Fantasmic Package?

[marylouwho]

Can someone tell me what a Fantasmic package is?
We never done it ... don't know what it is even...
Is it worth doing?

This is our 4th trip to WDW, but I know nothing about it... Thanks!

 

[mermaid&cinderella]

I'd like to hear about it too

 

[Wunderkind]

Basically it is a way to have guaranteed seating at the Fantasmic show in DHS. In fact it is a way to not have to show up 45 min. to an hour before the show starts to grab decent seats. You can make a dinner reservation at Mama Melrose, Hollywood & Vine, or Brown Derby. When you call 407- WDW-DINE to make your reservation, make sure you tell them you want a Fantastic dinner package with your meal. There isn't any additional charge for the package but you must specify it when making the ressie.

You can go here for more info: http://allears.net/din/fantdin1.htm

 

[catne]

Basically it is a way to have guaranteed seating at the Fantasmic show in DHS. In fact it is a way to not have to show up 45 min. to an hour before the show starts to grab decent seats. You can make a dinner reservation at Mama Melrose, Hollywood & Vine, or Brown Derby. When you call 407- WDW-DINE to make your reservation, make sure you tell them you want a Fantastic dinner package with your meal. There isn't any additional charge for the package but you must specify it when making the ressie.

You can go here for more info: http://allears.net/din/fantdin1.htm

You DO have to show up up at least 45 minutes before the show with the package. There is no separate entrance anymore either - you go in the same entrance as everyone else. Due to the reduced number of Fantasmic showings, the crowds are huge these days; at 30 minutes the ropes come down & the general public is allowed to sit in the formerly reserved seats. People who have been recently (2009) report that Fantasmic package folks had better be in their seats 45 minutes before show time because once the ropes come down on the reserved section it fills in minutes. People without the reserved seats are lining up as much as an hour before the theater opens (which would be 2 hours before show time.)

 

[Wunderkind]

People without the reserved seats are lining up as much as an hour before the theater opens (which would be 2 hours before show time.)

^^^^ Yikes! Glad to know this ahead of time. Things have definitely changed then.

 

[mermaid&cinderella]

Wow 45 mins is too long to be waiting if you have reserved seats I think. Maybe I should rething this one

 

[catne]

Wow 45 mins is too long to be waiting if you have reserved seats I think. Maybe I should rething this one

But you're not standing in a line waiting, you're in your seats. It's kind of a festive atmosphere in there - people are chatting all around, having snacks, kids are playing with light-up-spinny-toys. And it's actually kind of relaxing after a typical long day at a park. It's more like waiting for a kid's ball game to start or something, just very laid back. People start doing the wave throughout the stadium...it's not bad at all once you're seated.

You will find, though, that it's very difficult to get the Fantasmic dinner package-there is a limited number of reserved seats, and once they've booked that number for the dinners, there's no more. Also, the package dinner slots are for 3:30-5:30...or 3:30-5:00 during the time of year when the show is at 7:00 p.m.

 

[dispatch21]

You can't go wrong with the fantasmic package. Its becoming more and more valuable considering they are cutting down on the nights per week they do the show. Definitly go for it!

 

[uncleleo]

The Fantasmic dinner package is worth it if you would like to eat in those restaurants at those times anyway and/or you feel you must see Fantasmic no matter the wait. Having done it once, I don't think I'd do it again. The downsides:

1. You have to get there early anyway. When I went, the requirement was to show up at the "back door" 30 minutes before showtime. Increasing the margin to 45 minutes in my opinion reduces the value of the dinner package.

2. The reserved seating section is not by any stretch of the imagination the best seats in the house. It's in front on the far right when facing the stage. Not as bad as being front right in a typical indoor theater, but there are are certainly better seats to be had by the devoted fanatics who begin lining up at 5pm or earlier.

3. At these prices, 30-45 minutes is a long time to be sitting there doing nothing. I think it's a failure of Disney not to provide pre-show entertainment. Even trailers for upcoming movies would be welcome. The crowd is left to entertain itself e.g., by doing the wave.

 

[pixiedust247]

I was just about to post a thread asking the same questions so Thanks for the information!!! Now if you had a choice between Brown Derby and Hollywood and Vine...which would you chose? We have a DS 10 and a DD 15!

 

[catne]

I was just about to post a thread asking the same questions so Thanks for the information!!! Now if you had a choice between Brown Derby and Hollywood and Vine...which would you chose? We have a DS 10 and a DD 15!

I would take Hollywood & Vine, especially with kids. We ate there last lear (2008) and thought the food was good, as was the service. Not gourmet, but certainly good Disney buffet food.

Would not do the Brown Derby - that is "signature dining" so high $$$. If you're on the dining plan, Brown Derby is 2 table service credits per person, not worth it in our opinion.

 

[marylouwho]

Thanks so much for the info, everyone!!!

I kinda feel like I want to see the show, at least once.
I'll give it a try anyway, on reservation day this Saturday.

You all are the best!!!

 

[Smokeyspawn]

Can someone tell me what a Fantasmic package is?
We never done it ... don't know what it is even...
Is it worth doing?

This is our 4th trip to WDW, but I know nothing about it... Thanks!

Did this Wednesday. At 730, the CMs at the entrance were announcing standing room only for the 830 show. We had our fdp ticket and and were waiting for the rest of our party. The cm told us, "You should go in now if you want a seat, even with that ticket". Luckily, the rest of our group showed. Theatre was packed. If they have 2 shows, go to the last one.

 

[catne]

Did this Wednesday. At 730, the CMs at the entrance were announcing standing room only for the 830 show. We had our fdp ticket and and were waiting for the rest of our party. The cm told us, "You should go in now if you want a seat, even with that ticket". Luckily, the rest of our group showed. Theatre was packed. If they have 2 shows, go to the last one.

The dining package seats are always reserved for the first showing, though - no reserved seats for the 2nd showing.