Fantasmic! Fastpass!

[mom2rtk]

Just bought our tickets for the very last of the current dessert parties on 12/7. So glad I don't have to figure out a whole new system this year.

 

[lizabu]

If they used a system similar to the one WDW uses for parade FP viewing (which is the closest analogy I can think of), it involves stationing CMs inside the reserved viewing area and having them police the rope lines. They try to catch anyone ducking under the ropes, but they miss some folks, especially when it gets really busy.


That is exactly what came to my mind as well!

I've done the FP+ parade viewing at WDW and I'm doubtful anyone could get away with ducking under the ropes without a CM seeing them. I saw a few people try and you should see how the crowd turns on these people. Even if the CM didn't see them at first the would see them once they hear the commotion from the other guests.

 

[figment_jii]

I've done the FP+ parade viewing at WDW and I'm doubtful anyone could get away with ducking under the ropes without a CM seeing them. I saw a few people try and you should see how the crowd turns on these people. Even if the CM didn't see them at first the would see them once they hear the commotion from the other guests.

I also did the FP+ parade viewing for both FoF and MSEP a few weeks ago and the CMs had a much easier time during the FoF parade (daylight). They had a much harder time during the nighttime parade when it was darker. Yes, some guests did tell the folks that jumped under the line that this was for FP+ only and most left without an issue, but not everyone wants to confront another guest about whether or not they should be in an area. Nor do I think it should be up to one guest to tell another guest what they can or cannot do. I'm not saying that FP+/FP for parades doesn't work, but if there are a lot of rope lines to patrol, it takes manpower and can be difficult to enforce.

 

[grnflash]

Well I'm still super excited about this. And I have no problem at all with the "cash grab." I have yet to hear of any company that is not constantly trying to increase it's revenue stream. Offering new products and/or upselling existing customers is how this is done, along with increasing prices of course.

As for the AP factor, and I am an AP, again I have zero problem with the concept of distributing FP's for this. We've shown up as early as 3pm and been shut out of Space FP's. Or only been able to get super late return times. Too bad for us but first come, first served. I'm good with this and don't think Disney has any obligation to protect the AP's park entrance patterns.

Quite honestly, I think Disney does an awful lot that benefits the AP (AP exclusive events, parties, shows, discounts, occasional mailings and merch....) and the SoCal passes are a smokin' deal. I'm far from thinking Disney can do no wrong, but I am a happy customer and if they pull off this execution well, I'll remain so. So my fingers are crossed.

 

[JandD75]

Funny, but we usually get a fairly good view of Fantasmic. It's WOC 'viewing areas' that seem to be a joke. Even if we can see over the heads of the people in front of us, when they hold their cameras up, it ruins the view. Also, I wish Disney would get rid of the ears. They are distracting. I want to see beautiful pictures and dancing waters, not flashing ears.

 

[JandD75]

Exactly my thoughts. That's a lot of dining options, which means more people with preferred seating. Does this mean if you don't have a dining package, you get stuck with lousy views, behind those who can afford to pay?

That's what it sounds like.

 

[707MickeyGirl]

My DGD6 and I have our tickets for the "legacy" dessert package this month - thank goodness. Our next trip isn't until March so I'm hoping the kinks have been worked out of this new FP system by then. I'm looking forward to having more dining options without having to park on a blanket for 3 hours. 3 hours in the park is worth more to me than the increased cost of a meal in order to get a FP. I feel that time waiting is time wasted and I try to avoid it as much as possible.

 

[narsel]

OK. I'm sorry, I just can't process this. So does this mean that River Bell will not be offering dinner (counter service) to non fantasmic people???

 

[figment_jii]

OK. I'm sorry, I just can't process this. So does this mean that River Bell will not be offering dinner (counter service) to non fantasmic people???

Based on the early information, that is correct. It said on days when Fantasmic is showing: "River Belle Terrace will be open for breakfast until 2 p.m. each day."

 

[crystal1313]

Has anyone else noticed the dessert package mentions live entertainment? Curious what that will be!

 

[pudinhd]

Has anyone else noticed the dessert package mentions live entertainment? Curious what that will be!

I did notice that! I am very interested to see how this dessert package works since it starts 90 minutes before the show... Depending on the length, I would be afraid of being "behind" everyone else by getting to the spots too late!

 

[crystal1313]

I was wondering that too pudinhd! I thought it would be a grab n go situation, but doesn't seem like it with live entertainment. Hmm. Should be interesting!!

