Fantasmic Package Worth 2 TS????

[kato0627]

We are visiting WDW 9/21-9/29. We have the Brown Derby Fantasmic Pkg booked for one night. I just found out they have a very limited menu for those doing the Package. Is is worth it to use 2 TS here for this menu. Are the crowds late Sept really that bad for the show that we need the special admission voucher. That is really why we booked the package. We do have 3 small children who tend not to do so great waiting in lines.
Any thoughts are appreciated.

 

[mickeysgirl17]

Well, if you want to try to eat at Mama Melrose's or Hollywood and Vine, it will only be 1 TS and they have a lot of variety. I would stick with the dinner package even in off season just for the peace of mind and there usually is a wait regardless of the time of year you go.

 

[kato0627]

Every other rest is booked the entire week we are there with the package.
Even if we just wanted ADR's without the voucher, is what the CM's are doing when I call to change the ressie

 

[binky]

You might want to read the following thread: Under "Theme Parks Attractions and Strategies" search for "Fantasmic package rip-off". Sorry, but I don't know how to show the link! You may not want to use 2 TS after reading this.

 

[splashmtnman]

I don't think I would.The section they reserve for you is off to the side and not that good and you still need to line up early to get those. I would just have dinner there seperate of the Fantasmic package and then just show up early and wait for seats.

 

[rmbaine]

In May, we got seats at Fantasmic without waiting - just walked in. They weren't the greatest seats, but no seats are really bad. We couldn't get a Fantasmic package and decided to just show up.

Good luck with whatever you decide. Imho, the restrictions at the Brown Derby definitely diminish the worth of the package.

 

[wiskband]

I absolutely love this show and did the dinner package once before, The seats were not front row center like you may think. Ans like someone else said no matter where you sit it;s not really bad. The only advantage to the tix are perhaps just NOT having to go through the main entrance. Lots of people, bottlenecking etc. However, I did find that even when we thought we were so far back and were not going to have good seats or even make it in, we always did. You;d be surprised at how many people that place can accomidate! I have a package reserved myself but its for hollywood vine (not a signature restaurant).

renee

 

[keishashadow]

IMO small children = buffets .

They don't have to wait for their food to be served & lots to pick from @ H&V, even a kiddie buffet. It's a "let your hair down" kind of place too.

We've always done the pkg & have been able to show up 1/2 hour before the show & get seats near the back...our fav. for a quick escape & ability to get a panoramic view.

 

[FigmentKid]

I asked the CM when I booked this if you chose from the regular menu or if there was a special, smaller menu for the package. She told me you pick from the regular menu. I will change my plans if this isn't the case - can anyone confirm that they have had a smaller menu, or been restricted to only certain items?

Edit: Did a search on the boards for "fantasmic brown derby menu" and found an overwhelming amount of threads on the subject all with the agreement that the menu is not restricted!

 

[keishashadow]

I asked the CM when I booked this if you chose from the regular menu or if there was a special, smaller menu for the package. She told me you pick from the regular menu. I will change my plans if this isn't the case - can anyone confirm that they have had a smaller menu, or been restricted to only certain items?

Edit: Did a search on the boards for "fantasmic brown derby menu" and found an overwhelming amount of threads on the subject all with the agreement that the menu is not restricted!

allears has a section for fantasmic menus/restrictions.

 

[melomouse]

We've done the Fantasmic Dinner Package 3x at H&V, loved getting front row seats at Fantasmic.No complaints from our family on this.

Having also dined at BD with my late Mom, and knowing it has "signature status" - 2 credits - I just wouldn't bring 3 small kiddies there - JMHO. It's not even about the credits - it's about the small kids (and possibly other diners!) being more comfy at a buffet or at MM's.The BD is well worth the extra - to me at least.

I also waited til DD was 6 to do Fantasmic - many opinions will vary - but it is very intense and some say their 2- y/olds loved it. Depends on your kids.

Take the package - it's no EXTRA $, just a CC hold - and enjoy MM or H&V. My kids love it there!!!
Hope yours do too - and hope this helps!

 

[binky]

Take the package - it's no EXTRA $, just a CC hold - and enjoy MM or H&V. My kids love it there!!!
Hope yours do too - and hope this helps!

I think the OP said that H&V and MM were booked up during their vacation dates.

 

[jonimce]

Just returned using DDP. First off , is BD worth2 TS's? I'm both ways on this. In the past it has always been 1 TS and diffently worth it. I would think about using two again. Not the same as the other sigunature rest. But we still love this place.

We went to MM for our fantasmic package and we really love this rest. The waitress brought us both the fantasmic and the regular dinner menu and encourged us to order from the regular menu. (I think because the prices are higher and her tip could be higher) We choose the fantasmic menu because it was lighter. We were at Disney for 10 nights and a 7 night cruise before this so we were getting tired of eating big meals. We never eat this big at home.

Last time I did Fantasmic without the dining we almost got trampled to death. When they opened the gates everyone started pushing. I would never see this show again if it wern't for the dining. There are no bad seats. Because of the way it's projected, every view is great.

Have fun

 

[melomouse]

thank you, binky, for pointing out that second post by OP.

I would suggest she keep calling, tho.

 

[TSM1993]

My DBF and I did the BD Fantasmic package August 21st and we did not think the BD was worth the 2 TS. It was the least expensive of all our meals yes we did take advantage of the free dining we were still keeping track of how much the dinners would have been if we were not on the dining plan just to see if it is worth doing on our upcoming Oct trip. BD came to $97.00 for us to eat at and all the other TS we had were 1 TS and all came to over $100 for 2 people to eat. So no I do not think BD is worth it I however do think the fantasmic package is so chose either MM or HV unless you need to burn 2 TS like we did then do BD but if you dont need to do a 2 TS then stay away from BD.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Is the Brown Derby/Fantasmic! Dining Plan menu restricted? Not in any way. Is BD worth two credits? In my opinion, no - IF you're trying to maximize your credits. If, on the other hand, you will enjoy the food (that tuna Cobb salad sounds tempting!), then yes, it's worth it.
The only FDP menu restrictions are at Mama Melrose's - the only 'appetizers' you can get are the family-style salad, and one flatbread for every two or three people in your party; and one dessert item is surcharged.

 

[jonimce]

MM will let you order off the regular menu for the fantasmic dinner package. There are no restrictions on the app. or desserts or even the main course. Last week we were given both menus and the choice was ours. Have fun.

 

[Amyrlin]

On a good day HBD can be very good and worth 2 credits, but if yu ate doing it only for fantasmic them maybe use anohyter resturant. The menu says limited, but in reality it is the same menu.

 

[Amyg]

I don't think I would.The section they reserve for you is off to the side and not that good and you still need to line up early to get those. I would just have dinner there seperate of the Fantasmic package and then just show up early and wait for seats.

We used the Fantasmic package at H & V because they are only 1 TS credit and there's lots of food options. Granted, the food is not fabulous but I'm glad we got it. You don't have to stand and wait in line with the other hoards of people for 90 minutes before the show.

We casually walked in from a separate entrance about 35 minutes before the show. True the seats are off to the side but we still had a nice view IMO. Also, we would have had to eat somewhere and use the TS credits in any case, so with the package they throw in Fantasmic for you having eaten at one of the three restaurants.

I guess it just boils down to personal choices for your own family's needs.

 

[Cookie Princess]

We just returned from WDW and felt that HBD was NOT worth 2 credits, even with the Fantasmic Package. The food is ok, but we had better meals for 1 credit at Le Cellier and Spoodles. We won't do that again!