Fantasmic dinner package?? Worth it??

[ElizabethDarling]

Hello all!
It's our 1st trip to Disneyworld in September so I'm trying my best here to schedule our must see's...With that being said I booked a reservation for the hollywood brown derby fantasmic dinner package so we had a decent seat for the show. Then I started researching if it was worth it or not since I didn't realize there's actually seating for fantasmic?? (Way different from disneyland!) so long story short.. 1) Is it worth the dinner package or should we just get in line early? And 2) is the dinner package seating really a great spot for viewing?? Then it might be worth the extra $$ anyways

Thoughts or tips would be extremely helpful for this newbie! Thank you!!

 

[Robo]

Hello all!
It's our 1st trip to Disneyworld in September so I'm trying my best here to schedule our must see's...With that being said I booked a reservation for the hollywood brown derby fantasmic dinner package so we had a decent seat for the show. Then I started researching if it was worth it or not since I didn't realize there's actually seating for fantasmic?? (Way different from disneyland!) so long story short.. 1) Is it worth the dinner package or should we just get in line early? And 2) is the dinner package seating really a great spot for viewing?? Then it might be worth the extra $$ anyways

Thoughts or tips would be extremely helpful for this newbie! Thank you!!

1) Up to you and your budget.

2) Very good (center) seats.

Other option is getting a FP+ for the show.

Arriving early (say, 60 minutes before show-time) will net you good seats, too, on most nights.

 

[Jess30]

I felt like it was worth it. The seating area is perfect.

However, that's a slower time to go, so maybe not needed as long as you get there fairly early.

 

[ElizabethDarling]

1) Up to you and your budget. 2) Very good (center) seats. Other option is getting a FP+ for the show. Arriving early (say, 60 minutes before show-time) will net you good seats, too, on most nights.

Thank you for your help! I'll stick with the package, can't beat good seats!

 

[ElizabethDarling]

I felt like it was worth it. The seating area is perfect. However, that's a slower time to go, so maybe not needed as long as you get there fairly early.

Good seats win over all! Thank you for the advice!

 

[Redmic]

We have done the Fantasmic Dinner Package in past years and felt it was worth it, but after last's week experience I no longer think it is.

The tickets tell you to arrive between 8:25 and 8:45. At 8:15 we were at the fruit stand and the combined dinner package and fastpass line reached almost to the fruit stand! It was sooo long, everyone was asking if they were in the standby line, but no, that was the correct line. We hopped in.

By the time we got inside we could see that the dinner package section and fastpass section were separate, but the dinner package section only had about 6 rows left in the back. We did not want to sit that far back so we jumped into the regular section and got good seats about 10 rows back.

Judging by the line, they way oversell the dinner package and give out far to many fastpasses for this to work. I have no idea where they seated the folks that actually showed up at 8:45. I would not bother to do this again, since I had to get in line at 8:15 anyway. I'd just do standby which had a MUCH shorter line and get seats that are just as good, if not better, than the reserved seats. Yes, they were off to the side a little, but much closer to the front.

 

[JimmyV]

We have done the Fantasmic Dinner Package in past years and felt it was worth it, but after last's week experience I no longer think it is.

The tickets tell you to arrive between 8:25 and 8:45. At 8:15 we were at the fruit stand and the combined dinner package and fastpass line reached almost to the fruit stand! It was sooo long, everyone was asking if they were in the standby line, but no, that was the correct line. We hopped in.

By the time we got inside we could see that the dinner package section and fastpass section were separate, but the dinner package section only had about 6 rows left in the back. We did not want to sit that far back so we jumped into the regular section and got good seats about 10 rows back.

Judging by the line, they way oversell the dinner package and give out far to many fastpasses for this to work. I have no idea where they seated the folks that actually showed up at 8:45. I would not bother to do this again, since I had to get in line at 8:15 anyway. I'd just do standby which had a MUCH shorter line and get seats that are just as good, if not better, than the reserved seats. Yes, they were off to the side a little, but much closer to the front.

During the slower times of the year (including September), I agree with this. Even with reserved seats, they ask you to show up early. If you skip the expensive (and insanely early) dinner but show up 30 minutes before the show either as a standby or with a FP, you will get an equally good seat. Last time I saw F!, I called about a Brown Derby dinner package and the latest they would seat us was 4:30. For us, that is a late lunch. Instead we showed up 15 minutes before the show and got mid-level seats on the aisle on the left side. 15 minutes earlier than that and we would have been in the center. But note that the way the show sets up, seats in the left and right sections are very good, especially if you are near the aisle. That said, we have not been to the show since they introduced FP+ to it so I don't know how much that changes things.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Keep in mind that due to the amphitheater style seating and the triple water screens, almost every seat is equally good at the venue. The exceptions may be the first several rows down close to the water. Those can get anywhere from damp to soaked, depending on wind direction and speed. Might be comforting on a super hot summer night, other times, not so much.

Enjoy.

 

[SWofDisorder]

I would say yes to the dinner package. Not having to wait an hour ahead of time is worth it alone. The times are earlier but not bad if you get a snack for later. The seats are good and who doesn't like Fantasmic.

 

[wmpenguin]

I am not sure about this, but I remember maybe something about Fantasmic dinner package people getting guaranteed entrance to the show if they arrive by the time stated on their tickets? While stand by line people are not necessarily guaranteed to get in for the show?

 

[Bamfield]

We also have used the dinner packages in past years but it isn't as nice as it used to be. I agree with the others the dinner package dining times are so early it just doesn't make it as convienient.

