Fantasmic! dining question!!!

[ACJMH]

We're going on our 1st trip as family to Disney World January 21-26 2017. I've read there will be low crowds so I started second guessing my Fantasmic! dining package. If there aren't a lot of people, is the dining package worth it? We have a 6, 4 & 2 year old so a lunch at Hollywood & Vine isn't cheap. We're already doing several other character/fun meals but don't want to wait in long lines to get into Fantasmic either. What do we do?! Any other info for low crowd itinerary's would be great too. Thanks!

 

[jordanri]

from what i an remember, the dining package doesn't give you the best seats and they're kind of off to the side. the time of year you're going, the lines shouldn't be TOO hectic. i honestly would skip the package and snag a better seat yourself

 

[Lisa F]

from what i an remember, the dining package doesn't give you the best seats and they're kind of off to the side. the time of year you're going, the lines shouldn't be TOO hectic. i honestly would skip the package and snag a better seat yourself

Not true. The dinner package seats are right on center.

That said the seats are decent with FP+ too, but it is a tier 1. but it is usually a tier 1 you can snag later in the day.

 

[North of Mouse]

from what i an remember, the dining package doesn't give you the best seats and they're kind of off to the side. the time of year you're going, the lines shouldn't be TOO hectic. i honestly would skip the package and snag a better seat yourself

Not true. The dinner package seats are right on center.

Actually, it used to be true about the dining pkg. seats being on the side, but this has been changed not too long ago. I also used to wonder how it was worth it to have a pkg. I prefer F+ now though, unless it's a slower time.

 

[jordanri]

Not true. The dinner package seats are right on center.

thanks for the update! in the past they were all the way to the right

 

[only hope]

The seats are in the middle with a great view, but there aren't many bad seats. You can get a decent seat without a package or fp+ if you arrive at least 30 minutes early, or more if it is crowded. The only bad seats are the ones that are in the middle of the gap between fountains, a few behind support poles, and the seats that are in what used to be the standing room area. We arrived 20-30 minutes out many times on low crowd nights and had good seats. It is not necessary to be in the middle to have a good view and enjoy the show. That being said, if you really want to eat at one of the dining locations that offers the package, you may as well do the package as its not much more than dining without the package. Keep in mind it is a five minute walk to get to the amphitheater; to arrive 30 minutes early means walking past the entrance 35 minutes early.

 

[ACJMH]

This helps so much. Thank you all!

 

[CAS239]

If you already plan on eating in the park then the dining package is a no brainer and might as well.

If you really don't care about eating in the park or at one of those restaurants, then just do FP. You can usually easily get Fantasmic as a 4th or 5th FP later in the day.

No matter what you choose, I'd still recommend showing up about 45min-1 hour prior to showtime for the best choice of seats. Just because you have the dining plan doesn't guarantee you reserved seats in the dining section.

On the times we've been to Fantasmic (every few months) the dining section has been nearly full about 20-30 min prior to showtime. Also, if enough people are still coming in the arena closer to showtime, say within 10-15 min, they open up all areas to allow guests to sit. Not trying to tell you to not do the dining package for it, but just know you can't show up 5-10 min before the show and have an open area to pick seats out.

Also there's food and drink stands inside the arena so you don't have to worry about getting snacks or anything before entering

 

[Robo]

Map Below-

Arrows indicate the center of the seating.

Shaded areas:

(First or Only F! performance of the evening)

Cyan= Standby (walk-in) seating

Red= Dining Package Reserved

Blue= FP+ Reserved

Purple= Can be either FP+ or Dining Plan Reserved, depending on needs.



(Second or Third F! performance of the evening)

Cyan= Standby (walk-in) seating

Red, Purple, Blue= FP+ Reserved

(Although much of the outer Blue will likely be used for Standby.)

--------------------------------------

 

[Disney mac]

Hollywood and vine is a buffet and good. However my family loves mama melrose for the fantasmic package as its a little more a la carte and we have found it to be a little cheaper of you order that way.
Good luck. Have a great time. Remember to back some kind of glow sticks/bracelets/necklaces for the kids for fantasmic. They really like it.

 

[Keyser]

Not sure what the schedule is like when you are there, but back several years ago when we could go at slow times, Fanstasmic was not an every night event. So, even though overall crowds were low, the Fantasmic theater would still get pretty full. We were always glad to have the reserved spots.

I'd consider what you would do for food if you didn't do the dinner package. If you'd be packing a lunch and bringing it then I'm not sure it's worth it. You can still get good seats without FDP (though the FDP seats are very good now, and it's nice to not have to be there as early. We like having one sit-down restaurant meal a day; we make that the FDP lunch, so we're not really out any more money, and it's easily worth it to us.

 

[ACJMH]

Yea I actually noticed that January 23rd, the day we will be at Hollywood Studios, there is an event at Magic Kingdom & it closes at 6pm that day! Which makes me think other parks (like HS) may be really busy so we may want to keep our dining package. Any thoughts??

 

[Disneylover99]

If you do the dining package you will get a pass that will allow you to use it on the day you dine or up to five days later. That will make it worth it to some. I'm not sure when this started or if it will continue, but that is what is happening now.