Fantasmic Dinner Package

[tiggerlover]

Tell me about the Fantasmic dinner packages, are they worth it? I didn't know that it existed until yesterday so I do not know all much about it. My first thought is to ask the knowledgeable folks of the DIS.

 

[OKW Lover]

Although we've done these packages in the past, we no longer think they are worth it. There really isn't a problem getting a seat for Fantasmic.

 

[tiggerlover]

Does anyone else have an opinion?

 

[NTDreams]

We were there in Aug. We thought it was worth it. We went our first day there. We loved it. The food was good ( Hollywood and Vine). You don't have to really get there much earlier. You have choices. I think next time we may try the Brown Derby if it's still around.

 

[goin2themouse]

I have read that Fantasmic has cut back to two(?) showings a week, and that those showings are extremely crowded. I would definitely look more into the Fantasmic package if your heart is set on viewing Fantasmic.

I'll see if I can find you a link.

 

[jennipooh]

OP, since you just heard about the Fantasmic Pkg. This may be of interest to you. I read somewhere that you cannot use your DDE card (now Tables in Wonderland) but you can use the Disney Dining Plan.

Does anyone know if I am correct in this?

Although we've done these packages in the past, we no longer think they are worth it. There really isn't a problem getting a seat for Fantasmic.

*Warning* This was not our experience....AT ALL!!!
We had never done Fantasmic before as our first few visits ds just wasn't interested in Fantasmic. We planned on it for our trip this past December. We were really looking forward to it. Most days during our trip we just walked onto attractions without a wait, but when it came to Fantasmic, we went about 40 minutes before show time (we meandared over there at a relaxing and glacial pace, to be honest). Boy were we disappointed. It was standing room only by the time we hit the stadium. DS wanted to leave, but we stuck it out (STANDING) and the show was awesome. We decided that we have to get over there sooner next trip and either eat quick service in the stadium an hour before show time or book the Fantasmic package! Remember, we were there the first week in December before the number of showings was cut to two nights per week!!!!!

Regardless of what you decide, I hope you get a seat. It is a great show.

 

[goin2themouse]

Here is the link that references the large crowds at Fantasmic:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2062101

 

[Joshua_me]

We've done it twice with dinner at HBD, and have enjoyed it both times.

It's nice to have a good meal and a couple of cocktails before the show, knowing that you're guaranteed a pretty good (but not the best) seat.

But.

And this is a BIG 'But' ! Know that it's a bit of a gamble in terms of the weather. If Fantasmic is canceled because of wind or rain or bad weather in general, there is NO refund. None.

Yes, it's a licence to steal on Disney's part, but that's how they do it.

 

[homeschoolmomof4]

I don't see how it's a license to steal. You are only paying for the cost of the meal. There is no additional charge for the package. Could you clarify what you mean?

 

[MaryKatesMom]

I don't see how it's a license to steal. You are only paying for the cost of the meal. There is no additional charge for the package. Could you clarify what you mean?

I wouldn't be so extreme to call it "stealing" but it could be a huge dissappointment if Fantasmic! is cancelled. They will not give you a fastpass for another night. This has happened to us in the past.

To clarify it you have to buy a Price Fixe menu and under normal circumstances we would never order app, entree and dessert meaning it is a great way to upsell plus you have to go early and take tables that most likely would not fill up.

However, if we are set to see Fantasmic! I wouldn't do it any other way. DHS looks empty and dead prior to walking in the stadium then you realize that is where everyone is!

To a PP we've always used are DDE card there without issue, even for the package but they may have changed the rules since we haven't done the package in over a year.

 

[homeschoolmomof4]

Ah. That makes sense. And if you wouldn't be eating at one of those restaurants anyway I could see how that would be a serious loss of cash as well.

 

[dianemb]

We had the experience twice where we didn't go because it had rained all day and it was still drizly and the show wasn't cancelled. We did not want to sit in the drizzle or walk through it to go to our ADRs and went to a resort for dinner instead. We each lost $10 each time. Disney is less likly to cancel then you are to not want to weather the weather. Luckily it was great this last time in December and we finally got to see it. It was great and so was our dinner at Hollywood and Vine even though it doesn't get very good reviews here.

 

[tamclan]

Does anyone else have an opinion?

If you were going to eat at Table Service Restaurant and are going when HS is crowded definitely worth it.

You get to take your time in getting to the theater, rather than get to the theater and wait forever. If you have impatient kids like mine and the package doesn't cost extra money, why not.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[eagillinois]

We thought it was worth it. Now that the show is cut back, I would say it is more necessary than before to get a seat.

 

[centurythree]

We loved it! The Brown Derby was great, and we would have eaten there anyway. Fantasmic did fill 1/5, and we were able to stroll in relatively last minute and have our pick of great seats. Since we were all so spread out until the last minute, everyone around us was in a great mood too and we had fun waiting.

 

[B9erSteve]

Although we've done these packages in the past, we no longer think they are worth it. There really isn't a problem getting a seat for Fantasmic.

I have read that Fantasmic has cut back to two(?) showings a week, and that those showings are extremely crowded. I would definitely look more into the Fantasmic package if your heart is set on viewing Fantasmic.

I'll see if I can find you a link.

My thinking was that once Disney cut the shows back to two a week, the Fantasmic Package would be more important than ever. I really liked the ability to stroll right in and not wait in a long line. Better time management.

 

[PatsMom]

We hadn't done the package in years and in February 2008 decided that since it was President's Week and crowded it would be worth doing. We chose H&V and were happy enough with the food. Fairly typical buffet food. If we do the package again, I pick H&V over mediocre italian at Mama Melrose. Brown Derby gets great reviews but the menu just doesn't appeal to us.

In August and December we figured it was less crowded so we didn't bother with the package. Now that the show is only going to be twice a week, we will probably consider it again in the future. It is nice to know that you can get there 30 minutes prior and get a seat. Especially with the reports recently that the stadium is filled 60 minutes before show time! We are probably going to skip Fantasmic in February because we have seen it enough times that we aren't going to wait over an hour.

 

[tiggerlover]

Thanks so much for the information. I am wondering though if they are going to go back to a regular schedule in July (that is when we are going), I would think it would be insane to only have two shows in the height of the summer.