Fantasmic Dinner Package???

[psimon]

I just booked my dining plans for November and when making my "reservation" for Mama Melrose, I was offered the Fantasmic Dinner Package. My group is us parents and two 11 year olds. Is $32.99 plus tax plus tip (as quoted from allearsnet), making this over $120 for the 4 of us really worth it ? Seems kind of high, especially to spend on two 11 year olds.

All thoughts and experiences appreciated....

---Paul in Southern NJ

 

[Anthony1971]

For the Adults it is a good deal for the food itself if you like a 3 course meal..
for the children???? it depends on how much they eat..
I have nevr had a problem getting seats at Fantasmic but you want to be there at least 15-20 minutes early...

 

[tinkgurl]

We love the Fantasmic Package! Last year, we used it and ate at Hollywood and Vine. This year, we are using it at Mama Melrose. It's so nice to be able to use our Fantasmic pass and walk a different way and beat alot of the crowd! Have fun!

 

[beattyfamily]

Only do the package if you are afraid there won't be any seats left at Fantasmic. There's only a risk of that happening peak season.

I've done the package several times for fear of a line and the unknown. I finally tried doing it without the package (and eating where ever I wanted) twice now; the end of August and the end of October. We entered the stadium (no line) one hour before and we had the best seats ever.

You are only guaranteed a seat wtih the package, not better or good seats (the package seats are off to the far right), up until 30 minutes before the show, then they can open it up to non-package guests who can't find a seat.

The waitress will give you a voucher to enter a special entrance and she will tell you to get to that entrance around 45 minutes before but no later than 30 minutes before.

A few times I did the package, I entered about 40 minutes before and sat to the far right and I could see that there were still MANY great, better seats to be had so, to make a long story short, you don't need the package off season.

My experiences have been Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov and Dec.

 

[badblackpug]

We "did" the fantasmic package last Nov. I wouldn't do it again...we were on DDP so there was no extra charge...but...the dinner ressie times are RIDICULOUSLY early, and we had to wait outside the special entance to Fantasmic for about 45 minutes. In addition the walk from the special entrance was, like, miles! I don't think getting a seat would have been a problem at that time of year.

...by the way...don't miss Fantasmic...it is incredible!

 

[psimon]

We have done Fantasmic in the past and do plan to catch it on our next trip. We are always at WDW "Jersey Week" so that it is usually a bit more crowded. I figured I would take a chance and eat at 5. that should give me more than enough time to get to show. Also that night is is an Extra Magic Hours night, so I am hoping they have two shows, which would give me an even better chance of getting in.

It just seemed I could eat at Mama Melrose for less than the $100 plus it would cost us on the package.

Thanks for the insight

---Paul in Southern NJ

 

[DinaG]

Only do the package if you are afraid there won't be any seats left at Fantasmic. ......

to make a long story short, you don't need the package off season.

WE'll be at MGM May 24th (it's a Thursday before the Memorial Weekend). I made ADR at H&V with the Fantasmic package at 6:30. Now reading all the mixed reviews of H&V, I'm wondering if I need the package - will it be crowded? I wanted to change ADR to Mama Melrose, but we'd have to eat dinner at 3:50pm - that WAY too early for us!
Thanks

 

[wen774]

We like to do the Fantasmic package...but thats because we are on the DDP, so its no extra money...we happen to really like Mama Melrose...and the last two trips we ended up having to stand(while holding kids) at Fantasmic despite arriving 1hr before. Of course that is the beginning of July. I agree...I wouldnt pay out of pocket in the off season.

 

[LISAMWDW]

Interesting. I've never been interested in the package as I've never had a problem getting a good seat for the show. However, with the DDP, it is available for 1 ts so we are trying it this year w/nothing to lose.