Fantasmic! help!

[mommyof3princess27]

My last dilema for all of my ADR's is the F! package. I have scheduled MM's, my kids really want to eat at Sci-Fi but we are eating at burger type places a few times while here. If I give up the F! package for Sci-Fi, should I just take my chances? Its a 5 crowd level. UGH! Opinions on which is better?

Should I do Fantasmic! package or take my chances waiting in line with a 5 CL?? Help!

 

[kaligal]

The seats you get with the Fantasmic package suck and you still have to show up at least 30 minutes early to claim them, if it is busy.

If it really isn't crowded, nobody...not even the people who got the package...will sit in those seats.

If it is busy and you have to show up 30 minutes early, you might as well show up a little earlier and get better seats.

That's MHO.

 

[KeroKero]

I've never done the F! dining package, and have never had a problem getting good seats (plus I hear the package seating isn't the greatest - off to the side of the theater). Only problem is getting into the line for the theater about 60-45 mins before show time (even then so, its more of a mass group of people walking in instead of a super organized line)

What time would your reservation be at Sci-Fi? Close to showtime? If, so that could be a problem - otherwise, I think you'll be more than fine!

 

[mommyof3princess27]

I've never done the F! dining package, and have never had a problem getting good seats (plus I hear the package seating isn't the greatest - off to the side of the theater). Only problem is getting into the line for the theater about 60-45 mins before show time (even then so, its more of a mass group of people walking in instead of a super organized line)

What time would your reservation be at Sci-Fi? Close to showtime? If, so that could be a problem - otherwise, I think you'll be more than fine!

Sci fi is at 2 I think. The other option would be keep the MM F! package(12:20 or 1:30 seating-I havent picked one yet) and go to Sci-Fi as just like a snack-appi or icecream, right befor the show like at 4

**** disclaimer**** we are on the DxDP and DHS isnt a big park for us, only a few things we love-the food being one

 

[erincon23]

A 5 crowd level isn't bad. That's "average." We were at DHS two weeks ago on a "6" level day, and it wasn't bad at all -- didn't have trouble getting on anything, didn't see much in the way of lines. You shouldn't have trouble getting into Fantasmic.

 

[mjp12831]

I don't agree that the F! package seats suck, so I wouldn't discourage you using the package from that angle, however...

I understand your dilemma about this OP - we've gone 3 times and done the package each time - mostly because I'd be real upset to get shut out of the show.

However, this year we are braving it and going without the package - the main reason is that MM is the worst. We've eaten there twice and they are both in the top 5 worst meals we ate at the world. Last year's MM experience was so far and away our #1 worst meal, that I'm not sure I'd go there if they offered it to us for free. We've also eaten at H&V and it's very "Golden Corral", and Brown Derby was ok but way overpriced (2 TS credits) for the quality of the meal.

Edited to add... I did see your disclaimer that you are on DxDP - with that in mind I might actually consider the Brown Derby plan though, and just skip breakfast that day. On Dx, credits are much easier to spend in 2's.

 

[Geoff_M]

The seats you get with the Fantasmic package suck and you still have to show up at least 30 minutes early to claim them, if it is busy.

Agreed... We did the "package" once, and were "whelmed" by the seating (FAR right side of the amphitheater). All the package includes is "a" seat, and that's what you get. They fill the amphitheater from the near (right) side to the far. This month when crowds were a good "7" and we got in line for the 2nd show about 40 minutes beforehand and were stationed half-way down Sunset Blvd. and due to the way they fill the seating we ended up just off center about 10 rows back. They were the best seats we've had for the show. The amphitheater also clearly had seating left on both ends when it started.

I'd be hard pressed to purchase a package again.

 

[Mister Skellington]

The seats you get with the Fantasmic package suck and you still have to show up at least 30 minutes early to claim them, if it is busy.

If it really isn't crowded, nobody...not even the people who got the package...will sit in those seats.

If it is busy and you have to show up 30 minutes early, you might as well show up a little earlier and get better seats.

That's MHO.

When we were there last week, we were seated dead center for F!package. I know this isnt always the case,but even if it isnt I wouldnt say that the seats on the side suck. There is really no bad seat in the house for F!
When the 30 minute mark hit , they opened up the rest of the reserved seats which actually happened to be the "old" reserved seats. Maybe Disney is changing where the reserved seats are.