In Septemeber, the crowds shouldn't be that bad, so I agree with the others that suggested the stand by line, you still should have excellent viewing.

 

[mggeary]

We have done the Fantasmic Dinner Package in past years and felt it was worth it, but after last's week experience I no longer think it is.

The tickets tell you to arrive between 8:25 and 8:45. At 8:15 we were at the fruit stand and the combined dinner package and fastpass line reached almost to the fruit stand! It was sooo long, everyone was asking if they were in the standby line, but no, that was the correct line. We hopped in.

By the time we got inside we could see that the dinner package section and fastpass section were separate, but the dinner package section only had about 6 rows left in the back. We did not want to sit that far back so we jumped into the regular section and got good seats about 10 rows back.

Judging by the line, they way oversell the dinner package and give out far to many fastpasses for this to work. I have no idea where they seated the folks that actually showed up at 8:45. I would not bother to do this again, since I had to get in line at 8:15 anyway. I'd just do standby which had a MUCH shorter line and get seats that are just as good, if not better, than the reserved seats. Yes, they were off to the side a little, but much closer to the front.

This the first I've heard of dining package seats being near full 45 min out. We're standby guests sneaking in? I'm now leaning against the package. Early dinner times don't bother us (we would do MM lunch), but price is steep and our kids would be just as happy splitting the flatbreads. I think I'll stick with standby. It's kind of nice to be on the right (facing theatre) for a quicker exit anyway.

 

[Mydreams]

Having never been to Disney World, I have a question that may seem a little dumb to some of you, but here goes anyway. If you do the dinner package, how does it work? Do you have your dinner first and then when you are done you go to be seated for the show?

Cathy

 

[Mikie]

We also have used the dinner packages in past years but it isn't as nice as it used to be. I agree with the others the dinner package dining times are so early it just doesn't make it as convienient.
.

I don't know if I'm just an early eater, but my F! Package dinner is for 5:30, which I didn't think was an outrageously early meal time. I've seen some reviews of people saying they felt the seating areas weren't really protected/preserved for dinner package or FP people, so I'm a little concerned. I'm going in October and my main goal was to minimize wait time while still getting a respectable seat - hope that turns out to be the case!

 

[Mikie]

Having never been to Disney World, I have a question that may seem a little dumb to some of you, but here goes anyway. If you do the dinner package, how does it work? Do you have your dinner first and then when you are done you go to be seated for the show?

Cathy

At the meal you get a voucher for the F! show. Your meal might not be immediately before show time, so you may finish your meal, do other attractions, then show up for the show. Your voucher entitles you to a guaranteed seat in a reserved area in the center section (supposedly, a few people have posted stories about being turned away even with a voucher, not sure of circumstances)

 

[Mydreams]

At the meal you get a voucher for the F! show. Your meal might not be immediately before show time, so you may finish your meal, do other attractions, then show up for the show. Your voucher entitles you to a guaranteed seat in a reserved area in the center section (supposedly, a few people have posted stories about being turned away even with a voucher, not sure of circumstances)

Oh, I see! Thanks for the speedy reply!

 

[ElizabethDarling]

During the slower times of the year (including September), I agree with this. Even with reserved seats, they ask you to show up early. If you skip the expensive (and insanely early) dinner but show up 30 minutes before the show either as a standby or with a FP, you will get an equally good seat. Last time I saw F!, I called about a Brown Derby dinner package and the latest they would seat us was 4:30. For us, that is a late lunch. Instead we showed up 15 minutes before the show and got mid-level seats on the aisle on the left side. 15 minutes earlier than that and we would have been in the center. But note that the way the show sets up, seats in the left and right sections are very good, especially if you are near the aisle. That said, we have not been to the show since they introduced FP+ to it so I don't know how much that changes things.

I completely agree our dinner is scheduled at 3:50pm...and were from California, so we would be having dinner late afternoon??...Ehh BUT was happily willing to do so for good seats.. Now I'm back to reconsidering lol

 

[ElizabethDarling]

Here is my predicament since I'm second and third guessing myself again... The day I've scheduled the fantasmic package is the 1st of mickeys not so scary party, so that means MK will be closed at 7:30 and HS has the late magic hours.. Which now has became clear to me of such early reservation time. Because of MNSSHP is it worth it to keep the reservations? Or should we just tough it out with everyone else and grab the fastpass?

 

[ElizabethDarling]

Keep in mind that due to the amphitheater style seating and the triple water screens, almost every seat is equally good at the venue. The exceptions may be the first several rows down close to the water. Those can get anywhere from damp to soaked, depending on wind direction and speed. Might be comforting on a super hot summer night, other times, not so much. Enjoy.

Amphitheater seating sounds like a dream compared to Disneyland's fantasmic.. You basically crowd around rivers of America and hope the 6'5 and taller family with there giant baby's on their shoulders isn't in front of you lol.. Needless to say a good seat is hard to find, maybe I'll just be happy to see anything!

 

[Mommymarie]

Here is my predicament since I'm second and third guessing myself again... The day I've scheduled the fantasmic package is the 1st of mickeys not so scary party, so that means MK will be closed at 7:30 and HS has the late magic hours.. Which now has became clear to me of such early reservation time. Because of MNSSHP is it worth it to keep the reservations? Or should we just tough it out with everyone else and grab the fastpass?

It might be a good idea to keep the package. Lots of people might park hop over to DHS for the evening due to EMH.....especially since MK is closing early for the party. If you really want good seats without waiting too long, I would keep the dinner package and enjoy