Fantasmic dinner package question

[mnlovesdisney]

We will be in WDW 03/25/2004 to 02/27/2004 (Thursday through Saturday). I am wondering is you can make Fantasmic dinner package reservations the same day you want to go or if they need to be made days or weeks in advance. It is just so hard to decide before you are actually at WDW exactly what parks you want to do which day, especially when you need to consider what other members of your group may want to do. Also any clue to how busy the parks will be this time of year? Thanks in advance.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Good luck. I called like 80 days out for any night april 6-13 and they told me nothing was available. You might be able to get one of the restraunts but maybe not with the fantasmic pkg. Be prepared to wait on line up to 60-90 minutes ahead, depending on crowds etc.It is peak season. There are 2 shows when we are there so we will catch the 2nd one, probably less crowded and we are at the swan so its just a hop,skip and jump away. Enjoy your trip.

 

[KimR]

I couldn't get anything either, but I noticed that they take cancellations 48 hours in advance so I plan on checking again 2 days before we go to see if anything has opened up. I figure out of all the FDPs they sell someone is bound to cancel. It's worth a try, at any rate.

 

[mnlovesdisney]

Well it looks like we may just have to skip Fantasmic yet again. Maybe one of these years we may get to see it, but I know there is no way I am waiting 90 minutes to see anything. Nothing is worth that much time standing in line. Maybe we will check out Wishes instead. Thanks for the warning, now I know not to get my hopes up on Fantasmic.

 

[Mr.BsMom]

Last summer when we were there, DH was able to get them on Monday for Wednesday night. I don't know if we just got lucky or what, but it's worth a shot! The show is great!!

One bit of advice... If you can get them, don't wait until the last minute to show up for the show! We ASSumed (I know, I know!) that just because we had the dinner package, that we would get the best seats no matter what time we showed up - as long as it was within the time frame they had told us to return. We got there 10 minutes before the end of that time frame, and were promptly informed that the dinner package seats had all been filled... We ended up in not-so-good seats and were not too happy... Lesson learned, I guess....

 

[mm lover in Ia]

We were there last year and managed to get a PS at H&V for that evening. It was during the parade of course but we had already seen the parade so we didn't really mind.

 

[crow11ad]

we called like 30 days ago for the week of 4-5-04 - 4-10-04 and we got the fantasmic dinner package with no problems. BUt our dinner is at 4:30. So be prepared. I believe that if you can get in for the dinner package and the show is like 2-3 hours later, eat slow and enjoy. Then merly stroll down and enjoy the walk and have fun. Good luck.

 

[XStAnt]

Don't give up on Fantasmic. You have three options.

1) Wait until you get there and call in the morning of the day you go to MGM. This is probably not a great choice because you may not get a package.

2) Book a package now. If you don't go that day you can always cancel.

3) Don't book a package and show up at the theater about 1/2 hour before the show. Many people report getting in then. While you won't get a front row seat, there really aren't any bad seats. It doesn't hurt to try to get a seat just before the showtime.

Good luck.

 

[FatCow]

there really aren't any bad seats.

This is untrue, we watched this show two nights in a row and the centre area is much better than the sides because you can't see what's about to happen when you're sitting right smack dab in the middle.

I would NEVER pay for the dinner package again. I felt gypped big time. Just come 45 minutes earlier, there will be lots of space to fill. At 30 minutes prior to the show, you WILL get seats in the area as bad as if you're booking the dinner package (but on the opposite side of it).

 

[QuickGold]

Originally posted by mnlovesdisney
We will be in WDW 03/25/2004 to 02/27/2004 (Thursday through Saturday). I am wondering is you can make Fantasmic dinner package reservations the same day you want to go or if they need to be made days or weeks in advance. It is just so hard to decide before you are actually at WDW exactly what parks you want to do which day, especially when you need to consider what other members of your group may want to do. Also any clue to how busy the parks will be this time of year? Thanks in advance.

If you can get ressies for the same day, then sure. Late March isn't that crowded but it is during spring break so you will notice the parks being busy.

 

[tjmw2727]

Originally posted by mnlovesdisney
Well it looks like we may just have to skip Fantasmic yet again. Maybe one of these years we may get to see it, but I know there is no way I am waiting 90 minutes to see anything. Nothing is worth that much time standing in line. Maybe we will check out Wishes instead. Thanks for the warning, now I know not to get my hopes up on Fantasmic.

Just FYI your not actually standing in line for the 60-90 minutes. They let you into the theater and then you get your seats and can go get food/drink etc. So we usually grab something from the counter service inside the theater and wait it out. Generally the kids make friends with kids around us etc. IMHO its worth the wait as we think Fantasmic is a don't miss show.

Anyway good luck getting the package but if not try for the 2nd showing as it dosen't seem to fill up as fast.

Enjoy
TJ

 

[woody1967]

Waiting is not something I do well but Fantasmic is something that is worth the wait. If you go on Thursday you won't have to wait in line for 90 minutes. If you get there 50-60 minutes before the show starts you will be fine--and it is worth the wait!

 

[meier56013]

Last July, we walked up to H&V and put our name on the list. Got there at 5pm, seated at 5:40. They quoted an hour wait, so we did some shopping for half an hour and sat outside for 10 more minutes. This was great, good food and we avoided the line for good seats. Unfortunately, 5 minutes before the show began, a storm came through and the show was cancelled. We went back the next night, without preferred seating, and got fine seats an hour before the show. Either way, don't miss this show, it's fantastic.

 

[Aisling]

Just FYI your not actually standing in line for the 60-90 minutes.

I wish that was true for when we were there in July. We waited AT LEAST 60 minutes in a packed crowd, and it was an extremely unpleasant experience, aching feet, heat, humidity, people crammed against each other, no kidding! This was the second show, so they couldn't let our crowd in until the first group had left the arena. There were many people who couldn't stand it anymore and left.

If you go at a less crowded time than July 4th week, it will probably be better, according to the posts I've read here on the Dis.

We're going again at this same time of year, and we're doing the package.