Fantasmic! dinner package - worth it?

[nhdisnut]

This is more of a planning question than a restaurant question - We are considering taking advantage of the Fantasmic diiner package at the Hollywood and Vine duiring our next trip in April. Fantasmic is one of our favorite shows but it seems that with the dining plan we will be able to reduce time waiting for the show and maximize our time doing other things in the park. Aside from the dinner (after all, we will eat somewhere anyway), is the dinner package worth doing (view of Fantasmic, waiting time, etc.)?? Thanks!

 

[isyt]

I almost always do the dinner pkg. When I see the line to get in I am glad we did it. I have eaten at all 3 restuarants and if we have a group we do H&V but if it is just my family (5) we do Brown Derby. The seats are not better than waiting in line but their not worse either. They re not suppose to take the dining plan for FP but at H&V they usually do as well as the dde card, but never at Brown Derby. It is always worth it!

 

[MzDiz]

Even if you change your mind, make your ADR now. I made mine a month ago and had to play with the times a bit because it was selling out.

 

[Darth Sidious]

It is so worth it. Thats the only way we see Fantasmic now is through the ADR's. It doesn't pay to have to get there an hour and half before the show starts, just to wait there and sit and do nothing. While you could be having fun or eating dinner.

 

[DisneyDotty]

I've done it with Brown Derby and H&V and thought it was very much worth it--BUT, we've always gone during busy times in the summer, when Fantasmic filled up. I'm wondering if you'll be there during a slower time, when maybe you won't need to get there so earlier w/o the dinner package?

 

[melomouse]

Yes, yes,yes! With Dining Plan in place, the ADR's and FDP go fast!! Book now - I almost wasn't able to get in last October for our 3rd time seeing Fantasmic! Called a few times and finally got the last possible time - which left more park time, great dinner,a quick run over, and great seats...

but my kids love the heat and the spray mist - so we sit up front!!!

I can't say enough good things about the FDP - I use it every time we go. Maximizes time for us as we can't/won't do long lines and waits, especially for shows.

Enjoy!
melomouse

 

[jlf25]

I just got back from WDW last week and we did Fantasmic on a Friday night. We wanted to do the dinner package at Mamma Melrose, but the only time they had available was very early in the afternoon. Instead, we made a regular reservation for Mamma Melrose (without the package) at 5:00 and we were able to walk right into Fantasmic after dinner - no lines. The seats were great too. So yes, I think it really depends on how busy it is at the time.

 

[DrTomorrow]

Not sure on how much time you save avoiding (?) the line, but the seats don't seem to be as good. Last time we went (May 2005) the dinner ressie people were seated way off to the right; we waited 40 minutes and got center just behind the 'mist' zone.

 

[Amy&Dan]

We did this once but to me its not worth it. We always eat at Sci Fi, and I don't think thats part of this package. But mostly, I don't want to pay for a dinner hooked into a show that might not happen. If it rains the show doesn't go and I just spent a lot of money on a dinner I might have not enjoyed (our experience when we did do it the one time) or wouldn't have done if it hadn't been part of the package. I waste my time waiting for the show because I paid for the package and don't want to bag it. Arriving a bit early isn't a big deal since there is at least a place to sit while you wait. And I have never arrived one and half hours early for this show. In fact, we just did Fantasmic the week between Christmas and New Years, the most crowded week of the year. We arrived at MGM about 55 minutes before the show started and still had time for a bathroom break and to wade through the mobs of people and get good seats. Last January we got there 5 minutes before and got fine seats. It was off season but it was an EMH night and pretty crowded. If the dinner package seats were the best ones I might feel differently. I certainly see why others do this but for my family it doesn't seem necessary.

 

[nhdisnut]

If we decide to do the plan - how early a time to eat so we get to an 8:30 showing of Fantasmic?

Thanks for all of the info so far!!

 

[TAKitty]

Most of the dinner times they allow are around 4:15-4:40ish for an early Fantasmic. I went during a busy July day to the first Fantasmic (there were two that night) and we didn't arrive until 30 minutes before the show and we still found seats. They were in the back, but I thought they were still good. In Dec. I tried to cancel our Fantasmic dinner package and because I wasn't 24/48 hours out I would have had to pay 10.00 a person. I elected to continue with the package.

 

[JulielovesDisney]

It is convienent, because you can take your time with eating dinner, and not rush so you'll get to the Ampitheater an hour before the show starts to get a good seat.

But I personally don't like the seating. It's off to the right side, and you don't get the full effect of everything. You can still see everything, but I personally would rather get there early and sit near the middle than sit off to the side and get there later.

So I think it's not worth it. But it all depends on how good you want your view to be.

 

[arwood82]

I personally love the FDP. Again it depends on the time of the year. It worked out great for us because we had a small child with us and we all know small children do not do well with just sitting. The FDP cut down our waiting time significantly.

 

[jann1033]

imo it totally depends on if you go off or peak season..we could easily walked in 10-20 mins pre show and had good seats in Jan( the weather had been bad for afew days so i would think if anything it would have been more crowded since it was the first nice night for a few days). we sat down 20 mins pre show but there was a whole section available when the show started. however, i'm sure in more busy times that would not be the case. we went two nights and left one time due to being cold. it was kind of funny but some acted like the old rope drop in MK and RAN as fast as they could to get in ...then when they saw the empty theater stopped short like, uhhh more than enough seats so no sense in that

not sure how it works if you use the dining plan, if it doesn't cost more why not get it? if it does and it's off season i wouldn't bother

 

[bytheblood]

We always do it. We do Hollywood & Vine when we are paying out of pocket and Mama Melrose on the dining plan. I strongly suggest it. Even if you want to sit somewhere else when you get in, as long as they are letting non-package guest in. We do it each time. We always ask the CM anyway - and they always tell us to sit wherever.

 

[BelleNBeastie]

I would check out the menus at Hollywood and Vine. We were a little disappointed, I wish we went to Mama Melrose's instead!