Fantasmic Dinner Package Changes

[whopper65]

As far as I can tell, the only PS that usually requires giving your credit card number to hold the rezzie is for the Fantasmic Package. Even then, your account will not be charged until you show up.

Back in the day, they didn't have the Fantasmic Package, or any package for that matter. When you went to EPCOT, you could call in a rezzie in Innoventions in the morning and get any restaurant in EPCOT for lunch or dinner! Nowadays there are too many people who know the score and actually plan ahead, so make sure you call very early on your 90th day. For the FP, take the early rezzie, and with 30 days to go, call again, and you will most likely get the later time you want. Have a great trip!

Dis vet since '72

 

[Stitch's mom]

Thanks for the advice. I got lucky and got a reservation 10 days out. DS (7) decided last night that he wanted to see Fantasmic and none of us like the line. It was a last minute thing for sure but it seems to have worked out. If it didn't, DS would have to start getting used to life's little disappointments.

 

[luvdisney14]

Can you use disney reward dollars to pay for the dinner at any of the dinner packages? At mama melrose's do you have to order and appetizer and desert?

 

[griffard]

There will be nine in our party at Disney in October and we won't be buying into Disney's web of gouging families. Yes waiting is a pain but somewhere along the line Disney sure lost site of what is important. For us we choose to stand in line as painful as it seems.

 

[Minnie's Mate]

luvdisney14,
Yes to both. You only guarantee the FDP with your CC. If you don't show, they will charge you for it. When you are finished with your meal, the server will bring you a bill as with any meal. Don't forget, the tip IS NOT INCLUDED. The FDP is a fixed price per adult and per child and includes the appetizer, entree, and desert. Beverage is not. Not even iced-tea or other soft-drink.

griffard,
With a party of nine, I can certainly see why you wouldn't want to spend so much on the FDP. I would have to take out a second mortgage for that one. With a group that size, you can probably keep each other better entertained than my two children can; they are four and seven. Depending on the time of year, you might not have to wait anyway. We only use it during peak season or holiday season. Our next trip is 12/18-12/23/04 and we will use it then. For our trip in February, we didn't use it because we expected liter crowds. Unless you are going during MNSSHP or the food and wine festival, you should be ok. Even during the food and wine festival at Epcot, your wait shouldn't be too bad.

 

[griffard]

Thanks for the info Minnie Mate. We will be there Oct 4-9 which is the Wine festival. Do people get real upset if someone takes the children out of line and back in again? We thought we would eat in line and if kids 4,6, 9, get too bad would walk with them one at a time and get back in line. Any coments on this plan?????

 

[Minnie's Mate]

I've never seen anyone object as long as one parent stays in line. At that time of year you should be able to go about 30-45 minutes before the show and still get pretty good seats without having to wait in line.

Once inside the amphitheater (stadium seating on aluminum benches) you can get hot dogs and soft drinks and beer at the concession stand at the top of the bleachers and return to your group and eat in the bleachers. This is what many people do to pass the time while they wait for the show to start. The amphitheater has sections that are labeled according Disney character and each row has a number to make it easy to find your party if you go for food.

There are also venders roaming the stands selling soft drinks, popcorn, cotton candy, light twirlers, etc. There is also music on the PA system so it isn't as boring as waiting in a queue for one of the rides. If you get there before rope drop when they start letting people into the amphitheater, it is a boring standing in one place kind of thing.

It is quite a hike from the entrance to the amphitheater and is up a slight incline. There is an area for parking strollers near the plaza at the top of the amphitheaters. You exit a slightly different route than you take to get to the amphitheater passing directly past the stroller parking area and down hill from there.


Also, there are rest rooms in the plaza at the top of the bleachers as you enter the amphitheaters so you won't have to leave for pottie breaks once you are there. This is also where you have to go if you want to smoke. No smoking in the bleachers.

 

[dreaminboutdisney]

We made ressies for the Fantasmic Dinner Pkg at Hollywood & Vine in August. I called about 2 wks before and got a 4:00pm PS. They open at 4pm so there was just a few minute wait. The restaurant was only 1/2 filled by the time we left. We had a group of 8 and were not rushed at all. The buffet food was delicious and beverages were included. There was a big assortment of food and desserts and a children's buffet for anyone as well. We would definitely eat there again & recommend booking the pkg. Many, many people were turned away and never made it into Fantasmic that night. It was filled to capacity.

