Fantasmic meal packages questions

[stairstepmom]

I'm confused on what the current Fantasmic meal packages get you. We were planning on eating lunch at the Brown Derby anyways, already have an ADR, but since I'd read in another post something to the effect of the Fantasmic packages no longer getting you preferred seating and we're on the DxDDP, it seemed unnecessary.

So does the Fantasmic package get you anything different in terms of seating at Fantasmic - i.e. a separate entrance where you don't have to arrive 60 minutes beforehand, even if it's not super special seating? If we could get out of sitting around waiting with our troop of kiddos, I'd reconsider doing the package - but how does that work when you're on a dining plan?

Thanks

 

[minnie mum]

Not sure what you read on another thread, but the whole point about the Fantasmic Dining Package is to get reserved seating. Without this you'd just have a regular ADR. Not sure what being on the DxDP has to do with it.

When you book a F. Dining package you get:

1. A late lunch or early dinner at HBD, Mama Melrose, or dinner buffet at H&V for a fixed price.

2. At HBD or MM you order from the regular menu and choose an appetizer, entree, dessert and nonalcoholic beverage. At H&V you get the buffet and beverage.

3. When your meal is finished you will be issured a voucher that is good for your party seated at the table. This voucher entitles your party to enter through the separate reserved entrance and seating in the reserved section of the amphitheater (for the first show of the night if 2 shows are on).

When you are on the dining plan, the cost of the F. Package is: 1TS credit per person for MM and H&V. 2TS credits per person for HBD.

 

[stephmarty]

If I were eating at HBD anyway, I'd change it to the Fantasmic pkg if it's available. Note that you must specifically book the package, not just lunch or dinner at a participating restaurant. It costs nothing more, but it does require credit card hold and late cancellation penalty applies. So if you're eating there anyway, you have nothing to lose. Even if you don't use the Fantasmic seats after all.

BTW, when I booked the other day I was told to arrive 30-45 minutes early. It was 45 minutes last time we went. So, assuming 30 minutes will work now, that's much better than the standard wait time for good seats.

 

[nkereina]

Agree with PP - the Fantasmic package still gets you reserved seating. Without that, there'd be no point of a Fantasmic package

As PP said, you should still arrive 30-45 mins ahead of time even with the reserved seating. We got to Fantasmic about 25 mins before it started without reserved seating (stood in standing room section) and the line for the Fantasmic seating was really long. I don't know how they sat everyone before the show started.

If you do decide to cancel your ADR and book a F! dinner package, just be mindful that the times are not the greatest. I don't think they do dinner packages beyond 5:30pm. Every time I've tried to make a reservation for the F! package, the latest I could get was about 4pm.

 

[gabzee]

There is a difference between a normal ADR for the BD and the Fantasmic Package for the BD. The ADR will just get you the meal. The Fantasmic Package (no extra charge) will get you the meal and a voucher to get into Fantasmic through a separate entrance. With the Fantasmic Package you will get reserved seating. I don't know what post you read but the Fantasmic Package wouldn't exist if there wasn't a difference between it and a normal ADR . As PPs have said BD is 2 credits (no matter if it is for an ADR or the Fantasmic Package).

 

[Wyndale]

We have the Derby scheduled for the Fantasmic Package as well. Am I correct that with your Dining Plan the cost is 2 TS credits, but that you will get an appetizer included.

Any one know for sure...won't really matter so much to me, but DH enjoys them, and will pay oop if need be.

Thanks.

 

[nkereina]

We have the Derby scheduled for the Fantasmic Package as well. Am I correct that with your Dining Plan the cost is 2 TS credits, but that you will get an appetizer included.

Any one know for sure...won't really matter so much to me, but DH enjoys them, and will pay oop if need be.

Thanks.

Yes. Brown Derby will cost 2 TS credits per person and you will get an appetizer, even if you are on the regular dining plan. You can also book a F! package at Mama Melrose and receive an appetizer even if on the regular dining plan, and it's only 1 TS credit per person.

 

[stairstepmom]

Thanks all, I'm thinking maybe the issue was that you used to get "guaranteed seats" with the package, and now it's just a seating section where it's first come first served? At least that's what the blurb in Birnbaum's makes me think.

Either way, 30-45 min sitting is a lot better than 60+ min standing in line LOL! We called and booked the lunch package instead.

 

[minnie mum]

Glad you were able to book that package. And FYI, as far back as I can remember (and believe me that's a LONG way), the Fantasmic package seating has always been the same. Individual seats were never reserved. But that's Birnbaums for you. I've always preferred the Unofficial Guide for its accuracy.

 

[nkereina]

Thanks all, I'm thinking maybe the issue was that you used to get "guaranteed seats" with the package, and now it's just a seating section where it's first come first served? At least that's what the blurb in Birnbaum's makes me think.

Either way, 30-45 min sitting is a lot better than 60+ min standing in line LOL! We called and booked the lunch package instead.

I don't know what Birnbaum's is referring to. As PP said, it was never reserved individual seating. It's bleacher style seating so there's no way they could do that. It is first come, first served but there is enough room for everyone who has packages to have a seat. Otherwise, they would have some angry package people every show. The seating is also probably why the packages are limited and sometimes hard to book.

 

[diskids2]

It's funny because I was wondering what was going on with the new emphasis on non-guaranteed seating. I've always known it to be that you sit, bleecher style, in the rows you want in the preferred section.

I'm interested in people's experience lately regarding when they open the preferred section to everyone. If I have to be there 60-90 minutes ahead of time, that might defeat the purpose of the package. I don't expect to waltz in around 5 minutes before, although that would be NICE! I would want to arrive 30 -45 minutes ahead. That would cut down on waiting time.

Although, on the dining plan, you do get the appetizer.

I'm really unsure what to do at this point. We are going in the summer and the packages aren't loaded for July yet. I keep calling every day.

 

[minnie mum]

IF they have to open the reserved seating for the general population, it is done about 25 min. before show time. That is why they tell F. pkg guests to be in their seats 30-45 min. before.