Fantasmic Dinner Package vs Brown Derby using TIW

[KathyK]

I currently have a Fantasmic Dinner package for 5:30 p.m. on the date that we'd like to dine at Brown Derby. I discovered that we won't be able to use our TIW card if we have the package, so I thought that I would cancel and just get a regular reservation for Brown Derby for that night. We've had good luck on the past few trips finding seating at Fantasmic without using the dining package.

Well, the only times available are 3:35 or 7:05 (and since we have a lunch ADR at PTC, the 3:35 is not going to work). There is one Fantasmic show that night at 8:30. Based on our Brown Derby experiences in the past, I'm figuring that dinner will last until at least 8:30 if we took the 7:05.

Now, Brown Derby is a restaurant where we typically get appetizer, entree, and dessert (I've got to have my grapefruit cake). So if I add up $9-$15 for an appetizer plus ~$40 for an entree, and ~$10 for dessert, we're already up to about $60 per person without adding beverages. (Though the kids are 11 and 12 and would probably be happy with an appetizer and dessert... but I digress)

So, basically I have to decide if we really want to see Fantasmic or if we really want to save 20%, because a 7:05 ADR will most likey not allow us to get to an 8:30 Fantasmic.

So, which woud you pick - Fantasmic or 20% off?

 

[Nanajo1]

Does it have to be Brown Derby?

 

[KathyK]

Yes. We have a meal at Brown Derby on every trip. It is one of our favorite restaurants.

 

[ses1230]

Do you really want to see the show? Have you seen it before?

Fantasmic is just ok for us, we have seen it a number of times. I think I would rather use the time for attractions, so I would go for the TiW discount.

 

[KathyK]

Do you really want to see the show? Have you seen it before? "

Yes. We have seen it numerous times (though we did take a break for several years when my 12 year old had a fear of fireworks). I'd poll the family, but I'm sure that the kids would day that Fantasmic is a must do while DH and I would vote to save money on the must do restaurant.

These are the same kids that tried to convince me that we need to do the DxDP again, even though they won't come close to eating like adults.

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

I would take the dining package and see Fantasmic! But that's me.

 

[purple figment]

If the park is open late that evening could you make a dinner reservation at HBD for after Fantasmic!? I agree that a 7:05 res at HBD would be too close to the Fantasmic! start time as well as we wouldn't be hungry for another big meal that soon after a 3:35 meal at 50's. Or take the 3:35 at HBD and see if there's a '50s reservation after Fantasmic!

 

[catra121]

Dining package all the way for me. I think if you have a decent time now...why change up the schedule and miss Fantasmic over...what...$30? I typically tip 20% but I know not everyone does...and TIW charges an automatic 18%. So if you normally tip around 15% or less then that's additional cost using the TIW card.

I would keep the dining package. If you order anything not including in the dining package (beer, wine, etc) then you can use the TIW card for any of those items I believe.

I always get the dining package and always go to Brown Derby. I really enjoy the food there and the seating for Fantasmic has always been great.

 

[KathyK]

Thanks for the help. We decided to cancel the Fantasmic package and go with the later reservation. The fact that the kids are light eaters has swayed us.