 

[kaligal]

When we were there last week, we were seated dead center for F!package. I know this isnt always the case,but even if it isnt I wouldnt say that the seats on the side suck. There is really no bad seat in the house for F!
When the 30 minute mark hit , they opened up the rest of the reserved seats which actually happened to be the "old" reserved seats. Maybe Disney is changing where the reserved seats are.

They must be changing. Your report is the first I've heard of it.

Plus, I was recently dragged to Fantasmic and there had been no change at that time.

If it is really changing, I'm glad. I don't care much for the show, but I think if people are booking this package for "reserved seating" that many of them probably think it is good seating. It ought to be!

 

[Geoff_M]

When we were there last week, we were seated dead center for F!package. I know this isnt always the case,but even if it isnt I wouldnt say that the seats on the side suck. There is really no bad seat in the house for F!

We saw the show around June 11th and they had the reserved ropes up for the package customers on the right end as usual when we entered the amphitheater. And while I agree that the end seating isn't the end of the world, it does give you a pretty peripheral view of the show compared to more central locations.

My advice would be to eat where you want to eat, get in line an extra 20-25 minutes before the package folks are required to be in position, and odds are you'll get better seats.

 

[KeroKero]

My advice would be to eat where you want to eat, get in line an extra 20-25 minutes before the package folks are required to be in position, and odds are you'll get better seats.

I second that! Plus your dining choices are early, so you're more than fine!

 

[djblu883]

another option would be to eat dinner after the show! , have a snack for the kids in hand and get in line...then enjoy dinner afterwards in your choice of loaction...food and drinks ARE allowed in the ampitheatre!

 

[juliebug1997]

The seats don't suck. It's an amphitheater which means that every seat can see and hear. The Greeks and Romans used them with great success for thousands of years.

OP,
Unless you have to be front and center, the F! dining seats are good. However, I agree about the dining options not being the best. I think that if I ever do it again, I will try doing it without the dining package.

 

[SplashRider]

OP, I think you would be fine getting into Fantasmic! without the package. I was in DHS in May on a similar crowd level day (4 on easywdw and 7.5 on touringplans), and I was able to walk right on into the theater about half an hour before the show and get a pretty good seat. The theater was only maybe 2/3 full, if that. So I think you should be fine without the package.

 

[mommyof3princess27]

OP, I think you would be fine getting into Fantasmic! without the package. I was in DHS in May on a similar crowd level day (4 on easywdw and 7.5 on touringplans), and I was able to walk right on into the theater about half an hour before the show and get a pretty good seat. The theater was only maybe 2/3 full, if that. So I think you should be fine without the package.

Thanks! That actually helped alot!

 

[Phatoomch]

The seats don't suck. It's an amphitheater which means that every seat can see and hear. The Greeks and Romans used them with great success for thousands of years.

The Greeks used the semi-circular ones like at Fantasmic .... the Romans then decided a full circle/oval would be better - although sound wasn't a problem, not everyone had a good view with the semi-circular one when props were used

IMHO, the seats off to the side sucked - scenery etc could obstruct your view at times.

 

[photo_chick]

I don't think the F! package seats suck if you're like me and have a kid who won't tolerate the long wait for the regular seats. I have only been when crowd levels are at a 10 and those seats were undoubtedly better than what we'd have gotten otherwise, if we got in at all. But it's really subjective.

 

[mommyof3princess27]

***DISCLAIMER***** dont tell me this is too many adr's I know it is lol I just need opinions

What if we did
B. H&V 8 am pre RD
L. F! @ MM 12:20 or 1:35(havent decided)
S. Sci Fi for a milkshake or fries... or both!
D. 50's PT cafe

DD wants Sci-Fi and its her bday trip, I want the preferred seating for F!

 

[kaligal]

***DISCLAIMER***** dont tell me this is too many adr's I know it is lol I just need opinions

What if we did
B. H&V 8 am pre RD
L. F! @ MM 12:20 or 1:35(havent decided)
S. Sci Fi for a milkshake or fries... or both!
D. 50's PT cafe

DD wants Sci-Fi and its her bday trip, I want the preferred seating for F!

It isn't preferred seating, it's just a reserved section...the least preferred of them all.

And although that is a lot of food, I can't see anything wrong with it.

 

[mommyof3princess27]

It isn't preferred seating, it's just a reserved section...the least preferred of them all.

And although that is a lot of food, I can't see anything wrong with it.

well 'a' seat. I am not sure I want to wait in a long 60-90 min wait though and yes its alot but we dont HAVE to eat it all