Fantasmic Dining Package

[Bob P]

Just a heads up: this morning at about 8:30AM ET I called to book the FDP for Wednesday, May 20 (which is 91 days out since we are staying on site). I was told that both Hollywood and Vine and Mama Melrose were sold out and the only availability at the Brown Derby was for 4M.

So if you are planning to book an FDP any time soon while Fantasmic showings are limited, make that your first call (except maybe for CRT!).

Good luck...

 

[bradyloganmom]

Disney either needs to add more restaurants to the FDP OR better yet--more F! shows.

 

[Markstudy]

In a isolated incident..

I read a post that the reserved seating was over-run by crowds 90 minutes early after regular seating was already packed. Without enough cast members to hold the mob back, the roped off section was breached and filled in minutes.

When people came in from their Dining Packages (45 minutes before show time) they were told that no seats were left.

Maybe you should get there as early as possible even with a package

 

[JerseyJanice]

Maybe you should get there as early as possible even with a package

I hear you, but what's the point of doing the dining package then?

 

[brendaziz]

Wow- I swear people can be crazy in mass quantities.
That's ridiculous! I would be pretty pissed if i got there and i didnt have a seat- having planned that far in advance. Though I almost feel worse for the kids of the parents that are rude enough to push past the boundaries. Way to teach your kids about life! "hey if you don't like the rules, just break em- cuz if you want somethign bad enough, it doesn't matter who you hurt"

 

[Markstudy]

I hear you, but what's the point of doing the dining package then?

My point is... don't make my mistake of being so confident that you have the package...that you can show-up very close to show time.

Since they only have 2 shows.... even having the dining package may now require you to get there as early as possible (for Dining package folks) instead of thinking it will run like it was intended to (for the dining package program) when they had 7 shows a week.

I don't expect another mob, but I do expect new bugs in the system, now that its probably operating at 120%

 

[DB&KS]

I believe that incident happened when Fantasmic first changed to the new showing schedule. I would be interested in hearing a recent report of someone using the Fantasmic Package. I am hoping the CM's are starting to get the crowd problem under control. At least concerning the roped off sections .

 

[Tina G]

Personally I don't think the FDP is worth it any more. We did the package at MM in the past and it seemed like a good trade off to pay a little more and eat a little earlier for the luxury of being able to show up 30-45 minutes in advance for the show, formerly through a separate entrance, and have a reserved seat. With all the changes - Fantasmic on a reduced schedule, no separate entrance, having to show up 60-90 minutes in advance at least, etc. - it just doesn't seem like a smart deal any more. The reserved seats aren't that great anyway, so if you are already going to have to show up so early, why pay extra for the package?

We weren't able to get the package for our trip in May this year and now I'm kind of glad we didn't get it. I think we're going to skip Fantasmic and take advantage of the thousands of people away from the attractions for 2+ hours to get on some of the more popular rides. Between Fantasmic and the final show of American Idol, I think the park is going to get light for many of the attractions for the last 2 hours before closing.

 

[Bob P]

bump

 

[Ariel Wanna-be]

...formerly through a separate entrance, and have a reserved seat. With all the changes - Fantasmic on a reduced schedule, no separate entrance,

For the past 4 trips, we've done the FDP with great results. However, I was leery about booking it for this year's trip because I'd heard about the changes (such as not having a separate entrance). But I went ahead and booked one anyway (by the skin of my teeth) and the CM told me that the separate entrance is back. I questioned her about this and she was adamant that it was back. Was she wrong, or can you again enter by Oscar's?

 

[catne]

For the past 4 trips, we've done the FDP with great results. However, I was leery about booking it for this year's trip because I'd heard about the changes (such as not having a separate entrance). But I went ahead and booked one anyway (by the skin of my teeth) and the CM told me that the separate entrance is back. I questioned her about this and she was adamant that it was back. Was she wrong, or can you again enter by Oscar's?

ooh, I hope she knew what she was talking about! Would love to have the separate entrance back. Guess I'd be surprised if it is since I assume they did away with it to cut back on the number of people they needed to staff the place.

 

[brendaziz]

I was told today when i booked a FDP that there IS a separate entrance and you have to arrive 45 minutes in advance.
Hopefully their smoothing out the kinks in teh system...

 

[PrincessMomto2]

I was told today when i booked a FDP that there IS a separate entrance and you have to arrive 45 minutes in advance.
Hopefully their smoothing out the kinks in teh system...

I hope this is true! I was starting to rethink trying for the package. But if we are lucky enough to get the ADR then I'll be booking one especially if they brought back the other extrance.

 

[colinsdad]

Just a heads up: this morning at about 8:30AM ET I called to book the FDP for Wednesday, May 20 (which is 91 days out since we are staying on site). I was told that both Hollywood and Vine and Mama Melrose were sold out and the only availability at the Brown Derby was for 4M.

