Fantasmic Dinner Package Changes

[marybet]

Don't know what the crowds will be like in Oct. but can help with some of your other questions. Kids meal is for up to 10 years, think that is for all the Disney restaurants. We were there in May and H&V was also sold out but it didn't feel crowded, did not feel at all rushed. I would not eat at BD because their menu really does not appeal to me and I think the prices are high. H&V is buffet and I really like the food, and the desserts! We had an early PS that I had made 60 days out, and about a week before we left I called to see if I could change the day and was able to get a later time, think it was 6.

 

[alaskantwinks]

MaryBet, Thanks for the inside scoop! We don't have much experience at the parks at all, seeing as this is only our 2nd time, and the first time we went, they didn't have all these options! Not to mention, we stayed offsite, and didn't have the opportunity to eat at all the WDW places that we will now! The only one I distinctly remember is the 50's Primetime cafe, mainly because of the atmosphere, not necessarily the food.

The only reason we are booking it in the first place is to get the reserved seating for the Fantastmic show. My question is, can we still get a good seat for the show without having to pay $20/person if we just went and got our own "to go" food from a small stand somewhere in there, or is it worth it to do the dinner deal? Kelly

 

[marybet]

I think it is worth it. We had our grandchildren, ages 9 and 10, and we just didn't want to stand in line and then sit for over an hour waiting for the show to start. The meal for 4 adults and 2 children cost us $121.44, tip included. Even though the parks were not crowded when we were there, Fantasmic was full. By the time it started there was standing room only. So I guess you have to decide if you want to get there early and wait or do the package and walk in 30 minutes before the show starts. The way we looked at it, is you have to eat anyway so why not have a nice meal and get a good seat for the show at the same time.
If you have any other questions I will try to help.

 

[alaskantwinks]

I'll go ahead and keep the reservations, after reading your reply. It sounds like its a good deal. I think my daughter who is 11 will have to pay an adult meal fee though? What is the age cut off for who they consider an adult? Since our reservation is for 4:20p, that should give us a little bit of time until our 7:00p show starts, so maybe we would have time to walk off a little of the food!!

Thanks for your help!! Its great to have a place like this to get good information before we go, especially for us new to WDW.

 

[Aisling]

Standing in the huge crowd for an hour waiting to be let in to Fantsamic was the worst Disney experience my family ever had. Our feet were killing us, people were shifting around trying to get comfortable (impossible) while waiting, we were all crammed together. It was very difficult for many children to wait that long, without being able to move, basically, because of the packed crowd. I sat DS10 on the ground and stood over him making sure no one stepped on him.

When we go back to WDW next year, I don't care how much it costs, we're doing the dinner package. There's no way I'd go through that again.

 

[marybet]

I think your 11 year old might get the child's price. I just looked on another board and it gave 11 as the cut off for child prices. If you have to call Disney again just ask, that is how I found out. I just know the 10 year old qualified. And no one asked us how old they were. We just ordered from the childs menu and it was never a problem. I am surprised the CM did not ask the childrens ages. I think when I made my PS's that they all said 4 adults and 2 children. Of course that was back in March and it is amazing how quickly I forget things.

 

[alaskantwinks]

Thanks so much for your insight. I'm really happy to hear that we made the right decision with the dinner package. I am looking forward to it now!! I can't wait to see the show, because I didn't even know it existed until I started reading the disboards.com. You guys are a world of knowledge!
Its getting excited, and now I can officially say, "we are leaving next month!" YEAAAAHHHH!!!

 

[flowerpower]

Hi,

Just wanted to give some info..

We just came back from Disney and did the Fantasmic package at MGM (before Labor Day weekend). We dined at The Brown Derby and the food/service was excellent. The glitch was that a bad thunderstorm came in that night and Fantasmic ended up being cancelled. You don't receive any voucher for re-entry for another night. (which did not upset us, they don't control the weather).

We went and saw it a few nights later and the performance was well worth it, but we got seats at 7:00 pm for an 8:30 pm performance. I have never seen that ampitheater so filled before. Even SRO were packed like sardines!!!

Just FYI...

