Fantasmic Package Necessary in September?

[amandals2007]

Maybe it would be better this time. When we were there before, it was pouring rain and the restaurant was so full of people we could barely move. The hostess was obviously severely flustered and when I checked in for our reservation 15 minutes early, she barked at me that there was no way we were going to be seated early. Maybe things have changed over the past several years, and maybe that was just an off day for MM. We were also very disappointed in the Fantasmic package itself. We were directed to seats significantly off to the right (I understand that they have since moved the Fantasmic reserved section) and there was plenty of seating still available even 5 minutes before the show. I thought the whole package was worthless. But we really do want to see Fantasmic. It was our favorite thing at HS last time. I don't want to miss it, but we can't stand in line for an hour. I think maybe I am convinced to try MM again.

well i will warn you, the lobby will be packed as it always is and for the most part we get a plesant person taking care of us but you can encounter anyone anywhere having an off/bad day. we never get it for our reservation on time and we are actually okay and happy with that. we normally like eating dinner around 6 or 7 but the dinner packages there stop at 455. so the delay is okay with us they give us the beeper and we walk around the local stores while we wait or just sit by the fountain by the muppets and relax. the new seating is great and worth it. we hate waiting and with the dinner package we feel we get a better seat than if we just waited normally and we love getting the appetizer and dessert along with dinner and not just a dessert. my parents are more appetizer people so thats why they like that, not that we get more food because we can never finish any meal.

 

[DisneyFinally]

I would like to know too how crowded Sept is for the show. In case, I already booked the dining package at Hollywood Brown Derby for 6:00 for the 8:30 show.

 

[Dis703]

I've never been in September but crowds are supposed to be pretty decent. I have gone in April, May and November a lot and never once had the Fantasmic package. I don't think it's necessary and have skipped it mainly because I don't like the dining options. We normally plan on being there 45 minutes prior and once made it at 30 minutes and still got in. The wait doesn't feel terrible because you are sitting down and we normally have snacks at this point and give the kids glow sticks to hand out. They have a little pre show entertainment as well.

 

[Dis703]

We did the lunch package this past Friday. The package was with the characters and fantasmic, so double whammy. As far as the food, my wife loved it and good choice for the kids. I liked the food, not loved, but I loved being able to walk in and sit in the middle section without waiting. If your on the plan, this is a great use of the TS.IMHO

Is this something new? Because in the past H&V lunch was never included because it had characters. Otherwise we might have done the package.

 

[ruthies12]

Is this something new? Because in the past H&V lunch was never included because it had characters. Otherwise we might have done the package.

Yes I believe they just recently added the lunch as an option on the fantasmic package. I am psyched about it cause we were planning on eating lunch there anyway just for the characters and now I plan to book it as the package so we get good seats without a long wait. I believe it was just changed a month or so ago, but don't quote me on that! You should look and see if you can get a new reservation and cancel your old one!

 

[cruisingmom1977]

I would like to know too how crowded Sept is for the show. In case, I already booked the dining package at Hollywood Brown Derby for 6:00 for the 8:30 show.

In my experience (we went early Sept 2014), if you go on a MNSSHP night, Fantasmic is VERY busy (even if it is a slow time) because Magic Kingdom doesn't have an evening parade/fireworks for the public (only for party goers) so everyone is split between Fantasmic and Illuminations. Also, there is typically only one showing per night in Sept so everyone is trying to see the same show. It was a level 2 crowd day and the stadium seemed packed on the standby and fastpass sections. We seemed to have more room in the dining package area.

 

[cruisingmom1977]

We did the lunch package this past Friday. The package was with the characters and fantasmic, so double whammy. As far as the food, my wife loved it and good choice for the kids. I liked the food, not loved, but I loved being able to walk in and sit in the middle section without waiting. If your on the plan, this is a great use of the TS.IMHO

Do you remember how much you paid per person (adult and child) for the package? On the website it looks like the lunch is approx $34 pp and the Fantasmic package is only $2.00 more at $36.00 per adult. Seems like a great deal to me. We did the H&V breakfast last year and my kids LOVED the characters but they aren't big breakfast eaters. I would prefer a large late lunch and a small dinner so this would really work for us.

 

[mort1331]

Do you remember how much you paid per person (adult and child) for the package? On the website it looks like the lunch is approx $34 pp and the Fantasmic package is only $2.00 more at $36.00 per adult. Seems like a great deal to me. We did the H&V breakfast last year and my kids LOVED the characters but they aren't big breakfast eaters. I would prefer a large late lunch and a small dinner so this would really work for us.

This is what we did, Had 11:25 reservations worked great.Not sure about the exact price, but it was more than 36, I think closer to the 40, but it has both the characters and Fant. package. We were on the dining plan this time, because this and couple others were not taking TIW. It worked out to be more about convenience then savings.

 

[mort1331]

Yes I believe they just recently added the lunch as an option on the fantasmic package. I am psyched about it cause we were planning on eating lunch there anyway just for the characters and now I plan to book it as the package so we get good seats without a long wait. I believe it was just changed a month or so ago, but don't quote me on that! You should look and see if you can get a new reservation and cancel your old one!

True it has only been in the last month they have added this. As well they just added last week the characters at dinner at Tusker House, which we just snuck in as well.

