Fantasmic Dinner Package Changes

[lakelady]

We had a 6:10 PS at Hollywood and Vine. The food was excellent I thought. YOu can see them cooking the food as you eat - it is fresh, and tastes it!

We had plenty of time to do a ride after dinner and amble over to Fastasmic and get a great seat. This was last Satuday, 4-17-04

Just my 2 cents....

 

[whopper65]

Glad you enjoyed the dinner and the show. I think some authors, critics, and even those of us who just attend WDW expect too much from the food that is served. Considering just how many people are served, and how the food has to be prepared in the least amount of time possible, it is pretty good and usually fresh. Perhaps the prices could be a little lower, but at least in WDW, most of the buffets are worth it. Of course, you can't be a meat & potatoes person or you'll miss all the variety of foods served and won't be able to appreciate the different tastes. BOMA is one great place if you like variety and are not afraid to try new and different foods. One of my pet peeves is reading about how bad BOMA or O'Hana's was because they didn't have americanized, sanitized hum-drum every-day items like mac and cheese or hot dogs, or P-nuttys!

If you do a little homework before going to any of the restaurants in WDW, you can tell beforehand whether or not you'll waste your time and money.

Again, I'm not criticizing anyone for not likeing different foods, it just seems a waste if they do not know what is there before they go there. There are plenty of websites where you can find menus of all the eateries in WDW, so there should be no surprises.

 

[connie254]

According to the first post, you order off a special menu at HBD-what is on it?

 

[mom_rules]

We did the HBD/Fant pkg over Easter and we ordered off the regular menu. You were able to order an app., main course, and a dessert for a set price of $36.99 + taxes + tip-beverages were extra. For 5 adults our bill came to around $260.00 (two glasses of wine and 3 soda). Our PS's were at 3:30pm for the 8:30 Fantasmic-we were leaving the restaurant at 5:45-just in time for one ride then off the the gate 15 mins before show time. Worked out great-Service and food were awesome. Go hungry-it was alot of food. Got great seats, last row by the aisle in front of a water screen-made for a quick and easy exit as well!

 

[whopper65]

From what I understand, you order off the regular menu, but you must order an appetizer, main course, and dessert. All beverages, including non-specialty, are extra.

And from what I've heard the food and service are usually excellent. Keep in mind, it won't be cheap, but if you like atmosphere and quality, you shouldn't be disappointed.

If you have a relatively early priority seating, and you have plenty of time before the show, do some shopping or see an attraction you might have missed during the day.

Have fun and let us know how you made out with the Fantasmic Package.

 

[chilihead]

We have a PS for HWV at 7pm on Tuesday (one of the EMH late nights). Do you think we can still make the 9pm Fantasmic show? What time should I request if I need to do dinner earlier? Is 5:30 to early? Too busy? Is 6 or 6:30 better? Am I fine right now? Did I ask enough questions? Are you tired of reading my post?

Thanks.

Chilihead

 

[whopper65]

6:30 Would be better, but if you can't get it, just get there around 6:45 or a little earlier. You should be one of the first ones for the 7:00 p.m. time slot. It shouldn't take more than an hour to eat since you basically serve yourself (other than drinks). That gives you plenty of time to get to Oscar's and then get a good seat without waiting in line.

Remember, higher up is not necessarily a worse seat. If you can go higher and get seats closer toward the middle, those are the ones to get. Enjoy the show!

 

[FireRescueMom]

Hi Everyone!

This may have been addressed already, but here goes.

I called this morning to get PS package for Hollywood and Vine, right at my 90 day window.....for 8/4/04.

The LATEST I could get was 4:20pm dinner, which really stinks because we have a 12:05pm lunch at Sci-Fi.... I was hoping for like 6:30 or 7:00.

The CM told me that if I call later, like next week or so, there should be later times opened up by then....

Is this how everyone else got later times? I was so bent on getting my PS's done that maybe I was too soon?????

Thanks, guys!

 

[senecabeach]

I had the same thing happen to me...but........

If you call @ the 30 day window they start opening up later seatings!!
Its what I did and it worked out great!!

Good Luck !!

Leaving tomorrow for the BC...Can't wait!!

Have a Disney Day!!

 

[FireRescueMom]

Thanks, Senecabeach!!!

You're leaving tomorrow?!?!?!

