Fantasmic Dinner Package Changes

[kona-kraft]

Does anyone know why they don't offer the Fantasmic package with 50's Prime Time? That's the only restaurant I want to eat at, and of course there's no Fantasmic.



Just curious.......

 

[MomLC]

I've haven't been to see Fantasmic but would like to see it on our Nov. trip. I will be going with DH & DD(3). How does the dinner package actually work and what time of the day do we need to eat to see the show? What restaurant do you suggest with a 3yr old? When do I need to call for reservations? Thanks for the info.

 

[Tony Toon]

I, just yesterday, made my PS for the Fantasmic dinner package for the 5th July. I got a PS for 6.20. Maybe I would have preferred to have been slightly later but that was all that was available for that date. It will probably be ok as it is recommended to be in the auditorium 30-40 minutes before the show and it is a good 10 minute stroll from the restaurant up into the show. Presuming the show itself starts at 9 we have plenty of time to enjoy a leisurely meal before heading up to Fantasmic. Our PS is for H&V where we have dined before. I think it is ideally suited to dining with a small child as there is a good varied buffet with all the childrens favourites.

It might be useful to follow this link
http://allearsnet.com/din/fantdin1.htm for more info re the Fantasmic DP.

One thing not in the guide books - do take an extra layer to wear in H&V as the air conditioning is severe (or was when we were last there).

Finally, enjoy arguably the best show at WDW.

 

[ndmommy]

Just wanted to let everyone know that I did the FDP at the Brown Derby on Saturday, June 4 and they did accept our DDE card.

I had read where some people were able to use it, so I decided it wouldn't hurt to try. I didn't even ask, I just put the DDE email and my ID in with my credit card when I got the bill. They came back with a revised bill with the 20% taken off. I was so excited.

Maybe they have decided to accept it now.

 

[minijeanie]

I have to ask the Question? Why would anyone pay such a high price for PS,, when you still have to be there at least 45-50 minutes ahead of time to get a great seat...

no so long ago, you could eat at anyone of the above mentioned restaurants, and choose from anything off the menu... No exoribinant pricing.

so curious minds want to know?? what is the advantage to all of this.

I would rather eat where I want, pay the normal price and just stake out my seat an hour ahead of time.

To me, there is nothing gained here but spending extra money.

we will be going in a few short days,,,,I plan on doing fantasmic at the later show which I believe is 10:30... I will show up at 10:00 and I believe I won't have a problem getting in..

and if I do,,then I will go home and try again the next night...

 

[Minnie's Mate]

We just gave our server our DDE card (along with license to prove identity and our room key to charge to) and she came back with the discounted amount charged to our room. Pretty much the same this we did at the other places we ate at/used DDE.

We just returned from WDW on 6/11 and did the FDP at HBD on 6/10. Our server told us we couldn't use our DDE. We told her that a "friend" had used their DDE at the HBD just a few weeks earlier for the FDP and she said that their was not a discount available on the FDP, not even for WDW employees, because the meal was already discounted. She offered to get the manager and he came to our table and refused to discount the meal with the DDE, but offered a couple of fast passes. I told him that wasn't necessary if that was the policy that was the policy. He gave me his business card and said he would like to know the CM that had given the discount so he could correct the CM because that was definitely against the policy.

Do you remember the manager's name you spoke to? I have the manager's card I spoke to in my suitcase and I would be interested in knowing if it was the same. He was young, tall (at least from my seated position), and slim.

Like I said earlier, I was skeptical about being able to use the DDE on the FDP. Like everything else with Disney, it depends on the CM you get whether you get the discount or not. So much for our $20 discount.

 

[justhat]

So sorry you weren't able to use it. I just read a couple of posts back that anyone person had no trouble with it either so too bad that wasn't the case with you. Unfortunately I really don't remember the manager's name, I'll check with my husband, but I doubt he remembers either. Honestly, I probably would not have remembered his name 20 minutes after we finished our meal-my memory has gone way downhill after I had a baby! He was a young guy, not sure on his height though, but next to me anyone is tall!

We do have the CM's name on the receipt, but I don't feel it's necessary to have her 'corrected' because I know she's not the only CM giving the discount and I certainly wouldn't want her punished or anything like that.

 

[justhat]

I have to ask the Question? Why would anyone pay such a high price for PS,, when you still have to be there at least 45-50 minutes ahead of time to get a great seat...

no so long ago, you could eat at anyone of the above mentioned restaurants, and choose from anything off the menu... No exoribinant pricing.

so curious minds want to know?? what is the advantage to all of this.

I would rather eat where I want, pay the normal price and just stake out my seat an hour ahead of time.

To me, there is nothing gained here but spending extra money.

we will be going in a few short days,,,,I plan on doing fantasmic at the later show which I believe is 10:30... I will show up at 10:00 and I believe I won't have a problem getting in..

and if I do,,then I will go home and try again the next night...

I have posted this before, on page 54, but I guess it's worth repeating. You are not always paying such a high price for a PS with the FDP, in fact we spent considerably less using the FDP than if we had just booked a regular PS. In the future, I would consider booking the FDP for BD even if we're not planning on seeing Fantasmic, simply because it is such a good deal. Also, we've never gotten to the show an hour in advance with the package, always closer to 30-40 minutes and have gotten good seats.

Here's my previous post regarding the price of the FDP.

