Fantasmic Dinner Package--How early?

[TinkOhio]

I can make our reservation for this tomorrow, and I'm hoping that the Dis pros can help me with a couple of questions. First, what is the earliest time that we can dine and still have it be part of the package? Second, if I'm on the phone right when the lines open, (7:00?), will this be hard to snag?

TIA for any help!

 

[Mackey Mouse]

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/fantasmic.htm but I think I did not notice a time for how early you can dine.. My suggestion would be to call Disney dining and get a direct answer from them. It seems to me we have dined relatively early... like before 4 for this package.. but it has been a while..

 

[kshearer]

We got 4pm reservations at Mama Melrose for the fantasmic pckg. I was hoping for a bit latter actually but that is all they could offer.

 

[sm04]

We just came back last week.. Our reservation for the package was at Mama Melrose's for 3:40 pm. It was a leisurely meal, so we didn't leave until about 5:30...We got in line for Fantasmic around 7:15 for the 8:30 show, and it was standing room only for people without the pkg...

We did get a seat in the reserved section, but even that was filled to the brim by the time we got there...It was a great show, but then to wait an additional hour after it was basically filled to capacity was crazy.

The pkg. is definitely a good idea...

 

[rutgers1]

We did the dinner package during a VERY busy time of the year, yet there were still seats left over - plenty of them - when the show started. I guess it is hit or miss. I wouldn't get there TOO early, though, or else you negate the reason why you even got the package.

 

[sm04]

We did the dinner package during a VERY busy time of the year, yet there were still seats left over - plenty of them - when the show started. I guess it is hit or miss. I wouldn't get there TOO early, though, or else you negate the reason why you even got the package.

I agree that it totally depends when you go. When we went, at 7:15 almost all the seats in the reserved section were filled, and the ones that were left over were not all that great. While the package avoids you having to wait in line for 3+ hrs.. Even with the package I would not wait until 8:00 to get in line to enter. Our waiter (and most tips I've read) recommended to get in line at least an hour before the show starts with the package.

Also, keep in mind that depending on when you go, Disney has cut back on the number of nights they are showing Fantasmic. The week we went, there were only 2 shows. This increases crowd levels.