 

[dbal]

Hi- I have a few questions about booking the package. I apologize if they were already addressed.

I know I need a cc # for the booking, but do they charge a deposit like CRT or not? Also- if they charge a deposit, do they take it off at the time of the meal?
My real question is do I need to add $ to my debit card before I call for my ps.

Thanks

 

[whopper65]

They will not ask for a deposit, nor will they charge you until you actually show up for the meal.

If, for any reason, you want to cancel your rezzie, do so at least 48 hrs. before, or you may be charged some type of fee.

Have a great trip!





Dis Vet since '72

 

[dbal]

Thank you whopper65!

 

[ncbyrne]

Minnie's Mate.....you wrote, "Don't forget, the tip IS NOT INCLUDED." But, according to the beginning of this thread, the gratuity IS included, but not the 6% sales tax.

 

[Rhongepooh]

If you want to actually EAT at one of these resturants I'd say go for it. We did it last year because we had a silver plan AND it was during all the spring breaks and busy time. HOWEVER there were seats that STILL were open and the seats you get are really not even the best ones. This year we are not going this route because we are trying to save some money.

 

[Minnie's Mate]

ncbyrne,
You are correct that the first post said that the tip is included. However, that post was made in November of 2002 and like so many things with Disney, things change over time.

The tip is no longer included in the price of the FDP. This in effect has been a hidden price increase of 15%! On our last trip we used the FDP and I asked the hostest at Momma Melrose's if it was included and she said it had been originally but no longer was. I wanted to make sure our server received a tip because we had such great service. Had I not asked on my way back from the rest room, our server would have not received her tip.

 

[Dreamin' Disney]

On our last trip, we dined at Brown Derby without the Fantasmic Package and also at Mama Melrose with the Fantasmic Package.

On our upcoming trip, I am wondering what is everyone's opinion about the buffet at H&V and is it too casual like a cafeteria.

I certainly liked the atmosphere at both MM and BD, but are they worth the extra $$$. Can you order anything off the menu, or is there a limited selection?

I'd appreciate hearing from anyone who has done the FDP recently. Thanx!

 

[whopper65]

H&V is certainly more lively and more casual than BD & MM. It is a buffet, with lots of choices and decent food. It depends on what your family situation is like, whether or not you will like H&V. If you don't have little ones, and you mind the noise of little ones, you might want to stick with BD or MM. However, if you like a family atmosphere, and have never tried H&V, do so by all means. There is plenty of food (even for little ones) and the service is very good. The price is definitely lower than BD & MM, but the quality of food is rather good for a buffet. There are different stations, so it is not like a cafeteria line. Also, it is reasonably spacious, so you won't feel cramped for room. The bathrooms are shared by the 50's Prime Time Diner, so if you've never been there, you can take a stroll over there just for nostalgia's sake. Since you're going the end of October, the lines will not be as long or the wait as long without the FDP, but I'd still recommend the FDP if you do mind waiting and/or standing. As you probably already know, if you get an early rezzie, you can call back starting with 30 days to go, and usually you can get a later one. Have fun and enjoy the magic!

 

[Dreamin' Disney]

We have BWConcierge checking for cancellations at either H&V or MM, so I guess we will go with whatever may come available. After hearing about openings within 30 days, I am hoping that something comes available.

We do have kids from 2 families, ages 8 - 19, so I think that either restaurant will be good. While I really liked BD, it has more limited choices that I don't think the kids would like - especially as they will have to order from the adult menu.

Or has anyone had kids over 12, that you order from the kids menu and not be charged the adult price for FDP?

 

[gonigam91]

What are my chances of getting a Fantasmic dinner package at H&V for Oct 21? I just heard about it a week ago so it's not like I was putting it off or anything. Should I just keep calling back?? What are the odds? I did get CRT about 2 weeks ago for Oct. 17th on a cancellation. Any thoughts or helpful hints from the pros?????

Thanks-

Tracy

 

[dis4fun]

I would say that the chances are good if you try now, with the thirty day window open.

 

[whopper65]

I agree with Dis4Fun, just keep trying and you should be able to get something. Good luck!



Dis Vet since '72