Fantasmic Dining Packages..

[Launchpad_McNichols]

Looking for some insight into the different dining packages? What people prefer to do and, probably most importantly, the reserved viewing access to the Fantasmic show.

Does each of the restaurants have different viewing areas? If so, is one better than another? TBH, we're a group of 12 with kids and are thinking about just doing the Hungry Bear on-the-go option, however I don't want us to have a bad viewing of the Fantasmic show because we decided to go "cheap".

We're doing the three day pass in June over the weekend that Pixar Pier opens and are thinking we'll do at least one meal in the park each day. Thinking we'll use MM Saturday and do Minnie's Breakfast at Plaza Inn that morning. Sunday night do one of the Fantasmic dining packages and then Monday probably do a dining package for either World of Color or Paint the Night. I thought there was another dining package offered in Disneyland (fireworks?) but have not been able to find it on the Disneyland website.

Thanks in advance everyone!

 

[AnneK]

Disneyland does not offer packages for the fireworks since they are cancelled so often due to winds or rain. My husband and I are also going with the Hungry Bear option for Fantasmic. You get to sit for the show, but no cushion is provided like with Blue Bayou. The seating area however is right next to theirs and is a good view.

 

[blutes12]

Disneyland does not offer packages for the fireworks since they are cancelled so often due to winds or rain. My husband and I are also going with the Hungry Bear option for Fantasmic. You get to sit for the show, but no cushion is provided like with Blue Bayou. The seating area however is right next to theirs and is a good view.

there is a package listed with desserts on the Disney web page

 

[blutes12]

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/dining/disneyland/tomorrowland-skyline-lounge/

 

[MonocularVision]

Disneyland does not offer packages for the fireworks since they are cancelled so often due to winds or rain. My husband and I are also going with the Hungry Bear option for Fantasmic. You get to sit for the show, but no cushion is provided like with Blue Bayou. The seating area however is right next to theirs and is a good view.

Just a warning: the HB section is “officially” standing. However, it seems that it is very rare that they make people actually stand. My guess is it would happen if they had an extremely high number of people signed up for it.

 

[GeneralTso]

The assigned areas are based on level of restaurant you choose. Best areas go to Blue Bayou, and so on.
We ate at Cafe Orleans and here's a tip. For the late show last year, it was a free for all. They just let people sit where they wanted to once inside the ropes. Not sure if they do that now, but it was great.

 

[brenda1966]

Has anyone had to stand for hungry bear? I’m worried about thick spring break or summer crowds. It would not be worth it to spend 30 for the meal and then have to stand. I think any of the sit on the ground areas are fine. Maybe we will opt for the later show to be sure we can sit. Granted sitting on cement is not fun but standing when you are 5 feet tall means you see nothing.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

I have done Hungry bear twice and sat both times. The food is meh. I ordered off the regular menu the second time and just got a burger and fries, which is nothing special but I actually enjoyed it better than the package meal. I found the viewing spot to be excellent. Show up to the designated area early so your large group can find a nice spot as far to the right within the HB section as you can (which is closer to dead center and closer to the BB section). I recommend sitting sort of in the middle of the section rather than up at the rail so the rail doesn't obstruct your view.

 

[SeiterClan]

I have done Hungry bear twice and sat both times. The food is meh. I ordered off the regular menu the second time and just got a burger and fries, which is nothing special but I actually enjoyed it better than the package meal. I found the viewing spot to be excellent. Show up to the designated area early so your large group can find a nice spot as far to the right within the HB section as you can (which is closer to dead center and closer to the BB section). I recommend sitting sort of in the middle of the section rather than up at the rail so the rail doesn't obstruct your view.

How exactly does it work if you decide to order off the regular menu for the HB to go package? Could I order the salad with a side of onion rings for example?

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

How exactly does it work if you decide to order off the regular menu for the HB to go package? Could I order the salad with a side of onion rings for example?

I believe you may order one item (the salad). On the regular menu the burger comes with fries, which is why I got both. I imagine that you could also purchase onion rings separately but you would have to pay.

 

[MonocularVision]

Has anyone had to stand for hungry bear? I’m worried about thick spring break or summer crowds. It would not be worth it to spend 30 for the meal and then have to stand. I think any of the sit on the ground areas are fine. Maybe we will opt for the later show to be sure we can sit. Granted sitting on cement is not fun but standing when you are 5 feet tall means you see nothing.

