Fantasmic package at Hollywood/Vine?

[wildernesslodgelover]

I just saw this mentioned on another thread and I am not familiar with it. I have never seen Fantasmic (is that what it is called?) and actually have not gone to MGM since I was little. I keep hearing Fantasmic is a great show, but I hate all the stress of trying to position myself and DH and DD6 in advance so we can have a good view. Is there a package? What does it cost? Any reviews? Thank you for any info!

 

[lark]

It enables you not to have to wait in a long line for fantasmic. You eat, and they give you a voucher to go in a special entrance to see fantasmic and sit in a reserved section. The section is to the far right, so it's not the best seat you could get if you waited in line, but the view is fine. It's a pretty low hassle way to see Fantasmic.

It's a good show. Depends on your tastes, I guess. Lot's of smoke and lights and characters and stuff.

The dinner at Hollywood and Vine is nothing special. It's buffet. American food. Some folks love it; most think it's good to pretty good; and some are a little disappointed. It's fairly expensive -- figure about $25 to $30 per adult with tax and tip.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Thanks for the quick reply. So it is $25-$30 and that includes the special seats? I will have to think about this one. That buffet sounds pretty boring. I have not heard anything too great about H&V. Thanks for the info!

 

[Mom to Jordan]

We really like the H&V buffet. The food was hot, tasty and really good. We are pretty simple eaters however so consider that. The package is really nice to save you time and stress.



Jordans' mom

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Thank you, Jordan's mom. While I consider myself a 'foodie" I am certainly not a food snob. And I do like the idea of seeing the show without the stress of seating issues.

Thanks for your input!

 

[disney's daughter]

I am in my 50's and like to eat at the "nicer" restaurants...however...(especially with children)...unless I am going in an "off season"...and the crowds are at a minimum....if I want to go to Fantasmic...which is a wonderful show....I would definitely go to Hollywood and Vine....It isn't anything special...but, the kids like it...My grandson chose hot dogs and macaroni and cheese off the buffet...and still says it's the BEST place he has ever eaten..! I like being able to get into a "reserved" section for seeing the show....and I've seen it four times from that area..I would NOT go two hours earlier just to get a "better seat"...The viewing is fine from there....

 

[chipnwendy]

You are not restricted to Hollywood & Vine with the Fantasmic Dinner Package by any means. Last time we did this, we ate at The Hollywood Brown Derby, then got the vouchers for Fantasmic.

Check around for which restaurants are included...

 

[lark]

At last check, the three restaurants that participate were Hollywood and Vine, Mama Melrose, and Brown Derby. That list is in increasing order of expense. The first is buffet and the other two are, I believe, waiter service. (I think Hollywood and Vine might have waiter service too, but at least when we were there, the only option for the fantasmic package was buffet.)

 

[CindyAnn]

We've tried all 3 restaurants. Our winner would be Brown Derby and Mama Melrose would be second. Hollywood & Vine comes way down the list. In fact, when I had to change our Fantasmic Dinner Package night a while ago, and give up Brown Derby, the only thing left for the new night was Hollywood & Vine. My easy-going DH absolutely refused to eat there again, and said he'll either skip it or park himself in a seat, but he WON'T eat at H&V again. We have two children, and they've always found something they like at all the restaurants.

 

[gigi1313]

we enjoyed H&V both times we've been there... something for everyone, not super-plain-jane... quite a variety of well seasoned offerings... root beer sweet potatoes, yum!

 

[off to neverland]

I've got the Unofficial Guide to WDW right here on my lap, and am opened to the Fantasmic! Dinner Package Page. Prices for dinners with the Fantasmic seating are as follows:

Hollywood Brown Derby: $37 adult $10 child
Mama Melrose's $29 adult $10 child
Hollywood and Vine $22 adult $10 child

At all three restaurants, child is ages 3 -11.

I hope this helps!

We're planning on doing the H&V package in May.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Thanks guys! Hmmm, lots of mixed reviews on H&V!

CindyAnn-That speaks volumes...DHs usually are not picky!