 

[brinkley07]

We had good luck at MM, but did need to wait quite a bit past our reservation time to be seated. Luckily we were able to snag a seat by the flatbread maker and he was very personable sharing many inside Disney stories. I think we went a little early to the show, and we ended up with great seats. At the time I didn't think of it, but we saw quite a few people bring in treats they had bought for the family to pass the time. H&V was ok, but not my favorite place since the food is mediocre. We will go again this year for my toddler to see the character because the interaction at last visit was great.

 

[cruisingmom1977]

This is what we did, Had 11:25 reservations worked great.Not sure about the exact price, but it was more than 36, I think closer to the 40, but it has both the characters and Fant. package. We were on the dining plan this time, because this and couple others were not taking TIW. It worked out to be more about convenience then savings.

Sounds great. Thanks for the info!!

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

Well, after a discussion with my husband and some more deep thought, we decided to go with H&V Fantasmic lunch package after all. Although he is not thrilled about a buffet, my husband said that our trip is primarily for the kids and they would enjoy a buffet with characters. As a positive for me, it will be another new experience at Disney. One more step toward my ultimate goal of staying at every Disney resort and eating at every Disney table service restaurant.

 

[henry lutz]

In mid-November we were able to get Fantasmic Fastpasses as our 6th FP of the day.

Can I ask you how early did you show up at fantasmic.we are going in November this year and I was thinking fastpass

 

[Robo]

Can I ask you how early did you show up at fantasmic.we are going in November this year and I was thinking fastpass

What a FP+ for F! offers is more CHOICE in seating.
If you DO get a F! FP+, you can choose to sit in either the FP section (virtually the entire left half of the theater) or the Standby section (virtually the entire right half of the theater.)
So, whatever section has the better seating at the time you arrive, you can go there.

Without a FP, you can only choose a seat in the Standby section.
There is a very good chance that you can get a FP+ for F! as a 4th or 5th FP of the day because they issue SO MANY of them (enough to cover nearly the entire left half of the seating.)
On many nights, it is possible that you can gat a FP+ for F! as you are walking to the theater.

As to when to arrive at the theater, I'd get to there 45-60 minutes before the show-time.
Even with a FP or Dining Pkg. reservation, don't wait too late.
On busy nights, the CMs will stop holding the reserved sections within 20-30 minutes before show-time, and turn over any available seats to waiting walk-in guests.

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Map Below-

Arrows indicate the center of the seating.

Shaded areas:

(First or Only F! performance of the evening)
Cyan= Standby (walk-in) seating
Red= Dining Plan Reserved
Blue= FP+ Reserved
Purple= Can be either FP+ or Dining Plan Reserved, depending on needs.

(Second or Third F! performance of the evening)
Cyan= Standby (walk-in) seating
Red, Purple, Blue= FP+ Reserved
(Although much of the outer Blue will likely be used for Standby.)

 

[henry lutz]

I've never been in September but crowds are supposed to be pretty decent. I have gone in April, May and November a lot and never once had the Fantasmic package. I don't think it's necessary and have skipped it mainly because I don't like the dining options. We normally plan on being there 45 minutes prior and once made it at 30 minutes and still got in. The wait doesn't feel terrible because you are sitting down and we normally have snacks at this point and give the kids glow sticks to hand out. They have a little pre show entertainment as well.

Hi
We are going nov12-21 when you get there 45 minutes early for fantasmic is that just getting in line or are you going in then.Never been so just trying to see how it will go. Also heard to get there an hour early....just knowing going in will help
Thanks

 

[verleniahall]

we have the lunch pakcage booked for halloween for H&V - there were non available online, but I called and she found me one - glad that I called and didn't just settle!!

 

[Robo]

Hi
We are going nov12-21

1. when you get there 45 minutes early for fantasmic is that just getting in line or are you going in then.Never been so just trying to see how it will go.

2. Also heard to get there an hour early....just knowing going in will help
Thanks

1. You'll be going into the theater.
2. Even better. Same answer as #1.

 

[kastoney]

Looks like you already made the decision, but we've been twice in September and are going for a 3rd year in a row in a few months. We've done Fantasmic on both trips, but never with a FP or a dining package. Used the age old "plan" of walking to the theater about 20 minutes before showtime and sitting down. Now I don't care where I sit so that wasn't a factor, but the stadium has never once been even close to full for us

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

Looks like you already made the decision, but we've been twice in September and are going for a 3rd year in a row in a few months. We've done Fantasmic on both trips, but never with a FP or a dining package. Used the age old "plan" of walking to the theater about 20 minutes before showtime and sitting down. Now I don't care where I sit so that wasn't a factor, but the stadium has never once been even close to full for us

Interesting. Glad it worked for you. I am a little hesitant to chance it since this will be the only HS day for us and, if we miss it, we miss it. I might be tempted to chance it if we had to pay OOP, but since we have FD, it is a pretty good use of a TS credit.

 

[SPSRAS]

We did the MM Dining package about 2 weeks ago. We went for lunch - the crowd level that day was on most sites listed as a 5. The restaurant was very quiet and we found it very cool and relaxing. We had a very leisurely lunch - the food was not fantastic but it was good - we all enjoyed what we ate. We ate at 50s Prime time for dinner -which was packed and took a very long time. We arrived at the F! theater at 8:15 - both sides were full and we sat in the middle of the middle section so I would say it was totally worth it. It was very nice to have that peace of mind that we were going to be able to get a good seat and not waste hours waiting -