 

[pudinhd]

I was wondering that too pudinhd! I thought it would be a grab n go situation, but doesn't seem like it with live entertainment. Hmm. Should be interesting!!

I am looking forward to the first reports as much as I am dreading them!

 

[disneyobsessed808]

Ah, now I get the angst. Yes, from a "local" perspective, this is a raw deal. From a long or short distance visitor, this is a good deal.

Not necessarily. Even as a distance visitor, you had a fair chance of staking out prime viewing locations, even without "camping." And you still had a choice to camp out if you wanted waterside seats. I had been able to get pretty good seats an hour before the show in my favorite locations, maybe just not as close to the water.

Now with fastpass, you won't be able to choose your location, and you still will probably have to queue up an hour or more before the show starts in order to get the best seats within that section.

 

[Kristina4109]

Why didn't they roll this out two months ago? We splurged for the dessert package on September 20th. I would much rather have done the dining package or even tried for a FastPass.

Incidentally, we did the Dessert Package because we tried to do the Dining Package at WDW in June and got rained out.

 

[pudinhd]

Not necessarily. Even as a distance visitor, you had a fair chance of staking out prime viewing locations, even without "camping." And you still had a choice to camp out if you wanted waterside seats. I had been able to get pretty good seats an hour before the show in my favorite locations, maybe just not as close to the water.

Now with fastpass, you won't be able to choose your location, and you still will probably have to queue up an hour or more before the show starts in order to get the best seats within that section.

Very true!! I wonder how early the FastPass or dining lines are going to open. We don't watch Fantasmic! very often, but it's my favorite show and we are willing to wait to get good spots!!

 

[Tigger Trainer]

Based on the early information, that is correct. It said on days when Fantasmic is showing: "River Belle Terrace will be open for breakfast until 2 p.m. each day."

As per the comment on this website, River Belle is closed to all but Fantasmic!, but BB will remain open.

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...ing-to-fantasmic-at-disneyland-park/#comments

 

[figment_jii]

As per the comment on this website, River Belle is closed to all but Fantasmic!, but BB will remain open.

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...ing-to-fantasmic-at-disneyland-park/#comments

Are you referring to this comment:

Tim – Your reserved viewing section will be listed on your FASTPASS when you receive it. Blue Bayou Restaurant will continue to offer a full dinner menu in addition to the 3-course menu for the “Fantasmic!” dining package. River Belle Terrace will serve only the “Fantasmic!” dining package menu.

I think that it means once River Belle Terrace starts serving "dinner" (at 3:00 pm) it will only be open for guests with the Fantasmic! Dining Package. Prior to that (before 2:00 pm) the River Belle Terrace will serve breakfast and lunch like it has in the past. Unless something major has to be done for the seating area or kitchen, I can't imagine they would have to be closed during the morning to get ready for the F! dining packages in the afternoon/evening.

 

[pudinhd]

Are you referring to this comment:


I think that it means once River Belle Terrace starts serving "dinner" (at 3:00 pm) it will only be open for guests with the Fantasmic! Dining Package. Prior to that (before 2:00 pm) the River Belle Terrace will serve breakfast and lunch like it has in the past. Unless something major has to be done for the seating area or kitchen, I can't imagine they would have to be closed during the morning to get ready for the F! dining packages in the afternoon/evening.

This website - http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/fantasmic-dining-packages - says River Belle Terrace will be open for breakfast until 2 p.m. each day. I took that to mean only breakfast, but it seems that including lunch would be a pretty smart idea!

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

I think that it means once River Belle Terrace starts serving "dinner" (at 3:00 pm) it will only be open for guests with the Fantasmic! Dining Package. Prior to that (before 2:00 pm) the River Belle Terrace will serve breakfast and lunch like it has in the past.

I took the quote on the dining page, "River Belle Terrace will be open for breakfast until 2 p.m. each day" to literally mean River Belle would serve breakfast until 2 PM. Whenever any of us on the Dis talk about River Belle Terrace, we are always going on about how we like to get breakfast there. It already was one of the later served breakfasts in the park. I actually thought it would be kind of neat if there was a venue that offered breakfast foods past the morning time. Maybe that is what they are doing.

Then they can use the 2 PM - 3PM hour to switch the restaurant over to sit-down dinner dining. The use of the River Belle is to me the smartest move in this whole thing. I've never found the non-breakfast foods there to be all that appealing or to be that good a price to portion ratio. Also, anytime we've stopped to consider the place outside of breakfast hours, it hasn't been busy. Only offering breakfast and special dinner packages might be the most profitable utilization of the space for Disney.