Fantasmic on the go package: hungry bear restaurant

[kcchief]

Just wondering what everyone thought about the Fantasmic dining package at the hungry bear restaurant? Is it worth doing even though the meal costs twice as much as what it would normally? Is it hard to see fantasmic without a reserved spot? You’ll have to excuse me I haven’t been to DL in a while. I’m a usual WDW person. Thank you!

 

[pharmama]

Just wondering what everyone thought about the Fantasmic dining package at the hungry bear restaurant? Is it worth doing even though the meal costs twice as much as what it would normally? Is it hard to see fantasmic without a reserved spot? You’ll have to excuse me I haven’t been to DL in a while. I’m a usual WDW person. Thank you!

It is somewhat challenging to get a good viewing spot for Fantasmic! without one of the dining packages. Even the FP sections aren’t great. The whole middle section on the Rivers of America is reserved for dining packages. Blue Bayou gets the middle “front and center” third of this section, River Belle the third to the right (when facing Tom Sawyer Island) and Hungry Bear the third to the left.

I’ve done all three packages and HB is our go to if we’re not going to splurge on BB. I don’t love the food at River Belle and prefer the view from left side section that HB has for F!. We just did HB again this past Saturday and we’re very happy with our view and being able to still get a great viewing spot arriving barely 30 min before showtime.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

For the best views with the least amount of waiting time, the F! dining packages are absolutely worth it. HB is the most economical package and allows you to order off the package menu or the regular menu (you pay the same package price no matter what you order). Being up close to the water with centered viewing is a game changer for this show -- very immersive -- and if you see the first show, you'll be invited to stay in your viewing area for the fireworks. The projections will be shown on the water screens and the music will be piped in.

 

[Erin M]

I thought it was well worth it when we did it in November. We ended up ordering off the main menu instead of the special menu to make our parties tastebuds happy and it worked out well. Yes it was more expensive than just eating dinner there, but the spot for seats can't be beat. I have also done the River Belle package and enjoyed the meal and the seats, but the HB package is a better value.

 

[deedubb]

Totally worth it as you get to sit for the entire show. No personal experience with HB but did both River Belle and Blue Bayou last year. The latter was better (as it should be). Will be doing BB again this year.

 

[twodogs]

Totally worth it as you get to sit for the entire show. No personal experience with HB but did both River Belle and Blue Bayou last year. The latter was better (as it should be). Will be doing BB again this year.

Weirdly, the DLR site says the viewing areas for the on-the-go package are standing room only? This makes a big difference to me on value. Is it standing or chairs?
https://disneyland.disney.go.com/dining/disneyland/fantasmic-on-the-go-show/
Know Before You Go
Learn important information regarding On-the-Go Dining Packages, Fantasmic! reserved viewing areas and more.
Theme Park Admission

• Separate theme park admission is required. Meal package prices do not include park admission, tax or gratuity.

Vouchers

• One Fantasmic! reserved viewing area voucher per On-The-Go Dining Package purchased.
• Each person in the party must purchase an On-the-Go Package in order to obtain a voucher.
• Vouchers are valid only for the designated show time on the same day as the dining experience.
• Packages and vouchers may not be refunded, redeemed for cash, exchanged for a different date or time, or sold.
• You will receive your Fantasmic! voucher from the server or cashier upon paying for your meal.

Viewing Areas

• Fantasmic! vouchers list the location of your viewing area, the time you should arrive at your viewing location and the show's performance time. Early and late arrivals will not be accommodated.
• The viewing area is separate from the dining location. Please ask a Cast Member if you need directions to the Fantasmic! viewing areas.
• All viewing areas are standing only, with accommodations for Guests with disabilities.

 

[twodogs]

I thought it was well worth it when we did it in November. We ended up ordering off the main menu instead of the special menu to make our parties tastebuds happy and it worked out well. Yes it was more expensive than just eating dinner there, but the spot for seats can't be beat. I have also done the River Belle package and enjoyed the meal and the seats, but the HB package is a better value.

What are you allowed to order off the regular menu for this price? Is it just entree and a drink?

 

[pharmama]

What are you allowed to order off the regular menu for this price? Is it just entree and a drink?

Anything off the regular menu can be ordered instead. Most entrees on the regular menu include fries, coleslaw or onion rings. You can also substitute a regular size fountain drink or other beverage for the Blue Sky can soda that comes with the F! package.

No one knows why they have that line about the viewing areas being standing only on the website. In my experience and observation, the dining package areas including HB are always seated. I do recall someone on here mentioning very early on that they were asked to stand in the HB section but since then it seems to be all seated.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

The HB dining package area "may" be standing if the viewing area is super crowded. We've had posts here (very few) that people were asked to stand to allow more people in that area. Usually, the standing request seems to happen during very busy times, like peak holiday season. We've done the F! dining packages many times and always have seen the HB section seated, so I don't think the "standing" request is common. It's just something to be aware of if you reserve that package.

 

[purple figment]

Weirdly, the DLR site says the viewing areas for the on-the-go package are standing room only? This makes a big difference to me on value. Is it standing or chairs?

There are no chairs in the viewing areas for the dining packages. Viewers will be sitting on the ground, although the Blue Bayou package includes a cushion for each person. I imagine it's possible that on extremely crowded evenings viewers might be asked to stand, but we've never had this happen.

The only package with guaranteed (chair) seating is the River Belle Premium Fantasmic package (8 PM seating only). Dinner on the patio and diners remain in their seats for Fantasmic. The trade-off is a less than perfect view.

 

[Grumpy1977]

We just did the Hungry Bear package thought the food was decent and we were sitting in the viewing area and did not feel crowded.

Never really have seen the whole fantasmic show and I was impressed by how well we could see the show.

 

[twodogs]

Thanks all. I'm not sure if my parents (in their late 70's and early 80's) will want to sit on pavement for the show. I will have to ask them. I guess it is better than standing, especially for the sight lines, but doesn't seem terribly comfortable.

 

[RedHotMama]

Thanks all. I'm not sure if my parents (in their late 70's and early 80's) will want to sit on pavement for the show. I will have to ask them. I guess it is better than standing, especially for the sight lines, but doesn't seem terribly comfortable.

We bring foam pads to sit on. They're kneeling pads made for gardening we picked up at the Dollar Tree. But we have a stroller to carry them in all day.

 

[caribbeandream]

We bring foam pads to sit on. They're kneeling pads made for gardening we picked up at the Dollar Tree. But we have a stroller to carry them in all day.

What a great idea! Totally stealing.