So if you are planning to book an FDP any time soon while Fantasmic showings are limited, make that your first call (except maybe for CRT!).

Good luck...

An FYI to my fellow DIS'ers about booking this package. If you really want to go, I recommend trying to make a reservation for the LAST possible date of your stay. And here's why....

The OP was looking for May 20, 91 days from today. We'll I'm staying on site from May 16-23rd and I could start booking 4 days ago. In fact, 9 days ago people staying at WDW could book that date. So are you really surprised its gone by now? I'm actually shocked you can still get BD but its mostly because those on DDP will avoid the 2TS requirement.

When I booked my F! package on Sunday (I got MM, it was my first request of my 7am call), I booked May 21st, which was the 6th day of my 8 day/7 night trip. Taking the ADR booking window "math" further, that meant only people arriving 4 days before me could book this (instead of the 9 for the OP). Going further, of those persons, how many were acutally staying 10, 9 or even 8 nights? (My odds were getting better). So in reality I think I only had to complete with people arriving 1 day before me. Those are much better odds than the OP had.

So look at your trip dates, figure out which F! show is the last one you can do, and make that your first ADR request at 90+10. And call at 7am Eastern!

No guarantees, but your odds based on ADR rules in place will greatly improve your chances. Good luck.

 

[Willow1213]

Bill P if you are still looking for a fantasmic package, I have one for 5/17 that I have to cancel. It is for 2 people at 4:20. Turns out one of my fiance's best friends work on Hollywood Boulevard and can get us in! Let me know if you want it!

 

[aubriee]

I was told today when i booked a FDP that there IS a separate entrance and you have to arrive 45 minutes in advance.
Hopefully their smoothing out the kinks in teh system...

Sure hope you are right. I booked a couple of weeks ago for May 10th. The CM and I got to talking and she was telling me what a madhouse it's become to get into Fantasmic and said that even with the pkg that I needed to get there 60-90 minutes before the show, since everyone is using the same entrance now. I asked her if the lines were seperated at the main entrance for people with and without the vouchers and she said she didn't know.

 

[donnajz]

Just a heads up: this morning at about 8:30AM ET I called to book the FDP for Wednesday, May 20 (which is 91 days out since we are staying on site). I was told that both Hollywood and Vine and Mama Melrose were sold out and the only availability at the Brown Derby was for 4M.

So if you are planning to book an FDP any time soon while Fantasmic showings are limited, make that your first call (except maybe for CRT!).

Good luck...

I thought ADR's couldn't be made until 90 days out. Am I wrong? If you're staying on site, can you make your ADR's further out?

 

[Tricia1972]

An FYI to my fellow DIS'ers about booking this package. If you really want to go, I recommend trying to make a reservation for the LAST possible date of your stay. And here's why....

The OP was looking for May 20, 91 days from today. We'll I'm staying on site from May 16-23rd and I could start booking 4 days ago. In fact, 9 days ago people staying at WDW could book that date. So are you really surprised its gone by now? I'm actually shocked you can still get BD but its mostly because those on DDP will avoid the 2TS requirement.

When I booked my F! package on Sunday (I got MM, it was my first request of my 7am call), I booked May 21st, which was the 6th day of my 8 day/7 night trip. Taking the ADR booking window "math" further, that meant only people arriving 4 days before me could book this (instead of the 9 for the OP). Going further, of those persons, how many were acutally staying 10, 9 or even 8 nights? (My odds were getting better). So in reality I think I only had to complete with people arriving 1 day before me. Those are much better odds than the OP had.

So look at your trip dates, figure out which F! show is the last one you can do, and make that your first ADR request at 90+10. And call at 7am Eastern!

No guarantees, but your odds based on ADR rules in place will greatly improve your chances. Good luck.

The flip side of this is to call at exactly 90 days. Disney has always held some tables to release at the 90 day mark, so even if there is no availablity at 91 days, there may be availablity if you'd called this morning to make your reservation.

 

[Tricia1972]

I thought ADR's couldn't be made until 90 days out. Am I wrong? If you're staying on site, can you make your ADR's further out?

You are correct, you can make your reservations 90 days before you check in to your resort.

He was checking in 90 days from yesterday. So Yesterday was his 90 day mark.

Because he was using the 90 +10 that is offered to on site guests, he was able to make reservations for up to 10 days of his vacation.

He wanted to make reservations for the Fantasmic Dining Package on the first full day of his vacation. So that was 91 days from yesterday.

Hope this helps!

 

[ROEDISNEY]

I think they definately need to put all the Fantasmic shows back in. If every body is still going to Disney they shouldn't cut back on there most pouplar show. All I keep hearing is there Fantasmic pkgs are sold out.