Fantasmic Package - It's Been a While...

[VAgal76]

I haven't done this package for the past few years so I'm in the dark. The last time I booked it was in 2005 for our trip with the In-laws. So, do they give you a limited menu to choose from or are you allowed to pick from any of the dishes on the menu? Which choice do you like best - BD, MM or H&V? I'm taking my sister and family for their first trip so I'm just debating if she should go this route again or just line up with the masses.

 

[Tina G]

The Fantasmic situation has changed greatly since you last were there. There used to be a separate entrance for the reserved seats and you could show up about 30-45 minutes in advance for your seat. Now there is no separate entrance, you must wait in line with everyone else which means you have to arrive earlier than before due to the length of the main line. Also, Fantasmic is showing on limited days, usually 2 times a week, so the crowds are even larger and the stadium is filling to capacity an hour or so before the show starts. The packages are getting sold out very quickly and many of us who are calling on the first day we are allowed cannot get the package. I have a feeling Disney is limiting the number of packages they are selling because they know they may not be able to guarantee the seats anymore due to the huge crowds at the show.

That being said, to answer your question it depends on where you go. H&V is a buffet. MM you order off the regular menu and can choose an appetizer, entree, dessert, and drink. I believe the same goes for BD. The best value is probably H&V because you are only paying $2 more per person for the package. However they probably get some of the worst food reviews. We have done MM and liked the food. We probably paid $5-7 more per person for the package based on what we would have ordered and paid for if we didn't have the package. I'm not as familiar with BD but the menu prices there are pretty steep.

I just wrote this in another thread on the same subject but I really don't feel the package is worth it anymore. You still have to show up 60-90 minutes early to make sure you get a seat. The reserved seats aren't the greatest anyway so if you're already there 90 minutes in advance, what did you need the package for?

 

[VAgal76]

Aw, man! They are just stripping everything down. Why do they even have a package available if you have to wait anyway? What is the value of reserving this might I ask if they take the early entrance/reserved section away? I'm so disappointed with the ways things are headed. I have to go since they've never seen the show. I wonder if we skip it to give them something to look forward to on their NEXT trip. I know that's bad of me!

I just took a look at the menus and was leaning toward MM. Hmmm, we'll see.

 

[Tina G]

We saw it on our last trip in 2007. We are taking my parents with us on this upcoming trip in May and that was the main reason we were going to see it again, for their benefit. But we just explained the situation and they agreed that there was pretty much nothing that would make them want to wait 2 hours in line for. I mean the show is good but missing it isn't the end of the world. And since it's their first trip, I think they will be satisfied with seeing Wishes, and Illuminations, and all the other great shows and attractions. We didn't see Fantasmic on our first trip in 2004 as I didn't even know what it was at that time. It was something to look forward to seeing on our last trip.

 

[longhornlaura]

So, one poster stated that there is no longer a reserved entrance, while I read on another thread that there still is a reserved entrance, but the regular crowd is taking over the reserved seating section.

Which is true?

 

[LovinPooh]

We were there last Friday. And i am glad we had the package. You go in the main entrance with everyone else, but as you get into the theater there is a roped off area to reserved seating for 'fantasmic dining experience'. We gave the guy the card we got at H&V and we went right in. There were a ton of seats. And as we sat there with seats all around us looking at the people swarm into the other section, we were glad. I think as the show gets closer they open up the reserved section. But definetly, the dining package was worth it

BTW... LOVED H&V

 

[3boymthr]

Ask your relatives what they think. This is our DSs 1st trip and our first time at DHS, but... We've decided that no way are we waiting in line that long to see a show. There is so much to do a WDW there is no way we'll get it all in during the week we'll be there. So that time will spent doing those other things instead of standing in line. Maybe visiting the boardwalk or taking a cruise or going to DTD or just riding some of those favorite rides a second time. We'll catch Illusions and Wishes and that will be it and we're totally okay with that. You're relatives may feel the same way.

 

[longhornlaura]

We were there last Friday. And i am glad we had the package. You go in the main entrance with everyone else, but as you get into the theater there is a roped off area to reserved seating for 'fantasmic dining experience'. We gave the guy the card we got at H&V and we went right in. There were a ton of seats. And as we sat there with seats all around us looking at the people swarm into the other section, we were glad. I think as the show gets closer they open up the reserved section. But definetly, the dining package was worth it

BTW... LOVED H&V

It's nice to hear first hand from someone who was just there. How early did you arrive?

 

[zulemara]

I am pretty sure they keep that section reserved until at least half an hour before the show so I think if you get there maybe 45 minutes ahead of time you'll be fine

 

[LovinPooh]

It's nice to hear first hand from someone who was just there. How early did you arrive?

It was about a half hour. I was a bit worried with the early dinner adr for 4:55pm and the show being at 7:00. But it all worked out great. We left H&V and went right there. I think it was shortly after that people were starting to be let in the reserved area. Me and DH just looked at each other and thought how pissed we would be if we had gotten there early and was crammed over on the other side and people just getting there were getting these seats. Oh well... i cant recommend this package enough though.

They did add another show time, which makes me wonder if they realize 2 times a week just isnt enough