Fantasmic Dinner Package Changes

[justhat]

A little confused. We used dinning plan for H&V Fantasmic August 2004. Didn't know there was a change. So if we book HBD we can order off the regular menu? We love this rest. but would hate to be restricted.

We have always ordered off of the regular menu.

 

[Minnie's Mate]

Since I didn't get an answer regarding using the DDE card at H&V for the Fant. package I tried when we went this past Monday...

No problem -- not a word was said and the 20% was taken off of the bill. When we got the bill we just put the DDE card and our charge card in the folder. We didn't even ask. When the waiter returned the 20% was taken off!

Sloan

There is a lot of confusion about this so I will share my experience and the answer I got. The FDP is considered a discount package at HBD and MMR since the price per adult is less than it would be if you ordered the most expensive items in each category a la carte (appetiser, entre, and dessert). BTW, you can order any item off of the regular menu in each category in each restaurant. However, all three times we have eaten at MMR's we were limited to a family sized flat bread for the appetizer. No restrictions at HBD any of the times we have eaten there. Since the meals at these two restaurants are already discounted under the package you are not allowed to use the DDE to get an additional discount. If you read the literature that comes with the DDE it will tell you that the DDE is not available with the FDP. It will also state that DDE cannot be combined with other discounts.

I know that some servers at these two restaurants have allowed its use with the FDP and I tried it at the HBD and was denied by both the server and the manager. When I told the manager that I knew it have been allowed just a couple of weeks earlier, he said he would like to know the name of the server so he could correct him/her.

Now the FDP at H&V is a buffet and is at the regular price; same as it is without the FDP, i.e. not discounted. This is why you can use the DDE for the FDP at H&V without question but not at HBD or MMR.

Hope this helps.

 

[DisneyGerry]

We were there on Sunday and they were still using the restaurant system. Fantasmic was pretty filled up but they were still some open areas for restaurant folks. We ate at Sci-Fi and were told after 630 (7p Fantasmic show) you could get tickets from them as well. In November, we were at 50s Cafe and they did not offer tickets to Fantasmic.

 

[Minnie's Mate]

We were there on Sunday and they were still using the restaurant system. Fantasmic was pretty filled up but they were still some open areas for restaurant folks. We ate at Sci-Fi and were told after 630 (7p Fantasmic show) you could get tickets from them as well. In November, we were at 50s Cafe and they did not offer tickets to Fantasmic.

Sci-Fi is a new one to me. H&V, HBD, and MMR has always been the only restaraunts that have had FDP's to my knowledge. At one time you could get a lunch FDP at these restaurants but that was when the package was first introduced. When it caught on it was limited to dinner only.

 

[DCDisney]

I called last night to make our ADRs for our trip in May. When I asked my dining reservationist about the Fantasmic Package, he told me that I can book Mama Melrose's with the Fantasmic Package and use the dining plan. That is different than last year when we booked Hollywood and Vine with the dining plan. They wouldn't tell us officially that we could get the Fantasmic tickets, but our server gave them to us when we asked.

The thing that made me most curious is that I had to guarantee the reservation with my credit card. I haven't had a chance to read everything on this thread yet, but does that sound right?

We just did the dining package at MM Sunday. We did have to give a credit card as well and they have a 48 hour cancel policy so you can't just easily cancel if it looks like a rain out. You get a specificly printed menu with only the Fantasmic dinner offerings.

Bad news though was that for the most part the food was awful. We didn't want to do H and V again because of the loud atmosphere but we won't go back to MM (and we are very easy going). The salad was beyond salty, everything had tons of gorgonzola cheese, the flat breads were undercooked and the toppings weren't fresh, the chicken parm had an inch of soggy salty breading and way way overcooked chicken, they must have been running low on spaghetti because I got a tiny amount with my parm and both kids got a tiny amount while kids at other tables had bowls full of pasta, both the tiramisu and cheesecake were very stale tasting like they had been uncovered in the fridge for days. My hubby had a steak which he said was decent and my mom had salmon which she liked but they both said they were very salty.

Yvonne

 

[disneytraveler]

Will i be able to reserve the Fantasmic package on a Mgm emh night? I am going in September.

