Fantasmic Dinner Packages--yes or no?

[Reeniebean]

Hello!

We are leaving for Disney on Sunday, September 21 and have been planning our trip since February. These boards have been so crucial to our planning process and we appreciate everything we have learned.

We are not 100% sure about what to do with the Fantasmic show, other than we definitely have to see it! We have PS at Hollywood and Vine scheduled for 4:50 p.m. on Monday, September 22 for our large party of 12 (6 adults and 6 kids), but we are not sure if this is worth it. It is so early to have dinner, and our kids will not eat that much at this time, so we are debating whether or not to grab something at our hotel and then head over to MGM early to wait in line. (But that could be a nightmare with our 6 kids who are all 6 and under). We have to cancel our PS 48 hrs. in advance, otherwise we will get charged $10 per person on our VISA, so we would appreciate any thoughts on this.

Thank you!!!
2 more days!

 

[Jay Since 72]

We did the package about two years ago in December (1st week), and it worked out just fine. As for hungry kids, perhaps you could have a big "brunch" at 11 or so, and then an eary dinner won't seem quite so unmanagable. You can always have a late snack or some pizza after the show....

Plus, with a starting hockey team (3 forwards, 2 defenders, and a goalie) all under 6 years old, an ealier time might mean an emptier restaurant, and an easier time.

 

[Magickndm]

I have never done the dinner package, we just show up about 45 minutes early, always get great seats (no bad ones there really), get a snack and enjoy the music. They start seating an hour before the show, so if you head in 45 minutes early, there's no "line" to wait in.

 

[Jackie H.]

Both these suggestions are good. There are definately pluses with a party your size in using the dinner plan.

We have never used it. I am willing to bet that on 9/21 (Sunday) there will not be a huge line for Fantasmics. I don't mean it will be empty, you will still have to get there abour 45 minutes early and sit and entertain the kids - but maybe they can play with each other.

That being said, however, if it IS crowded you might be stuck. We were stuck in the standing room only once and it was NOT FUN! We had to hold the kids on our shoulders for them to see and I didn't see a thing. If I could've left, I would have. But it was packed with people and there really was no way to leave.

With both those things in mind, I would consider these things:

-how important is seeing Fantasmics! to my vacation?
-will I have another opportunity if this one doesn't work out?

If it is very important to you and this is your only chance, I would stick with the dinner plan for insurance. Not being hungry shouldn't be a problem, if you just don't eat lunch. I agree with eating a late breakfast and then hold out until the early dinner. If the kids get cranky, just get them a snack to hold them over.

 

[NYDisneyMom]

We're leaving Sunday also! And I just made the same PS (4:50) for Tuesday night! We've done it around 5:00ish before and it usually works out fine. You can do two things: eat a big breakfast and then just have snacks instead of a full lunch, you'll be starving by 5:00. OR You can have just have a little something for breakfast (I can't function w/out two cups of caffiene in the morning!) and then do a later brunch around 11:00-ish.

Also, remember you will most likely have to wait when you get to the restaurant anyway. Only once have we been seated immediately for a PS. So, tack on another 15 mins. waiting and another 10-15 before you actually eat and you're looking at 5:30 anyway. Take an hour for dinner....leisurely stroll on over to Fantasmic and you'll be seated at 7:15-30. Works for us!

Have a great trip!

 

[LadyRose]

Okay, here is my question....
How does it work to save seats. I have just about decided NOT to do the package. SO, if I got in line 60-75 minutes before the show....can my hubby take the kids to walk around or get something to eat?
We have 2 children 6 and 2. So, we will hold the 2 yr old in our lap. Can I leave my backpack beside me to save a seat, or will a cast member tell me no saved seats.
Also, if I can do this, when would he need to be back before the show?
We have walkie talkies, so I can call him anytime.Thanks!!
P.S. we will be there week of Jan 4-12. Is Famtasmic busy then?

 

[CindyAnn]

I'm not sure how long you can save a seat, but when we've done the dinner package and got our seats about 1/2 hour before the show, we all do the bathroom thing. The boys (DH and DS) hold the seats with the backpacks while the girls go and then we switch around. A number of other people are all spending their time getting organized, too, and we've never been approached by a CM.