I remember one person mentioning having to stand in a previous thread. Seems pretty rare from all accounts.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

To the OP: There are several ongoing threads on this forum for F! Dining Packages with reviews and photos of the meals and the views from the various viewing areas. Do a search and you'll find lots of information.
The Tomorrowland Skyline Lounge Dessert Package usually isn't recommended specifically for fireworks viewing because it isn't uncommon for fireworks at DL to get cancelled (due to wind conditions -- the fire marshall's safety rules are strict). The lounge experience itself gets mixed reviews (some say it is very fun, others say it isn't worth the money -- you can do a search for reviews), but you will pay whether fireworks show or not. And since you won't be able to see the castle or any of the digital projections from the Lounge, there are much better views to be had for free, if having a prime view of the fireworks show is your main objective.

 

[Launchpad_McNichols]

To the OP: There are several ongoing threads on this forum for F! Dining Packages with reviews and photos of the meals and the views from the various viewing areas. Do a search and you'll find lots of information.
The Tomorrowland Skyline Lounge Dessert Package usually isn't recommended specifically for fireworks viewing because it isn't uncommon for fireworks at DL to get cancelled (due to wind conditions -- the fire marshall's safety rules are strict). The lounge experience itself gets mixed reviews (some say it is very fun, others say it isn't worth the money -- you can do a search for reviews), but you will pay whether fireworks show or not. And since you won't be able to see the castle or any of the digital projections from the Lounge, there are much better views to be had for free, if having a prime view of the fireworks show is your main objective.

Thanks everyone for the replies!

Lucky, I've searched using several different tags but am either finding outdated material (such as the links provided by MaryJo in the pinned thread at the top of the board from 2015) or my search comes up with things are so buried in a thread that it takes more time trying to find something relevant than I'm willing to commit to. Could you point me in the right direction please to the reviews and pics?

 

[limace]

Thanks everyone for the replies!

Lucky, I've searched using several different tags but am either finding outdated material (such as the links provided by MaryJo in the pinned thread at the top of the board from 2015) or my search comes up with things are so buried in a thread that it takes more time trying to find something relevant than I'm willing to commit to. Could you point me in the right direction please to the reviews and pics?

Allears.net should have current menus for you.

 

[Sunstar]

Do you get the cushion at the River Belle Terrace too or just at BB?

 

[gillep]

Do you get the cushion at the River Belle Terrace too or just at BB?

Just BB.

 

[Safari23]

Some quick thoughts. The best seating for Fantasmic is given to Blue Bayou, then to the River Belle Terrace, and Hungry Bear is a little bit further to the side.
I loved the Blue Bayou package and although it is costly I would happily do it again. But with the large group you have coming that may be too much.

In all truth Hungry Bear is still a little pricy in my mind with what you are getting... And you could still get seating area about equal to what you would get for the Hungry Bear package for free if you just get the Fastpass and arrive plenty early. They usually let people in an hour before so I would just show up an a hour and fifteen minutes before they start letting people in at the entrance to the Mark Twain. From all the times I've gone they've let a section of the standard Fastpass people sit on the ground (the area is kinda from the River Belle Terrace patio to the Pirates entrance.)

So look at the Hungry Bear menu online and see if that is something you are into at that price, or if you would rather save that money for another meal.
Also if you get to pick you may want the later showing of Fantasmic. The earlier ones usually sell out and that means the area is more crowded. Plus if you do the second show you can still watch the fireworks from Main Street that night.

If it would help here are my reviews of both the Blue Bayou and the Riverbelle terrace.

And great choice on the Plaza Character breakfast. It's my favorite.

We're going in June and I can't find the times for anything online yet. Sorry if this has been asked and answered too many times, but what times are the two F! shows? And what time are the fireworks?

 

[EDS19]

We're going in June and I can't find the times for anything online yet. Sorry if this has been asked and answered too many times, but what times are the two F! shows? And what time are the fireworks?

They won't release that info for a bit longer. If it follows the tread of the past...
1st Fantasmic 9 pm
Fireworks 9:25 pm
2nd Fantasmic 10:30ish

Give or take 5 minutes.