Fantasmic Dinner Package necessary?

[scavon]

I think about this at least once a week.

We are scheduled for MGM on Wednesday, October 17th. I have an ADR set for 5:20. It will be me, DH, DD5, and DD3. The show is @ 7:30. I keep asking myself if it is worth it to keep the ADR. Do we eat somewhere that is just okay for just okay seats. And what about the possibility of it being rained out and I've spent the OOP money for the dinner package and then not even be able to see the show. (staying offsite, so no DDP) I think my DH and I have learned how to occupy our children pretty good after 5 years of practice. I was even able to keep them occupied without either one of them or myself for that matter from going completely crazy by standing in the checkout line for OVER 3 HOURS last Saturday at the Vera Bradley Outlet Sale. So, I'm seriously thinking about cancelling our ADR and picking up something while we wait.

Thoughts?

Oh, evening EMH is at AK that night.

 

[Aliceacc]

It's been 17 years since I was at WDW, so forgive me if I say something out of line.

But the food isn't the main reason I'm going to Disney. Sure, the restaurants I'm planning for ADRs sound great and I'm really looking forward to each of them, but we have LOTS of wonderful restaurants around here. Disney is the reason I'm going to Disney, and Fantasmic, by all reports, seems to be Disney at its best.

So I'll take the package. It will make it easier for me to enjoy one of the things I'm flying to Orlando to experience. I'm sure I'll have a very nice dinner, and then after that, I'll have seating at a wonderful Disney production. If the dinner turns out to be only so-so, I can live with that.

Does that make sense?

 

[beattyfamily]

I think about this at least once a week.

We are scheduled for MGM on Wednesday, October 17th. I have an ADR set for 5:20. It will be me, DH, DD5, and DD3. The show is @ 7:30. I keep asking myself if it is worth it to keep the ADR. Do we eat somewhere that is just okay for just okay seats. And what about the possibility of it being rained out and I've spent the OOP money for the dinner package and then not even be able to see the show. (staying offsite, so no DDP) I think my DH and I have learned how to occupy our children pretty good after 5 years of practice. I was even able to keep them occupied without either one of them or myself for that matter from going completely crazy by standing in the checkout line for OVER 3 HOURS last Saturday at the Vera Bradley Outlet Sale. So, I'm seriously thinking about cancelling our ADR and picking up something while we wait.

Thoughts?

Oh, evening EMH is at AK that night.

I think you will be fine without the package in October. We did Fantasmic without the package the end of October last year and entered about 1 hour before and sat right in the center, half way back. Got to eat where we wanted to; 50's Prime Time.

 

[TifferRN]

Can anyone comment on my previous post question:
Also- if we don't do the dinner ressies and just try and get there early for good seats would it be okay or "acceptable" for a couple of us, adults, to sit and hold the seats while the other 2 adults walk around to entertain the children?

I am a newbie and don't know how things work in WDW. I haven't been in >15yrs.... and have never been to MGM.

 

[beattyfamily]

Can anyone comment on my previous post question:
Also- if we don't do the dinner ressies and just try and get there early for good seats would it be okay or "acceptable" for a couple of us, adults, to sit and hold the seats while the other 2 adults walk around to entertain the children?

I am a newbie and don't know how things work in WDW. I haven't been in >15yrs.... and have never been to MGM.

If the show is not a big priority for you then I'd not do the package and try for the first show at 6:30p. If that is full, then go do some fun stuff and come back and try for the second show at 8:00p.

I don't know a lot about the EMH crowd levels so I can't really advise on that.

I know that even with the package you should enter for the show at about 45 minutes before because at 30 minutes before, the package seats are no longer guaranteed and sometimes are opened up to the regular guests.

I've entered at 1 hour to 45 minutes before and had great seats in Aug, Sept, Nov and Dec BUT it wasn't a EMH night.

The time goes by fast, IMHO, especially if you get some snacks to eat. My girls enjoy doing the wave!

It is possible but difficult to save seats. You can get squeezed from a bench that fit 4 people to a bench that now fits 2 people. Just like what happens when waiting for the parade to start. I get very nervous when DH takes one of my girls to the bathroom. It's tough to save those seats.

Good luck!

 

[Kiddeokee]

The only restaurant request my dbf has requested is Sci Fi... he has me picking all the rest. I am not doing the Fantasmic package because we prefer to try Sci Fi. We do realize that we need to get there kinda early.. last year we showed up RIGHT before it started & ended up in the back left corner. I would prefer slightly better seats this time.