Depending on where and what you eat the FDP can be a real bargain. We did it last month at Brown Derby, and spent way more on the meals than we paid with the package. It was $36.99 and here's what we each spent: crabcake ($8.49), filet ($27.99), and New Age chocolate cake ($7.99)=$45.50; crabcake, filet, and cheesecake ($7.59)=$45; crabcake, pork ($22.49), and chocolate hazelnut cake ($8.29)=$39.50. So if we had eaten there without the package we would have spent much more than the $36.99/person, so when you look at it that way it looks like a pretty good deal. We also had the DDE card, so we actually only paid $30/person, so it was really a bargain for us. Plus we left dinner and went right into the show, got really good seats and didn't have to wait in line (the day we went the show it was at 8:30pm and another show at 10 and there was a line forming by 4pm).

 

[tekmom]

We are going to do the FDP next month and I had heard conflicting reports on using DDE with the package, also. I received my letter from DDE and no where on it, does it state that it can not be used with FDP. With so many conflicting experiences, you would think it would be in writing.

 

[CinderellaPug]

We're doing the package in a few weeks. It seems like a great deal for BD with the FDP. Especially with the DDE which we have. Is the menu very different from the regular menu...I was looking forward to the cobb salad that I have heard is very good there.

 

[justhat]

You eat off of the regular menu, there's no special FDP menu. You can choose any appetizer, entree, and dessert. I think there's something about the cobb salad, like it counts for 2 appetizers or something, but other than that, it's the regular menu.

 

[Minnie's Mate]

We do have the CM's name on the receipt, but I don't feel it's necessary to have her 'corrected' because I know she's not the only CM giving the discount and I certainly wouldn't want her punished or anything like that.

I agree with you, I wouldn't report her. I was just currious about the manager's name to see if you remembered his/her name. If you did, I might write the HBD and request a partial refund. But since you don't, I wouldn't bother with it any further. I certainly wouldn't report the server. I don't believe in getting people in trouble.

 

[justhat]

Honestly, I forgot to ask my husband, but will tonight when he gets home in case he does remember. No, I didn't think you'd report her, but to think the manager wanted her reported is a bit much. I mean, there are so many conflicting reports about the DDE and FDP that there's no need for him to single her out.

 

[nkkilala]

Can you use a MYD sit down meal with the FDP?? I am considering Mamma Melros and would like the FDP but don't want to buy a meal I just want to use one of my points......Does anyone know if you can do this?

 

[Minnie's Mate]

No. My understanding is that you cannot us MYD for the package. But then again, some are allowed to use the DDE on their FDP and others can't. I'd confirm with Disney Dining first to be certain. Get the CM's name, employee ID # and what they had for breakfast that day to make sure you get the "right" answer !

 

[vascubaguy]

I didn't ask for the FDP when I used the MYWD plan at HBD, but the server gave us the tickets for the show anyway. (I think this has happened to quite a few people)

 

[Paul in CT]

Why must you arrive 30 to 60 minutes before the show if you have a ticket for the special section? Do they let you in to sit down at least at the "1 hour before" or is it like the "free" entrance where you stand around for 30 to 40 minutes then in another holding area for a time then the slow "cattle call" into the theater?

 

[vascubaguy]

Why must you arrive 30 to 60 minutes before the show if you have a ticket for the special section? Do they let you in to sit down at least at the "1 hour before" or is it like the "free" entrance where you stand around for 30 to 40 minutes then in another holding area for a time then the slow "cattle call" into the theater?

Fantasmic is one of the most popular shows... people start lining up 2 hours before in some cases. Even with the priority seating vouchers, theres a lot of those and people get there early to try and want to get "center stage" seats. So, to get those seats, even with the vouchers, you have to get there early. If you get there just before the show starts, you will likely still be able to find a seat and even in the furthest section from the center in the priority area, the view isn't too terribly bad, but definately not center stage.

You'll see.... and just wait until you try and get out of there... whew... talk about crazy!

 

[Tony Toon]

I've done the FDP several times and have never experienced it the way just described. I've arrived I think 30 - 45 mins before the show, gone straight to the special section for DP holders and found a good seat without any problem - and this was during busy periods. At the end of the show and if you're not in a hurry then just take your time and it's ok (but busy!!)

So don't be scared off by Vascubaguy's comments. If you're prepared for the crowds (as we all are at these times) then I don't foresee a problem.

Enjoy.

 

[justhat]

I agree that people start lining up hours in advance for the regular seats, so getting there 30 minutes early with the FDP seems like nothing to me. When we went in April (the 24th I believe) there were 2 Fantasmics, 8:30 and 10. We had the FDP but we saw people getting their dinner and eating on the ground outside the entrance to the Fantasmic theatre at 4:30!! 4 hours before the show! Yes, it was very crowded in late April this year, but still, 4 hours. Granted, there weren't that many people lining up that early, but some were, and I would not have believed it if I hadn't asked them what they were waiting for (we were going to see Beauty and the Beast after my husband and BIL got off of RnRC, so I wanted to be sure that the show entrance hadn't moved and that I should be waiting in the line). With the FDP, we've never gotten there an hour in advance, 40 minutes I think is the earliest we've arrived, and always gotten a great seat in the reserved section. Once they messed up our FDP PS (called to move the time earlier, after we had already left for Disney, so we never got that message) and we were eating at 4:40 for a 6pm show. It was 12/29/02, so no way could we have seen the show without FDP unless we waited hours in line, or saw the 10:30pm show (there were 3 shows a night) so we had no choice but to hurry through our meal and rush over. They held the reserved seating for us and after we got to the seats we saw a heard of regular people rushing into the reserved section. We still got decent seats, but not where we wanted to sit, but it was also about 5-10 minutes before the show that we arrived.