 

[scromwell]

We'll be at MGM on 3/18. The park is open from 9-9 that day with Fantasmic shows at 7:30 and 9:00pm. I called 3-4 weeks ago to reserve the Fantasmic dinner package and the only thing they had available was Brown Derby at 3:30 (!!) or Hollywood and Vine at 4:30. They told me to call back in a few weeks, saying that more reservations would be opened up closer to the date. I called again today and got the same answers.

Does this make sense? They say that the dinner package is only available for the early show.

Normally, I'd say fine, we'll just eat a very late lunch at 3:30. But that's not going to work for us this trip. We're taking DD college visiting that day and will be eating lunch at the cafeteria at Stetson Univ at 11:30 or 12:00 and definitely won't be ready for a 3 course meal at 3:30.
Does anyone have any insights or suggestions?
Thanks.

 

[ChiFiveO]

We just returned from our Disney Trip and used the Fantasmic Dinner package at the Brown Derby. We ordered off the regular menu (kids off the kid menu) and we thought it was wonderful--one of the best meals at Disney. We split the Cobb salad as appetizer, had the filet and pork tenderloin, and Creme Brule and Grapefruit cake for desert. The kids had the fish and we requested mac and cheese instead of fries, with no problem. The kids drinks were included. We had a 4:30 reservation but were running (very) late, so I called and we had no problem when we did not get there until 5:30. Walking right into the Fantasmic show was an incredible convenience, especially with a 3 and 5 year old who get tired after a long day at the park. One additional word of advice--dont sit in the first 5 rows or so if you do not want to get wet--the spray from the water is pretty strong.

 

[senecabeach]

Can anyone tell me if the DDE (Disney Dining Experience) card is honored for this Fantasmic dinner package??

I can't locate any info on it. Thanks!!

 

[beattyfamily]

Can anyone tell me if the DDE (Disney Dining Experience) card is honored for this Fantasmic dinner package??

I can't locate any info on it. Thanks!!

Official word is no. Some have had success, though, when asking for the discount at H&V but not at the other 2 restaurants.

Officially, it's no but it doesn't hurt to ask. Don't expect it though.

 

[Minnie's Mate]

Official word is no. Some have had success, though, when asking for the discount at H&V but not at the other 2 restaurants.

Officially, it's no but it doesn't hurt to ask. Don't expect it though.

If you read the literature that comes with the DDE plan, it states that the plan is not available with other discounts. The H&V FDP is the same price with or without the DDE so it isn't already discounted, so you can use the DDE with the FDP at H&V.

However, if you select the most expensive entre's at MMR's and HBD for the FDP you save money with the FDP so Disney considers the FDP a discount at those two restaurants so you aren't supposed to be able to use the DDE at those two restaurants. Some of the servers make the mistake of allowing the DDE to be applied to the FDP, but they aren't supposed to. It is less frequenlty done now than it was when the DDE first came out.

In short, don't expect to get it when you book FDP at MMR's and HBD. You can always ask when you pay the bill, but you aren't supposed to get it so you most likely won't get it.

 

[beattyfamily]

If you read the literature that comes with the DDE plan, it states that the plan is not available with other discounts. The H&V FDP is the same price with or without the DDE so it isn't already discounted, so you can use the DDE with the FDP at H&V.

However, if you select the most expensive entre's at MMR's and HBD for the FDP you save money with the FDP so Disney considers the FDP a discount at those two restaurants so you aren't supposed to be able to use the DDE at those two restaurants. Some of the servers make the mistake of allowing the DDE to be applied to the FDP, but they aren't supposed to. It is less frequenlty done now than it was when the DDE first came out.

In short, don't expect to get it when you book FDP at MMR's and HBD. You can always ask when you pay the bill, but you aren't supposed to get it so you most likely won't get it.

Actually, this is exactly what it says about Fantasmic Package:

The Disney Dining Experience discount will not be offered during special events. Please check with the restaurant when making reservations.
The Disney Dining Experience discount cannot be combined with any other discount or package. This includes events such as Fantasmic Dinner Package, Epcot Food and Wine Festival Events, and Candlelight Dinner Packages.

So like I already said, the DDE discount is NOT offered for the Fantasmic package officially, BUT, some have reported success getting the discount at H&V so it doesn't hurt to ask, just don't expect it.