 

[redwingsmickey]

We have a 5:20 PS at H&V for me, DW, DS6, and DD3 before a 7:00 Fantasmic on 11/10. Does that give us enough time to eat dinner and make it to Fantasmic on time?

 

[jann1033]

i am wondering about this also...Jan 8, a Thurs. any guesses on how busy it will be?don't even really care about eating the meal but am more wondering if we really need to . how long is it (in case we had to stand) it's hard to make a PS when you don't know when the show is going to be also although I guess the cro will by then..

 

[Jackie H.]

Jann, I would expect that Thursday, Jan 8th would not be a very crowded time. The hotel rates are certainly cheaper!

We always go in the off-season and we've always found Fantasmics! manageable with the exception of when it first opened (that is when we were in standing room only).

If I were you, I would que up about 45 minutes before show time. You won't stand in line that whole time. They open up the theatre at some point and eveyone sits down; and of course they've got plenty of stuff to buy to keep you occupied.

We did that at our visit in September and another time in early December and we got middle section, mid-way up both times - great seats! I would think January 8th would be comparable. ALso, on a Thursday, there won't be a "local factor" - in other words you wouldn't expect many locals to come out to see that show - they would probably come on the weekends.

 

[Reeniebean]

Thanks for all of the great info.!

After reading everyone's responses, and discussing it over and over again with our family, we have decided to cancel our PS for Hollywood and Vine on Monday. We will be at the Animal Kingdom during the day and plan to stop back at the resort to rest, freshen up and then head over to MGM by 6 p.m. We will check the line to Fantasmic, and if it is crazy, then I will plan to get in line while everyone else splits up to either grab a snack, see Beauty and Beast, go to Tower of Terror, or the Rock-n-Roller Coaster. (This is our plan if the kids are still going strong, that is.) While I was speaking with someone from PS, I did ask if I was able to save spots in line for my family, and even inside the theatre. She said that eveyone does it, and it shouldn't be a problem. (However, I may need a couple of other people with me once I am inside because we have a large group).

If we miss the show on Monday, then we figure we still have the rest of the week to try to see it again.

We will keep you posted when we return!!

 

[SuBeat]

We have arrived at the theater from 1 hour to an hour and a half before showtime and never had to stand in a line before taking our seats. We've simply walked right in everytime.

We all walk in together, then DH and DS go pick up some hot dogs and drinks while DD and I save their seats. Eating kills some of the wait time. So does visiting with the CMs working there and the other guests sitting around us doing the same thing. And yes, we usually end up buying some of those souvenirs they are kind enough to make available to us too.

I can't imagine that we'd ever bother with the package.

 

[CindyAnn]

Redwingsmickey - When we've made Fantasmic dinner package reservations, the CMs have insisted that we have a PS at least 2 hours before show time. Since you're supposed to be at Oscar's by 6:30 for the 7:00 show, that really doesn't leave you with much time to wait to be seated, eat, pay your bill and get to Oscar's. If you can't change the PS time you can at least show up about 20 minutes early at 5:00 or so and you'll probably get seated earlier.

 

[jann1033]

Originally posted by SuBeat
We have arrived at the theater from 1 hour to an hour and a half before showtime and never had to stand in a line before taking our seats. We've simply walked right in everytime.

We all walk in together, then DH and DS go pick up some hot dogs and drinks while DD and I save their seats. Eating kills some of the wait time. So does visiting with the CMs working there and the other guests sitting around us doing the same thing. And yes, we usually end up buying some of those souvenirs they are kind enough to make available to us too.

I can't imagine that we'd ever bother with the package.

do you usually buy snacks inside the theater or can they go out to get them.if inside is it just hot dogs ...not a lot of counter services at MGM that sound great for dinnner any way. I think I am edging toward that myself with a late lunch at BD instead of an early lunch and then dinner too.
thanks

 

[Otto's Doll]

To be honest, we did the H&V dinner, and found that the food just wasn't what we had hoped. Of course, since we have been on Atkins, we can't eat as much which means that buffets just don't make much sense anymore. The kids hardly ate anything, and I felt that it was very expensive for the little bit we all ate, as well as there not being a lot of choices.

I think if you don't mind waiting in line (and this time of year, you may not even have to wait) that you should skip the buffet.

Otto's Doll