Fantasmic Dinner Package Changes

[mitros]

This thread has been going on for some time now, and just in case folks have not read all the posts, here it is again; The real and actual original way this worked was that all you had to do was walk into a restaurant, PS or not, ordered any entree, including lunch, ate your meal, then asked the wait person for a fantasmic voucher, you got it, and that was it!

 

[SuzyQue]

all you had to do was walk into a restaurant, PS or not,

I thought with the original way, you had to make a reservation, while onsite, up to 7 days out, for the "Fantasmic Dinner Package" at one of the qualifying restaurants. ~~

 

[mitros]

No,I'm going waaayy back to the very beginning of the special entrance to fantasmic. This may have only been for a really short time period,but all you had to do was walk into the restaurant, with or without a PS have your meal, get your ticket, and off you went! Yea, those were the days.... another great idea gone awry and becoming more difficult to use.

 

[bratus913]

Fantasmic Dinner Package has been extended through the end of April.

 

[MICOL]

Not yet, I just tried to make a Reservation for April and was told I cannot as it has not been extened. Unless one of got the wrong answer??

 

[bratus913]

I read it on wdwig.com. They updated their information yesterday stating that you can reserve Fantasmic Package until April 30!

Their information about that has been correct so far!! Hmmmm.

 

[Lezah]

I, too, just called today and tried to book one too, and was told that we couldn't book for April yet, however call back next week and try again. Not sure what's happening, but the CM that I talked to seemed to think that the package would be the new way and would be extended indefinately, just not yet? We'll keep trying.

 

[pouncingpluto]

So, is the seating any better with this new system? Or is it "nothing special" seats either way? If it's good seats, I would try it, but otherwise I won't bother.

I've never stood in line for Fantasmic... just gone close enough to start time that I can walk straight in, and I've always managed to find a seat. Even over on the side, it's still a great show.

 

[MICOL]

April opened today. I was able to book HV for the 13 of us, $19.99 for adults and $9.99 11 and under. We have done this two years in a row and the food was great and made a busy Fantasmic easy to get into.

 

[dzneelvr]

What am I missing????
We've never had a problem getting in to Fantazmic since 9/11. Why in the world would I want to overpay for a meal at those three choices? We bought this package once at Mama's and were terribly disappointed in both the food and the "reserved" seating location for the show.
They aren't charging admission to the show now without the forced meal, are they?

 

[MICOL]

For us and the quality of the food at HV its worth it. All meals at Disney are pricey and this way we get an easy entrance to Fantasmic. Last year the show was full and people had to get there over an hour before the show. We got in 30 mins prior at 8 and had a nice seat 1/2 way up. In off season I would not worry about it but we always go during peak.

 

[Dad of 3]

Just returned from a short visit at Disney where we used the Fantasmic Dinner Package. Glad we did! MGM including Fantasmic show were very crowded on March 11, but there was only one show that night. I thought the seats were great. Yes, the reserved seats are on the right side, but I think these seats are better than seats we got four years ago, which were a section off center of the stage. Much of the show is images that are projected on fans of water at various positions around the stage and if your seats are between the water fans then it loses some of the effect. The reserve seats have a water fan directly in front of them. I am not a Fantasmic regular, as we have attended the show only twice, the first time we waited in line and in the Fantasmic stadium for almost two hours before the show started. In both cases the stadium was completely full, I suspect, not everyone who wanted to see the show got a seat. The first time which is February, we took what we could carry into the stadium for dinner; my kids were still hungry after the show. This time we had dinner at Hollywood and Vine, and had time after dinner for a fast pass event, then half hour before show time, we got seats that were a several rows from the front . But this time, my wallet was a lot lighter, but I was not disappointed.

Note: Soon after we were seated, the reserve section was opened to the general public and the remaining seats in the reserve section disappeared fast. So if you are going to use Dinner Package, you will have to be in at the stadium at least 30 minutes before show time.