 

[c&m'smom]

For the Fantasmic package at Mama Melrose's do you have a limited menu? I have seen some people say the menu is limited and then others say you can order anything off the menu? What is the general consensus or is it written somewhere? Has anyone been recently what were your thoughts?

Erin

 

[Minnie's Mate]

If you read the literature that comes with the DDE plan, it states that the plan is not available with other discounts. The H&V FDP is the same price with or without the DDE so it isn't already discounted, so you can use the DDE with the FDP at H&V.

Sorry, my typo. I meant that it is the same price with or without the FDP.

 

[2ofUs]

For the Fantasmic package at Mama Melrose's do you have a limited menu? I have seen some people say the menu is limited and then others say you can order anything off the menu? What is the general consensus or is it written somewhere? Has anyone been recently what were your thoughts?

Erin

Erin - We were there in January of 2005. Our waitress was great. At that time you could order whatever you wished off the menu, but it had to be from the catagory of food allowed. For instance: Appetizer had to be flatbread but any flavor you wished. Salad: your choice. Entree: your choice. Don't know if it may have changed, but the food there is very good and the portions are filling. We eat at Mama's at least once every trip.

We also enjoy Hollywood Brown Derby for a special meal. We get excellent food and service there - ALWAYS - and it is well worth the price for the atmosphere. But keep in mind we are in our late 50's and travel WITHOUT children, so we enjoy a quieter meal now and then. Don't misinterpret - we LOVE children and have 8 grandchildren with whom we often dine. It's just a nicer, more romantic mid-day touch to our trip.

Oh, we always try to eat our big meal of the day as a lunch, and ask for the latest lunch reservation possible. Reason? Well, you get the same food & service, but at a lower price (sometimes substantially) and it is always LESS CROWDED when you dine at 2:30-4:00 in the afternoon. We eat a light breakfast bite, usually something we keep in the room - maybe even just a breakfast bar, then hit the parks early. We then will have either a big lunch at 11:00-11:30 (no later due to crowds) if we are planning a special dinner out of the parks (California Grill, Boma at AKL, etc.) or get a snack if we have a special in-park late lunch scheduled (HBD or one of the Epcot restaurants).

We seldom find ourselves hungry in the evenings, but if so, there are always plenty of places happy to take our money for ice cream or sweets! (Can anyone say 'Beaches & Cream' on the Boardwalk for a late night ice cream treat? Yum.)

Remember, there are many things to experience at WDW. Rides and attractions are the big draws, but the restaurants are some of the most colorful, diverse and unusual all located in one general area. Much of the food in Epcot you would never get to try anywhere else, so we like to try at least 2 places we've not been before, as well as the tried-and-true!

 

[eliza61]

Sorry if this question has been asked, I tried to peruse some of the old post. Anyway with the Fatasmic dinner plans, I've been reading on different sites that Adult beverages are not included. Do they mean Alcoholic beverages or any adult drinking any thing including soda? Normally doesn't an "all you can eat buffet" like H&V include the drinks?

 

[2ofUs]

Yes, adult beverage refers to alcohol. You will receive soft drinks, tea, coffee, etc. with your meal. Enjoy!

 

[gottalovethem]

Is the fantasmic dinner package worth it? I kinda want to eat at the Sci-Fi place, but if the tickets with the dinner are worth it we will do brown derby. How early do you have to be at the seats if you use the dinner package?

 

[clydenora]

I read from page one to page 29 of this thread and haven't found the answer. Simply don't have time to read anymore. So, at the risk of being repetitive...

Can you do the FDP and attend the later show? There are two shows the day we are going, and we want to attend the later one, now that our kids are older and can handle it.

We are going the last week of March, so I think the FDP may be beneficial, even for the later show. (I may be too late calling for ressies, though.)

 

[TnTWalter]

depends on how busy the park is when you're visiting. We were there early January and there were plenty of seats available for the show so it wasn't necessary. But, we also wanted to eat at Mama Melrose so it worked out for us and we did get 'better' seats but there's not a bad seat for the show [just avoid the front rows if it's cold, you get wet].

So if you want to do Sci-Fi and it's not a busy time of year, you are probably fine. Just get in line about 30 minutes before the show.

Trish