Hi I am new to the boards and in the process of planning my first trip to WDW in early January. I have been making my ADR's and reading a lot of dining reviews. The question I have is this; I want to take my 4yo DS to Fantasmic and I understand the line can be really long to get seats. I read that you can get prefered seating by doing the dinner and a show combo at Brown Derby, Mama Melrose's, or Hollywood and Vine, however I have not seen great reviews for any of these. So, WWYD? Stand in line for an hour with an active 4 year old or eat at one of the 3 - not so great places and get the prefered seating? Please help a newbie!
First of all, there is no line for Fantasmic at an hour before; the doors are already open. You would just walk in and find a seat. The only time there might be a line is on a very busy night if people line up before the doors open, which would be like 2 hours before the show or if there are two shows, the second show sometimes has a line just because they don't open up the doors till they've cleaned it out from the previous show but it's not because it's crowded and it's not for very long.
Second, the package does not provide preferred seating, only guaranteed seating (up until 30 minutes before; then they can, sometimes do, open up that section to everyone). The package seats are to the far right when facing the stage.
Third, going in January; it's off season and IMHO, the package isn't necessary to get a good seat. You could probably arrive at 45 minutes to 30 minutes before and still get a good seat.
Also, there's a chance that the Fantasmic show could be canceled due to rain/thunderstorms and then you'd be out of luck, but at least you had a good meal.
If you still want to do the package then with a little one, I'd probably go with Hollywood and Vine because it's a buffet so it's got a big selection for little ones and you dont' have to worry about the noise factor. Also MM and BD are more expensive and the meal takes longer, almost 2 hours. The buffet takes about an hour.
I have done the package and not done the package many times (Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov and Dec) and have decided that the package is not worth it unless you are going during a very busy time (July, Christmas, Easter, President's week, or when it's an EMH night). I've arrived at 45 minutes before and gotten a seat right in the center, half way back (up front, you'd get soaking wet).
Good luck deciding.