I have a picture of the stadium prior to show time if anyone wishes to host it, PM me.

Happy,
Dad of 3.

 

[bobautgentrev]

Does anyone know if the new system for Fantasmic priority seating is included in the Silver Plan? When we went in 2002, our Brown Derby meal was included in the Discovery Magic plan, now sold as the Silver Add-on Plan.
Autumn

 

[karenrc]

We are going on the silver plan next week. I asked about using a wish for the fantasmic package when I made the ps and they said we could. They still took my credit card number (as did the parasailing place - for my DS17 not me ). They said they would only charge it if we didn't show up or cancel far enough ahead.

I'll let you know if it worked out the way they said in a couple of weeks.

Karen

 

[bobautgentrev]

Thanks!
I spoke with reservations today (3/18/03) and they said that bookings for Fantasmic priority seating were currently open to booking until the end of April. The reservationist seemed to think that the new program would continue to be offered but could not give me a number of days in advance that reservations are accepted. In other words she couldn't tell me if it was 60, 45 or 30 days in advance. It is definately more than the 7 day on property advance of the old program.

 

[fredonna]

bobautgentrev,

I spoke with WDW Group Dining recently. The CM I spoke to said the current Fantasmic Dinner Package program is now permanent.

Seating availability for the package is provided roughly two weeks prior to the month the PS is requested for. For example, for a PS in April, the seating availability for package guests are provided to WDW-DINE roughly around mid-March. There is limited availability for Fantasmic package PSes.

If anyone has heard details in addition or contrary to my description, please post it here!! If these details have already been posted to this thread, it's just a testament to me not reading thoroughly enough!

 

[c4241]

I don't understand the concept. We are going early December...eating "dinner" at 3:30 to ?? is like eating a late lunch. You still have to go to the reserved seats early...they recommend one hour.....or get the last of the reserved seating. Why not spend that one hour just waiting somewhere else...with probable better seats anyway. I think I'd reather save my money to pick my food from the entire menu...not being told what my options are. I guess I can see this when it's a really crowded time of the year....but give me a break...late November and early December....show is at 6pm......I think dinner would be better enjoyed after the show......or at least tempt the park goer with a better price on the meal!!!!!!

 

[justhat]

Since I've been seeing this a lot I thought I'd point out that on the FDP you do not order off of a separate menu. We did the package on 12/29/02 at Brown Derby and got to order anything we wanted off of the regular menu, including an appetizer, entree, and dessert. There were no restrictions placed on our meal and we were not charged until after the meal---they took a CC# in advance, but only charge it if you don't show. We were given a regular bill to pay for with whatever form we wished after we ate.

 

[Minnie's Mate]

justhat, this is correct at the Hollywood Brown Derby with the exception of dessert. We were limited to one dessert choice for adults and one for children. We ate there December 28, 2002 and adults were only offered a Raspberry Moose and children were offered only a Sundae for dessert. I remember this because I hate raspberries and our server told us that dessert was the only thing we couldn't order off of the regular menu.

When we did the FDP in late September at Momma Melrose's, we were given a different menu from others. We could only have flat bread and olive oil for appetizer and we may have had two choices for desert. We had never eaten at MM's so we didn't notice.

If you weren't limited on the dessert at the HBD, you lucked out and must have had a server who didn't know better.

 

[dzneelvr]

To keep this package in perspective, please remember that the purpose is to get priority seating at the show. the consequence is there is control to the dinner part of the package offered and the selections, etc. can be "subject to change at any time".

As I've said before in a post, we were disappointed with the package when we purchased it but have never been disappointed with just going to the show and then eating at our leisure where and when we want to.
This package is not to be confused with dinner/shows such as Hoop De Doo or the Luau where the food is an important part of the overall event.

This package is an option; but it does have parameters that may or may not fit your family.
(ordering one of the ice cream cones directly across from the entrance to Fantasmic will pretty much fill up your waiting time--go for the 2-3 scoops and you'll never notice the wait !!)