You must be jumping out of your skin

I dont know how Im going to make it another 90 days!

Have a WONDERFUL TIME

 

[whopper65]

I think Disney, in their infinite wisdom, wants to fill the early time slots first since they are probably the latest slots filled ordinarily. You're captive since you want the Fantasmic Package.

It is good advice to wait until the 30 day window, then, if there are any open slots, Disney probably feels that they may not get filled, and will acquiesce to the Fantasmic Package requests.

Good luck, and I hope you are able to get a later time with the Package. Even if you can't, your meal at Sci-Fi will not be overly filling, since the portions are not that large. Don't forget the milkshakes, though, they're pretty good.

 

[chilihead]

FireRescueMom,

I had the exact problem with my PSs for Fantasmic. I originally had 12:05 lunch for Sci-Fi, then they gave me 4:10 for HWV dinner! I called last week just to change some things around. I am leaving in two days and just wanted to double check things, etc. I asked if there was anything later and I got 7pm for HWV instead of the 4:10! Definitely keep trying back.

As for doing it too early? Never! It's better to have your PSs set and then call back to change than to wait. Have a great trip!

Chilihead

 

[whopper65]

I hope my note wasn't misconstrued. As so well stated, do make your rezzies ASAP, but continue to try to make them suit your timeframe.

 

[FireRescueMom]

No, Whopper65, I gotcha

I did take the 4:20pm time slot, cuz I certainly will take that over nothing at all

But I will try to tweek it to later as we get closer to the day

 

[Sunkissed]

Any ideas whether this will also be the case with the CP packages? Thanks!

 

[JoshMom5]

Yeah! Today I am 30 days out from the date I wanted the PS, so I called this morning and got a 5:50 PS time.

Doing the happy dance!!!

 

[MissUssH]

We are going in November 2004. We have the SILVER ADD-ON to our Disney Vacation Package in which we each get 2 "wishes" per day to use. We can use 1 of our "wishes" for the Fantasmic Dinner Package. So for me it seems like a good deal. I really need to know what the limited menu is !!! There are 10 of us in our group and I want to make sure it will please us all....And is Fantasmic that great of a show ??? And How is the Brown Derby ???? ALSO, I can call today for this November 2004 ??? Thanks & Have a Delightful Disney Day !

 

[whopper65]

Actually you get to order off the menu, but it is "limited" to an appetizer, entree, and dessert. All beverages are extra, and are probably not included in your travel package.

However, if the meal is included in the price of your travel package, by all means take it. The food and atmosphere are excellent!

The Fantasmic Package means you get to go the Fantasmic Show after your meal with no waiting in line. This is especially important after a long day in the park.

The Fantasmic Show is fantastic for all ages (just don't sit too far down or you may get wet- and since it will be the middle of November, it may be a little cool). It's one of Disney's best efforts.

At 90 days before your scheduled arrival at WDW, call for priority seating at the Brown Derby (unless according to your travel package, you call another number/party to set up the seating). If you can't get seating within two hours of the show, make the reservations anyhow, and when you're within 30 days of your scheduled arrival, try again for seating approx. two hours before the show. Needless to say, inquire what time the show is scheduled for before making the rezzies, since Disney does change the times based on the time of year and the time that the park closes.

 

[RachelTori]

Please help with advice. I called yesterday for PS 7/12 (Mon) for the Fantasmic Pkg @ Hollywood & Vine. Only 4:00, 4:10, 4:20 available. I took the 4:20. Should I wait until 30 days out then call back and see if a later time is available? It's myself, DH & DD10; the show is @ 9 that night. I guess we can always eat early, then do some attractions until time to be seated? How early should we arrive for our PS at the show? Thanks for any info. Laura

 

[whopper65]

Yes, just wait until the 30-45 day window, and try again to make rezzies for later. Keep trying even up to several days before you are scheduled to get to WDW. Sometimes there are last minute cancellations.

If you can't get them, just plan on seeing some slow moving attractions or shows after your meal. If you get to Oscar's by 8:00 p.m., you should have no problem getting a good seat in the reserved section. Since it will no doubt be hot, don't be afraid to sit in a lower row. You will have to wait for the show, but at least you'll be sitting and not standing in line waiting to get in.

For good overall seats, try the middle row as far left as you can go.

Have a great time!