Fantasmic Package...do I need it??

[jen26]

My question is...do we really need a Fantasmic package during a slower/less crowded time of year? It is showing 3 times the week that we will be there in late September, Saturday (Morning EMH), Sunday, and Thursday. I just wasn't sure if having the package would matter that much in slower times. Will I be sorry that I canceled the reservation?




TIA for any advice you can give...

 

[jen26]

Anyone? I just needed some other input because all my husband says is "whatever you want is fine with me", which is good most of the time, just not now

 

[chocovrdmicears]

I don't know if this helps as we just returned and it wasn't a slower time...But we saw Fantasmic for the first time this past week. We couldn't get the Package. It was a NIGHTMARE getting in. Yikes! We even went to the second show of the night and it was scary. We stood in a massive crowd for 45 minutes. It was HOT and uncomfortable especially for my kids who were basically stuck standing in the crowd with nothing to see in the humid air. Ick! When they finally did start moving people it was insane. For some reason people lose their common sense in situations like that and have no problem pushing and shoving little kids. It was a sea of aggravated, agressive, HOT people.
The moral of my story? I would NEVER go to Fantasmic again without doing the package. I don't know if it would be much better, but it certainly couldn't be any worse.

 

[jen26]

I can't even imagine how awful that must have been!
That definitely makes me think twice about canceling the Mama Melrose package I got for 2pm. Maybe I am better off keeping it and saving Sci Fi or Prime Time for another trip.

Thanks.

 

[chocovrdmicears]

Your kids are 9 and 6, my kids are 7 & 8. Keep the package. I wouldn't put my peeps through that again! lol!

 

[disneystick]

My family won't go to the show without the package. Why stand in line for the extra hour, hour and a half when we can just show up half hr before show starts and is guarantee a seat. Now keep in mind seating is off to the side and not middle of stage but we were happy to avoid all that pushing and shoving.

 

[StuckInKS]

We saw it on July 6th (busy time) without a dinning package. We got in a few minutes after it started (no line, just walked right in) and were in the standing room only section. I guess we just missed seating availability, because there were tons of people walking in a head of us, but only five other people in SRO when we arrived. We were able to sit in SRO and still see almost everything. BUT ... there were also two shows that night and this was the second show that started after 'park closing,' so that may have been why.

 

[Dis703]

Hmm. This makes me wonder if I should do this package as well. It's been a few years since we've been there and back then we never had a problem getting in to the show without a package, but I'm not sure if they were offered at that time. We mostly went in April/May, but this year we are going mid-November.

Just wondering though when you book a package are you paying more for the meal? I don't really want to use my TS credit for any place in HS as they just don't interest me, but if I have to spend more money to get this package than I normally would on a meal it won't be worth it for us.

Heather

 

[disneystick]

Hmm. This makes me wonder if I should do this package as well. It's been a few years since we've been there and back then we never had a problem getting in to the show without a package, but I'm not sure if they were offered at that time. We mostly went in April/May, but this year we are going mid-November.

Just wondering though when you book a package are you paying more for the meal? I don't really want to use my TS credit for any place in HS as they just don't interest me, but if I have to spend more money to get this package than I normally would on a meal it won't be worth it for us.

Heather

When we do the package we just use one of our TS on the dining plan. Under dining plan no extra charges whether you eat at Mama Melrosa or HV, just one TS credit. However, BDerby is a 2 TS credit.

 

[crazy4cloth]

Ok I'm a newbie. We can't make ADR until Nov. but can someone tell me how I go about doing it for Fantasmic? I looked on the disney site but didn't see anything.

 

[Laurin612]

Start by finding out which days of your trip Fantasmic is playing. It only plays 2-3 days a week now, so you'd need to find out which days it's playing during your stay before making a reservation. It is my understanding that you have to call to make the reservation and you secure your reservation with a credit card.

I tried to get the Fantasmic package for my late November trip, but it's all booked up. Since it's Thanksgiving week, the lines should prove to be EPIC.

 

[dakuhn]

We will never go again without a ressie. We've done it both ways and not having to wait in line, separate entrance, guaranteed seat, and a great meal at Mama Melrose to boot. We've gone the past two Decembers during one of the lowest attendance weeks of the year. Last year we had the ADR and it was heavenly!

 

[jen26]

Thank you all for your suggestions! It seems that everytime I re-check the disney calendar something else has been added. Maybe at this point (less than a month to go) , I should be checking every day for changes. On the Saturday that we plan to see Fantasmic for the first time , they added another show. So now there is a show at 8pm and one at 9:30.

Do you think that this changes anything? Mama Melrose (for lunch at 2pm) looks like a good restaurant, but now we could do Chef Mickey's instead at 5:15pm which we have never been to either. Then maybe we could go to the later Fantasmic without the crowds?? What do you think?

And, if we do the package, can we use the reserved seating for either show? I have looked for the answer to this question, but before I call I thought that someone on here might know. Thanks, again!

 

[chocovrdmicears]

If you do the Fantasmic package the reserved seats are only good for the first showing. I definately wouldn't go over to Chef Mickeys then back to DHS even for the late show. I would stick with the 2:00 pm package and see the first show. JMO.

 

[jen26]

If you do the Fantasmic package the reserved seats are only good for the first showing. I definately wouldn't go over to Chef Mickeys then back to DHS even for the late show. I would stick with the 2:00 pm package and see the first show. JMO.

I have decided to take the advice and keep my Mama Melrose reservation for 2pm. The menu does look really good...especially the calimari appetizer. Hopefully, I can get into Sci Fi and Chef Mickey's with my boys on another day of the trip.
I am looking forward to writing my first ever trip report and dining review when we get back! And I plan to take lots of photos!!

Thanks

 

[mjp12831]

I have decided to take the advice and keep my Mama Melrose reservation for 2pm. The menu does look really good...especially the calimari appetizer. Hopefully, I can get into Sci Fi and Chef Mickey's with my boys on another day of the trip.
I am looking forward to writing my first ever trip report and dining review when we get back! And I plan to take lots of photos!!

Thanks

Good choice keeping MM F!

Calimari app was very good - other food is ok - not bad but nothing to rave about. The F! package is nice when you have young kids so you can minimize line time. I'd go back.

FYI - I found CM's extremely overrated - poor food quality - think eating at a Golden Coral that's packed with people (making the buffet hard to keep organized and clean). Characters are nice, but for some of the same characters I'd recommend the Tusker Breakfast.

 

[txcorey]

Just tried to get a reservation for mid October and they were completely booked. We're there for a week and it's only playing once. Guess I'll keep trying. Seems like everything I try to book is already full and here I thought I was going at a "slow" time. Ha.

 

[Laurin612]

Just tried to get a reservation for mid October and they were completely booked. We're there for a week and it's only playing once. Guess I'll keep trying. Seems like everything I try to book is already full and here I thought I was going at a "slow" time. Ha.

Since Fantasmic is now showing only once or twice a week the Fantasmic Dinner Package has become a very hard to get reservation! It's often booked up 180 days out, so it's not surprising that you're having trouble getting one a month out. That said, cancellations do happen, so definitely keep checking! Good luck!

 

[free2div]

Good choice keeping MM F!

Calimari app was very good - other food is ok - not bad but nothing to rave about. The F! package is nice when you have young kids so you can minimize line time. I'd go back.

FYI - I found CM's extremely overrated - poor food quality - think eating at a Golden Coral that's packed with people (making the buffet hard to keep organized and clean). Characters are nice, but for some of the same characters I'd recommend the Tusker Breakfast.

Very disappointed with Chef Mickey's..Tusker House is much better!!!