. You would still see-but not great

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Is this the seat cushion? It looks really thin.

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

That looks like the cushion. The designs change -- that isn't the design we received the last time we did the BB package -- I don't know what the current design is. The cushion is firm foam, like a gardening knee cushion -- light and thin enough to carry around the parks, but provides enough padding to make a noticeable difference when sitting for a longer period on concrete. (The cushions also provide much needed help on Matterhorn and when sitting on the pavement to view parades.)