Raewhid-Thanks for the info. Isn't that Unofficial guide great? I haven't thumbed through it is often as I used to since I found these boards!

I have a totally off topic question to ask you...How do you like living in Calgary? My DH and I entertain thoughts of moving there. Not that I have ever even been there! We love Canada (been to vancouver a few times...too pricey and getting crowded, but absolutely beautiful.) Are you from Calgary originally? You can PM me if you like, or post here. I hope you see this! thanks....

 

[off to neverland]

Calgary.... LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT!!!!!

I'm originally from Montana, but in the last 10 years have lived in Houston (4 years), Rio de Janeiro Brazil (2 years) and Calgary (4 years).

Calgary is incredible. The economy is great, it's more conservative politically than other places in Canada, it's safe, it's cosmopolotin, and it's absolutely beautiful.

Everyone complains about the winters, but my husband and I say that's because there is NOTHING else to complain about.

And now Alberta is running on a huge surplus, so it's a great place to be. There is so much opportunity here.

PM me with any questions you might have... I love to talk about Calgary!

 

[robinb]

AllEars has a Fantasmic! dinner package FAQ: http://allearsnet.com/din/fantdin1.htm. We've never done it, but a very friendly family gave us their passes when they were leaving and we sat in the reserved area.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

I went to Hollywood and Vine in April for the Fantasmic package. I thought the food was great and liked being able to see what I was getting. My 2 teens and DH really enjoyed it too. And our seats were much closer to the center than when we did the Fantasmic package 4 years ago.

 

[Goofy's Muse]

My kids really enjoyed H&V, but in all honesty, they actually favor buffets for the variety. DH thought it was just OK (of course, this meal followed dinners at San Angel and the Flying Fish, and preceded dinners at Le Cellier, Boma, Spoodles, etc). Not really fair to compare H&V with those choices -- go figure that it wasn't his fave!

But the night we were at H&V they had a fillet of beef with burgundy sauce that was just outstanding! Everyone had their fill and the fact that our seats for Fantasmic were reserved made it all the sweeter. We showed up about 40 min prior to the show so we could rest our feet. Good thing we did! The reserved section was already filling and the non-reserved section was already SRO by that time. This was late August. Crowds everywhere else seemed to be reasonable during our week, but MGM and Fantasmic were much busier than I'd expected!

 

[gigi1313]

Originally posted by robinb
AllEars has a Fantasmic! dinner package FAQ: http://allearsnet.com/din/fantdin1.htm. We've never done it, but a very friendly family gave us their passes when they were leaving and we sat in the reserved area.

just curious when this happened 'cause we once gave away our fantasmic tix to another family when mine was in "done" (as in meltdown) mode... i picked them off the line 'cause the dad had the same old navy tee shirt on as my dh! LOL!

 

[turnlisa]

We tried H&V last time. We loved the package but didn't like H&V for the money. We weren't really impressed with the choices and didn't feel like we got our money worth. Our waitress was having a bad day also. However, we did receive a compliment from a fellow diner who thought that our kids were really well-behaved. I had to point out to my DH that he had just mentioned how awful they were being. Thought that was pretty funny!

This time we have opted to try the Brown Derby. It is my birthday so I am pretty excited about it!

 

[robinb]

Originally posted by gigi1313
just curious when this happened 'cause we once gave away our fantasmic tix to another family when mine was in "done" (as in meltdown) mode... i picked them off the line 'cause the dad had the same old navy tee shirt on as my dh! LOL!

That is so nice! Hmmm ... I think it was last summer, around Independece Day. And I know we brought our Old Navy flag t-shirts with us. There are 3 of us. Was that you?!?! Whoever it was, we were very grateful that someone gave us the tickets. It was one of those little pieces of Disney Magic that I love so well. I try to spread a little magic myself. I will give away our FPs when we leave early and people are always shocked!

 

[robinb]

There seem to be conflicting reports about tax and tip. AllEars says one thing and Intercot says another. Is tax or tip included?