Fantasmic Dinner Package Changes

[justhat]

There's not really a time frame. Call up and ask if there are any FDP PS times available and if so they'll tell you the time for dinner that is available.

 

[Bbbethei]

You can disregard that last post. I saw this http://allearsnet.com/din/fantdin1.htm and it gave me exactly what I needed. To top it off, I was able to get a seating at a decent time on the day of my first choice!

 

[cudworth]

We have done the dinner package the last 2 Easter's had it was great. This year we are going Aug 10th to 20th . What is everyones thoughts on the package at that time of the year is it a must to not have to stand in linethen or would you just stand in line to get in. Thanks

 

[Eyore4Ever149]

I have a ressie for 5/6 but its at 3:40PM! Who the heck eats dinner at 3:40????

I am so tempted to cancel it. I eat lunch at 3 when I am home LOL!

When I went to Fantasmic! in Aug I didn't stand in any lines, I did have to walk up a monumentally long path/hill to get in, but seats were decent (is it really possible to have a bad seat, unless you are up front?)

Will crowds be so different in May?

Still debating if I should cancel this one. Somehow eating at Brown Derby and then going on RnR doesnt appeal to me. I dont know.

 

[wright1baby]

Just called to try to get in on June 11, nothing available! I will just keep calling I suppose, or try on another day.

 

[kkana]

we are planning on doing this so I need to monitor this to get the best information

 

[justhat]

I have a ressie for 5/6 but its at 3:40PM! Who the heck eats dinner at 3:40????

I am so tempted to cancel it. I eat lunch at 3 when I am home LOL!

When I went to Fantasmic! in Aug I didn't stand in any lines, I did have to walk up a monumentally long path/hill to get in, but seats were decent (is it really possible to have a bad seat, unless you are up front?)

Will crowds be so different in May?

Still debating if I should cancel this one. Somehow eating at Brown Derby and then going on RnR doesnt appeal to me. I dont know.

There will be later times available about 30 days before your trip, which for you would be next week. We had a 3:40 time too (for 4/24) and we called last Friday (exactly 30 days in advance) and got it changed to 6pm. If you can't get any later times at 30 days, I have heard from BeattyFamily (thanks!) to keep calling everyday cause for her later times opened on the 25th day before the date.

 

[Bbbethei]

justthat Keep calling back. I just made my reservations yesterday for next Thursday and they even had 6:20 pm opening at Hollywood & Vine. I'm sure it was available due to a cancellation. I'm sure something will open up before June rolls around.

 

[Donnask8pro]

Can any PS be made before the 90 day mark? Other than CRT and HOOP DE DOO?

 

[MaryannF]

Can any PS be made before the 90 day mark? Other than CRT and HOOP DE DOO?

Try looking at this... http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/pscalc/dispscalc.html
I found it very helpful when making my priority seating arrangements

 

[2ofUs]

I have a ressie for 5/6 but its at 3:40PM! Who the heck eats dinner at 3:40????

Actually, we usually DO eat at 3-3:30 when we visit WDW - found it better to zig when everyone else is zagging, so to speak. By eating a lite bite in our rooms each morning, hitting parks early, then eating an early lunch (11-11:30) we are certainly ready for dinner by then. We only eat 2 meals and then have a lite snack in the evening if we're still hungry (piece of fudge - or - yum).

Works for us three ways as we: 1) Save money on meals. Lunch & dinner are similar in size & content but usually cost much less at lunch; 2) Avoid the crowds that generally hit Lunch from 12-1:30 and dinner from 6:00-8:00; 3) Have time to 'walk-off' that big early dinner so we aren't so stuffed by bedtime!

When I went to Fantasmic! in Aug I didn't stand in any lines, I did have to walk up a monumentally long path/hill to get in,

Yup, everyone gets to walk up that hill (dinner package or not) - WDW's contribution to helping work off that early dinner

but seats were decent (is it really possible to have a bad seat, unless you are up front?)

I agree. However, if you can get seats toward the very top, it is a lot quicker when leaving. For NON-DINNER PACKAGES, they have CM's that direct you where to sit - filling bottom to top starting at center left, then center right, back to off-center left, and so on. Actually, even if you are half-way down the block in the pre-seating waiting line, you will still get very good seating. If you DON'T want to sit in the front, ask nicely and they will let you chose seats higher up.

Package seating enters by the "Garage" at the front of MGM and directed (after walking up a long hill) to sit in sections that are off-center right and far-right section (Ursella?). We had a dinner package, arrived a bit early and were the first to enter. The CM at the gate called ahead and said "we have our first package guests arriving. Let them choose their seating." Horray!

