Fantasmic Dinner Deal/Small Kids?

[BuzzLightYear3]

I posted a similar question on the Theme Park Strategies Board, but this board might be a better place.
Anyone with young kids have any input as to how well they liked Fantasmic? Ours will be 8, just turned 4, and 21 months when we visit in a few weeks.

Assuming young kids do like Fantasmic, anybody have any recos on which restaurant to choose for the Fantasmic dinner deal (the one where you can get special Fantasmic seating if you eat at one of the nicer MGM restaurants.) Is one more 'kid tolerant' than the others (e.g. noisier, faster service, better kid menus, etc.)

Thanks for the help!

 

[ohiominnie]

Our two LOVE Fantasmic!! Of course, they are BIG Disney movie buffs, so they understand all the characters that are shown. Our first trip down to WDW after kids we didn't realize Fantasmic was so popular...so we got there 20 minutes early and stood in the VERY back row of standing room only. The only way the kids could see ANYTHING was on our shoulders, and even then, they didn't see much. Our second and third trips down there we've done the dinner and a show package and have eaten at the Brown Derby. Fantasmic is GREAT, but my kids couldn't sit TWO hours waiting for it to start. Figuring we have to eat dinner ANYWAY, this kills two birds with one stone!

Brown Derby is as child friendly as it can be--a lot of glassware around, but that can be moved!!! They have the typical kids menu that you'll find throughout Disney.
Our first trip to Brown Derby my dd wanted PB&J. They said they didn't have that, but they would check. It ended up they rustled up the makings for it from somewhere and did a little Disney magic. This last time we were there the waitress totally refused to budge. My dd ordered PB&J (not on the menu) The waitress said "we don't have any jam here." Of course, my dd is a big peanut butter sandwich fan too, and requested that, but the waitress said "NO" and refused to even CHECK if they could do it. She then offered my dd grilled cheese (which was also not on the menu) Go figure.

So, my point...dinner and a show is great. Saves sitting there with nothing to do for two hours except hear your kids ask "When is it going to start??????????????"

ohiominnie

 

[tiggersmomof4]

My DD's really loved Fantasmic...They were 10, 5, 4, & 18 mos. when we were last there. We ate a Mama Melrose. The kids love the place. The food was good, with lots of kid friendly offerings! Pasta, pizza, etc. We have also eaten at the Brown Derby--it was excellent! The Sci Fi Drive In happens to be one of my girls favorites but I think the food leaves a lot to be desired. If I were you I'd go with Mama Melrose or BD.

Whichever you choose, you'll have a wonderful time!!

 

[honeymom]

I have small kids (5 & 2 1/2). My sister swears by Fantasmic as does everybody else I know and they say that that is the one thing to keep the kids up late for. My sister has recommended Hollywood & Vine. It is buffet style and she said perfect for young children.

 

[BuzzLightYear3]

Thanks everyone....sounds like we'll be seeing Fantasmic!

 

[beattyfamily]

The Fantasmic package is definitely worth it. Especially with little ones. The line can be VERY long. We just got there at 6:30 for the 7:00 show and had pretty good seats. Can't beat that!

Also, I second Hollywood & Vine. Of the restaurants offering the package, it's the most kid-friendly. It also has a buffet, which is great for kids and a family.

 

[tink2dw]

Hollywood and Vine is fantastic!! the Adult food is so wonderful!! But They even have a Kid foods part to the Buffet and they have desserts with Mouse Ears!!! and 8 different candy toppings for the ice creme!!

This is the most relaxed meal we had at WDW!!

 

[2boys'mom]

and the dinner package. We ate at Brown Derby which has great food, but my 2yo didn't want to sit so I didn't enjoy it. I think I would pick Hollywood and vine if that is more casual. Both my 5yo and my 2yo loved Fantasmic.

 

[DisneyBound4Ever]

OUr 4 yr old Loved Fantasmic, as did our 16 month, (it kept his attention anyways!!).

 

[KangaT]

We did the FDP with Hollywood & Vine last week. All of us (ages 4 - 69) thought it was a very good buffet. I think the kids especially liked the choose-your-own ice cream toppings section.

We had great seats for Fantasmic - just right of center, 2nd row. The show is incredible. It really shows off all the technologies available to the Disney Imagineers. Wow.

That said - our 4 y.o. was frightened at times by the villains. Sitting on Mom's lap and occasionally hiding his face in my shoulder seemed to take care of it. I don't think he liked getting misted by the water. Guess he wasn't expecting that in the dark. But when it was over, he was very glad to have seen it. He even told his friend about it yesterday and said what a cool show it was.

 

[Mamatipo]

I just went to Fantasmic last week with my 20 month old. We went to Mama Melrose for an early dinner, went to a few more attractions and then went to the show at about 8:25. The reserved section was about 1/2 full. We sat near the top for convenience in exiting, even though we could have sat near the front.

We all loved the show. I thought my DS would get scared or freaked because the show was so loud, but he seemed to really enjoy it.

The hardest part was the 35 minute wait before the show started with my DS who felt it was very interesting to try and climb the bleachers and touch everyone around us.

 

[buzz5985]

We lucked out when we were in MGM this past March, by 10 am they had added an additional Fantasmic show. We asked one of the CM's and they told us to show up at 9:10 and we could walk right in, we showed up at 9:05 and had to wait about 10 minutes and did walk right in and had great seats about 12 rows up center. But we still got wet from the mist so a little higher would be better. So if there is a 2nd show you may not need the dinner package. I have a 4 year old and he absolutely loved it, I loved it and my husband loved it. The best show in Disney.

Janis