Fantasmic Package Necessary in September?

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

We will be at HS on a Monday in September (not Labor Day). We really wanted to eat at Sci Fi or 50's Prime Time, but I just started to wonder whether I might need the Fantasmic dinner package to avoid a long wait prior to the show (we have 2 young children an my 73 year old mom will be with us).

I would be a bit disappointed to eat at Mama Melrose (we had the package several years ago and were very disappointed in Mama Melrose), but I would also hate to wait for over an hour in line with a toddler and an 8 year old for Fantasmic.

If Fantasmic is a must do, would we be better off biting the dry pasta and getting the package, or will lower September crowds make the package unnecessary?

I know that FP+ might be an option, but I think we really need to use our Tier A fastpass for Toy Story Mania.

I put this question in the strategy sections and not the restaurant section because that is really what this is all about. Strategy. No Disney trip would be complete without Strategy.

 

[Wood Nymph]

We were there last September and had no problems getting Fantasmic as our 4th fastpass. The CM said that it was usually easy to get that time of year.

 

[mesaboy2]

Agreed, Fantasmic FPs are generally not too hard to get especially if there is more than one showing.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

Agreed, Fantasmic FPs are generally not too hard to get especially if there is more than one showing.

I am pretty certain that there is only one showing on the night we will be there. It is at 8:30.

 

[RJstanis]

We got 4th FP for my whole family with no problem. But even with FP you need to be there early. We got there late and sat over in Hades. My wife didn't like the performance due to this and I doubt I'll ever talk her into seeing it again. Can't remember how much later the Dining Package gives you in terms of waiting but I don't think wasting money on food you don't like is worth it for the show.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

We got 4th FP for my whole family with no problem. But even with FP you need to be there early. We got there late and sat over in Hades. My wife didn't like the performance due to this and I doubt I'll ever talk her into seeing it again. Can't remember how much later the Dining Package gives you in terms of waiting but I don't think wasting money on food you don't like is worth it for the show.

How early do we need to be there with a FP?

 

[RJstanis]

From what I remember and understand is one hour but I could be wrong. Kenny the Pirate and if you google Fantasmic tips you should be able to confirm that info. Mesaboy is right in his FP post (best on the net) that its almost a worthless FP, only gives you a slight edge in seating, not timing.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

From what I remember and understand is one hour but I could be wrong. Kenny the Pirate and if you google Fantasmic tips you should be able to confirm that info. Mesaboy is right in his FP post (best on the net) that its almost a worthless FP, only gives you a slight edge in seating, not timing.

Sounds like Festival of the Lion King FP. We were let in first, but all the best seating was reserved for people with disabilities and their families. Won't do FP for that again.

 

[jcdean]

If you can use up your FP+s early in the day, Fantasmic may well be available as a fourth that time of year. Even without a fast pass you could likely get in if your willing to line up about an hour before the show.

The Brown Derby and Hollywood and Vine also offer Fantasmic Dining Packages- you don't have to eat at MM.

 

[NY Pirate Princess]

We used the package at mama melrose on the dining plan in May and it was well worth it. I enjoyed the meal, the husband and daughter did not. But after along frustrating day of touring HS, everyone loved hopping onto tower of terror as our third fp+ and walking straight over to fantasmic about 40 minutes prior to showtime. As we walked up they were announcing that walk ins would have to stand, but we got excellent seats for the show in the middle of the stadium. If you are going to have a late start and relaxing day, I would think you could walk up, but if you are going to tour all day with little ones and an older person, I wouldn't chance it. The wait will SLAUGHTER you. Waiting while sitting in those bench seats was hard enough. I am even less of a fan of H&V, but would a character lunch package there make sense for your family?

 

[WDWLODGE]

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

 

[cruisingmom1977]

We got a 4th fast pass for Fantasmic around 2:00 at DHS in September 2014. We ate at Mama Melrose for dinner and while I enjoyed the food, the service was SLOW. My Father In Law asked them if they could "hurry up" so we didn't miss Fantasmic and they gave us Dining Package passes for free (even though we didn't have the package). We got there approx 30 minutes before show time and the standby and FP+ sections were almost filled (only open seats were at the far sides). There were still a good number of seats in the dining section and we ended up sitting front and center approx half way up. It was pretty awesome. I would consider the dining package again just because the seats are in the center section. One thing to remember about Sept is that even though its a slow month (we were there the week after Labor Day), MK closes early a couple nights a week for MNSSHP and AK closes at 5pm almost every night. If its a party day at MK, DHS will be very busy at night since DHS and Epcot are the only parks open to the public.
PS- "Magic Mickey" is my son's favorite character (he's 3) so for us it would be worth it to pay extra for great seats.

 

[Tink379]

We always do Hollywood and Vine Fantasmic package.

 

[amandals2007]

we always do the Mama melrose FDP and we ARE IN LOVE WITH THE FOOD!!! to us its amazing i think you should give it a try again. it always fills up its super popular place

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

We used the package at mama melrose on the dining plan in May and it was well worth it. I enjoyed the meal, the husband and daughter did not. But after along frustrating day of touring HS, everyone loved hopping onto tower of terror as our third fp+ and walking straight over to fantasmic about 40 minutes prior to showtime. As we walked up they were announcing that walk ins would have to stand, but we got excellent seats for the show in the middle of the stadium. If you are going to have a late start and relaxing day, I would think you could walk up, but if you are going to tour all day with little ones and an older person, I wouldn't chance it. The wait will SLAUGHTER you. Waiting while sitting in those bench seats was hard enough. I am even less of a fan of H&V, but would a character lunch package there make sense for your family?

I thought about H&V, but we are already doing so many buffets on this trip, and my husband is not a huge fan of buffets. I wanted to have a couple of non-buffet table service dinners, and we are limited because we are trying to stick with the DDP. I also looked at the menu and it does not appeal to me. I love Disney because it is so special, and the H&V buffet looks very common and uninteresting.

 

[Ryansdad0727]

We booked a H&V character lunch for July and it includes Fantasmic. The kids will like the characters and we don't have to worry about using the FP+ for it. This past week i did reserve my 4th FP+ for Fantasmic at 4:30. CM said they would usually have availability until 7:00 for the 8:30 show.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

we always do the Mama melrose FDP and we ARE IN LOVE WITH THE FOOD!!! to us its amazing i think you should give it a try again. it always fills up its super popular place

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.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

We always do Hollywood and Vine Fantasmic package.

I've read so many bad reviews of H&V. What do you like about the food? How would you rate it?

 

[NY Pirate Princess]

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.

I really enjoyed the food at MM. It was crowded when we went too. Perhaps you could eat an early lunch and book an early reservation for dinner here? It might help with the crowds to book an atypical dinner time and since you want to see Fantasmic you can't go late. I hated the food at H&V and I only eat buffet meals at Disney. The dance party and character interaction were worth the table service credit. I would absolutely choose Mama Melrose over H&V since your husband hates buffets and there are some nicer meals at MM. The center section was AMAZING. I could take or leave Fantasmic, but if you love it those center seats are priceless! Like I said, the venue was standing room only when we arrived but we were able to sit more than half way down and see beautifully.

 

[mort1331]

I've read so many bad reviews of H&V. What do you like about the food? How would you rate it?

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