fantasmic dinner pkg - required in May??

[anne]

We are visiting for the first 2 weeks of May and wonder if the dining package for fantasmic is a necessity or are crowds low enough we could wing it?
Anyone been in May? Thanks

 

[ms.ojo]

anyone???

 

[WDW LOVR]

I would bet you'd be ok without the package. We were there in Oct during the F+W festival and got in line about 45 minutes before show time and were seated at center stage.

The only problem with the dinner package is if it rains and they cancel Fantasmic, you're out of luck. I've read that if you complain enough at Guest Services they'll give you a rain check, but it's not required for them to do it so don't count on it.

 

[lclark0621]

I would book the package. You are talking about going right when the 50th anniversary is happening.

We are going at the end of April & we booked it. I called at 8:00am ET & the 4:30pm (last seating) seating was already booked! So I had to do 4:10pm.

We have a son who will be 21 months when we go. There is NO way we can get him to stand in line for 30-90 minutes for a show. Just the thought of keeping him quiet & happy on a line for that long...

So the package is the way to go for us. It is a good deal & I think it is worth it so we dont have to wait in that line!

 

[Selket]

I think as you get closer to your trip date more times will open up for the dinner package so you don't have to eat at 4:10pm unless that is what you want. Had the same thing happen to us for an Aug. trip two years ago - everything was "sold out" except the early seatings then all of a sudden everything was open for the evenings.

I've been to WDW in May but not fantasmic. I think whether or not you can wing it could depend on whether you have little kids or your group is older and could wait patiently. I've seen that crazy que for Fantasmic and want no part of it with my little kids!

 

[anne]

Thanks for the replies - I think I'll book it - my husband wants to eat at Brown Derby anyway.

 

[Kira'sMom]

We were at WDW last may 3-10 and we went did the Fantasmic package on on the 9th (a sunday) at the Brown Derby. The thing was that we did get good seats, but we were waiting for quite a while for the show to start, because even with the package, the earlier you get there the better the seats. That said, dd was 2 at the time and it would have been horrible to have to wait for a substantial time in line. FYI the park was full (it was Mother's day) but not crowded (if that makes sense) so if had it been just dh and I we wouldn't have done the package. Just my 2 cents

 

[twocjsmom]

Later times do open up as the date nears. We have experienced this twice, and thanks to the advice I read here, I was able to initally book an earlier PS (around 4ish), but then called back about a month prior to our visit and got a more desirable normal dinner time.