Fantasmic Dinner Pkg or No?

[klwdisney]

Hi! DH & I did Fantasmic w/o a pkg on our last trip 4 years ago and loved it, but hated the long wait! This time we're traveling with friends in October and can't WAIT to take them to see this amazing show, but are hesitant to make them stand in that horrendous line.

I've heard good and bad about doing the fantasmic dinner package... mainly the seats involved in the package.

What do you prefer? Why? Pros & cons?

 

[sunny04]

My opinion is, if it is your first time seeing the show...opt for no package and stake out the good middle seats for the full effect. Coming from a theatre teacher point of view, you really want the first time you see it to be from the middle to get the full effect that is meant. I mean, from the package seats, I watched all the sets being changed, pieces brought on and offstage and the harnesses attached to characters holding them in place....the middle section is a must for first time viewing IMO.

However, once you have seen the show and realize how utterly amazing it is, sitting on the side and missing a little of the magic is okay. Then the package and no wait are definitely worth it.

 

[dizneefreak29]

We used the Fantasmic dinner package a couple of years ago. The seats weren't horrible... The people next to us waited in line for two hours and we walked right in! So it was worth it! Last year we didn't use the package and waited in line forever and ended up sitting about where we would have with the package. So I would vote to do it!

 

[Bellefan66]

Did it the last time,Hollywood & Vine was great,but not impressed with the seats.Next visit,we'll do Sci-Fi for an early dinner,and stake out some great seats in the middle this time.Live and learn!

 

[dzneelvr]

We did the package our first trip and the seats were waaaayyy to the right of the bowl, so the view was somewhat skewed. We've done them w/o since and were able to get much better seats near the front and center. Go for the second show when there are 2 scheduled. I guess you could do the package once to see if you liked it, but you'll probably find better seats on your own.

 

[barb45]

I've never been with the package but we are going to try it in March. I'd like to follow this poll.

 

[artblessed]

We saw Fantasmic (a highlight of our trip) on our last trip (no package) and we did stand in line for quite a while but we got Awsome seats. My question about the pacake is do you HAVE to sit in the reserved seating area or can you choose to sit somewhere else? Is there a seat monitor or something?

 

[allisonwonderland]

this is one of the biggest dilemas i am trying to make a decision about.I get very mixed reviews...half say NO WAY the seats suck and the other half says FOR SURE cuz you dont hafta line up 2 hours before,,,at any rate,,we will be waiting for that time...I hate the thought of standing in line that long and eating into a part of the days touring plans,,,,on the other hand i hate the thought of spending at leats 60 bucks on a meal just to get so-so seats......any input will help,,,,,,,,,any current or past cast members have an opinion?thanks!!!!!!!!

 

[cindercopper]

We did the package in October and walked right in. I thought it was great.

 

[maggs]

We too walked in, but walked in to the most awful seats at the edge of the theater! I think we have done Fantasmic 7 times and were used to centre seats. What a disappointment.The kids could see very little.
I agree with sunny04 - stake out those center seats and go early.We also had a lousy meal at Mama Melrose so maybe that clouds our judgement.
Opinions sure do vary on this one!

Maggs

 

[jabrown40]

I'm going at the end of Feb/first of March, and hoping for a slower week, so we will be skipping the package. I too tried the package before, had a below average meal at Mama Melrose, and had poor seats along the right side. I'm also not traveling with small kids this trip, so the wait is okay. Just figure we'll get something to drink, and chit chat for the wait. Instead of eating in MGM, we are going to eat after (again, as adults, we don't mind an 8:30 seating, and then head over to Palio.) If you are going during a busy week in October, such as the Food and Wine festival, or over a long weekend school break, the package may be worth it to you.

 

[minijeanie]

I did the package when you weren't compelled to pay those outrageous prices. and when we were ushered to our seats which was far right.
we moved to middle where there were plenty of seats.

I for one will not do the package...I believe you get better seats with no dinner package. and honestly you don't have to get there 2 hours beforehand

have gone Jersey week, twice in August and once in December. all times we went 35 minutes ahead of time and had no problem..just sit in middle, how far back really doesn't make a difference. actually further back is easier to get out when over.

this time it will be june. will let you know how it goes

can't convince me otherwise.

 

[tomerin]

i think that when we usually travel in july the fantasmic dinner package is really a bit of a must for us. after fighting the crowds and lines all day i really dont want to wait for hours to secure a center row seat and then have to wait a long time for the show to start. this way we have a nice leisurely dinner and then off to seee a great show. in fact last night while doing some work in m office i put in the video i took last year and it looked really good. didnt seem to miss much by sitting on the side. well of course i had the zoom on so the action was closer but i didnt get any negative feedback from my family. when my DW and myself start taking our kid-less trips during the offseason then i think then i will maybe try and secure those center row seats and get a different view.

 

[klwdisney]

Ok so I guess my next question should be... if 2 of us wait in the long line to get in, can we save seats for the rest of our party so they don't have to wait (and complain loudly for 2 hours) with us? I'm definitely getting the feeling that the dinner pkg is NOT for us.

 

[princess-rn]

During our honeymoon trip in 2000 we waited in line for over 2 hours to be the first people inside for fantasmic. We had amazing seats..right in the middle of the theatre. It was wonderful. However, when we went back in October of 2004 we had a 2 year old with us who I knew would not stand patiently in line for 2 hours. So we opted for the H&V dinner pkg. While I didn't enjoy the meal ( my husband did) I did enjoy the fact that we got to walk right in to fantasmic. I thought the seats would be horrible..but they really were not that bad. While we weren't in the center this time..we weren't on the very end either. We still LOVED the show as much as the first time. So I vote for the pkg!! (just not at H&V)