Fantasmic Dining vs regular ADR

[buggy2727]

I'm interested in the Fantasmic dining package and am trying to book Mama Melrose. When I try to book the package, the latest ressie I was able to get is 4:30 but when I check for just a regular dining ADR there I see a 6:30 time slot available on the same day. Does anyone know what the "rules" are when booking the package, ie are there only X number of slots open, is there a cut off in time, can I book a regular ADR and then call in to change it to the "package"? TIA!

 

[ses1230]

You can not chage a regular ADR to the package. The package needs to be booked specifically. The ADR times are based on the times of the show, frequently the package times are at the early end of service hours. I had a package in January and the latest dinner I could get was 3:45.

 

[figment_jii]

I agree with the PP. The package times are pretty specific and they won't allow you to "add" the package on to an existing ADR. I've often thought the package ADR times were set to 1) make sure you had enough time to get to the show and 2) to encourage diners to eat at "off" times. I've usually gotten a Fantasmic! package for somewhere around 3:30 pm time frame as well.

 

[paws93]

Yes, the above comments are correct. I've booked the Fantasmic pkg many times and the latest reservation time I've ever gotten was 5:15 and that was on a night when Fantasmic was at 8:30. They only allow so many pkgs at each of the three restaurants, and I've found that once they're gone, they rarely get cancelled. If the eating times are too early you can take a reg reservation at a later time and try to get a fast pass for Fantasmic. Just a thought.

 

[buggy2727]

Yes, the above comments are correct. I've booked the Fantasmic pkg many times and the latest reservation time I've ever gotten was 5:15 and that was on a night when Fantasmic was at 8:30. They only allow so many pkgs at each of the three restaurants, and I've found that once they're gone, they rarely get cancelled. If the eating times are too early you can take a reg reservation at a later time and try to get a fast pass for Fantasmic. Just a thought.

I figured the dining times were related to the show times but we are going in May and the show is at 9pm so I figured the closer the dinner time, the better. I am booking late though so for now I'll be happy with my 4:30. I considered using a FP (would rather do that than use a dining credit) but most seem to feel that those are useless lately. Guess I'll keep checking!

 

[redrosesix]

I figured the dining times were related to the show times but we are going in May and the show is at 9pm so I figured the closer the dinner time, the better. I am booking late though so for now I'll be happy with my 4:30. I considered using a FP (would rather do that than use a dining credit) but most seem to feel that those are useless lately. Guess I'll keep checking!

We used a FP for F! and we were happy -- only had to show up 15 minutes before the show and at that point it was SRO for SB guests.

But the dinner package has better seating than FP, and if you already have your 3 FPs for DHS picked I think the dinner package is a good way to go.

 

[purple figment]

I figured the dining times were related to the show times but we are going in May and the show is at 9pm so I figured the closer the dinner time, the better. I am booking late though so for now I'll be happy with my 4:30. I considered using a FP (would rather do that than use a dining credit) but most seem to feel that those are useless lately. Guess I'll keep checking!

Chances are the later times were already booked since F!DP reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance. One of the reasons the package was created was to fill the restaurants during off times (afternoon-early dinner) so it's possible the last time might be around 5:30 rather than 6:30. You can continue to check online to see if a later time comes up.