Fantasmic Dinner Package??

[UK Princess]

Hello,

This is my first post so sorry if it's in the wrong place!!

I am currently planning my first WDW trip which I have been dreaming about since I was a kid, so my expectations are high! It will be our honeymoon and we are staying at the GF for 11 nights and have the regular DDP.

Having read LOTS of reviews etc. I am unsure of whether to bother with the Fantasmic Package and would like some advice. Have read terrible things about H&V and Mamma Melroses plus my fiance is Italian so really doesn't like 'paying' for mediocre or bad Italian food! I don't really want to use up 2 credits for Brown Derby which is why I am unsure what to do??

Do we just gamble and get in the regular Fantasmic queue??? Or risk a disappointing meal safe in the knowledge that we have seats??

Any thoughts???

 

[catne]

my thoughts...try the restaurants yourself to see if they're good or not. If you go in with realistic expectations, you'll probably find that you like these places just fine. You read 20 negative reviews on here...but the truth is these places serve thousands of meals every week to perfectly satisfied clients. You just don't here from all the people with a positive experience...as usual it's the "squeaky wheel" that you hear from.

We really liked both Hollywood & Vine and Mama Melrose (did both on Fantasmic Dinner package last year.) We're doing Mama Melrose again in May.

 

[TheNewMrsB]

My husband and I went on our honeymoon back in September and we used two credits for the Brown Derby as part of the Fantasmic package. It was probably my least-memorable meal, food-wise (though the grapefruit cake was pretty tasty). But they did give us complimentary champagne and took our picture when they saw our "Just Married" buttons - So it was still a very nice meal!

I've heard fairly decent things about Mama Melrose - take a chance, appreciate it for what it is. Remember that you're on your honeymoon and enjoy it! Because if the waitstaff at MM is anything like the staff everywhere else we went that week, they will do their best to make it special for you. And from what my husband has told me, it was worth not having to wait in a regular line for the show!

 

[KEMdisney]

Hi! I have never done the Fantasmic package, we are trying it for the first time in June and eating at MM.
I just wanted to add, if it will just be you and your soon to be hubby, you might not mind waiting in line. My DBF and I have seen Fantasmic two times, and without children hanging all over us, we didnt seem to mind the line. It was also pretty easy to find a small spot for two in the theater.. Just something to think about, if you really didnt want to try any of the restaurants.

 

[UK Princess]

Thanks for the thoughts... all interesting stuff

 

[tinkerone]

can someone tell me what this dinner package is? what is the cost and what is the benifite?

 

[KatMark]

can someone tell me what this dinner package is? what is the cost and what is the benifite?

Not sure what the cost is as we use the dining plan. It consists of one of three restaurants: H&V, Mama Melrose or Brown Derby. You get an appetizer (obviously, except for H&V since it is a buffet--you get all the food), entree and dessert. You also get a ticket for special seating at the FIRST and ONLY FIRST showing (if there are two on that particular night) of Fantasmic. It used to be that there was a separate entrance for the ticket holders but now everyone goes in the same entrance.

 

[Dustmouse]

We're skipping the FDP and waiting it out in the que, but we seem to be the only ones. It seems like everyone is trying to get the package! While we did really enjoy the Brown Derby, the reserved seating for Fantasmic stunk!

 

[catne]

one of the reasons the Fantasmic dinner package is so much more popular this year is because they have cut back so much on the number of showings so there have been reports that the line is forming 2 hours before show time, and standing room only by 30 minutes before show starts. People have reported CMs down on the street turning people away. So having a guaranteed seat without waiting for 2 hours is why people want the dinner packages.

 

[Jen-N-Troy]

Is the package covered under the dinner plan or does it cost out of pocket?

 

[KatMark]

Is the package covered under the dinner plan or does it cost out of pocket?

You can use the dining plan for the package--we have the last three years.

 

[iakot]

Fantasmic is a laser/pyrotecnic show at DS. You can book a dinner package that includes tickets for seating in a section that is not the greatest. You get a fixed price menu at the restaurant, and there is no additional charge for the tickets. You can use your disney dining plan for the meal.

http://allears.net/din/fantdin1.htm