Fantasmic on the Go Package?

[jenhelgren]

I was looking at the Fantasmic dinner package options and saw this new on-the-go option. Is the fastpass that you receive with the on-the-go option any different from the one you receive when booking a dinner package at Blue Bayou or River Belle?
Is the Fantasmic package a good choice? We will be visiting in the fall and showings will only be on the weekends but there will be MHP nights in there as well limiting the Fantasmic nights.
Is there a separate entrance for dinner party tickets or do you just use the regular FP entrance?
On a side note-I have seen conflicting opinions about watching the fireworks from Fantasmic seating. Are there good spots and not so good spots or are we better off braving the crowds in front of the castle on a different night?

 

[SMD]

The FP from the to go meals is the same one you can get from the FP machine. There is no entrance. There's roped off areas in NOS and different lines based on which section your FP is for. The FP for the areas reserved for the TS packages can only be obtained by eating at the corresponding restaurant.

 

[jenhelgren]

Do you end up with better seating by obtaining the FP with the TS packages? If we reserve a TS meal package for a Sunday in October-how early would we need to be in the Fantasmic line to get great seats? Is there a special section for TS tickets to enter the venue like at WDW? Thanks!!

 

[jeepnjudy]

The fast pass with the BB package gets you up front and center and the ability to SIT and watch the show rather than standing! Much better!

 

[Girimama33]

There are no seats in the Fantasmic viewing area...you either sit on the ground or stand. The BB package comes with a cushion.

 

[jeepnjudy]

My apologies for not explaining...although there are no seats, you are not allowed to stand. You sit on your cushion provided at your dinner. At least we were not allowed to stand this past weekend which made the whole experience that much more enjoyable!

 

[figment_jii]

I had read in previous reports that guests in the TS dining package viewing areas could stand in the back of the section, behind the ECVs/wheelchairs, if they wanted too. The rest of the TS dining package viewing areas are ground seating only. From most all of the resorts here on the Disboard, all of the TS dining package viewing area provides a great view (partially because it's ground seating only and because it's located front and center).

 

[Girimama33]

My apologies for not explaining...although there are no seats, you are not allowed to stand. You sit on your cushion provided at your dinner. At least we were not allowed to stand this past weekend which made the whole experience that much more enjoyable!

I was referring to the whole viewing area, not just the viewing for the TS dining locations.

 

[jenhelgren]

I am a complete newbie so I am learning more from every thread! Are the cushions still black with white decaling like the photos online? I am assuming they are foam-would they fit in a backpack and could they be signed on with a Silver or Gold sharpie marker? My kids are always looking for something new and different to collect autographs on and Fantasmic is our first night so it would be perfect if they are signable!
I had planned on dining at River Belle-are the package and tickets identical or does one restaurant get better seating than the other?
We will be visiting on a Sunday night in October. What time would we need to get in line with our dining package ticket to be up front for the best seats? Can we stay and view the fireworks from the dining package area or are there other locations much better? Thank you SO much for all the DLR answers and support!!!

 

[jeepnjudy]

I can only speak to the BB dining experience as that is what we did. The seat cushions are purple with white writing/graphics on them. They are somewhat like a harder foam and they will fit in a backpack...we had 2 in mine. I do not see why they could not be signed with a Silver or Gold sharpie marker, but I am thinking the silver would likely show up better. The Fantasmic show started at 9PM and we arrived to the seating area around 8:30PM...there was still plenty of room available and even when the show started we were not packed in like sardines! I think they purposefully keep that section that way since you paid the price for the dinner, but I could be wrong. You can stay and watch the fireworks from there and they even project the same images there that are being projected onto the castle on main Street. It also snows during the fireworks! After the fireworks we maneuvered our way over to Small World and still snagged a curb side seat for the parade. It was a nice way to end a fun day!

 

[jenhelgren]

Can anyone confirm for me that the tickets at Blue Bayou and River Belle are the same and get the same seating? I did read that the cushion is only for BB diners and not River Belle-is that still correct? How lucky do you have to be to maneuver out of the seating area and over near Small World and actually find a spot? I am thinking we may save the parade for a different night if our chances are slim finding a good spot to watch from!
I also read about a Desert Package on a Disney Food Blog but couldn't find any recent information about it-does anyone know if it will be available in October?

 

[Girimama33]

Can anyone confirm for me that the tickets at Blue Bayou and River Belle are the same and get the same seating? I did read that the cushion is only for BB diners and not River Belle-is that still correct? How lucky do you have to be to maneuver out of the seating area and over near Small World and actually find a spot? I am thinking we may save the parade for a different night if our chances are slim finding a good spot to watch from!
I also read about a Desert Package on a Disney Food Blog but couldn't find any recent information about it-does anyone know if it will be available in October?

BB and RBT do not have the same seating. They each have their own viewing location. You only get a cushion with the BB package. The desert package is no longer available. It went away when the dining packages were introduced.

 

[LizzyS]

figment_jii made a great thread regarding the Fantasmic viewing areas a while back (check later posts in the thread for newer information):

http://www.disboards.com/threads/fantasmic-viewing-area-locations.3381412/

Personally, I'm going to do the RBT package next time we go as we've been to DLR 4 times and have never seen Fantasmic!

 

[jenhelgren]

Thanks for that link-it helped get a much better picture of things! It looks like the RBT at BB sections are right next to each other. Has anyone done the RBT package lately that can comment on whether the rest of the information is the same? Is the area not overly crowded like BB? Anyone interested in selling their seat cushions from BB? My daughter now wants one and there is quite a difference between the BB and RBT meals for our family of 4!

 

[rstamm]

What are the hours you can dine?
Could I go at lunch around 12 or must you go at a specific time.
Does each restaurant have a different policy on the time you can dine?