Fantasmic dinner package

[Happyathome]

I'm confused with this...I'd like to see Fantasmic, and we need to eat, too. Is this dinner package a good thing? What would be a good ADR time if the show is at 7pm? Which restaurant is best for kids? (ages 10-4)

I've read the reviews on All-ears, but am still confused. Hopefully someone here can hold my hand and walk me through it!!

TIA!!

 

[Wild4Walt]

I think it all depends on how bad you want to see Fantasmic. Doing the dining package allows you definate seats in a selected section. ( Mind you these are not necessarily preferred seats - but not bad ones either )

The benefit is that you will not have to wait in line for an hour before Fantasmic to ensure that you get in.

I would recommend something around 5p-530p so you are not rushed. When you call Disney Dining they will also recommend times that are still available. There are only a certain number of spots for this per show.

 

[squirrel]

You will be given an early dinner as they make sure you have plenty of time to see Fantasmic.

You still are asked to be at the entrance 30min before the show starts.

I think it is a really good idea to have the package if you are going at a busy time of the year. Also if you have small children that don't like waiting!

 

[Happyathome]

I think it is a really good idea to have the package if you are going at a busy time of the year. Also if you have small children that don't like waiting!

Well, that's my other dilemna...we're going in Jan., and I've heard it's a low crowd time. Are we better off going somewhere else to eat, and just go to the show? Or are the restaurants invloved in the package good ones to eat at?

 

[luvpooh]

well...was it confirmed that Fantasmic will only be shown select nights now? And if so, when does it start?
Do you think they will eliminate the dinner package if they only have it a couple of nights a week, as to avoid overcrowding?

 

[frdeb1999]

We do the package mainly because of the convience of not having to stand in line to see the show. And we have gone at what is considered off peak season and were still very glad we chose the package....as the lines were still quite long. I agree that a good ADR time would be between 5-530 time frame. Resturant choice is all depending on what type of food your family likes. If your kids are picky eaters then Hollywood & Vine would be a good choice....we've always been happy with the choices and service. We also really like Mama Melrose.

 

[Aliceacc]

We had the dinner package on Sunday night.

We ate at Hollywood & Vine somewhere around 5 pm. Our server left us with a card that got us into the reserved Fantasmic section. So the time you eat doesn't have to relate to the time of the show. (And H&V was nice. Not breathtaking, but good hot food and nice service.) After dinner we spent 90 minutes (!!!) on line for Toy Story Mania (the only time we waited more than 20 minutes all week for anything) and then saw the show.

 

[septbaby]

We had the dinner package on Sunday night.

We ate at Hollywood & Vine somewhere around 5 pm. Our server left us with a card that got us into the reserved Fantasmic section. So the time you eat doesn't have to relate to the time of the show. (And H&V was nice. Not breathtaking, but good hot food and nice service.) After dinner we spent 90 minutes (!!!) on line for Toy Story Mania (the only time we waited more than 20 minutes all week for anything) and then saw the show.

I concur H&V is a comfy atmosphere and broad buffet, a great family meal. It isn't high end food, but I'm glad we had the package and I was full when I left (really liked the salmon dish). We had a 4:45 ressie last August.

Once you book the pkg you'd need to cancel w/in 48hrs if you cannot make it. They'll take a credit card from you when you reserve, so they do have a way to "find" you.

 

[MissionMouse]

OP - The dinner package provides guest with assurances they will have a seat and will not have to wait in a line. If you are facing the stage you will be on the right side and will also use another entrance to the area which originates from the Disney Studio Front Gate area close to the 'gas station.'

We also found that even during the value season the Fantasmic stadium can fill up before show time.

Anyone renting a Disney stroller should use caution as many guest leaving the show area will take strollers..any strollers, even if they never rented one. We found this to be exceptionally true when Fantasmic occurs on a night where the park has extended hours.

 

[DisneyForLife]

Everybody has their own preference on how to do things but if I was going in January I wouldn't bother with the package. It is a slower time of year.
The bleacher seating with the package is on the far right and I prefer to try to sit in the middle. You can see from everywhere but I prefer the center and usually get it. The place is huge with a ton of seating. I have never arrived there any earlier than a half hour and have never been turned away. I go during non peak times though as you are.
It may be that we have always been very lucky.

 

[centurythree]

well...was it confirmed that Fantasmic will only be shown select nights now? And if so, when does it start?
Do you think they will eliminate the dinner package if they only have it a couple of nights a week, as to avoid overcrowding?

Fantasmic will be shown on Mondays and Thursdays in January (after January 4th.) We have the Fantasmic package for Monday, January 5th at the Brown Derby, so my guess is that they've opted to continue the package through the slow season. Fantasmic will typically be at shown at 7 pm, but there is at least one exception to that.

The best way to check to see if it will be shown on the night you're hoping for is to check the official calendar on the Disney website. You need to click on the numerical date to access the times for Fantasmic.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wd...ParkHoursMonthlyViewPage&date=20090101&bhcp=1

 

[Happyathome]

Thanks for all of the replies! I appreciate them!

I think we'll do a package, since Fantasmic is only shown twice the entire week we're there. It might be busy since there are limited showings. And thanks also for the suggestions for H&V. We do have picky kids, and that sounds like a safe bet!

Another question...are we limited to our reserved seats? I'm just wondering if there's not a big crowd, can we move to another area or we required to stay put??

Thanks!!!

 

[septbaby]

Thanks for all of the replies! I appreciate them!

Another question...are we limited to our reserved seats? I'm just wondering if there's not a big crowd, can we move to another area or we required to stay put??

Thanks!!!

I've heard of people doing this, but it wasn't an issue for us. One caution our 5, almost 6yo was scared during parts, so plan to hold the 4yo and do a little reassuring. Our 5yo loved the show and was able to make references and recognized statues of "Fantasmic Mickey" after seeing the show, so I'm not saying don't go, just be prepared. At times I was commanded to "hold me" and had my arms pulled tighter around our little "tough guy".

 

[Surr]

One advantage of the Dinner Package, at least if you are on the DDP, is that it includes appetizer. At least it did when we went in January. We are returning next month and booked the package even though we may not go to the show. My 4yo DD was terrified the first time at the show. I am not sure how much she has matured enough in 8 months to see the show and not be scared again.