We got to pick our seats even though the non-package guests wer already entering. The CM said 'take your choice' and allowed us to sit on the end of a row right in front of a large beam - a place to LEANED BACK! (There is one on either side of the arena - left and right.) Granted, we had a pole in front of us that cause some minor obstruction (way down by the front row), but the relief of being able to lean back definately out weighed that blockage. These seats were in the HANDICAP section, but one of our group had a knee problem so the CM said that was fine - besides, as she said "you are the first package family!" So that old 'early-bird-gets-the-worm' thing held true in this instance!

Will crowds be so different in May?

Probably not so different in May than August, but then it would depend on the night you go. We chose a night when SPECTRO was showing at MK hoping the crowd would be over there instead.

It's also good to try for either a day BEFORE or AFTER an early entry day for MGM to better the odds of a reduced crowd.

Still debating if I should cancel this one. Somehow eating at Brown Derby and then going on RnR doesnt appeal to me. I dont know.

Uh, we don't go on the RnR after dinner, we go before - or WAY after. Having ridden RnR several times, I have mixed reactions. Personally, I have to brace myself holding my neck & shoulders very stiff for the take off or I get one tremendous headache.

Then, I have to make sure I've eaten something lite within an hour or so before I ride or I get nauseous.

And, finally, I need to make sure we're heading to Epcot soon after so I can hit Ice Station Cool for the 'ginger' drink in case neither of the above work! Gotta tell ya, that stuff really helps!

Side note: You CAN take food into this area to eat while you are seated waiting for the show. There is also a concession area for snack purchases. So, if you can't finish all that HBD dinner, have them box it to go!

Okay, that won't work for soup or ice cream, but maybe you can order an appetizer that would travel well (fruit & cheese?) & ask your server to box it up to take out.

After all, Fantasmic is great but last less that 1/2 hour. So, go early, sit, relax, munch and spend an hour getting to know your WDW neighbors before the show begins. Have fun!

 

[bdink921]

we just decided today that we would book the package and got 510p seating at h&v, but there were only a couple of other seatings for that day.

does anyone what time we should leave our resort to make it on time? we are staying at pop century and using disney's transportation. also, how's the food there? I saw the menu already which sounds pretty good, but I was just wondering if anyone ate there recently.

 

[blessed5]

HI, I just booked a dinner package for the for my husband and 3 children. They did not say anything to me about the price. I assumed we could order whatever off of the menu. I am going to call back tomorrow. I am glad I read your post.

 

[MazdaUK]

I missed out on our Fantasmic package as our younger DS had D&V (so i sat in the room with him and waited - refused to pay 18% service charge PLUS $2.50 delivery charge ON TOP OF 6% local tax to have a pizza brought to the room!! )

DH and DS(11) went anyway, and said the food at H&V was OK - standard Disney buffet with roast chicken, various potatoes, puddings etc. etc. DH found it a bit ordinary, DS had 3 platefuls. That was the day there was record rainfall for March and DH (having been determined to resist) bought a poncho: fantasmic is not cancelled for rain, only for electrical storms.

My favourite meal the whole time in Orlando was the steak we had at HBD so next time I will book that package even if it is a lot dearer.

 

[missypie]

I have a 4 pm PS for the FDP on Memorial Day (got it at 7 am on the 90th day out.) Well, today is the 60th day out so I called to see if later times had been released. No. Could get a 3:40 if they split up our party of 5. No thank you. That makes a 4 pm all together sound good!

 

[MazdaUK]

Have a huge breakfast somewhere on the way into the park and you'll be ready for dinner at 4.00 - just call it lunch and grab a cake or and icecream after Fantasmic and call that dinner!

 

[justhat]

I have a 4 pm PS for the FDP on Memorial Day (got it at 7 am on the 90th day out.) Well, today is the 60th day out so I called to see if later times had been released. No. Could get a 3:40 if they split up our party of 5. No thank you. That makes a 4 pm all together sound good!

You have to try again at 30 days. That's when the later times are released.

 

[Stacey2grls]

I have a 4:30 ps for Hollywood and Vine on May 3rd. The problem is, if we have a ps for 4:30, we will definately miss the stars in cars parade at 5:30. I have tried to make the ps for later like 6:30, but when I called 30 days out they said that was the latest booking. Also, if I do by some chance get 6:30, would that be that be too late to get a good seat for Fantastmic, this is all so confusing.

 

[Bbbethei]

Because Hollywood and Vine is a buffet, it is completely doable to be out of there in an hour. If you are able to obtain a PS for 6:30, you should still have time to catch Fantasmic if you book the dinner package. Of course, it depends on what time the show is in the evening. I think you'll be fine with whatever seating you obtain.

 

[grandma jan]

Stars in Cars parade? I need to call tomarrow for the package but we really want to see this parade.