Fantasmic I've finally made my decision

[hutt90]

OK-I've finally made my decision, Im not going to make a Fantasmic Dinner reservation. Im just going to take the family over there early. 1 1/2 or so early and hang out and sit down. Maybe Dh can take the kids to run around for a bit while I sit down and relax and hold our seats? Im a bit nervous about this decision because this is the only thing my kids have talked about since the trip was planned. I just don't want to spend 70.00 on a dinner that I would rather have somewhere else. Any comments would be appreciated.

 

[KatelynnsAuntie]

I'm still waffling about what to do. I think I'm going to do the same thing as you - don't want to spend a bunch of money on dinner especially when the reserved seating is all the way to the side. I figure if I get there 1 - (god forbid)2 hours early we should be good. I still haven't decided that for sure though...Hollywood and Vine apparantly has the Fantasmic dinner for around $20/adults $10/kids from what I understand which isn't totally outrageous as far as Disney goes but I'd like to spend the money elsewhere - I think.

 

[mmiller711]

hutt90, We always see Fantasmic and have never purchased the dinner package. You must get in line early during busy times of the year. Most of the wait will be standing in a big wide line! Once they drop the ropes and allow you to your seat they have a pre-show to keep you busy while you wait. I can't remember how early they let you in. Ask a CM near the beginning of the line how early you should line up, they are very helpful. We usually go to the second show of the night when one is offered but we didn't have small children with us then. It is a huge theater and all the seats offer a good view. We always sit in the very back because my mother has a scooter to get around and we can see just fine. Enjoy the show!!

 

[hutt90]

KA- Sounds like we are going to be down there at the same time. We also leave in 11 days and are staying at the ASMo hotel. Guess we may be at the same show around the same time also. Small world I guess.. Any idea what day you may go to Fantasmic?
I'm not sure if one day is better than any other?

 

[KatelynnsAuntie]

How funny you are also going to be at ASMo! I am going to try to get Toy Story or Dalmations Bldg. We will have sign in our window that says "DisBoards Spoken Here" so look for us! Of course, we'll also be sporting lime green.

As far as Fantasmic, I don't know which one we'll go to. I keep changing what day I think we should go to what! Possibly Sunday the 10th? We're going to MGM that morning so I can get my niece a Guest of Honor badge but I don't know if we'll park hop that night or not. But, I want to try and see it early in the week in case it gets rained out, we can always try to see it again later in the week. (Same with Spectromagic and Illuminations).

 

[>>^..^<<]

People can frown on others "holding" seats for absent family members with their stuff all spread out... as long as you don't mind a few "looks" from fellow audience members you will be okay.

Personally I love the fantasmic package - the seating is on the right - but it is an excellent view just the same and you can arrive a half hour ahead knowing your seats are waiting for you - it was great.

We had dinner at Mama Melrose - very nice pasta dish for me with salad.. my dd8 had kids pizza - I think it was 4.99 for pizza, drink and ice cream dessert - this is the same or cheaper than counter service for kids.

The show is about 25 minutes long and although I am in total agreement it is a great show... I would not wait 90 minutes to see it... my time is valuable to me - we rode tower of terror and RnR' 4 times after having our dinner at MM before we went to our seats.

>>^..^<<

 

[hutt90]

Dont' really care to much if people give me "looks" for holding 3 seats for me and my family. I'm there early and waiting so no big deal. I would never give anyone looks for holding seats. Just means I didnt get there early enough. Hehe.
Also you were talking about Mama Melrose"s dinner package. I thought there was now a certain amount you had to spend in these places in order to get the Fantasmic dinner Package? Is this true?

 

[>>^..^<<]

Hi there - I think there is a set (fixed price) menu now ~ last summer we just ordered off the regular menu... it was very reasonable - maybe $25-30 with tip.

Only 3 of you to save seats for is not bad... but watch out for those families of 8

>>^..^<<

 

[Minniespal]

We usually have the Fantasmic Dinner Package at the Hollywood Brown Derby.

I would much rather be doing other things with my time such as shopping or rides than sitting for 90 minutes waiting for Fantasmic.

 

[hutt90]

So let me ask you all this then. If I do a dinner package then when do I need to get into the Dinner Package seating to get a decent seat?

 

[4 Princess Morganne]

We typically go in the off season and what works great for us is about 1 hour prior to the show we purchase dinner at the farmers market on Sunset Blvd, then carry the food into the theater. We don't get front row seats - but they have never been "BAD" seats. We enjoy our dinner and the pre-show entertainment starts about 30 minutes before the show - and we always enjoy that too.

We've done this in Jan, Feb, Aug and Sept and never had a problem getting a seat.

Morganne's Mommy

 

[michelem]

We went the week of July 14 and arrived there exactly 1 hour and 45 minutes early for the 9 pm show. We were right in the center sections. At 1 hour 15 minutes the last section on the left was being filled. People who arrived 45-1 hour were filled in and anything less than 45 minutes were standing room. I went to get a water (perfectly fine to save seats- everyone gets up to go to restroom, grab an ice cream during the wait) I had to laugh, a couple was coming in with there kids 15 minutes prior and were complaining they had to stand!! I was there almost 2 hours early and was paying for my daughter to stay at Neverland club, just so my DH and older DD could see show!! I brought little disney figures for DD to play with and then we were entertained by doing the Wave...

If you are with the Fantasmic package you get the far right section, which was also filled up by the 30 minute wait.

I was very impressed after the show, everyone walks in a calm manner to the exits, not at all as crazy as I thought it was going to be with 10,000 people all leaving the same exit. Have fun!!

 

[Jordan's MOM]

Just plan a little and you will be fine.In the past we have done the dinner package, but this trip we are doing MVMCP & CP and do not want to block ourselves into another package. I agree to take your dinner into the show area. That will take some time. I would have no problem with you saving seats while DH chased the kids around a little, you might however want to do this ealy in your wait before it gets too crowded. Consider also taking from home a few light up toys if it will already be dark when you enter the show. Kids love these and will want the ones they sell at the show. They are very nice but not cheap. The buzz one we bought two years ago still works!!!! Play word games, I spy, and meet the people sitting near by. Bubbles are a good way to pass the time. Jusst stay relaxed and take it as it comes.


Jordan's mom

 

[BarbaraMB]

Recently we tried to get into the 9pm show and at 8pm we were told standing room only. If you want to go to the 9pm show you MUST go earlier than an hour before! We decided to go to the 10:30 show. There was room on both far ends of the stadium for anyone that wanted to just walk in. But the downfall of going to the later show was that they didn't let us in until 10/15 minutes before the show started so we stood outside the statium for about an hour. DON'T SIT IN THE VERY FRONT!!!

 

[Castillo Mom]

It'll be the dinner package for us. I don't feel like having to wait 1 1/2 - 2 hours in line, no thanks! We'll be having dinner at Hollywood and Vine, that is if the restaurants don't change by the time we go. It's the best value for us since we have three boys with monstrous appetites who love buffets. As for the seating, I've heard that even if you're off to the side, the view is still good, plus you're near the exit and will be one of the first ones out at the end of the show.

 

[crazymomof4]

While waiting in the "rope line" for Fantasmic (1.5 hrs) can you keep your kids in strollers and then ditch them just before entering the stadium?