 

[bquick]

Are times for the Fantasmic show in December available yet?

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by flowerpower
Hi,

Just wanted to give some info..

We just came back from Disney and did the Fantasmic package at MGM (before Labor Day weekend). We dined at The Brown Derby and the food/service was excellent. The glitch was that a bad thunderstorm came in that night and Fantasmic ended up being cancelled. You don't receive any voucher for re-entry for another night. (which did not upset us, they don't control the weather).

We went and saw it a few nights later and the performance was well worth it, but we got seats at 7:00 pm for an 8:30 pm performance. I have never seen that ampitheater so filled before. Even SRO were packed like sardines!!!

Just FYI...

That really stinks. That is why I don't really want to do the package...but I read on another thread of a woman getting a voucher for a rained out show to go on another night of her vacation...go figure.

 

[Hnymoon@Dixie]

Thanks for a very informative thread! I'm going to take my chances in line!!!

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by flowerpower
Hi,

Just wanted to give some info..

We just came back from Disney and did the Fantasmic package at MGM (before Labor Day weekend). We dined at The Brown Derby and the food/service was excellent. The glitch was that a bad thunderstorm came in that night and Fantasmic ended up being cancelled. You don't receive any voucher for re-entry for another night. (which did not upset us, they don't control the weather).

We went and saw it a few nights later and the performance was well worth it, but we got seats at 7:00 pm for an 8:30 pm performance. I have never seen that ampitheater so filled before. Even SRO were packed like sardines!!!

Just FYI...

Here's the other thread on getting rainchecks: Fantasmic Rainchecks

 

[Scarlett & Rhett]

CarolAnnK, are these 2002 or 2003 dates?


Available Dining Times

Sept. 16 - Oct. 5: Fantasmic is at 8:00 pm, dining times available are from 3:30 pm - 6:00 pm.
Oct. 6 - Oct. 25: Fantasmic is at 7:30 pm, dining times available are from 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm.
Oct. 26 - Nov. 26: Fantasmic is at 6:30 pm, dining times available are from 3:30 pm - 4:40 pm.
Nov. 26 -- Dec. 16: Fantasmic is at 6:00 pm, dining times available are from 3:30 pm - 4:40 pm.

 

[LadyRose]

Hi there!!
I wanted to ask about childrens pricing for the Fantasmic package.
Do children have to order to get a ticket to see Fantasmic? I know H&V of course they would, but if we went to another restraunt?? We always share meals when we eat out because it is always way to much food. We have a 6 yr old and a 2 yr old.
I have debated over this issue for our trip for the first of January wondering if we should do it or not.

 

[mom_rules]

If it's the same now as when we went to DB in May, my DD just ordered a Cobb Salad and dessert, my DS had french fries. DD and I had lobster tails and steaks (fabulous by the way) and desserts. We all got Fantasmic passes.

 

[crystalb]

We were at WDW during Labor Day also. Part of the crowd situation was probably because of the closure to the public of Fantasmic on the Friday night before Labor Day and Labor Day evening.

Friday evening MGM closed early for a large private party. (No Fantasmic for the public that day.)
I read Fantasmic was going to be not open to the public Labor day. (Another pivate party.) But don't know this first hand.

 

[JadeTiger]

Will Fantasmic Dinner Packages be necessary in January?

 

[Minnie's Mate]

Haven't had a chance to get caught up on this thread. Are the November FDP's available? I have a ressie at HBD and will convert if they are.

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by Minnie's Mate
Haven't had a chance to get caught up on this thread. Are the November FDP's available? I have a ressie at HBD and will convert if they are.

FDP are now booking 90 days out! I've booked mine for Dec 1 a couple of weeks ago...

 

[Minnie's Mate]

Thanks beattyfamily. I booked my HBD ps nearly 90 days out but the CM didn't mention the FDP being available. I thought I would have to wait 'til 30 days out to convert.

I'll have to call CRO tonight and make the change. We are going to be at MGM on Tuesday before Thanksgiving and it will be worth it to not have to line up so long in advance. That Tuesday, btw, is the first night that Fantasmic will have two shows during that week. We have 5:35 ps and want to go to the 8:30 show.